Thinking on buying a kayak to fish local rivers n small lakes. Anyone use 1? What should I look for size, pedal power vs paddle, any brand better, extras. I have been in a kayak once, I know very little.
Thanks

I have a cheap 12'- it's like paddling a bathtub. I also have (2) sit on top Sea Kayaks that are 17'- designed for fishing, super stable with built-in rod holders, storage, etc.- they are awesome to fish out of but swimsuit required as the seating area is below waterline.

Bought 3 at Walmart for myself and the family. They were already set up with rod holders. They track well and are not overly heavy. Sit on top design with a padded seat and backrest. Eric

Lots of youtube footage to help you decide.

Bin watching u tube a lot, I just trust the guys on here for honest answers. Think I would like 1 I could use my trolling motor on as a option also.

Sit on tops are what you want for fishing.
Kayaks are like most things, you get what you pay for.
We had Hobie's for a few years but the Old Towns are far better, and a better warranty.
Once you use a pedal yak, you won't ever go back to paddling.
Unfortunately they also come with a price tag.

WS

is your river mostly flat water or is it rapids ?

if your river is flat water then a fishing kayak is what you want.

"river Kayaks" have rounded bottoms , have a curve to them and are set up with enclosed cockpits so you can put on a skirt and run rapids

#1 thing to look for is weight capacity , especially if you are a bigger guy so so many of them have weight limits for Ethiopians 225 MAX weight person and gear is common , to say you don't want to be more than 2/3 loaded to capacity would be about right so a 150 pound person would be appropriate which is not most full grown men.

I have a nucanoe 12 footer frontier

Heavy and very stable even with two people in it

no speed machine but it wont tip either

mount a motor on the back too

https://www.nucanoe.com/nucanoe-frontier/

weight capacity is 650 lbs!!

I have tried out quite a few and to me, you need to decide where and how you will use it. For anything but extreme white water navigation, I prefer a sit on with and elevated seat. I use it on small to mid sized rivers and have a much more sleek touring type for flat water.

For larger still bodies of water, I may end up with a peddle drive. There are lots of great channels on youtube but keep in mind that any kayaks performance will be impacted by the way you load it. Because of that, I follow Alex's advice from T&G canoe and kayak. He is a big guy who puts a premium on performance and fishing ease.

Here is my inexpensive all around, it has been serving me well.

Yaks are for yuppies ...Get a Noe!

Sit on top pedal drive no question. I would recommend Native

This is for the Juniata River in central pa, no rapids that I know of. Just want to float along for smallmouths. We do have some small lakes to use it on and that is why I asked about the trolling motor option. I have a Minn Kota 55 for my 16 ft deep v.

You guys using on rivers, are they downstream only or will these cut thru the current?

I cut through the current with our kayaks. But mostly downstream.

I have not used a pedal kayak. But I need the upper body workout anyway. My legs are fairly strong.

A lot of the above suggested kayaks paddle like barges. The only large sit on top kayak that I have paddled and been impressed with performance was a Crescent Litetackle. But I paddle lots of class 2 and 3 rapids, so I have to worry about performance a little more than most

a canoe isn't a bad way to go
you can get a decent used canoe for quite a bit less money than a kayak , more space and weight capacity , set up a raised seat in the middle I sit on my cooler in the middle and use a kayak paddle

a 55# thrust trolling motor will have you scooting right along in a canoe

I run a Lifetime 10' Tioga sit on top fishing kayak. Got it at Tractor Supply last summer - actually on sale right now for under $300. Lifetime also makes a longer version, plus a bit of an upgraded one with a different seat and different type of rod holders.

A friend has the 11' with the upgraded seat, and rod holders, she cant fit her full grown 90 pound black lab in the back, and she can even stand and fly fish. That was is the Lifetime Yukon.


This is the one I have:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...byncDaTTZPuKKI6U-ODYALyj4zwaAnOjEALw_wcB

Just go to Walker access on a weekend and you'll get to see hundreds of different ones, lol.

Where is Walker access.