Kayak
MuskieKen83
Posted 4/6/2018 3:44 PM (#901453)
Subject: Kayak




Posts: 22


Given the limited space in my garage I will be forced to store my boat about an hour away. It looks like my best option to fish local waters will be a kayak! The lakes I intend to fish range between 300 and 800 acres.

If there are any avid kayak anglers (muskie or anything really), I would love to hear suggestions on good kayaks (good being stable enough to stand on). So far I am looking at these options:

Old Town Predator 13 Kayak
Bonafide SS127 Sit on Top
Cabela's Advanced Anglers 120 Fishing Kayak

I would like to hear others' experience fishing out of kayaks as well as recommendations.

Thanks!


sworrall
Posted 4/6/2018 3:49 PM (#901454 - in reply to #901453)
Subject: Re: Kayak





Posts: 32886


Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Take a look at the BPS Ascend, I have seen these in action and they perform really well.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/ascend-128t-sit-on-top-kayak?hvarAID...
Fishysam
Posted 4/6/2018 3:56 PM (#901455 - in reply to #901453)
Subject: Re: Kayak




Posts: 1209


I am a old town guy, but for some reason they are not what hard core kayakers use, I only have a vapor 10 so can't offer much to you except there is no way I would target muskies out of my kayak. But if you are thinking of it I would practice on bass first, use similar lures, and technique to unhook them and learn what to expect
Brian Hoffies
Posted 4/6/2018 3:56 PM (#901456 - in reply to #901453)
Subject: RE: Kayak





Posts: 1735


I don't have a opinion on a Kayak but I would ask you keep something in mind when buying. I fish almost exclusively on Kabetogama and Namakin in Northern Minnesota. We have during the course of the year a lot of canoes and kayaks paddling around. When they work the shoreline they are pretty safe, when they cross or paddle down the middle they are really, really hard to see. So please, if possible buy a bright colored Kayak, bright colored life jacket and to be the safest, adding a colored flag on the back really helps also. Please don't take me wrong, I'm pro kayak and pro canoes, however close to the water they can be hard to see. Please be as safe as you can.

MuskieKen83
Posted 4/6/2018 4:15 PM (#901459 - in reply to #901456)
Subject: RE: Kayak




Posts: 22


Thank you for the recommendations (the price is right on the Ascend!) and advice so far. Lucky for me, the local muskie lake I fish has very shallow weedlines (4 feet or so) that are close to shore and 90% of my success has come from said weedlines. This will be better for safety and there won't be any need to wear out the fish. I can get a little closer to shore and hop out in shallower water to net/release the fish. Netting a 'ski from kayak looks almost impossible.
North of 8
Posted 4/6/2018 4:30 PM (#901462 - in reply to #901453)
Subject: Re: Kayak




I have been looking to upgrade my kayak to one that has fishing features built in. The one that I like so far is an Old Town Dirigo. It has a built in rod holders, plus a post mounted rod holder that can be removed, very comfortable, adjustable seat and good storage. The weight is just under 50 pounds, with a 300 pound capacity. One creek I plan on fishing requires portaging the kayak around a bridge in all but the lowest water, so weight is a factor. The Ascend looks like a fishing machine and the price is good but at 96 pounds, little heavier than I want to be carrying on a frequent basis.
I have watched videos of guys catching everything from panfish to tarpon from a kayak, so I think muskies can be handled as well, with proper tools, planning and prep. I too will be fishing in shallow water, and plan on getting out if hooked to a good fish.
ToddM
Posted 4/6/2018 7:32 PM (#901476 - in reply to #901453)
Subject: Re: Kayak





Posts: 20219


Location: oswego, il
I thought of an ascend when i clicked on this thread but i thought this one.
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/ascend-h12-sit-in-hybrid-kayak-camo
North of 8
Posted 4/7/2018 8:45 AM (#901501 - in reply to #901476)
Subject: Re: Kayak




There is a video on MSN.com today of some guy on the Snake River catching an 8' long sturgeon from a kayak. Pretty amazing footage, including the fish coming almost completely out of the water and narrowly missing the kayak the fisherman was sitting in when it fell back in the water. Apparently the fisherman taking the footage does this on a regular basis but the guy who actually caught the giant was new to the sport.

Edited by North of 8 4/7/2018 8:46 AM
Swpamuskyhunter
Posted 4/7/2018 8:51 AM (#901504 - in reply to #901453)
Subject: Re: Kayak





Posts: 104


I fish out of Kayaks regularly on the lakes around my area. I like the Jackson kayak line. For an all around kayak I would suggest the coosa or cuda12. If you want to stand and do figure 8’s look at the big rig. The big rig is a lot to handle getting it to the water but once your on the water it’s all day comfortable.
fish4musky1
Posted 4/7/2018 11:05 AM (#901508 - in reply to #901453)
Subject: Re: Kayak





Location: Northern Wisconsin
Was at gander and saw the 3 waters big fish 12’. Looked like an awesome kayak for 999.
http://fishingyaks.com/3-waters-kayaks/3-waters-kayaks-big-fish-120...
Clammer
Posted 4/8/2018 9:24 AM (#901611 - in reply to #901453)
Subject: Re: Kayak




Posts: 667


Location: Wisconsin
Native Ultimate 12', or larger if you like. I like the 12 because I use it on lake and small streams and anything longer can be tuff on small creeks. Native hull design is really set up to provide a stable platform to fish from. If you are ever in Madison, Rutebega's is a great shop, and it's on the water so you can test any rig you like and get a real feel of the kayaks stability and handling. They vary greatly. The new Natives have a seat that has height adjustments, kind nice for a long day on the water.
Clammer
Posted 4/8/2018 9:26 AM (#901612 - in reply to #901453)
Subject: Re: Kayak




Posts: 667


Location: Wisconsin
As swpa said, the Jackson's are a nice rig as well.
MuskieKen83
Posted 4/8/2018 10:03 AM (#901616 - in reply to #901453)
Subject: Re: Kayak




Posts: 22


The Gander close to me had both the 3 Waters and the Jackson Big Rig. The Jacksons look sick too. It will be a tough decision as I keep adding to the list. With the extended winter in area, I'll have a lot of time to think about it.