Great info Ken, as a 61 year old 215 lb 5'10 old guy I can say, I've had a kayak for a few years, i used to use a 14' 20hp aluminum boat, then a 12 ft aluminum with a 6 hp motor.. But then I discovered sit on top kayaks, I was at a retailer and saw a clearance on a sit on top kayak for 250 dollars, I bought it and added about 50 bucks of accessories and low and behold it worked... And the following year my wife saw my interest and she bought me an actual sit in top Pelican icon 100x angler kayak, and I have to say it works great for me and she found it on clearance for around 499 dollars.. And then she decided to join me paddling and used the first kayak, and she absolutely loves kayaking now. So I can say you don't need to spend a fortune to get into kayaking, all one has to realize is that it all depends on your needs, you don't need to spend a fortune to get out on the water safely and enjoy your voyage.. Just be safe and buy a good paddling vest, leashes, tie downs and a decent paddle, in your size, and means to get from home to a body of water you can enjoy...
That's really cool to hear how you started! Very cool that it has become something that you and your wife do together too. I couldn't agree more about not needing to spend a fortune to get into kayaking - it's not how much you spend, but how you spend it! Cheers!
Another key advantage, unless you're a maniac kayaker making tons of noise is the stealth factor. I watched three motorboats go thru a channel and they caught nothing. I went through and besides catching fish on the pole I was using; I had a fish actually jump out of the water and bite the lure on my spare rod that was hanging loose over the water. That was a first for me.
In my opinion your channel is hands down the most helpful & complete Kayak channel on TH-cam. As a complete beginner, what I've learned from you is huge. I thank you for this. On another note I've just watched another channel showing a particular Kayak review & the couple taking the Kayak out on the water don't wear a life jacket etc, but instead just take it with them as storage in the boat. Also when paddling, they're doing so with the paddles upside down. Quite unbelievable & just shows how clueless some Kayakers are. Yet these types feel they're upto the job at doing Kayaking reviews. I'm a complete beginner but yet after watching your channel videos, I feel I know much more than many doing videos about them. Again, thanks to you. Brilliant channel & perfectly clear information.
You're very welcome, and thank you so much for the note T Man! It's really gratifying to hear when my videos are helpful. I look forward to seeing your first kayak review video! :)
Very good information for helping fishermen make kayak type decision, but I was hoping portability would be covered. Since the boat has to be gotten to the water, weight, cartoppability, needing a trailer,...etc., are very important considerations.
I'm very lucky that I got one of the Mayflies and my husband runs a Liska... Living at the head waters of the Current River in Missouri. A kayak is a must!!! When I was researching I looked for the most room for storage. I wanted something that we could have our fishing gear in, as well as something that we could put our camping gear in.... I was also looking at something that would be a one time purchase.. I didn't want something that every 2 years I had to rebuy.... The only thing I forgot to look at..... Was the weight of the kayaks..... Would it be something I could pick up and port??? Now don't get me wrong I love my Mayfly... But my green machine is heavy...lol. I'm lucky that I go with my husband and together we can port both of our kayaks. Also we have a cart that helps and that is a C-tug. That has made all the difference in the world. We've also learned to take a look at backpacking. We look at the ultra light items.... That is helped tremendously That has helped tremendously on keeping our weight down for camping items. So I would tell anyone looking at getting a kayak. See how much your kayak weighs. Can you move it on land by yourself? Then look at the weight your kayak can hold. How much do you weigh, and how much does the items you want to put in there weight? Now make sure you keep that weight as far below as the maximum weight that kayak can hold. The more weight in the kayak the slower it will go. If you can store your gear inside the kayak. The less chance you have of tipping the kayak. Now these are just my humble opinions. Never get on the water without your life jacket on.... It's never worth your life. And please check with the manufacturer to see the best way to store your kayak. Do you have room to do that?
All great points! Thanks for sharing! FYI: I got to paddle the Current River this past April... what a beautiful river and gorgeous area! You're lucky to have that in your 'backyard'!
I’m apparently odd. I only fish on big whitewater rivers from a sit on top 10’ paddle Kayak (Moken 10v2). One helpful hint: While I can safely paddle on pond water my friends with peddle kayaks cannot safely follow me into whitewater. Don’t use a peddle drive on whitewater, it won’t be in working condition for long. Peddle kayaks don’t turn fast enough to safely positioning yourself in eddies and are far too heavy to paddle upstream in current if you choose to paddle it. Much love everyone, take care 🙏☯️
Very true! Pedal kayaks and whitewater don't mix at all. You can get away with paddling some class 1 rivers with pedal kayaks, as long as your pedal system has a 'kickback' feature, which means it will fold back into the kayak if it hits something. Of course, the other option is to stow the pedal drive system while you paddle through the rapid... but I agree with you, that this is only a reasonable option in light current - not big whitewater. Cheers!
Regular viewers will know what I’m about to say… Everything said about Sit inside kayaks is true about canoes. Pack canoes are essentially kayaks without the deck, and are higher performance, carry more, and easier to portage. You can even use a kayak paddle. There are also canoes made for fishing which are good for standing. It’s all about where you like to go and what you do. In my opinion, the best adventure fishing choice would be a combi canoe or a one person canoe with a raised seat. The pedal kayaks are likely best for the addicted fisherman who really likes to count and weigh fish. If you measure the quality of the day based on the whole experience, or just want to catch a meal to compliment a great day on the water, you should look more closely into a good canoe.
@@StoneE4 Hey! I resemble that remark! 🤣😂🤣 Seriously, I love a good kayak. I’m hoping to start building one soon. I just feel canoes don’t get the love they deserve. In the Adirondacks, it’s mostly canoes for fishing still, or row boats. Then I go to the gulf coast, and there’s nothing but kayaks. Where I used to rent, it’s now practically become a fishing shop and they are making bank selling fishing kayaks. I just cannot stand the performance of the fishing kayaks, but I totally see why fishermen love them. Also, if it gets people out without a motor, it’s all good.
@@nunyabidness3075 sit on top kayaks shine when you.get one with the pedal drives, but it really depends on the hull style, the one I got flies and handles smooth when using the drive, it paddles ok but it's basically a personal bass boat for a fraction of the cost
@@imperialwhovian3461 You can get a personal bass boat more affordably with a fishing kayak, but many people are now spending thousands on them. It’s gotten to where a used aluminum boat might be a better deal again. I think if you need a trailer, you might as well get basic boat. However, if people are happy with their purchase, I’m happy for them.
Great info Ken, as a 61 year old 215 lb 5'10 old guy I can say, I've had a kayak for a few years, i used to use a 14' 20hp aluminum boat, then a 12 ft aluminum with a 6 hp motor..
But then I discovered sit on top kayaks,
I was at a retailer and saw a clearance on a sit on top kayak for 250 dollars, I bought it and added about 50 bucks of accessories and low and behold it worked...
And the following year my wife saw my interest and she bought me an actual sit in top Pelican icon 100x angler kayak, and I have to say it works great for me and she found it on clearance for around 499 dollars..
And then she decided to join me paddling and used the first kayak, and she absolutely loves kayaking now.
So I can say you don't need to spend a fortune to get into kayaking, all one has to realize is that it all depends on your needs, you don't need to spend a fortune to get out on the water safely and enjoy your voyage..
Just be safe and buy a good paddling vest, leashes, tie downs and a decent paddle, in your size, and means to get from home to a body of water you can enjoy...
That's really cool to hear how you started! Very cool that it has become something that you and your wife do together too. I couldn't agree more about not needing to spend a fortune to get into kayaking - it's not how much you spend, but how you spend it! Cheers!
Another key advantage, unless you're a maniac kayaker making tons of noise is the stealth factor. I watched three motorboats go thru a channel and they caught nothing. I went through and besides catching fish on the pole I was using; I had a fish actually jump out of the water and bite the lure on my spare rod that was hanging loose over the water. That was a first for me.
In my opinion your channel is hands down the most helpful & complete Kayak channel on TH-cam. As a complete beginner, what I've learned from you is huge. I thank you for this.
On another note I've just watched another channel showing a particular Kayak review & the couple taking the Kayak out on the water don't wear a life jacket etc, but instead just take it with them as storage in the boat.
Also when paddling, they're doing so with the paddles upside down.
Quite unbelievable & just shows how clueless some Kayakers are. Yet these types feel they're upto the job at doing Kayaking reviews.
I'm a complete beginner but yet after watching your channel videos, I feel I know much more than many doing videos about them.
Again, thanks to you.
Brilliant channel & perfectly clear information.
You're very welcome, and thank you so much for the note T Man! It's really gratifying to hear when my videos are helpful. I look forward to seeing your first kayak review video! :)
Very good information for helping fishermen make kayak type decision, but I was hoping portability would be covered. Since the boat has to be gotten to the water, weight, cartoppability, needing a trailer,...etc., are very important considerations.
nice. all key features are said, all the main pros and cons are mentioned. thanks a lot!
I'm very lucky that I got one of the Mayflies and my husband runs a Liska... Living at the head waters of the Current River in Missouri. A kayak is a must!!! When I was researching I looked for the most room for storage. I wanted something that we could have our fishing gear in, as well as something that we could put our camping gear in.... I was also looking at something that would be a one time purchase.. I didn't want something that every 2 years I had to rebuy.... The only thing I forgot to look at..... Was the weight of the kayaks..... Would it be something I could pick up and port??? Now don't get me wrong I love my Mayfly... But my green machine is heavy...lol. I'm lucky that I go with my husband and together we can port both of our kayaks. Also we have a cart that helps and that is a C-tug. That has made all the difference in the world. We've also learned to take a look at backpacking. We look at the ultra light items.... That is helped tremendously That has helped tremendously on keeping our weight down for camping items. So I would tell anyone looking at getting a kayak. See how much your kayak weighs. Can you move it on land by yourself? Then look at the weight your kayak can hold. How much do you weigh, and how much does the items you want to put in there weight? Now make sure you keep that weight as far below as the maximum weight that kayak can hold. The more weight in the kayak the slower it will go. If you can store your gear inside the kayak. The less chance you have of tipping the kayak. Now these are just my humble opinions. Never get on the water without your life jacket on.... It's never worth your life. And please check with the manufacturer to see the best way to store your kayak. Do you have room to do that?
All great points! Thanks for sharing! FYI: I got to paddle the Current River this past April... what a beautiful river and gorgeous area! You're lucky to have that in your 'backyard'!
Give a yell if you want to do the 11 point... You think the current's nice the 11 point is outstanding.....
I’m apparently odd. I only fish on big whitewater rivers from a sit on top 10’ paddle Kayak (Moken 10v2).
One helpful hint: While I can safely paddle on pond water my friends with peddle kayaks cannot safely follow me into whitewater. Don’t use a peddle drive on whitewater, it won’t be in working condition for long. Peddle kayaks don’t turn fast enough to safely positioning yourself in eddies and are far too heavy to paddle upstream in current if you choose to paddle it.
Much love everyone, take care 🙏☯️
Very true! Pedal kayaks and whitewater don't mix at all. You can get away with paddling some class 1 rivers with pedal kayaks, as long as your pedal system has a 'kickback' feature, which means it will fold back into the kayak if it hits something. Of course, the other option is to stow the pedal drive system while you paddle through the rapid... but I agree with you, that this is only a reasonable option in light current - not big whitewater. Cheers!
Great video
One thing you didn't mention..is the seat in the high position changes your center of gravity
Regular viewers will know what I’m about to say…
Everything said about Sit inside kayaks is true about canoes. Pack canoes are essentially kayaks without the deck, and are higher performance, carry more, and easier to portage. You can even use a kayak paddle. There are also canoes made for fishing which are good for standing.
It’s all about where you like to go and what you do. In my opinion, the best adventure fishing choice would be a combi canoe or a one person canoe with a raised seat. The pedal kayaks are likely best for the addicted fisherman who really likes to count and weigh fish. If you measure the quality of the day based on the whole experience, or just want to catch a meal to compliment a great day on the water, you should look more closely into a good canoe.
The problem with that option is that you run the risk of becoming a canoe snob. That's something you want to avoid at all costs.
@@StoneE4 Hey! I resemble that remark! 🤣😂🤣
Seriously, I love a good kayak. I’m hoping to start building one soon. I just feel canoes don’t get the love they deserve. In the Adirondacks, it’s mostly canoes for fishing still, or row boats. Then I go to the gulf coast, and there’s nothing but kayaks. Where I used to rent, it’s now practically become a fishing shop and they are making bank selling fishing kayaks. I just cannot stand the performance of the fishing kayaks, but I totally see why fishermen love them. Also, if it gets people out without a motor, it’s all good.
@@nunyabidness3075 sit on top kayaks shine when you.get one with the pedal drives, but it really depends on the hull style, the one I got flies and handles smooth when using the drive, it paddles ok but it's basically a personal bass boat for a fraction of the cost
@@imperialwhovian3461 You can get a personal bass boat more affordably with a fishing kayak, but many people are now spending thousands on them. It’s gotten to where a used aluminum boat might be a better deal again. I think if you need a trailer, you might as well get basic boat. However, if people are happy with their purchase, I’m happy for them.