What makes a kayak a good fishing kayak?

Question

Thinking about purchasing a kayak for fishing. What would you suggest I look for. Sit in or Sit on. Good makes and models. I'm about 5'8 160 if that makes any difference in selection. Any info will help. Thanks.

Answer 1

I like Gimmenamenow's answer.

It even has a link to a nice little float boat.

When I was in my early teens I had an open cockpit kayak that was skin on frame. (canvas and wood, 22feet long)

It worked quite well. it was fast to paddle, had lots of room and was stable enough to use.

It was an old style of ocean kayack.

The problem was that it was a pain to load up on a car.

Is stuck out a long way in front and back.

You can imagine what it was like to portage through the bush.

Not good for getting in to small lakes at all.

I have also had several closed cockpit kayacks.

They were usable for jigging cod, and trolling, but for fly or baitcasting, anything using a rod, you could forget it.

Oh, I really like Gimmenamenow's answer.

I wouldn't mind having one like that myself

Answer 2

Now, I'm not going to say that my kayak is THE fishing kayak, but I'm partial to it. http://www.heritagekayaks.com/redfish12a...

She's wide enough to stand on for sight fishing and further casting range... I've got two flush-mounted rod holders behind the seat, planning on a pivoting rod holder for between my feet. Back area can hold a bait bucket, tackleboxes, etc, just bungee down with included straps... It's got a strap on the side for my paddle, and a... I don't know what to call it... basically a little pulley-system on the side so that if I use a stakeout pole or anchor and the wind shifts, I can adjust how my 'yak sits in relation to the wind and/or current. "Dry" storage fore and aft... note the quotation marks around "dry"... on a kayak if you want something to stay dry, put it in a plastic bag... you'll thank me later.

I've got an adhesive tape measure that will be going on my 'yak next time I take it out for quick and easy determination of the legality of my catches...

When you go to purchase your 'yak (or even beforehand) talk to the salesperson about what you want to use it for, they can help!

Answer 3

I never tried fishing from my kayak, so take this for what you think it's worth.  

I would first want something with a lot of stability.  I have on Old Town Rush.  It's a shorter recreational boat for playing on moving water.  It works on flat water, but it's slower than a sea kayak.  But it's more stable the the one sea kayak I have tried.  I wouldn't want to try fishing from the sea kayak at all, unless I found a way to put an outrigger on it.

The other thing I would want would be storage space and a work area.  I wouldn't want to have everything stowed under a hatch behind me that I couldn't get to, or sliding around in front of me where I'd worry about a hook snagging my leg.  Again - an outrigger might give room to stow a rod, etc. along side me.

Answer 4

Personally, I'd want a big boat... but I'm not into fishing.  If you must though, I'd recommend one of the inflatables such as a purpose designed Sevylor.  You'll save a lot of money, they're plenty tough enough and fold down for easy transport.  I've used one on a fairly rough sea to play about in for a while and they're incredibly stable and light to manouvre.  A new inflatable fishing kayak will cost you about half that of a plastic boat and there are loads to choose from...  Google sevylor... or check out Ebay.  Regards, Carlos.