Kayaks
- This topic has 15 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated Feb 9, 2009 at 2:38 pm by
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I would like to know what the advantages/disadvantages are of sit on top kayaks as opposed to sit inside kayaks for fishing kayaks.
I have an Ocean Kayak Drifter that I use to fish ponds and rivers in the SE. It’s an SOT that I can easily stand up to fish. While it’s not fast and can be tough to paddle up stream, it’s serves me well in stability and comfort. I’ve never flipped it.
If I fished salt more, I would probably get something faster like an OK Prowler.
The Natives are cool and I like the elevated seat, I just wouldn’t want to have to bail water out all the time while floating a river.
I have paddled the Tarpon, the Native Watercraft, and the Ocean Kayak in addition to some others that arent worth mentioning.
90% of my fishing is out of a kayak. They are great for saltwater flats and inshore fishing, as well as, lakes and slow moving rivers.
In the warmer climates, the Sit on Top (SOT) is far superior to the sit in kayak (SIK). The SOT’s are easier to get into and out of, give better access to equipment and are more open. My preference is for longer kayaks, as they are faster and track better. I have two OK Prowler 15’s.
The most common fishing kayaks are The OK Prowler 13 and 15 (currently being replaced with OK Tridents); the Wilderness System Tarpon 120, 140 and 160; the Heritage Redfisher/Marquesa. All are rotomold plasic. Other models include the Hobie Outback (peddle boat), Huricanne Phoenix 120, 140 and 160 and the Malibu Stealth and Extremes. The Native Ultimates are sort of a cross between a kayak and a canoe, but make excellent fishing platforms.
I personally can’t stand up in any of them, however, I know people who do regularly in all of them. The best for standing are probably the Malibu Extreme, Heritage Redfisher and Native Ultimates. Some people use outriggers, but they are generally considered sissies with training wheels.
The main features are an open tankwell in the back, a comfortable strap in seat, paddle holder, and a front hatch for dry storage. Mine are rigged with rod holders, both flush mount and Scotty, an anchor trolley, a stake out pole and scupper plugs. I personally do not use a rudder, but this is a common option.
Kayaks offer a lot of advantages.
1. No Gas!
2. Minimal Maintenance.
3. Launchable anywhere you can get to the water.
4. Stealth.
5. Easy storage.
6. Easy Transport.The only disadvantage I can see is limited range. But I generally cover about 5 miles per trip. The limited range also makes you concentrate on fully covering your fishing area rather than zipping from place to place.
Here is a picture of one of mine
Here is how I store them.
i fish a sit on top ocean kayak
doesn’t have the most storage but i can deal
i can lift it with one hand and put it on my roof with ease
i can dangle my legs out and stretch and stand up in it with a simple pvc outriggerit suits my needs for local lakes, the potomac, and the bay.
Malibu Kayaks seems to build the most stable of all the sit on top Kayak. I have never used a sit inside Kayak so I will not add any comments towards them.
The sit on top kayaks are perfect out here in Southern California. I fish them strictly in the ocean and have fished off two different ones, the Malibu Extreme and the Ocean kayak Prowler 13. The Extreme by far was the more stable of the two. I would sit sideways and fight some fairly large fish with no worries of tipping the kayak. It’s also a very dry kayak and that was very nice on the cold mornings.
The Prowler 13 was not as stable as the Extreme, but is much fast. The Prowler is also a wet boat with your feet sitting in water for most of the day, which really blows on cold days.
There are two new Malibu Kayaks that just came out in the month of February. The Stealth 14 & 12. Both have a standing platform and with a 33” width, these two kayaks will be super stable and dry. I’m looking very closely at the Stealth 12 which would be perfect size for loading and unloading on my pickup truck with not to much effort. From what I have read thus far, the Stealth 14 has the same exact hull as the Malibu X-factor, which is the most stable kayak out there. The Stealth 12 has a new hull design and looks like it’s going to be a very stable at 33” wide as well. Another addition to the new Stealth models is a live well in the center hatch. Great if you fish live bait, or you can just use the screw on plug and use it as a big lunch box.
Bob, nice comments and boats. Can you tell us more about your racks? That has become an area of interest to me recently.
The contractor that expanded my garage (to accommodate more toys) likes metal work. Here are a few links to what he built for me:
http://christensen123.smugmug.com/photos/460788464_7V7sy-L.jpg
http://christensen123.smugmug.com/photos/460776341_5JQ6s-M.jpg
http://christensen123.smugmug.com/photos/460782162_pvgmL-L.jpgI have outriggers. Might be a sissie but the boat stays stable and I stay dry.
To the original questions. The Native is very stable and it is easy to stand. I don’t know about the others. Generally, however, it takes pretty good balance (and maybe some practice) to stand on a kayak. Probably the fact that you are above the water level has something to do with it. Bob covered SOT v. SIT.
I fish a Heritage Redfish and can stand up easily while fishing inshore salt in NE Florida. Casting while standing in the boat took a little practice but I don’t find it is very necessary. Sitting side saddle seems to be the best way to cast from a SOT. The fish are less likely to see you and spook if you keep a lower profile anyway.
I fish a Native Ultimate and it is by far the best kayak I have ever had, and I have had a lot of them. I love to stand and fish and the distance it allows me to see while fishing is worth it in my opinion.
The OK and the Native we simply too heavy for my liking.
The Native is designed almost directly off of the Tarpon platform. Its just a bit wider and quite a bit heavier. I thought the Native did not track very well and was not a quick through the water.
Tim
You must be confusing something else with the Native you speak about–The Native Ultimate 12 weighs in at 55lbs while the Tarpon 120 is 60lbs. Additionally, the Native Ultimate hull profile is essentially unique in the kayak industry and nothing like that of the Tarpon, OKs or other SOTs.
I fish a Native Ultimate and it is by far the best kayak I have ever had, and I have had a lot of them. I love to stand and fish and the distance it allows me to see while fishing is worth it in my opinion.
Cole, I couldn’t agree with you more. I am a Tegris 12 owner and just bought my second Ultimate 12 yesterday so as can entice some of these Montana driftboat jockeys to go kayaking with me.
You must be confusing something else with the Native you speak about–The Native Ultimate 12 weighs in at 55lbs while the Tarpon 120 is 60lbs. Additionally, the Native Ultimate hull profile is essentially unique in the kayak industry and nothing like that of the Tarpon, OKs or other SOTs.
I have to agree with you here Mike. The Tarpons are the heaviest of the three. My OK Prowler 15 is 3 feet longer than the Tarpon 120, but weights 56 pounds, or 4 pounds less. Wilderness Systems has recently released a Tarpon 120 Ultralite, that is lighter. The only Wilderness System hull that is anything close to the Native is the WS Ride. The Tarpons are not even close.
if anyone is looking for a yak, look at craigslist.
a lot of people buy one and find they don’t have time to use it and sell them to get rid of them.i got my kayak + paddle, leash, thigh straps, scuppers, sponge, seat, anchor, etc etc for $50 more than the retail price of just the kayak
there has been a nice ocean kayak on sale in annapolis for months now. i still look just for fun.
The Native is designed almost directly off of the Tarpon platform. Its just a bit wider and quite a bit heavier. I thought the Native did not track very well and was not a quick through the water.
Tim
Thanks for the correction.
Native seems to be opening up a lead on other brands such as Wilderness Systems. The type of water you see yourself on makes a big difference. Rivers and smaller lakes can mean a smaller more maneuverable craft, while big bodies of water like the ones I am on lead me to the Tarpon 140. It goes straight – fast. Another question you want to consider is; do you want to be able to stand and cast from your choice craft? I could stand in my 140, but it was shaky … so i retrofitted Hobie Amas onto it and can stand and cast with ease. All this said, this is a lot like any sport – first the kayak, then comes all the add-ons – rod holders, seat, dry bags, anchor, lines, PFD!, and then start pimping your ride. Shannon
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