Fishing kayaks
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The wife and I decided we are going to purchase some kayaks to tool around in and around our lake and rivers.
If I could, I would have a Jackson coosa in a heartbeat. I have an old town (sit in) that I tolerate in the mean time!
From a kayaking perspective, I agree with Mike that the Native Ultimate seems to be the best fly fishing craft on the market.
Eric…as I was researching my first kayak purchase a few years ago it seemed like two things were happening. First, someone would want Kayak X (whatever it was) but it was past their budget. They would purchase something cheaper as a substitute but it really wouldn’t live up to Kayak X and so a year later they would flush the substitute for half of what they paid for it and then purchase Kayak X. I opted to save my money for six months longer and just get Kayak X so I wouldn’t be spending money all over again.
Here’s a quick run down of the kayaks that I have experience with and would fully recommend for purchase.
1. Native Ultimate – I’ve paddled both the 12 and the 14.5 solo/tandem. I own the 14.5 tandem since it was our first kayak and I really needed something to be versatile for fly fishing, family trips, etc. It’s kind of a beast to lift on and off the top of the Element but super stable and just as comfortable in solo as it is in tandem. If you wanted to invest in a kayak that you and your wife could enjoy together but also could outfit for fly fishing for yourself then the Native would be my first choice.
2. Diablo Chupacabra – I’ve had the Chupacabra for over a year now and really dig this SUP Yak for ponds, marsh, and rivers. It’s short length (10’6″) makes is really easy to access both the front and the back of the kayak for gear. It’s a wide kayak which means it’s very stable but that width works against you when paddling against the wind. The Larry Chair is very comfortable and it’s good to be off the floor of the kayak for fly fishing and still be sitting down.
3. Liquid Logic/Native Versa Board – This is a great family fun boat that you can also modify easily into a fly fishing kayak too. Again, very stable and standing up to paddle/fly cast is easy. There are a couple seating options to look at from a simple folding foam seat to sitting on top of a YETI Cooler to the Native seat system as well. My wife digs her Versa Board a lot and it’s great on moving water as a river boat.
4. Jackson Coosa – I don’t own one of these but have been around them quite a bit and they are a great kayak to consider as well for stability, comfortable seating, and great on moving water and stillwater as well.
Demo if you can. Whatever you buy I’d recommend paddling for a season before drilling holes and adding a lot of modifications. There are a lot of ways to junk up a kayak for fishing and really in the end I’ve found that simple is best.
Lastly, of any gear that I’ve bought in the last five years the purchase of our kayaks was by far the best investments we’ve made. My wife and children love to be on the water and it’s been neat to watch our seven year old daughter go from passenger to picking up the SUP paddle and now takes off on the Versa Board all by herself.
If you have any questions feel free to send me an email at thefiberglassmanifesto@gmail.com.
Lastly, of any gear that I’ve bought in the last five years the purchase of our kayaks was by far the best investments we’ve made
x2 on this. I bought a used Tarpon 12 in 2004. The cost has come out to about a dollar a day on the water (including maitnenance and fuel :)).
I will likely be looking for another boat soon – so that I can have a second to take friend in and to have one that allows me to fish standing up. The Native 12 and the Jackson Coosa are at the top of my list. What it comes down to is whether I want the open cockpit/canoe-style boat or a true sit-on-top. The advantage of the open cockpit seems to be that it could be a nice place to strip flyline and it could improve access to gear (to me, the biggest advantage here will be easier access to my DSLR). You also will have a drier ride. And the Native is a great looking boat. The the disadvantages, relative to a sit-on-top would be that it’s not self-bailing (only really a major concern on rivers with larger rapids or fishing in open water on large lakes/ocean) and you don’t have the built-in hatch to store gear (yes, you can get some dry bags and tie them down in an open cockpit, but I’ve enjoyed being able to quickly tuck gear under my deck for rougher water and then pull it out once I’m through).
Good luck with the decision. Whatever you get, I think you’ll really enjoy it.
Jason
And the Native is a great looking boat. The the disadvantages, relative to a sit-on-top would be that it’s not self-bailing (only really a major concern on rivers with larger rapids or fishing in open water on large lakes/ocean) and you don’t have the built-in hatch to store gear (yes, you can get some dry bags and tie them down in an open cockpit, but I’ve enjoyed being able to quickly tuck gear under my deck for rougher water and then pull it out once I’m through).
Indeed the Native is not self-bailing and will accumulate a bit of water from entering and leaving the boat. Small conseqence and is easily dealt with by carrying a small hand pump (I’ve never had to pump out water while in the boat). However, rough water can be mitigated with a bow cover as seen in this video. http://s527.photobucket.com/albums/cc354/Bozeman_Mike/Yellowstone%20River%202012/?action=view¤t=GOPR0027.mp4. This was on the Yellowstone near Point of Rocks this Spring before runoff. The wide angle video doesn’t convey the real size of these waves. Very little water came in the boat. I carry of couple of small dry bags for fly boxes, leaders, extra reels etc. but they are secured in the back of the boat. For day trips, I carry a 15″ Plastic Latched Box (Walmart) that is effectively waterprook to store drinks, raingear and other stuff dry under the bow. Nothing important has ever gotten wet yet.
I am very familiar with the Native boats, while a good boat, it is vastly inferior to the new hybrid kayaks on the market. With the introduction of a lot of new designs on the market, the Native has now become dated. They would be on the bottom of the list as far as a fishing kayak, especially fly fishing.
This is the kayak I have, which is a rebranded last-gen Wilderness Systems Tarpon. Its made by the same parent company with the same materials as the more advanced yet more expensive WS. I have had it for 2 years now and have been very pleased with it.http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_196951_-1?N=581132415#BVRRWidgetID
After seeing Scott Kitchens on the water one afternoon, I came home and ordered these inflatable pontoon outriggers right away.
http://www.austinkayak.com/products/621/Hobie-Sidekick-Ama-Outrigger-Kit.html
These outriggers are amazing and an absolute game changer as far as fly fishing in a sit on top goes. I have only been out twice with them and I have already seen, and cast to, fish I normally would have paddled over.I am no expert on kayaks but have had the native 12′ ultimate. It is stable but not as much as I would like. Both the wife and I now have the Diablo Adios. You will not win any speed races with it but it is the most stable small platform I have ever used. Besides I am no longer in a hurry in life. Became wise with age and physical abilites. Here are some photos of our rides.
Jay – Great to hear that you like the outriggers. Game changer indeed. I’ve been too busy travelling and with work to get out there to excercise mine – hopefully I will soon, though.
On Kayaks – I have the WS Tarpon and love it, especially the hatches that flip open – a really, really great feature. The 12′ is the sweetspot in manueverability, tracking and standability. I’ve done ocean stuff and somewher around class II+ whitewater in mine no problem.
On paddles – Don’t skimp on the paddle.
I own two of the Jackson Coosa’s and have spent enough time in one in various types of water to feel confident in speaking about them.
Pros. Stable, easy to stand up and fish, easy to paddle, maneuverable, tons of storage, designed as a fishing kayak and it shows, VERY comfortable seat, self bailing, just great overall design that covers alot of kayak situations with ease.
Cons. It’sa bit on the heavy side.
When I wear this out I will be test driving the shorter Old Town Pack 12, if I can find one for a good price. The chines on the Guide series are really nice and stability-adding features, but the weight of the 14’er (78 lbs.) versus the 12’er (38 lbs) is pretty amazing.
I have an OT pack, among other boats. Actually 33 pounds!
Pros –
Super light!
I am 6′ 190ish and can stand in it fairly easily when barefoot or wearing a flexible shoe like a flats boot.Paddles pretty well with a long kayak paddle (over 240cm).
Can hold a ton of gear.
Cons –
The web seat is unreasonably high on the gunnels and sucks. You will have to replace it with the angler seat (or other aftermarket). Too unstable. Also, there are no foot rests so I added a bar from wenonah.The plastic is incredibly strong for impact, but not abrasion. I NEVER drag this boat but have had to add Kevlar skid plates front and rear after about 30 or so trips.
Expensive and rather hard to find.
When I wear this out I will be test driving the shorter Old Town Pack 12, if I can find one for a good price. The chines on the Guide series are really nice and stability-adding features, but the weight of the 14’er (78 lbs.) versus the 12’er (38 lbs) is pretty amazing.
I’ve spent some time in the Old Town Pack – I wouldn’t call it terribly stable.
Hey Eric,
You’ve recieved lots of good info so far.
The Coosa is a nice boat..My buddy has one and its great on the water. The downside- its a real wrestling match to get it on top of your vehicle. Lots of weight in the bow and no easy way to get ahold of it.
I’ve owned several solo canoes over the years..First one was an Old Town Pack. NO initial stability…but good secondary stability. Never rolled it, but I’m glad its gone…To small to carry all my winter camping gear.
I replaced that one with a Wenonah Vagabond. Much better than the Pack..but the bow and sides were to low for my liking. It took in water if you ran it over a good sized ledge or through some good sized chop. Sold that one last year.
Think I’ll probably go with the Coosa, or a Wenonah Wilderness Solo Canoe this time.
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