Ocean Kayak for Fishing
We just moved to Rockport, TX and would like to get a ocean Kayak for fishing. Would like any recommendations from any users as there are so many to look at and read reviews on! Any suggestions would ...
Forum Discussion
Check online for Texas Kayak Fishing Forums - they exist as Texas is a very popular place along the gulf and at the lakes for kayak fishing. Go to where you can rent and or demo a kayak before you buy it. Especially important in terms of pedal as with Hobie, versus paddle with anything else.
I had always had kayaks I paddled until this year when we bought two Hobie Mirage drive boats. The difference was amazing. I could pedal the Hobie effortlessly at speeds that would have required a lot of exertion with a paddle. We went 10 miles on your first outing and that included 4 miles going against the wind and an incoming tidal flow of 2-3 knots.
The other advantage of the boat that you pedal is that you have your hands free 100% of the time for fishing. Out in the ocean I would spend at most 50% of my time fishing and the other 50% paddling.
Whatever boat you get there will be trade-offs. The longer boats are faster but heavier. Wider boats are heavier and slower but more stable and have more room for gear. If you add a fish finder there are many models that are designed to make this relatively easy like the Ocean Kayak Trident Anglers, Slayer boats, Hobie Outback, Revo, Sport, Pro Angler 12 and 14.
Just be sure to demo as many boats as you can before you buy. We had to drive 220 miles round trip to find a place where the dealer had the two Hobie models on our short list to try out on the water (San Francisco Bay). It was worth the drive to try out the two boats and get exactly what we wanted.
One of the best kayak companies in the nation is Austin Kayak. Good source for items not carried by your local shops.
I had always had kayaks I paddled until this year when we bought two Hobie Mirage drive boats. The difference was amazing. I could pedal the Hobie effortlessly at speeds that would have required a lot of exertion with a paddle. We went 10 miles on your first outing and that included 4 miles going against the wind and an incoming tidal flow of 2-3 knots.
The other advantage of the boat that you pedal is that you have your hands free 100% of the time for fishing. Out in the ocean I would spend at most 50% of my time fishing and the other 50% paddling.
Whatever boat you get there will be trade-offs. The longer boats are faster but heavier. Wider boats are heavier and slower but more stable and have more room for gear. If you add a fish finder there are many models that are designed to make this relatively easy like the Ocean Kayak Trident Anglers, Slayer boats, Hobie Outback, Revo, Sport, Pro Angler 12 and 14.
Just be sure to demo as many boats as you can before you buy. We had to drive 220 miles round trip to find a place where the dealer had the two Hobie models on our short list to try out on the water (San Francisco Bay). It was worth the drive to try out the two boats and get exactly what we wanted.
One of the best kayak companies in the nation is Austin Kayak. Good source for items not carried by your local shops.
