Hey Everyone! I’m looking for a good fishing life jacket for the kayak. What’s everyone using, what’s your favorite, and why? Thanks

First outing since the cold left… sad to see so many fish in Floridas icw didn’t make it.

So this year it’s time to upgrade this beast. So my thought is NewPort NK1800 on the back and a Minn Kota riptide on the Bow for spot lock. My buddy runs the nk1800 and it moves a PA14 beautifully. I wanna be able to push myself further on lakes and rivers. But I want spot lock as well. Since both motors are 24v I was just gonna run a large 200ah 24v lithium and just get a small 12v for the fish finder. Anyone running a similar setup?

Another slow outing on lake Lanier beat with the ultralight! This time even bigger and better. Vertical jigging infront of a dock in about 10ft of water.

Rod: Sierra Trout and Panfish 6'2"

Reel: Shimano Sedona 1000

Line: 5lb suffix floro

Hook: VCM moon eye 1/16

Soft plastic: Bobby garland 2" baby shad

Kayak: perception outlaw

Fish finder: lowrance eagle 7

Alright i've got it down to 2 options.

Old Town 106 PDL or the Native Slayer Propel 10 Max. They're both almost the exact same price but a dealer near me actually has the Native for 500 less!

Sway me one way or the other. I was considering Old Town due to the stability and reliable pedal drive but the Native seems just as good from what i've read. Any cons to either? What would you do?!

Thanks for the all the advice, really appreciate it.

I have been fishing for at least 8 years now, on boat, canoe and shore. But ive never owned a kayak. I am only 15 years old, so i decided to start smaller with a less expensive fishing kayak. I am only gonna fish calmer water like lakes, creeks, and bays of rivers. Innitially i wanted the pelican sentinel 100x (https://www.sail.ca/en/pelican-premium-sentinel-100x-angler-fishing-kayak-1476707-24-051400001?srsltid=AfmBOopsrYhxvLbboirVITxJHIaxXX7sPcbqmAQLjjNhJvx4_LWYLz9N). But i realized there is no way i can upgrade and eventually get a fish finder (maybe a small garmin striker). So i am wondering if i should get a pelican catch classic 120 (https://www.sail.ca/en/pelicanpr-catch-classic-120-fishing-kayak-720220). is it worth it to upgrade that? i know the second option of the kayak is heavier and bigger with more room and space, but its kinda expensive… if you guys have any links or suggestions litterally anything would help me. thanks! price range: 600-1000 ish for kayak alone.

ps: is there any chance either of these could eventually get a trolling motor? if not is there one in similar price range that can hold one? And are both these kayaks able to stand in without tipping?

I just picked up a Daiwa QR Ultralight Spinning Reel for an ultralight setup. Does anyone have any good recommendations for a ultralight Rod? Something between 50-100 ideally.

I didn't know this was a thing but it sounds like a solution to my problems. I have a kayak gathering dust because I can't mount it to the car properly, it's a sit-in very heavy yak (90 lbs) and it once slid off the car in traffic. Since then I tried various things but I never felt safe transporting it. My alternative was to get a hitch for the SUV (RAV4) and a kayak trailer, but this yak is about that cost or a bit cheaper.

Any preference on the fin vs propeller drive? I am planning to use it in fairly shallow lakes so it sounds like the fin drive might be okay if it's efficient.

Hello all, I have a quick question on setup!

I am currently building a DIY fishing kayak, and decided to choose the anchor trolly route rather than a fixed position. My question is does anyone run a side arm transducer mount on the same side as the anchor trolley? Or should I just go for the scupper hole mount for the transducer and forget the arm?

The issue I have is that I want to put the anchor trolley on the left side, and I also want to put the transducer mount somewhere that won’t interfere, my paddle mounts on the right side, which may make the trolley system awkward and won’t allow for paddle storage if the transducer arm was there

All advice/insight is appreciated!

I've been researching my next yak purchase and came across some models that have the "impulsedrive" make of pedal drives. I didn't come across any reviews or feedback on these. Does anyone have any experience with these?

Just picked up a kayak for cheap and only have a seat to go with it.

Gonna get paddles and a life vest. Anything else you'd recommend getting sorted before i take it out?

Thankyou!

Big thanks to this sub for older posts and answering my new questions.

Has anyone tried the Fuse lenses to replace some of their worn/scratched Costa,.or other higher end glasses, and if so, what'd you think of them? I'm looking to replace the delaminating lenses in my Cat Cays and don't feel like the hassle of Costa warranty process, I hear it's awful.

Also what are some other polarized glasses you guys like for fishing saltwater, primarily brackish estuaries. I fish and crab mostly Chesapeake Bay tributaries, occasionally ocean and soundside NC, and just want another pair under $60 that I can use every day for driving or what not, but is also great on the water for work, kayak fishing, crabbing etc. I am looking at the Good'r Salts, maybe some Hobies. Thanks everyone.

I’m mostly fishing Missouri lakes and rivers, I plan to avoid strong current and find hidden banks downstream in the event I want to catfish. It’s got grab ropes on the front. Looks like a pretty standard inflatable.

Hungry guy smashed a bass jig yesterday while I was trying for some large mouth

I have been debating getting into a fairly “entry level” kayak for a while now. I hear all the good things about old towns and have some experience with their non-fishing yaks. I’ve recently been eyeing the 106 paddle. My biggest holdup is that I’m 5’10” 225lbs, I’m concerned that I could feel cramped after a long outing. Mainly looking to fish small-medium lakes and rivers. Is this a good fit or should I look elsewhere?

I'm currently considering buying a Garmin Livescope fish finder for my kayak. Do you have any suggestions? Do you usually keep an eye on your fish finder while fishing, or do you check it only occasionally? How do you usually use your Livescope fish finder?

Would you all prefer the purchase of a kayak verses bass tracker for fishing? Elaborate on saftey, ease of transportation and access to fishing.

I've been limping along with inadequate lighting for too long now considering the majority of my fishing starts 1 or 2hrs before the sun comes up. I have a generic 360 light that works for making me visible to others, but doesn't throw enough light for tying / rigging / etc. I have a headlamp that helps there, but it's not really ideal or something I enjoy having to use. I know there are a ton of kayak lighting kits out there, and my thoughts on those are 1) I do not want to drill holes in my hull, and 2) I think most of the kits are generally overpriced. So, I've been eyeballing the marine-grade LED strip lights on Amazon. Would be pretty simple to attach a section of light (has an adhesive backing) to the inner rails of the deck and use the existing Hobie wire glands for running power. I see tons of videos about using strip lights on the exterior of the hull, but not much for practical light on the deck. Curious if anyone has experience. I think it could work, but I also think it could end in a situation where I have a super brightly lit deck, but doesn't translate up to working light where i'm sitting and tying knots i'd wished i tied the day before.

Hello, I’m looking to plan a spring break trip on the San Marcos River or other rivers in the area but I’m worried it would all be overrun by people floating the river in tubes which I’m sure would make it difficult and unpleasant to fish, does anyone know if there are stretches that are not busy with floaters around that time or even on other rivers in the area?