kayak recommendations

going to take a hard look at purchasing a pair of Kayaks. I don’t want to go with any of those $199 kayaks from Walmart, but would like to stay in the $500 to $600 range (each). I see that there’s a sit on or a sit in type, and the seat needs to be comfortable enough if I end up doing a paddle/ fishing combo trip. Light enough for me to put into the truck myself and maybe the 10-11 foot range. Comfort would be the priority, mainly an afternoon paddle and a couple small lake or pond fishing trips. Thanks in advance, Pete

I have an Old Town Vapor. Its been a nice kayak. I use a cushion in the seat because its not the most comfortable for 2+ hours straight. I think you have to spend a LOT of money for one that is?
This one has nice fishing features. I have used it in a lake some but mostly a swift river with rapids and it works great. My wife has an el cheapo that also works very well with an even worse seat. I put rod holders on hers but they came on mine.

https://oldtowncanoe.johnsonoutdoors.com/kayaks/fishing/vapor-10-angler?id=11676

Mine is like the 10XT but came with rod holders. Their models have changed a bit over the years but same basic vapor and price.

https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/pelican-premium-enforcer-120x-angler-sit-on-kayak/0000000258175?bc=10708|10784|10785|10787

Leaning this direction, no pun intended

chomps wrote:

https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/pelican-premium-enforcer-120x-angler-sit-on-kayak/0000000258175?bc=10708|10784|10785|10787

Leaning this direction, no pun intended

I would too. The open design seems like a better idea to me.

I’d need a sit on top. The less confining the better, especially when fishing.

Perception Sound 10.5 or the Pescador 12 gets my vote. Very stable for hunting and fishing and the price is very reasonable on each.

One thing is any fishing kayak in the 10′ range will be a bit of a sled when it comes to paddling. The 12′ range will paddle better than a 10′.

I have a Pelican Catch which is 34″ wide and has the double hull. Looks like the Enforcer would be a better paddling kayak. The Catch however will be more stable for standing which is nice for fishing and you don’t have to sit all the time. The Catch may have a higher seating elevation option as well. I think the enforcer would be a better “all around” recreational kayak.

I bought a Pescador Pro 12 last year. Sadly I haven’t had it out yet this year due to time restraints but I used it about 6 or 7 times last year and really enjoyed it. very stable and the seat is very very comfortable. May take it out for duck hunting this year but ill likely stick to the canoe for that

Was at Fleet Farm in Hudson yesterday. They have all kayaks 25% off.

jetdriver wrote:

Was at Fleet Farm in Hudson yesterday. They have all kayaks 25% off.

Everybody is putting a nice discount on their current inventory. I’m looking forward to getting onto a couple nice sloughs in NE SD and start casting. I see that there is a sacrifice between stability and ease of the paddle. Crappie I’ll look into your recommendation.

yeah that Pescador Pro 12 is a tad out of my price range, I’ll check some of the local shops to see what they have. I’m a hands on guys, wouldn’t pick this up on-line. I’ll see what Scheel’s can do.

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I ended up picking up the Pescador Pro 12 for $650 last year at Joe’s Sporting Goods. I would keep a look out as at one time they were on sale for $700 at west marine too but found it at Joe’s for less

Go 12 foot and larger. I cringe when I see all of these cheaper 10 foot and smaller kayaks around. The only downside to 12 ft in MN is that you have to license the boats, but it’s a cheap annoyance and worth the better tracking ability.

Got the old town vapor a couple years ago for around 500 hundy. Its a nice little rig and with a few accessories of an anchor and built in rod holders, cup holder in the front of the cockpit is great for the phone if you want that along. I use it mostly in spring when the fish come in the bay I live on but I do take it out on the lake if I feel like a longer paddle and the boat is in the garage. The seat is the biggest black mark. I can only sit in it for a few hours but an upgrade could make it more tolerable. It’s a blast catching fish being right on the water and very stealthy for spooky fish. Relatively easy for me to handle by myself taking it out of the rack and back which is very important

I have a Field & Stream Eagle Run 12 that I fished out of exclusively the last couple years before getting my boat last fall. Great sit-in Yak option. Very stable, tracks well, and is light (60lbs) compared to most of your 12ft options. I’ve caught muskies in my yak without being concerned of tipping over or being swallowed. Dicks has them for $399.99 right now usually $599.99. Definitely worth noting again that anything over 10ft in length (I believe that’s the length) needs to be licensed as a watercraft in MN.

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/field-stream-eagle-run-12-fishing-kayak-15fnsufsglrn12kykpsk/15fnsufsglrn12kykpsk