Started looking at kayak

Hi Fellow PE kayak anglers.

Stopped fishing for a few years
Started again last year, doing what I enjoy most, lure angling. At this stage walk and stalk.

Next step ... kayak or boat, I just consider the kayak a better and much easier option as I will be doing mostly river and some sea with my son (14 years old), and will still focus on lure angling, more specifically bucktail lure fishing.

Currently in the looking stage of things, and will definately go plastic (many years ago I had a fibreglass kayak). At this stage the Makara Legend has my interest.
Plastic just makes more sense to me.

Any advice will be appreciated
Would probably look at buying in the next 3-4 months

Once that's done we would love to meet up with some fellow kayak anglers.

H Nelig
You are welcome to look at my Fishingski101 site -is aim is to provide perspectives for those approaching fishing off a ski. And the fishing is largely PE based so can help. I have not done too much river fishing and I am sure the plastics are well suited for estuary and river fishing but if you are going offshore also consider fibreglass skis as these have developed considerably over the years and are also good offshore skis.
Regards
Malgas

Malgas' advice is very sound.

Don't rule out fiberglass.

Neil

I have used a Stealth Wahoo (old model)and migrated onto a second hand boat an Evo 495.
I was pleasantly surprised at its speed on the water, its ability to surf/handle waves is difficult due to its overall length.
Great storage well aft and locker forward of the paddler.
Don't be deterred by the narrowness of the ski, it is very stable.
Many of their older model ski's aren't made any longer, as you can see their range of skis has really improved over the past few years.

Merlin at Stealth Durban can assist you with a 2nd hand boat, check in with him.

Arthur builds the Kaskazi ski in Cape Town and is also worth looking at, second hand boats probably not so common.
I can check with my cousin, she manages the tours in cape Town from their shop/office.

Plastic boats I have no experience with ~ they do offer a more stable platform on the water, especially if you are to concentrate on rivers and flat water.

Suggest you go paddle as many different boats to see what suits you best before you buy.

There is a great site (see below) of the yakkers in Oz, they have some sound ideas and modifications you can do to the Stealth boats.

http://www.akff.net/forum/

::tight:

Thanks for the feedback everyone, will take my time and learn as much as I can before I buy
Transporting the kayaks is also another issue for me so have to look into that aswell

Hi Neil,
The plastic ski you refer to, - even the manufacturer's website refers to it as suited to recreational paddlers, and for flat water - so that rules out sea use for many reasons.

Have a look at what the guys are paddling who do the type of fishing you would like to do. Chat to them and see how long they have been doing it, and what they like and don't like about their skis, and what they'd get if they could start over. Youll be surprised by how narrow the common denominator `will be.

Given your sons age, consider a double, like the Stealth Duo. I've used one for years and have had endless joy with my son. It'll do flatwater, is stable, fast, and is also an all-out no compromise off-shore ski, if and when you need that.

Consider things like rod and tackle storage, bouyancy compliance (safety). It may sound counter-intuitive but avoid falling into the trap getting a ski that is over stable. The excessive stability comes from being very wide, which makes them dogs to paddle, and more importantly, very difficult or impossible to right when flipped.

My 5 c , enjoy the search and journey.

What I've learnt in my little bit of kayak fishing in the sea..

There are a lot of sharks in the southern cape, not talking about skaamhaais and bronzies here, plett would be a no go for me and even east is sketch, west, I'd also fish in rivers on a kayak..

Advertised weights and real weights are not the same.
Plastic kayaks are poe$ heavy and don't ( with the exception of bamba) have the best hatches for decent fish and gear.
Plastic kayaks can be dragged on rocks and launched in otherwise unreachable spots as a plus, just don't care about the scratches and you'll catch fish, I must get over that haha, but my mate has caught loads as he could just drive up and launch right close to marks in a little gulley.
Consider a trailer for the kayak(s), cheaper than replacing your cars " fishing kayak roof" a few years later. My little bakkie took a bigger knock from the salt water from my kayak from a few uses than from launching a boat many times high and dry with a rope on a slipway on a beach..
Charters are cheaper than owning a boat.
Carbon wing paddles make a world of difference.
You'll probably end up owning a boat so don't buy too expensive and start saving haha..

Well the journey has been very short ... lol

Thanks for all the advice

I got a MACSKI double for a bargain, including 2 paddles, 2 PFDs and an anchor.
It was basically brand spanking new.

You need the right tool for the right job, well this tool is for river fishing, and maybe maybe one day it will see the sea in the bay, and that's a big maybe.

Took it to Sundays river over the weekend, my son was rowing while wife and daughter were passengers, no issues.
Wind was howling and there was quite a chop in the water, handled it perfectly well.

Transport is via roofracks, and I do note the saltwater. It gets washed with fresh water after use, and car gets rinsed with soap water when we get home.

As for boat, not interested, I've had 2 of them over the years, just not worth the trouble and the drama, kayak is so much easier

If you wanting to up grade in a few months time let me know cause im going to be selling my stealth evo double. But that will only be around september. Good luck and hopefully there will be some fish pics soon.

Nice
Be thorough about rinsing roof, make a plan even in water restrictions, I've got to replace my roof asap. Gonna cost a few grand had quotes done, saving for that haha..fishing kayak roof, have mate visiting, an avid kayak and bass angler, same story.

Enjoy yourself, stay safe and wish you fun times and many catches..

geluk mnr.

did nou tyd dat jy weer n paar pics plaas.
jou seun is nog jonk....hmmm n boot sou n beter opsie gewees het...lol.

geniet die roeiery! ten minste gaan jy fiks bly