Thread: Kayaks/Canoes vs boats

For all the reasons stated a kayak is my first choice. Some of May 10's catch.

Nice fish pics! Might have to get me a yak.

Aside from being cheaper all around, unless your traveling a big distance, a yak is the way to go. There are solo and tandem models to choose from.

Even if your going a distance, i had put a trolling motor on mine and cruised around all day on one charge. There isn't much drag on a yaks hull.

Yak fishing is more personal. You are closer to the water and the fish. It is an awsome feeling to have a successful day on the water from a yak. I just got done filleting 25 crappie and a five perch that I caught from my yak. I had the lines directly under my 'boat' and hammered them. This was with minnows and plastic.

It's a great feeling to have a good day like this.

Kb.

no gas, no oil, no registration, no trialer lights to work on, no changing spark plugs, no trailer tires or bearings to mess with,no cleaning carbuerators, spending hours in the backyard with the ear muffs hooked up to the foot trying to get it to run right, no running lights to mess with, no fuses to have to change / check (accept for maybe ONE for the depth finder), no huge deep cycle batteries to have to buy and keep charged, you get some exercise paddling, etc, etc, etc. They're pretty much maintenance free if you keep them stored in a good area although you may want to just wipe the mud or dirt off of them every once in a while. As alexava said you can catch fish in skinny water and they don't even know you're there. Kayak fishing is more personal because you're sitting at water level and you don't have all the motor noise and other noises to spook fish and you also have a lot smaller profile than in a bigger boat. Sure you can't rip up and down the river like you can in a motor boat but for me personally that's a plus because it helps me slow down and fish where I'm at instead of getting the urge to crank up and run and gun to a bunch of other spots and end up burning more gas than getting anything accomplished. I also have a boat that sits under the carport and it doesn't even get used because of the kayak. I started rebuilding the deck and floor in it and haven't finished because I'd rather be in my kayak. If you're cost-effective-minded, there's no comparison...

The canoe/kayak gives you far more options for accessing the water. You can literally throw one in a large puddle if needed, and you don't need a launch site, ramp or dock to start out from. That said, especially on larger water, the boat is gonna inspire a bit more confidence when the weather does a quick turn south. It also gives you more opportunity to get up and move around a bit without hitting the shore. They've all got their best uses and best situations. I love canoe fishing, but there are days when I just wouldn't launch one on big waters. And while I really enjoy not being owned by a power boat, I've sure enjoyed some safe, comfortable days fishing out of friends' boats on big lakes!

whats that I heard about boats? two best days of your life are, ! the day you buy it and 2 the day you sell it. ha.

Even on the lake where I fish and cover up to ten miles from the launch when fishing in the big boat, I can launch and paddle my yak to all my favorite fishing spots within a mile or two. Mostly less.

I fish fresh and salt water. In my Revo, I've launched into the Long Island sound, the Atlantic, the Hudson River, small creeks, ponds, lakes... You get the idea.

Maintence on a yak consists of hosing it off after fishing, some times a power washing if it gets really bloody. I also spray wd40 or 556 or some sort of penitrating oil on my clips and leashes.

Since I don't fish all the time, my yak will sit for long periods with out being used. There's no worry about the carbs on the motor clogging (unless I eat too much McDonald's).

Really low maintence