Any kayak owners?

[Brnsvllyjohn]

I recently purchased a new Old Town PDL 106. That is a 10'6" peddle kayak. I launched it yesterday for the first time. I only landed 1 fish in 5 hours of fishing but it was really a learning experience for using the kayak. I wasn't even sore today after traveling all around the lake.
Collins of course is way down and I was the only boat that launched at the ramp. I think it is about 2 miles long now and I went from the dam to the upper end of the lake and back. I have been fishing Oroville from my Crestliner but since all the ramps are closed I may take the kayak to Oroville next week. They are allowing people to launch boats that can be carried to the water.

 

[quaildeath]

Fishing bass in a yak is fun. Personally, I would get a drift sock to slow down approaches to windy points/shorelines that hold fish.
I sold mine to my brother…can always get it back

 

[quaildeath]

Definitely take pictures while the really good cover is exposed. Maybe take a hand held GPS to transfer killer spots to the boat.
You will have structure spots when the water comes up that no one else will. I did this at Diamond Valley and Irvine.

 

[dthome]

Sweet rig!

 

[Brnsvllyjohn]

Since I cannot deer hunt locally I have been fishing more than I typically would this time of year. I have launched the kayak 3 times and each trip is a little more successful than the previous trip. 8 bass is my best day so far and 2.5 pounds is my largest in the kayak. I don't take many photos because my phone is stored in a dry bag and is a pain to get out.

I have been adding a few things but that is normal for any new purchase. My depth finder is one that was on the Crestliner before I upgraded last spring but it still works well. I added another rod holder and I now have foam floats on my rods that I use in the kayak. I purchased a spare prop and a few lanyards to attach to some items like scissors and needle nose pliers.

As of last Friday Collins no longer has a usable boat launch so if I continue to fish there it will be in my kayak. I had hoped to take the kayak to deer camp in the Sierras. Some areas I hunt have lakes that are not far from where I camp but since everything is closed it is my local reservoirs or nothing.

Overall pretty happy with the Old Town so far.

 

[BelchFire]

My family kayaks with me, but we're sport paddlers, and not fishers. I have rod holders molded into mine, but I'd just as soon drift and paddle, drift and paddle. How heavy is your 10'? I have two 10's and two 12's and they're 55 and 65 pounds respectively. I can load them on the truck rack and the camper rack by myself, but I'm getting arthritic enough that I appreciate help loading them.

 

[THE ROMAN ARCHER]

Oh man I'm jealous! Sweet Yak John, they make some nice waterproof phone cases or those waterproof pouches u can carry your phone in while u r out on the water.
When On my custom fishing float tube back in Cali For water I had a camel back water bladder I would fill with water and ice and then I put it in a soft pack cooler with a couple of freezer packs and that kept my water cool through my time out on my floaty. I wanted to get a kayak when I moved to Florida since I had to give up my float tube because of gator filled waters it wouldn’t b a good idea having my feet and legs dangling…lol so I have held off on getting a kayak, I barely have enough room left in the garage as it is for another toy...tra

 

[Brnsvllyjohn]

BelchFire asked
How heavy is your 10'?

Empty it weighs about 90 pounds. It will be a struggle to get it on a ladder rack on an F250 4x4. Loading it in the bed isn't terrible but can be a little difficult if the truck is at a bad angle. I am learning how to park the truck a little more level. I won't need the ladder rack unless we take 2 yaks or I have my quad in the bed.

TRA I have not used my float tube in years but I still own one.

My son and 2 fishing buddies have big fishing kayaks but so far I have been fishing by myself.

 

[alexmandeltoon]

It looks great; I would not refuse such a boat myself. For a long time, I have wanted to buy myself some kind of boat to go out to lakes or seas on my own, since I have loved this style of outdoor resting since childhood. It seems that this is my form of meditation since after such a rest, I am relaxed and do not feel my usual anxiety and stress at all. I recently tried to rest on a yacht, as I wanted to manage a larger vessel. I rented from the guys from yacht rental miami, I liked their service and the way they work with clients. Now I'm thinking about buying something similar to your boat, and I hope I will succeed

 

[sportyg]

Oh man I'm jealous! Sweet Yak John, they make some nice waterproof phone cases or those waterproof pouches u can carry your phone in while u r out on the water.
When On my custom fishing float tube back in Cali For water I had a camel back water bladder I would fill with water and ice and then I put it in a soft pack cooler with a couple of freezer packs and that kept my water cool through my time out on my floaty. I wanted to get a kayak when I moved to Florida since I had to give up my float tube because of gator filled waters it wouldn’t b a good idea having my feet and legs dangling…lol so I have held off on getting a kayak, I barely have enough room left in the garage as it is for another toy...tra

That small yellow rod is that a frogg? Great little rod if it is have one myself.

 

[Roguewrestler]

I’ve been kayak fishing for over 15 years now. Kelp beds along the California coast from LA county line to the central coast (mainly central coast).

 

[kronop]

It looks great; I would not refuse such a boat myself. For a long time, I have wanted to buy myself some kind of boat to go out to lakes or seas on my own, since I have loved this style of outdoor resting since childhood. It seems that this is my form of meditation since after such a rest, I am relaxed and do not feel my usual anxiety and stress at all. I recently tried to rest on a yacht, as I wanted to manage a larger vessel. I rented from the guys from yacht rental miami, I liked their service and the way they work with clients. Now I'm thinking about buying something similar to your boat, and I hope I will succeed

Great idea to test the waters first! There's no better way to know what works for you than actually using different boats. You'll avoid buyer's remorse and end up with exactly what fits your needs. Hope you find the perfect one!

 

[canamrider07]

Reading this old thread I can’t decide if I want a Kayak, a Cadillac Float Tube or a 200 foot yacht.