Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge - View Single Post

Razorback · 01-22-2006, 06:59 AM

If you are planning to fish in the ocean with full gear and beach launch and re-entry - then I would reco either a Malibu X- FACTOR, or EXTREME.

I started w/ the COBRA FND and with it's stabilty - it gave me the confidence to handle rough water - but soon became too slow and the performance wasn't there when needed to track, sprint or perform stellar beach landings. :roll:

I am 6'0" and 210 lbs and the X-Factor fits me like a glove. Not as fast as the Extreme - but I give up some speed for comfort. I like to target big fish and the the way I sit down into the seat well - it seems to give me xtra leverage and control during hookup. I probably dumped my Cobra 1/2 dozen times - but knock on wood - have never rolled the Malibu.

There are pros and cons to all yaks. Get down to the local yak shops and demo ride all the yaks built specifically for fishing platforms and buy the one you feel most comfortable in. Most major brands have Dealers in San Diego. I personally prefer Malibu for there attention to the fishermans needs - but there are other brands that out perform them on the water (Wilderness). But, heh - I drive a truck, not a Porshe... + recessed rod holders are better than the surface mount Scotty's - if you are into bigger fishes.

Once you have your model picked out - then rig it to your style of fishing:

ie: inshore lightweight for bass, trophy YT and WSB, halibut, etc.

IMHO - the essentials are:
PFD
Handheld VHF radio
Bait tank or tube
Storage haches large enough to store rods below for hairy re-entry.
Fish Finder - this is debatable amoungst the purist. Some of the ol Boys hunt with their eyes and ears and feel the FF is a distraction from scanning the enviornment. I prefer data and get real grumpy when my sonar goes out on me. (Seems to happen alot) I like to know the terrrain, depth, kelp coverages below, bait pictures and after a awhile, you begin to get a feel for the "lay of the land". This info make you a better hunter in the long run. Especially if you consistently fish the same waters.

If you are new to Ocean yak fishing - then it's well worth contacting one of the local guides to spend a day with. At the very least - contact Jim Sammons and attend his group surf, paddle and safety skills clinic . Will save you a lot of grief and lost gear in the long run.

Also - if you are serious and want to devote above average time on the water - then invest in a good lightweight paddle. If you get into this sport with a passion (it is highly contagious) then you'll find yourself covering a lot of ground in a days hunt. If you're putzzing around in the kelp slinging for calicos - then it's probably no big deal to have an average paddle.

Last of all - bring your best dose of patience. It's take persistence to push through the learning curve of successfull angling in this sport. Any Donkey with a spinning rod can paddle out to the bouy. But you have to put in the time to really undertand the nuances of the game. There are some very skilled kayak anglers on these boards - try to pay attention to what they are doing. Otherwise, watch, listen (VHF) and learn from the posts.

I can promise you one thing - you will learn more about fishing being 6" off the water than you ever did riding in your skiff.

Best of luck.

HAWG OUT

(FYI - this advise is from observations from a very average intermediate yak obssesed angler.) Many others can shed more valuable light on the subject.

01-22-2006, 06:59 AM	#6
Razorback Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: La Mesa, CA Posts: 160	If you are planning to fish in the ocean with full gear and beach launch and re-entry - then I would reco either a Malibu X- FACTOR, or EXTREME. I started w/ the COBRA FND and with it's stabilty - it gave me the confidence to handle rough water - but soon became too slow and the performance wasn't there when needed to track, sprint or perform stellar beach landings. :roll: I am 6'0" and 210 lbs and the X-Factor fits me like a glove. Not as fast as the Extreme - but I give up some speed for comfort. I like to target big fish and the the way I sit down into the seat well - it seems to give me xtra leverage and control during hookup. I probably dumped my Cobra 1/2 dozen times - but knock on wood - have never rolled the Malibu. There are pros and cons to all yaks. Get down to the local yak shops and demo ride all the yaks built specifically for fishing platforms and buy the one you feel most comfortable in. Most major brands have Dealers in San Diego. I personally prefer Malibu for there attention to the fishermans needs - but there are other brands that out perform them on the water (Wilderness). But, heh - I drive a truck, not a Porshe... + recessed rod holders are better than the surface mount Scotty's - if you are into bigger fishes. Once you have your model picked out - then rig it to your style of fishing: ie: inshore lightweight for bass, trophy YT and WSB, halibut, etc. IMHO - the essentials are: PFD Handheld VHF radio Bait tank or tube Storage haches large enough to store rods below for hairy re-entry. Fish Finder - this is debatable amoungst the purist. Some of the ol Boys hunt with their eyes and ears and feel the FF is a distraction from scanning the enviornment. I prefer data and get real grumpy when my sonar goes out on me. (Seems to happen alot) I like to know the terrrain, depth, kelp coverages below, bait pictures and after a awhile, you begin to get a feel for the "lay of the land". This info make you a better hunter in the long run. Especially if you consistently fish the same waters. If you are new to Ocean yak fishing - then it's well worth contacting one of the local guides to spend a day with. At the very least - contact Jim Sammons and attend his group surf, paddle and safety skills clinic . Will save you a lot of grief and lost gear in the long run. Also - if you are serious and want to devote above average time on the water - then invest in a good lightweight paddle. If you get into this sport with a passion (it is highly contagious) then you'll find yourself covering a lot of ground in a days hunt. If you're putzzing around in the kelp slinging for calicos - then it's probably no big deal to have an average paddle. Last of all - bring your best dose of patience. It's take persistence to push through the learning curve of successfull angling in this sport. Any Donkey with a spinning rod can paddle out to the bouy. But you have to put in the time to really undertand the nuances of the game. There are some very skilled kayak anglers on these boards - try to pay attention to what they are doing. Otherwise, watch, listen (VHF) and learn from the posts. I can promise you one thing - you will learn more about fishing being 6" off the water than you ever did riding in your skiff. Best of luck. HAWG OUT (FYI - this advise is from observations from a very average intermediate yak obssesed angler.) Many others can shed more valuable light on the subject.