whats the best bang for your buck?

[FF_T_Warren]

Im wanting to get a kayak in the near future. now I mainly want it for just kayaking on the rivers and stuff but I would also like to have it be usable for fishing. Now what's the best one to go with(I know everyone is going to have their preference) that is durable, good setup, stable, and comfortable. I'd like to stay less than $700. 500 would be even better.

[SaltyShaw]

Few hundred more you could get a Hobie..... I have an outback with mirage drive and love it!!
Holler at JediLure I know he is looking for a new yak may be able to scoop his up for a decent price, not sure what he has though.
My cousin got a Native 14' Manta Ray and that thing is sweet! Check into those natives they are nice yaks

[LPfishnTIM]

$479.00 the Ascend 12ft fs12, is a good one, you looking for a sit on or sit in?

[FF_T_Warren]

sit on

[Sea-Trac Offshore]

check out bayou coast kayak fishing club for a used one. bckfc.org I would buy a good used one then a cheap new one honestly. For 500-700 you can get a way better used kayak then the ones at Academy and such

[FF_T_Warren]

Im totally good with a used one long as its not trashed. thanks for the link

[SaltyShaw]

I got an awesome deal on my Hobie on texaskayakfisherman.com
make you an account and post up what your looking for and people will be PMing you out the wood works trying to sale unlisted items, or atleast thats what heppened with me.
Good Luck!

[Raymond]

My experience looking for used yaks is they are either too far to drive or asking way too much for used. I can't justify driving 200 miles to save a $100 when gaz is almost $4.00/gal. Wilderness is reinventing their discontinued models and selling them for hundreds less than current models in places like Academy and West Marine. I would rather buy the Pescador and a high dollar paddle than a $700 yak and a cheap paddle.
It's a yak for gods sake not a Haynie!

Kayak and Canoe Forum: Pescador Kayak - SaltyCajun.com

Kayak and Canoe Forum: Pescador Kayak - SaltyCajun.com

[FF_T_Warren]

whats the deal with having a high dollar paddle?

[SaltyShaw]

you dont need one with mirage drive. . . . . . . . just sayin

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by FF_T_Warren

whats the deal with having a high dollar paddle?

It's like having a Core, if ya have to ask you probably can't afford it.
The paddle makes the yak IMO, you can have a great yak and $HITTY paddle and it makes ya work way harder than need be. $$ paddles are lighter and designed way better than the cheap stuff. Different widths and lengths almost make them custom to your particular style of paddling; touring, fishing,ect.

[FF_T_Warren]

hmm. whats good paddle brands

[Raymond]

Hot name out there right now from what I can see is the "Bending Branches". They are quite pricey.

http://www.austinkayak.com/catalog_p...ubcatID=211004

[FF_T_Warren]

itll be a cold day in Haiti's before I pay 250 for a paddle.

[LPfishnTIM]

I was told the $99 paddles at the backpacker were good enough and much better than what they sell at academy or bass pro, I was thinking about getting a kayak, getting a good paddle and getting the ascend fs12, it seems like a good deal and I haven't heard anything but positive comments about the ascend kayaks.

[Sea-Trac Offshore]

Currently I use the Bending Branches and it has held up great for the past three years. I do want something lighter for long hauls though and more paddle blade.

[FF_T_Warren]

Went and looked all around town today at some yaks. there were about 3 that really caught my eye. but one imparticular that that I really liked. The Tarpon120 and an awesome carbon fiber paddle by carlisle. the whole set up will prolly hit me for close to a 1000. but a very nice setup from what I can tell. anyone have any first hand knowledge. it looked like one of the better ones we saw

[SaltyShaw]

Tarpon 120 is a bad arse yak!
The Perception Pescador 120 is the same mold as the older model Tarpon 120's and fairly cheaper.
Perception also has a Sport Caster 12.5 that is pretty gnarly also, with a good paddle you would be in bizness in my opinion . . . . hope this helps

2007-2008 Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120

2011 Pescador Perception 120
$550

2011 Perception Sport Caster 12.5 (This one is sick)
$600

[FF_T_Warren]

Well went and picked out a new tarpon120 and picked all my accessories for it at the Backpacker today. Great people with knowledge on their products. A great experience. Haven't purchased it yet but its on hold. they are having a demo day out at the LSU lakes tomorrow starting at 10 oclock if anyone wants to go try out some yaks. Gonna go ride in one just to make sure its exactly what I want before dropping the money on it. I cant wait. gonna have to start fishing some of these tourneys now

[Choupique]

If I were you I would pay the extra $80 and get the tarpon 14; better for standing; faster, and you can carry more, and it will track better. But regardless you will have a blast.