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Post by KerryB on Sept 14, 2009 17:55:24 GMT -5
Decided since i have retired from firefighting, i needed something to help me stay physically fit. I always wanted a kayak, so i bought a nice "sit on top" kayak in olive green that is made especially for fishing. I caught a few nice bass on my first trip out with the best going about 4lbs. It pulled me around pretty good before i got him landed. I got a photo of the bass with the blackberry camera and also copied a photo of the kayak although this one is sand colored and mine is olive. Pretty fun stuff! ;D
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Post by whyohe on Sept 15, 2009 13:34:53 GMT -5
nice. how cramped was it with your gear and how stabile was it?
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Post by KerryB on Sept 15, 2009 18:16:25 GMT -5
nice. how cramped was it with your gear and how stabile was it? It is not terribly cramped for space. It has a fairly large area behind the seat that is recessed for a 5 gallon bucket and also is large enough to hold a life jacket and tackle box along with lunch, etc. I reached back and moved my tackle box up between my legs when fishing, so i can change lures more readily. It also has two rod holders behind the seat that hold my rods vertical and slightly out at an angle for trolling. There is a large compartment up front with a rubber cover where you can store items that need to stay dry such as tents and sleeping bags. There are two smaller dry storage compartments with screw on o-ring sealed lids where i keep my cell phone, camera, and binoculars. The hull is completely sealed so you can completely roll it over and it won't hold water. There are 6 drain holes so that any water entering the top of the kayak simply drains back into the lake/stream. There are all sorts of tie downs along the sides so you can attach anything you want including camoflage or grass for waterfowl hunting. This kayak has a dihedral hull design that makes it super stable and it almost feels like you are on pontoons. When you lean to either side, you tip slightly and then feel greater resistance as the deeper edge of the hull becomes more buoyant. It is really stable and tip resistant. The dihedral hull also helps the kayak track straight through the water and this model is also designed for an aftermarket rudder kit on the rear if desired. It is exactly what i had wanted and has all the features i need. I bought this model at Dick's Sporting Goods for $499 which i thought was a pretty fair price. I am looking forward to a kayak camping trip soon now that cool weather is approaching.
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Post by Rifleman on Sept 22, 2009 1:20:56 GMT -5
I thought about getting one of these kerry ;D It's all electric!
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Post by KerryB on Sept 23, 2009 21:33:10 GMT -5
That kayak is really a pretty cool design! If it weren't for that revolting yellow/blue color pattern, i just might have to have one! I don't guess i would get much exercise turning that little handle to activate the trolling motor either! I'd better stick with what i have.........my buddies would bust a gut laughing if i pulled up to the duck blind in that rig! ;D
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Post by rossman40 on Sept 30, 2009 11:49:19 GMT -5
You had it in the backwaters of Rend lake yet? You could probly get under the bridges regular boats can't.
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Post by KerryB on Oct 9, 2009 21:45:17 GMT -5
You had it in the backwaters of Rend lake yet? You could probly get under the bridges regular boats can't. I rarely get up to Rend. I live right next to Cedar Lake and very near Little Grassy, Devils Kitchen, and Crab Orchard. It is tough to make myself drive very far when i live in the middle of the prettiest and best fishing lakes around. Rend does have some good fishing although the scenery is lacking in my opinion. Duck hunting is a good sport for Rend although i usually go south into Union County for most of that................
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Post by sincyrman on Dec 17, 2009 19:39:53 GMT -5
Kerry,
I have a similar kayak "Wilderness Tarpon". In fact, it is almost identical. I got a kick out of your photo. Like me, you seem to keep everything you need right there in your lap. I take mine out on the ocean here in NH but have yet to land a "keeper" striped bass (they have to be at least 28"), but have had some smaller ones tow me around a little bit. Great fun and good exercise.
A word of caution. My flyer shows a guy sitting 'side saddle' while fishing, because it is that stable. So one day at the beach, I did some "field" testing. I brought all my gear to shore and dropped it off. Then I went back out to do some stability testing. I tired the side-saddle technique. Just like you said, after a slight bit of tipping, it got stable again. So I continued to tip it a little farther. I went from stable to swimming with zero transition.
Bottom line...It is very stable, but you better respect it! All done for this year, but if I ever land a keeper, there will be pictures. Good luck and have fun. You made a great decision.
But a word of caution
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Post by KerryB on Dec 26, 2009 11:22:21 GMT -5
Kerry, I have a similar kayak "Wilderness Tarpon". In fact, it is almost identical. I got a kick out of your photo. Like me, you seem to keep everything you need right there in your lap. I take mine out on the ocean here in NH but have yet to land a "keeper" striped bass (they have to be at least 28"), but have had some smaller ones tow me around a little bit. Great fun and good exercise. A word of caution. My flyer shows a guy sitting 'side saddle' while fishing, because it is that stable. So one day at the beach, I did some "field" testing. I brought all my gear to shore and dropped it off. Then I went back out to do some stability testing. I tired the side-saddle technique. Just like you said, after a slight bit of tipping, it got stable again. So I continued to tip it a little farther. I went from stable to swimming with zero transition. Bottom line...It is very stable, but you better respect it! All done for this year, but if I ever land a keeper, there will be pictures. Good luck and have fun. You made a great decision. But a word of caution Thx for the advice on side saddle.........i'll stay away from that technique! I would love to see some photos of the area you use your kayak in, as well as photos of your catches.........even if they aren't keepers! KerryB
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Post by sincyrman on Jan 26, 2010 21:47:33 GMT -5
Kerry, I haven't checked this site in a while. I will try to get some pictures this summer. Bill
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Post by KerryB on Jan 29, 2010 7:51:33 GMT -5
Kerry, I haven't checked this site in a while. I will try to get some pictures this summer. Bill Looking forward to it!
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