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Buying first kayak!


Mutch22

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Hey guys Im looking into buying my first kayak, probably just starting off in lakes then venture into the hawskbury and harbour I'm looking at something around the $400-600 mark I've been doing abit of research but it seems majority is a lot of the cheap imports that all look the same ?

i want something to be able to stand up in to flick lures around!  This doesn't look too bad 

https://www.ausurfing.com.au/kingfisher-mk2

anybody have any personal experience with there first fishing kayak or any suggestions? I know use have probably been Asked this a thousand times 

 

cheers mitch 

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hey mitch..im no expert on yaks but I own two..both 2.7 long..one 780 wide  one is 840 wide slightly different shapes on the side  one rounded down to waterline  one angled and flat down the side...I don't stand up in either..some people might but they aren't designed for it..thats why they are called sit on top yaks..there are at least a dozen brands available from 300/800 bucks..some have bigger hatches..some have built in handles for carrying...it all boils down to personal preference...the 2.7 long yaks are great for creeks dams rivers..but..i have felt very uneasy in choppy conditions on the local lakes...if I was to do any fishing in the ocean I would buy a longer craft designed for open water..i luv my yaks but...they have limits.and so do I...saying that its probably one of the best things ive ever bought..no rego.no lights.no wheel bearings..bugger all maintenance.easy to use..i would say you cant go wrong getting one...rick

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Hey rick cheers for the help! Yeah I'm tossing up between 3.6m or 2.7  for the weight factor loading and unloading specially for my first one! Yeah the low maintenace is definately a great factor although I would have a boat but I'm about to start building a house so one day it will happen ? I have seen the 2monks kayak I have read they are pretty decent for a beginner kayaker probably a decent all round kayak!

  

Xerotao yeah that's what it does look like until they venture into the $1500 mark and up and you can tell the difference hahah!

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a mate and I bought our yaks together..both the same colour as well  we treat em rough.i paddle flat out at logs across the creek and drive up over them..they are nearly unbreakable...there are a few differing styles among the yaks available..just find one that takes your fancy..the only to look for are some have more of a keel to keep them tracking straight..rick

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi mate 

Best tips i can give you up to you if you want to take it or not 

 

1st tip , Buy the 3.6m yak you will find the 2.7m is a waste of time and a pain in the ass for fishing , there is many reasons for this .

2nd Tip , make sure your the kayak you buy has a steering Rudder 

 

those are some important features you need to consider when buying a yak 

also there is a asian importer in windang south of the bridge  , he sells some very nice kayaks at very good prices if you want a new one or you can look on gumtree 

 

also standing up in those types of kayaks are very hard without modifications , bet bet is save a little more and buy a 2nd hand Pro Angler 12 

 

 

 

 

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I had a Viking 4.5 pro with rudder etc, also have a 2.7 and two 2.4 yaks. The bigger one tracked very well as well as being faster than the shorter models, however we have now sold the bigger one as it's not as good in the bass rivers we head onto which have narrow fast running small waterfalls etc. The small 2.4 are also sit on ( not in ) and very good for the kids who use them from rivers to surf where they are great fun due to the shortness and tracking ability in big waves. I also use the short ones but I do get wet shorts if I don't use something to raise me higher off the deck.

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I stuck with the 2.7 yaks with no rudder  if i had a rudder model i would break it off first trip  we go over logs rocks all dorts of hard immovable shallow objects..if u gish estuaries bays and snag free waters then rudders are fine  but where i fish they wouldnt last ten mins...rick

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I got my first kayak last week. Almost identical to rick's one but 3m long. 

Its a entirely different experience fishing so low and close to the water. 

I reckon go with the 2.7m one if you want convenience and if your looking to just try it out.

If your serious about kayak fishing, go with the 3.6m but you'll have to deal with the extra weight when loading and unloading. Try and go for a rudder if you can.

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I just got my nextgen 9 from kayaks2fish and took it out on the nepean/hawksbury. It's a single seater which i picked up for $459. Really good deal. A buddy of mine got his 2 seater from kayaks2fish too some time back and has had no complaints. It's a really good way to get into kayak fishing to see if you like it before you splurge on a hobie (if ever).

 

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Cheers for the help guys! I actually came across the next gen 9 from kayaks 2 fish I think that's the one I'm going to go for, PSI how did it go, you where pretty happy with it? I'll see if I really enjoy it kayaking then I can advance to something like the foot pedal systems see how I go! 

Cheers guys!

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I love it. The seat is comfy and raised so you don't get a wet bum, it's stable, has enough room for me to store my stuff, it's got 5 rod holders (not that i need more than 1!), it's just an awesome kayak. I've used other more expensive kayaks before like the jackson coosa ($++) but I can't see the justification for the price.

Anyways don't expect a fancy showroom, their sydney warehouse is just some dude's garage that's stacked to the ceiling high with kayaks. I'm guessing that's how they can offer them cheaper by saving on rent and that's fine with me! They were friendly and very accomodating with me picking up my kayak after hours (even at 7pm) cos i get home late from work. Very happy ^_^

p.s....there forever seems to be a sale on the website which ends and starts again. Wait till it's $459 instead of $659.

Edited by PSi
forgot to mention website discounts
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Cheers man! Yeah that's one thing that got my attention was the raised seat!  Hahah nah that's not an issue is that the place at Quakers hill?  Yeah same here I don't get much early days from work so I'll definately tee it up with him! i have been watching that sale and when it ends it just keeps ticking over hahah that's fine with me! 

Thanks for the help I appreciate it!

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I no good up getting my first kayak a 2.7meter, stuff that your ass just hurts after collecting livies haha. Go the 3.6m with the nicer seats, all brands are the same and might bump up loading weights by a few kilos in the description its all bs. Get a 3.6m and you'll just have 100% more confidence in your gear and if u have that confidence that's already 60% the way to successful fishing.

Edited by Miketheangler
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horses for courses mike..i fish real skinny water a lot of the time..dragging over logs rocks sandbars...my yak is 23kg  easy to portage from pool to pool in small systems..occasionally I have a paddle in local lake if not too windy..i have no intention to paddle in ocean waters..so.2.7 basic yak suits me..if going to sea with livebait tank and wanting tracking and stability  go big..the choice is there...but...I don't think there is an inbetween...if I was starting out  I would have the same thoughts  ..its like buying a boat  some suit rivers n lakes some suit traveling to the shelf  ..which one would you buy??????depends on majority of fishing intended...rick

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  • 2 months later...

I’m thinking of getting my first yak, too, and am looking at an Osprey 9, a 2.7m yak from kayaks2fish (?) for $349. Has anyone got any experience with this yak? I found a “hidden” lagoon today that I believe may hold bass and want to give it a crack. I’ll need a trolley ot some sort as I’ll have to walk or ? in along a fire trail. I’d also like to use it in sheltered bays of Port Stephens, also using a trolley to get down the end of the road. Hence why I’m thinking of the 2.7m model.

Edited by Berleyguts
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My advice is get the cheapest kayak that will do the job for you and spend the extra on a really good, light paddle. You're gonna swing the thing thousands of times in a fishing session so comfort and lightness matter a lot. The kayak you can replace with a more specialised model as you get more experience and a better idea of how you use it, but if you buy a great paddle to begin with, you’ll be able to use it with any kayak. 

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31 minutes ago, MainframeJames said:

My advice is get the cheapest kayak that will do the job for you and spend the extra on a really good, light paddle. You're gonna swing the thing thousands of times in a fishing session so comfort and lightness matter a lot. The kayak you can replace with a more specialised model as you get more experience and a better idea of how you use it, but if you buy a great paddle to begin with, you’ll be able to use it with any kayak. 

Thanks. Good point! The one I’m looking at comes with a paddle. The place I’m looking at using it first won’t require a great deal of paddling, with no current to speak of. Lightweight and portable are probably the main requirements.

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I've been thinking about a Riot Quest 9.5 - mainly because its very light at 14kgs so easy to handle but I'm concerned it may not stand up to being dragged over snags etc. I'm not really interested in paddling longer distances, I'd use it for short sessions in Wyong River and Ourimbah Creek.

Does any-one have any experience with the Riot Quest?

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Hey guys I ended up getting the kayaks 2 fish next gen 9 I'm very happy with it especially for my first one! No complaints nice and light and they have a really good seat in it great back support and comfy! 

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