[dkeats]

Looking for some advice. I am in the final stages of my kayak research. The kayak will be used exclusively for fishing on Jordan Lake, and probably not making long trips (staying within .5-1 mile). I am torn between getting something reasonably small, like a Tarpon 100, all the way up to a 14' Native Manta Ray. I'd rather get the small kayak, but am not sure how it would handle in Jordan.

Can anyway please share their experience? I am still new at this, and will probably only have one shot in the next few years to purchase a kayak. Thank you!!!

 

[OptiMystic]

Trips that short, I would go with the best fishing platform. 10' ones are fine in Jordan. Don't know what your budget is, but I would be looking at stuff like NuCanoes with great high seats and lots of room if the budget allows.

 

[roostertail24]

An Awesome fishing kayak if you aren't going to be paddling long distances is the old town predator.

 

[froggy waters]

Length adds in the tracking of a kayak . Typically a 12ft kayak has been the more versatile length with some of the newer designs 13+ft kayaks are doing eexcellent . If you get interested in a demo we have a bunch of kayaks to choose from .

 

[dkeats]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I appreciate it.

 

[EvBlue]

For your stated purpose almost anything will work. 12' is probably the best all-around length. Shorter can be lighter and easier to transport and store, longer will track better and be a bit faster. I'd personally go with the Ride over the Tarpon in the shorter lengths.

 

[duckhunterwst]

My recommendations would either be the Jackson Cuda 12 or 14 or the Hobie Pro Angler 12 or 14. I really want a Hobie Pro Angler 14.

 

[agger]

i got the the advice from Darrel that length is relative. However longer are more stable and the shorter the more mobile. 12 foot can do almost everything.

 

[sporkd2]

I would maybe get out in a kayak and see how easy .5 - 1mi is paddling. I thought the same thing when I first started and found out that I would end up paddling a lot further then I expected.

Looking for some advice. I am in the final stages of my kayak research. The kayak will be used exclusively for fishing on Jordan Lake, and probably not making long trips (staying within .5-1 mile). I am torn between getting something reasonably small, like a Tarpon 100, all the way up to a 14' Native Manta Ray. I'd rather get the small kayak, but am not sure how it would handle in Jordan.

Can anyway please share their experience? I am still new at this, and will probably only have one shot in the next few years to purchase a kayak. Thank you!!!

 

[OptiMystic]

Agger, Some of the least stable boats you can get are really long, like the 20' surfski racers. So there is more to it - width and hull shape are what really give you stability. There are a few wide 10' yaks and even a couple of 8' ones people stand in.

spork2d makes a good point. Thinking does tend to change if you enjoy paddling and I think there is a good chance you will.

 

[EvBlue]

"Thinking does tend to change if you enjoy paddling and I think there is a good chance you will."

Oh yeah- instead of trying to figure out what kind of boat would be best for Jordan I'd be thinking more along the lines of "when I get hooked will I be hitting the rivers or the coast?"