Color matters? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

FishNinjaY · 03-02-2013, 11:53 PM

So excited!

Looks like I'm about to jump into this kayak game. Going to try to take advantage of some pre-Fred Hall Show savings..

Super thanks to Andy at OEX SSB

for spending so much time getting a noob like me situated and demo'ing stuff on the water. He's also working on a great package for me, and I'm pretty much decided (finally) on the Hobie Oasis tandem. My 10yr old boy doesn't know it yet, but I'm actually getting a second kayak to give him, a Malibu Mini-X... the color might not entirely be in my control, but I asked my son what colors he liked, and he picked out the LIME GREEN! Yikes.. a bit loud, no? (especially since I hope to use it for solo fishing when I have a few hours free).. but.. I guess if that's what the boy wants!

Got me thinking...

What are peoples preferences on color of kayak? Any issues that factored in, like visibility on the water?, safety? dirt/cleaning? how it wears over time with beach rash? etc... Personally, I think I favor the lighter, more subdued colors, like stone for the Malibu, or ivory dune for the Hobie.. but the mango yellow is ok also? I guess I'm not picky.

Ok.. just wondering what you guys thought. Thanks!!

Can't wait..

See y'all out there!
-Jay

FlyFishinYakr · 03-03-2013, 12:39 AM

I also wondered if there was a fishing difference in color when deciding on my Outback. Since I was confirming my place on the 2.5 day in June I asked CJ his opinion. He informed me, I his opinion color never seemed to be an issue. As with boats it's more about the noise from "boat slap" that might make more of a difference. When I talked to "Andy" @ SSB, he confirmed the same thing. After reviewing many picks on this forum I noticed

&

have been caught on yaks of all different colors

!
From the safety stand point I thought about a mango color but finally settled on a neutral color "Dune".
FFY
Just my $.02

kiyo21 · 03-03-2013, 12:51 AM

I have a lime green trident 13 and color to me is preference doesn't stop the fish just helps the boats to see you. + brighter is better

03-03-2013, 02:39 AM

Custom paint job on mine.

taggermike · 03-03-2013, 12:55 PM

I've never given yak color too much thought. A light colored bottom may blend in with the light coming down similar to the counter shading found in most fish. I bright kayak will make you more visible topower boaters; never a bad idea. Darker kayaks show scratches more. Mike

Gigafish · 03-03-2013, 01:21 PM

Brighter colors are better, you would notice a high visibility difference on the water. Kayaks are considered a low visibility craft.

03-02-2013, 11:53 PM	#1
FishNinjaY Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Seal Beach, CA Posts: 428	Color matters? So excited! Looks like I'm about to jump into this kayak game. Going to try to take advantage of some pre-Fred Hall Show savings.. Super thanks to Andy at OEX SSB for spending so much time getting a noob like me situated and demo'ing stuff on the water. He's also working on a great package for me, and I'm pretty much decided (finally) on the Hobie Oasis tandem. My 10yr old boy doesn't know it yet, but I'm actually getting a second kayak to give him, a Malibu Mini-X... the color might not entirely be in my control, but I asked my son what colors he liked, and he picked out the LIME GREEN! Yikes.. a bit loud, no? (especially since I hope to use it for solo fishing when I have a few hours free).. but.. I guess if that's what the boy wants! Got me thinking... What are peoples preferences on color of kayak? Any issues that factored in, like visibility on the water?, safety? dirt/cleaning? how it wears over time with beach rash? etc... Personally, I think I favor the lighter, more subdued colors, like stone for the Malibu, or ivory dune for the Hobie.. but the mango yellow is ok also? I guess I'm not picky. Ok.. just wondering what you guys thought. Thanks!! Can't wait.. See y'all out there! -Jay

03-03-2013, 12:39 AM	#2
FlyFishinYakr Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Nor Cal...30 min from Bodega/Tomales Bay, 1hr from Clear Lake, 2+ hr to Berryessa & the Delta Posts: 729	I also wondered if there was a fishing difference in color when deciding on my Outback. Since I was confirming my place on the 2.5 day in June I asked CJ his opinion. He informed me, I his opinion color never seemed to be an issue. As with boats it's more about the noise from "boat slap" that might make more of a difference. When I talked to "Andy" @ SSB, he confirmed the same thing. After reviewing many picks on this forum I noticed & have been caught on yaks of all different colors ! From the safety stand point I thought about a mango color but finally settled on a neutral color "Dune". FFY Just my $.02

03-03-2013, 12:51 AM	#3
kiyo21 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Chino CA Posts: 202	I have a lime green trident 13 and color to me is preference doesn't stop the fish just helps the boats to see you. + brighter is better

03-03-2013, 02:39 AM	#4
madncrzydm Guest Posts: n/a	Custom paint job on mine.

03-03-2013, 12:55 PM	#5
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	I've never given yak color too much thought. A light colored bottom may blend in with the light coming down similar to the counter shading found in most fish. I bright kayak will make you more visible topower boaters; never a bad idea. Darker kayaks show scratches more. Mike

03-03-2013, 01:21 PM	#6
Gigafish Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 309	Brighter colors are better, you would notice a high visibility difference on the water. Kayaks are considered a low visibility craft.