Newbie looking to join up 10/5 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

kevbeer · 10-03-2018, 09:32 AM

forgive me for asking questions already forum'd elsewhere.

-what are top 3 causes of a "dunk" in 10 ft kayak?
-do dunks still happen with larger kayak?
-is adding side stabilizers a decent idea?

I am just getting into the hobby and it is a bit premature for me to consider larger, expensive kayak. If that means I should stay out of open ocean so be it. But if there is a way to make my 10 ft kayak more capable and get in there with minimal safety risk, I would like to wet my appetite with open ocean.

Of course I am already looking at new and used pedal kayaks 11+ ft...but not seriously. I must say hobie 14 ft pro angler is like a freaking ship...could get tired pacing that deck!

GTboosted · 10-03-2018, 10:08 AM

The main cause is stability.

Most Walmart kayaks are not designed with open ocean swells in mind. Is your kayak a sit on top or sit inside?

Did you buy it new? If so i would return it and buy a used kayak from craigslist. If budget is an issue, a used malibu, wilderness systems, or ocean kayak will be way better suited to go out. You dont need a Hobie to have fun but you do need a well designed kayak.

If you go out in the Walmart kayak you might flip and get discouraged with our wonderful hobby.

kevbeer · 10-03-2018, 11:21 AM

really appreciate the feedback, guys.

it is a sit on top type, lifetime tamarack 100, bought new on sale. It is not going back. Thanks for idea though, I understand your thought. I have already taken it out on a lake and I have a moral issue with returning stuff after use. Furthermore, if I buy a more substantial kayak, I would keep it as a secondary for my wife and son to accompany me on in the future.

No doubt a large enough swell/wake would send me over in this kayak. I also worry about catching too large a fish too early on in my kayak fishing career and not knowing how to counter balance those loads.

Semper Fi-shing · 10-03-2018, 12:20 PM

You shouldnt worry about returning stuff that is not safe for you to use the way u intend to use it. They either accept your return or they dont. Their choice. What you return at one place, you buy at same place or another place.

Most people dunk on the way in or out in the surf, from what I witnessed. Especially people that surf their yaks all the way in and dont jump out when it gets waist deep.

Also watch out for cross chop....waves that hit you on the side versus from the front.

Hunters Pa · 10-03-2018, 01:18 PM

Whatever you can place inside your kayak instead of on top will lower your center of gravity, increasing primary stability. That said, be VERY careful opening as it is also an avenue for water to get inside if you get swamped when access is not secured.

Could you do open water in that? Sure.

You could also drive to New York in a Smart Car. You can take more equipment and would be a lot more comfortable and safer in a SUV, but you could do it.

I have a 10 footer that I use when I can only get away for an hour or two after work and am going to hit the harbor with 1, maybe 2 rods and a single tray of artificials. It works great for that and can easily be transported on my Civic.

It's all a tradeoff. If that is what you have then use it. Get used to the feel of where you tip. If you want to try open water, do it without fishing gear first. If you don't feel comfortable in open water then stay in protected areas for now

kevbeer · 10-03-2018, 03:56 PM

good stuff guys.

would you say a native slayer propel 10 is quite adequate for open water? or just barely cutting it?

Saba Slayer · 10-03-2018, 04:28 PM

Kevbeer...Use the kayak you have and get some confidence in your kayaking abilities by launching and fishing in one of the many bays or harbors that we have available in the northern part of So Cal...Cabrillo...Long Beach...King Harbor....MDR...Dana Point...Newport...Huntington Harbor.
There are some nice fish to be caught in most of these inshore areas and it's a great place to hone your skills and your kayak rigging...and learn to use the fish finder that you'll eventually buy.
If it's a flat day with no wind and you feel good about your abilities after a couple of trips you just might venture outside the bay or harbor and get a feel for the swell and current "on the outside".
Check out the other kayaks next time Andy has another demo day at OEX... and when the Fred Hall Show comes around in March...come on down to the lagoon at Long Beach and try out one of the Hobies.

10-03-2018, 10:08 AM	#2
GTboosted Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Lake Balboa, The Valley Posts: 425	The main cause is stability. Most Walmart kayaks are not designed with open ocean swells in mind. Is your kayak a sit on top or sit inside? Did you buy it new? If so i would return it and buy a used kayak from craigslist. If budget is an issue, a used malibu, wilderness systems, or ocean kayak will be way better suited to go out. You dont need a Hobie to have fun but you do need a well designed kayak. If you go out in the Walmart kayak you might flip and get discouraged with our wonderful hobby. __________________ -Beto

10-03-2018, 12:20 PM	#4
Semper Fi-shing Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Menifee Posts: 117	You shouldnt worry about returning stuff that is not safe for you to use the way u intend to use it. They either accept your return or they dont. Their choice. What you return at one place, you buy at same place or another place. Most people dunk on the way in or out in the surf, from what I witnessed. Especially people that surf their yaks all the way in and dont jump out when it gets waist deep. Also watch out for cross chop....waves that hit you on the side versus from the front. __________________ I've got 99 problems but a fish ain't one.

10-03-2018, 04:28 PM	#7
Saba Slayer Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palos Verdes Posts: 1,872	confidence Kevbeer...Use the kayak you have and get some confidence in your kayaking abilities by launching and fishing in one of the many bays or harbors that we have available in the northern part of So Cal...Cabrillo...Long Beach...King Harbor....MDR...Dana Point...Newport...Huntington Harbor. There are some nice fish to be caught in most of these inshore areas and it's a great place to hone your skills and your kayak rigging...and learn to use the fish finder that you'll eventually buy. If it's a flat day with no wind and you feel good about your abilities after a couple of trips you just might venture outside the bay or harbor and get a feel for the swell and current "on the outside". Check out the other kayaks next time Andy has another demo day at OEX... and when the Fred Hall Show comes around in March...come on down to the lagoon at Long Beach and try out one of the Hobies. __________________ Jim / Saba Slayer

10-03-2018, 09:32 AM	#1
kevbeer Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: rancho bernardo Posts: 66	forgive me for asking questions already forum'd elsewhere. -what are top 3 causes of a "dunk" in 10 ft kayak? -do dunks still happen with larger kayak? -is adding side stabilizers a decent idea? I am just getting into the hobby and it is a bit premature for me to consider larger, expensive kayak. If that means I should stay out of open ocean so be it. But if there is a way to make my 10 ft kayak more capable and get in there with minimal safety risk, I would like to wet my appetite with open ocean. Of course I am already looking at new and used pedal kayaks 11+ ft...but not seriously. I must say hobie 14 ft pro angler is like a freaking ship...could get tired pacing that deck!

10-03-2018, 01:18 PM	#5
Hunters Pa Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton Posts: 1,361	Whatever you can place inside your kayak instead of on top will lower your center of gravity, increasing primary stability. That said, be VERY careful opening as it is also an avenue for water to get inside if you get swamped when access is not secured. Could you do open water in that? Sure. You could also drive to New York in a Smart Car. You can take more equipment and would be a lot more comfortable and safer in a SUV, but you could do it. I have a 10 footer that I use when I can only get away for an hour or two after work and am going to hit the harbor with 1, maybe 2 rods and a single tray of artificials. It works great for that and can easily be transported on my Civic. It's all a tradeoff. If that is what you have then use it. Get used to the feel of where you tip. If you want to try open water, do it without fishing gear first. If you don't feel comfortable in open water then stay in protected areas for now

10-03-2018, 03:56 PM	#6
kevbeer Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: rancho bernardo Posts: 66	good stuff guys. would you say a native slayer propel 10 is quite adequate for open water? or just barely cutting it?