decisions decisions - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

leeman · 04-12-2011, 04:55 PM

im getting a new kayak and right now its between the malibu stealth 12 or the tarpon 140. i love fishing the bays and lagoons, but was really interested in fishing offshore in la jolla. the kayak i have now is a piece and want a new one to go out in the ocean with, any advice and opinions about these boats would really help. thanks

Jimmyz123 · 04-12-2011, 05:54 PM

Why are you not looking at Hobies or O.K.s they are also great kayaks. I would test paddle them all before you buy.

HI2CA · 04-12-2011, 06:22 PM

i got a cheap stealth 12 off CL. Its super stable and the bait tank is nice but shes kind of a duckdiver. If ur gonna fish in the rough u might wanna look for something with a higher bow

FLORIDA BOY! · 04-12-2011, 06:26 PM

I have a tarpon 14 and I like it, but I'm thinking of selling it to get a hobie. I've used it maybe 15-20 times. Interested?

bus kid · 04-12-2011, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmyz123

Why are you not looking at Hobies or O.K.s they are also great kayaks. I would test paddle them all before you buy.

Welcome Leeman. Go down to OEX and test paddle / peddle. a few

leeman · 04-12-2011, 06:31 PM

sorry didnt mean to seam like i didnt like the hobies or o.k.'s its just that in my price range i thought these 2 would be more afordable for me. i think im going to try those out too its just that i dont know that much about choosing the right kayak, being new to it.

how does the stealth paddle?
i like that its 33inches but the tarpon is 14 ft and 28 inches, would 5 inches be a huge difference when out in la jolla?

leeman · 04-12-2011, 06:34 PM

thanks for the welcome, yeah im deffinately going to oex to try them out i think i might try out some other as well, any suggestions?

bus kid · 04-12-2011, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeman

thanks for the welcome, yeah im deffinately going to oex to try them out i think i might try out some other as well, any suggestions?

ask lots of questions. what city are you located in?

lots of info here

http://www.kayakanglermag.com/index....d=6&Itemid=141

http://www.plasticnavy.com/kayak-fishing-articles.htm

leeman · 04-12-2011, 06:42 PM

ill be going to the mission bay store

Amish Ed · 04-12-2011, 07:34 PM

Try as many as you can, but I'd say focus on yaks that are at least 13.5'. Since you plan on doing some paddling, the extra length will serve you well. And remember that if you get a yak that feels a bit tippy you'll get used to it and love the speed. If you get something wide, it'll be slower and never get faster.

Jimmyz123 · 04-12-2011, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeman

sorry didnt mean to seam like i didnt like the hobies or o.k.'s its just that in my price range i thought these 2 would be more afordable for me. i think im going to try those out too its just that i dont know that much about choosing the right kayak, being new to it.

how does the stealth paddle?
i like that its 33inches but the tarpon is 14 ft and 28 inches, would 5 inches be a huge difference when out in la jolla?

I have paddled Tarpons, Cobras, and Ocean kayaks, however I have not paddled the malibus or Hobies. From what I do know the Prowlers are fast stable Kayaks I have never felt like I was going to tip. Both the Cobras I had I did feel like I was going to tip a couple of times. The Tarpon was a wet ride in the seat and felt a little tippy to me. I have a buddy that has a Malibu and he says it's very stable. You asked if the 5 inches is a huge difference, well the wider the more stable, and if that's a mental thing for you then you may want to go with the wider kayaks. Malibus are nice yaks, and I was going to get one until Jim Sammons hooked me on O.K.s. It's good that you are testing out the Kayaks, you'll find that you can find Malibus, Tarpons, Cobras, and O.K. for about the same cost if you keep a close watch on CL or on here. Hobies are going to be a little more costly but there's good reason for it.

fishsouthcounty · 04-12-2011, 10:31 PM

i have a stealth 12 i bought at the OEX factory sale and so far i like it a lot. Havent used it a bunch and dont have anything really to compare it with but it seems to paddle pretty well overall. The center hatch bait tank is cool but i feel like you lose a little bit with it. For example the extra easy access storage right in front of you. Granted you dont have to dig behind you to get bait and it allows you to have a milkcrate directly behind you for storage. It seems like it is hard to find a place to put additional rod holders mounted in front of you....like most are saying try a few out and see what fits. I went for the stealth simply because of the sale and i was able to get a brand new kayak for 400. Either way, good luck with what you find and if you ever fish outta Dana Point hit me up and we can help eachother learn.

dawson06 · 04-13-2011, 07:47 PM

I had a Tarpon 160 and the Trident 15. Both were great rides. I am on a Revo now and I love it.

Spend some time at OEX paddling or peddling and you will quickly figure out what you like / dislike about each one.

rasta4life · 07-04-2011, 12:04 PM

im thinking of purchasing a kayak soon and i was just wondering what would you recomend between a Ocean Kayak trident 13 or a feelfree nomad???

Jimmyz123 · 07-04-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasta4life

im thinking of purchasing a kayak soon and i was just wondering what would you recomend between a Ocean Kayak trident 13 or a feelfree nomad???

I like the Trident 13 for many reasons but the reason I like them most is the Rod Pod storage. My next kayak is probably going to be a trident 13 or 15. I have a prowler 15 now and love it so I already know how comfortable they are, easy to paddle, and steady they are. If my boat now had a rod pod I wouldn't even look at something else.

FlyFishinYakr · 07-04-2011, 02:05 PM

Did you check this out yet??? It's a 14 not a 12, if I hadn't already bought my Pro Explorer a couple weeks ago, it would already be on my patio.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ad.php?t=10751

Best of luck with your search.
I agree with most of the other posts, you should paddle a few to get an idea of what you like.

FFY

rasta4life · 07-04-2011, 02:16 PM

thnks. i was leaning in the same direction because the rod pod and all of the extra features. but i was at a kayak fishing shop and the guy told me that the feelfree was better but now i know. thank you.

Dunegoat · 07-04-2011, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasta4life

thnks. i was leaning in the same direction because the rod pod and all of the extra features. but i was at a kayak fishing shop and the guy told me that the feelfree was better but now i know. thank you.

Some guys swear by Ford, others by Chevy. Kayak's are the same way. Like the others mentioned, paddle every kayak you're interested in you'll find the best one for you.

rasta4life · 07-04-2011, 10:33 PM

so ill just pick a kayak that suits me beter, which would probably be the trident series. but just out of curiosity which is the higher end kayak as far as brand is concerned.

04-12-2011, 04:55 PM	#1
leeman Junior Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Clairemont, CA Posts: 24	decisions decisions im getting a new kayak and right now its between the malibu stealth 12 or the tarpon 140. i love fishing the bays and lagoons, but was really interested in fishing offshore in la jolla. the kayak i have now is a piece and want a new one to go out in the ocean with, any advice and opinions about these boats would really help. thanks

04-12-2011, 05:54 PM	#2
Jimmyz123 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,385	Why are you not looking at Hobies or O.K.s they are also great kayaks. I would test paddle them all before you buy. __________________ No better time than being on the water, God Bless, JimmyZ

04-12-2011, 07:34 PM	#10
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,906	Try as many as you can, but I'd say focus on yaks that are at least 13.5'. Since you plan on doing some paddling, the extra length will serve you well. And remember that if you get a yak that feels a bit tippy you'll get used to it and love the speed. If you get something wide, it'll be slower and never get faster. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

07-04-2011, 12:04 PM	#14
rasta4life Junior Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: dana point, CA Posts: 3	OK trident 13 vs feelfree nomad im thinking of purchasing a kayak soon and i was just wondering what would you recomend between a Ocean Kayak trident 13 or a feelfree nomad???

04-12-2011, 06:22 PM	#3
HI2CA Junior Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 9	i got a cheap stealth 12 off CL. Its super stable and the bait tank is nice but shes kind of a duckdiver. If ur gonna fish in the rough u might wanna look for something with a higher bow

04-12-2011, 06:26 PM	#4
FLORIDA BOY! Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Anaheim Posts: 76	I have a tarpon 14 and I like it, but I'm thinking of selling it to get a hobie. I've used it maybe 15-20 times. Interested?

04-12-2011, 06:31 PM	#6
leeman Junior Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Clairemont, CA Posts: 24	sorry didnt mean to seam like i didnt like the hobies or o.k.'s its just that in my price range i thought these 2 would be more afordable for me. i think im going to try those out too its just that i dont know that much about choosing the right kayak, being new to it. how does the stealth paddle? i like that its 33inches but the tarpon is 14 ft and 28 inches, would 5 inches be a huge difference when out in la jolla?

04-12-2011, 06:34 PM	#7
leeman Junior Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Clairemont, CA Posts: 24	thanks for the welcome, yeah im deffinately going to oex to try them out i think i might try out some other as well, any suggestions?

04-12-2011, 06:42 PM	#9
leeman Junior Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Clairemont, CA Posts: 24	ill be going to the mission bay store

04-12-2011, 10:31 PM	#12
fishsouthcounty Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Juan Capistrano, Ca Posts: 518	i have a stealth 12 i bought at the OEX factory sale and so far i like it a lot. Havent used it a bunch and dont have anything really to compare it with but it seems to paddle pretty well overall. The center hatch bait tank is cool but i feel like you lose a little bit with it. For example the extra easy access storage right in front of you. Granted you dont have to dig behind you to get bait and it allows you to have a milkcrate directly behind you for storage. It seems like it is hard to find a place to put additional rod holders mounted in front of you....like most are saying try a few out and see what fits. I went for the stealth simply because of the sale and i was able to get a brand new kayak for 400. Either way, good luck with what you find and if you ever fish outta Dana Point hit me up and we can help eachother learn.

04-13-2011, 07:47 PM	#13
dawson06 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 34	I had a Tarpon 160 and the Trident 15. Both were great rides. I am on a Revo now and I love it. Spend some time at OEX paddling or peddling and you will quickly figure out what you like / dislike about each one.

07-04-2011, 02:05 PM	#16
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	Did you check this out yet??? It's a 14 not a 12, if I hadn't already bought my Pro Explorer a couple weeks ago, it would already be on my patio. http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ad.php?t=10751 Best of luck with your search. I agree with most of the other posts, you should paddle a few to get an idea of what you like. FFY

07-04-2011, 02:16 PM	#17
rasta4life Junior Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: dana point, CA Posts: 3	thnks. i was leaning in the same direction because the rod pod and all of the extra features. but i was at a kayak fishing shop and the guy told me that the feelfree was better but now i know. thank you.

07-04-2011, 10:33 PM	#19
rasta4life Junior Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: dana point, CA Posts: 3	so ill just pick a kayak that suits me beter, which would probably be the trident series. but just out of curiosity which is the higher end kayak as far as brand is concerned.