READY TO GET STARTED?
HERE ARE A FEW SIMPLE QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF,
WILL I BE FISHING IN PROTECTED WATER OR OPEN WATER SITUATIONS?
If you choose to fish in protected waters, anglers can use boats of any size or shape, although most prefer a shorter boat to get extra maneuverability. For open water and ocean conditions most paddlers prefer a boat greater than 12 feet in length. The extra size gives more stability and seaworthiness in most conditions.
WHAT LENGTH KAYAK SHOULD I GET?
So many things affect this decision. The biggest factor is how much boat do you want to handle. Typically the longer a boat is, the more it weighs. A boat like the Angler 100 weighs only 37 pounds and can easily be loaded on a roof rack, in the back of a truck, or transported on a larger vessel back to skinny fishing waters. For fishing in open water or in the ocean, most kayakers prefer a longer boat with extra seaworthiness and stability like the Angler 145. For fishermen looking to fish a wide variety of water conditions it is important to have a boat that will handle the most extreme locations. It is better to have too much boat than not enough.
WHAT IS A SIT-ON-TOP KAYAK?
Sit-on-top kayaks, often referred to as open deck kayaks, feature an open cockpit which makes entering and exiting the kayak easier even in deep water. The paddler on this boat sits on the top deck with minimal constraints. Sit-on-top kayaks also come with a self-bailing cockpit that allows water to drain out of the deck for a drier ride. Most also include storage areas for gear; where large items can be securely stored.
WHAT IS A SIT- IN KAYAK?
In a sit-in kayak the paddler sits inside the kayak with his/her legs under the deck. Sit-in kayaks are typically preferred by paddlers paddling in cold climate conditions or who want a drier ride. In a sit-inside kayak gear is stored below deck and accessed through the cockpit or hatches in the deck. Small items can be strapped or latched to the deck for easy access.
WHY WOULD I CHOOSE ONE OVER THE OTHER?
Aghhhhh. This is the age old debate among kayak fishermen. The bottom line, both have their advantages Sit-inside kayaks are typically drier and warmer and are fished in areas where colder water temperatures exist. However most people feel the open platform of a sit-on-top is easier to fish from, launch from shore, easily dismount from if wading in a fiat area, and overall offers more storage and fishing options.