[MIKE TUNA]

After speaking with Paddle on and Hearing Al mention it many times I started to think about it the other day .

Now I got the perfect place to launch a boat off a private beach in Moriches and can keep a Kayak by a house no futher then 2000 feet from there .

Now with that and an nice new Chaos rod I won at the Bash which Paddle one thinks is perfect for a Kayak I wonder is kayaking something I might enjoy ?

I got the fishing boat there but many times I'll go down to the private beach by myself and look out at the bay to check on the boat and want to go out but don't feel like dealing with the boat .

I am within five minutes by boat to the inlet , so anyone fimiliar with moriches knows I can be in some interesting fishing spots on a Kayak in no time at all .

I guess this can be great exersize and very peasefull time out on the water . I thought about picking up a Jetski but now a Kayak comes into play . hmmmmm I wonder .

Just maybe I got the perfect setup out there and don't even know it !

I know absolutly nothing about a Kayak , how much they cost or what I will need . I don't even know If I can fit in one ?

I going to have to start watching this site more closly now as I am really starting to think this could be FUN ! I can fish spots I can't reach by boat and explore all the Nooks and Cranys of Moriches bay .

I'd love to hear some opinions on this to see if this is for me .

MIKE TUNA

 

[PaddleOn]

he he he ...............got ya thinkin Mike!!!!

It is simplistic beauty............no motors and stuff to break/maintain etc.
Your so close to the water that every sensation is hightened.Those little 1-2 foot waves suddenly seem alot bigger when they are breaking over the bow of your kayak.
It is peacefull................you'll see birds/wildlife that have no idea your drifting up to them.
I've paddled the Hudson River with a Bald Eagle no more that 30 yards away for almost 20 minutes.
I've had Otter/Beaver and asst creatures so close I **** near peed in my wetsuit.
Ok.........thats a lie(the peeing part) but you get my drift hopefully.

Fish 5 LBS will tow you around..........and the lighter gear(for me)is a blast.

I'll let others chime in on this.
It is a growing sport and is another tool to add to the fishing bag 'o tricks.
Jay

 

[614078]

The only person that can answer that question is you.
But you can find out if you would like a kayak or not by paddling a few different kayaks and see what you think about it. You can do this a few ways. You can wait till spring(late April or May)when JonS who posts on this site will be having a demo day at Little Neck Bay or some other bay or harbor on Long Island. At last years demo day in LNB Jon had a lot of kayaks for anyone willing to come down and try out. Also you can look for a demo day at 1 of the local kayak dealers on L.I. They usually are held during spring also. Once you try out a few kayaks that should give you a good idea if you'll want to get 1 or not.

 

[614347]

You can probably see the most brands at Peconic Paddler, in Riverhead, and almost as many at Empire Kayaks, in Island Park. Both places have water in the backyard, so you aren't limited to a particular day for your testing. Do not allow yourself to be pre-sold on a particular brand or dealer. When I bought mine, the most popular fishing kayak at the time was so tight on my butt that it wanted to come with me. It's a matter of individual fit, and comfort. You must do your own investigation if you expect the results to be impartial.

Flounder

PS: YES! The place is IDEAL for paddling, let me know if you need a "buddy"!

 

[MIKE TUNA]

Thanks guys I will start to look into it come spring . Flounder
Without a dought If I get one we could hook up . If all works out Maybe we could get a few guys together .

MIKE TUNA

 

[mikenoboat]

Miketuna, when the weather gets warmer, get down to Empire Kayak in Island Park and bring your rod. They have many different kayaks and for a low rental fee you can try them out. Good fluke spots a five minute paddle from the place. I bought one there a couple of summers ago and paddled right back to my house in freeport. I hope to get a boat this season so I do not have rely on my friends, but the kayak is great for fishing and its a workout.

 

[624961]

Mike,

The most important thing to do is to demo as many kayaks as you can, then demo some more. A kayak that works for one person, maynot work for someone else. It all depends on you hight, weight, and what kind of fishing are you going to do, river, bay, ocean..are you going to fly fish?..all things that have to be concidered. check out www.kayakfishingstuff.com a lot of help there.
I fish a WS Tarpon 160, but just ordered 2 new 120's, havent tried it yet though. best of luck...
email me if u need any help
Rich

 

[616271]

Mike, you've told us about where you can use a kayak but nothing about you. How are you built? How do you like to fish? These things matter. I've helped a lot of people get into the sport. I focus on their needs as everyone is different.

We affectinately call kayak fishing the Darkside, because its very addictive. Once you start its hard to stop. There's something about it in this over mechanized, complicated world we've created that allows you to slow down to a simpler time. Its a terrific escape and as a by product you get some great non-impactive exercise too.

As to trying lots of kayaks its a tough one. I say this because a buddy of mine once made a very valid comment that to try lots of kayaks is like telling someone who has never driven a car to test drive cars. The learning curve is staggering. From the first day to your 4th or 5th you will grow logrithmically in your ability. I have seen a lot of guys put too much of a premium on initial stability and then in a very short time sell their first kayak and get something else. Most of the models used by fisherman are at the high end of the stability curve when compared to kayaks as a whole.

Look at models that the majority of guys are using for fishing and stick to these for your first fishing kayak. A great way to go for a first yak is used. This way you get to try the sport and learn what its about. You'll have a much better idea what you want from a kayak. You'll save money and the kayak will be worth what you paid for it if you decide to sell it later. You can't loose.

Do your due diligence and be carefull of being sold. I've seen way too many guys get terrible fishing kayaks because a manufacturer or salesman put a couple or rod holders in a yak and called it a fishing model. You have a few choices, either get as much education as you can and go it alone, have a buddy help you who is a participant in the sport, or work with a business where the people fish from kayaks and are motivated to get you in the right stuff.

(This post edited by JonSS on 02/12/2003)

 

[MIKE TUNA]

Wow I never new there was so much to this. I just read the how to select one , Glad I did I though you just sat in them . I would probably get soaked in the sit in ones ( No bilge pump huh ) Now I see you can sit on top . I like where he brings up the point when getting in and out . Makes sence to get the sot for this reason to me . They don't seem to expensive either . The one on the site was $699 .

You guys are 100% right I must get out and try some to see how I feel in one . I can see myself paddling about 3/4 miles and getting out on the flats in Moriches Bay . I can't see taking these things into the ocean , but I guess you pros do .
I think I would want one that is stable and a large ****pit with lots of storage . Still I wouldn't know until I see them up close and sit in or on and do some paddling .
It seemed in the article that you got to have some balance . I though they balance themselves . I'am in no rush but need to do much reserch on whats best for me . Honestly I thought they were all pretty much the same but know I see I got lots to learn .
MIke

 

[616271]

Mike, it sounds like you're referring to my article "Choosing a Kayak" but I'm not certain. I wrote it for some of the reasons you've expressed. A kayak set up for fishing is a very versatile craft which will allow you to access some great fishing. Fishing that isn't being accessed and that's the best kind. Most beginers don't realize all the things a yak can do. So I just wanted to get them thinking. Its not just sitting on the water and casting.

Kayaks do vary and depending upon the model so does balance. Its like riding a bicycle. The first time you're not too sure but very quickly you're pedaling all over the place. Lots of guys put too much premium on this. Its important but all the models we're using are pretty stable after a few days. Since you're going to be traveling across the bay you're going to want a more efficient hull so it takes less time and doesn't wear you out.

 

[PaddleOn]

First time you sit on/in one you feel like your going to flip over!
After 5 minutes your feeling pretty good and realizing this thing is not going over unless you really do some crazy leaning .............

There is a kayak demo/skills day in the planning stages for the Long Island area.A get together of paddling/fishing folks and people who have thought of it or are curious about it.It would give folks a chance to sit in various boats and try them out..........see how others have set their rigs up..........get safety tips and assorted instruction on gear/PFD's/paddles etc.
And.............meet people and make friends.
Kayak Bash 2003
Nothing definite yet ..........but I think it could be a fun day and a learning experience for everyone.
Stay tuned................

 

[MIKE TUNA]

JonSS , Your The Guy ! I didn't know that . Yes It was you article .
Paddle On I will be watching for that day .
Mike Tuna

 

[616271]

Mike, thank you.