Kayak for Panfish

Hey guys I live in the Tanner area and I'm looking into getting a kayak to fish creeks for bream and shell cracker in the spring and summer and crappie in the fall/winter. What has been your experience with this type of fishing from a kayak? I'm a bigger guy at 270lbs and I'm trying to decide between a 12' or 10' kayak. What are the biggest differences you experience when actually fishing on the water between a 10' and 12' ? Pics of setups would be super helpful! I'm open to suggestions as far as brand, size, and setup.

I would first make sure the kayak could handle the weight. Between the person and gear it adds up quick and could be to much. I have the 10' Lifetime Tamarack Angler which has a 275 lb weight limit. With shorter kayaks they usually turn better but do not track as straight. If creeks are all your planning to fish then this might not be a big deal. I've noticed when on the lake I zig zag back and forth paddling but it's manageable. Would you want to stand any? Some kayaks make this easier and more deck space then others. I'm unable to stand in my kayak and sitting gets a little sore after about 4 hrs. Would you want to mount rod holders, fish finder, etc? Once again some easier to accommodate these things then others. Paddle, pedal or motor? Constant adjusting of kayak unless anchored is something to think about. Other options to consider.

Personally I find fishing from a kayak very enjoyable and I'm loving it. I can be so stealthy in a kayak and I'm also able to reach water normal boats can not. I wasn't able to purchase my dream kayak but hopefully one day I can upgrade. I purchased what I could now to get on the water and get fishing. When done I load into truck bed and drive off. No trailer, no taxes, no maintenance, no gas, no worries!

The kayak I have now, is my first. But, I don't think I'd like anything shorter than 12'. A 10' is going to be slower to paddle, and squirrelier.

I have a $400 (on sale) Field and Stream Eagle Talon. There are much, much nicer kayaks out there, but this is probably the best $400 I've ever spent. I had a canoe, but no other boat. This gets me on the water, and in my opinion, is perfect for crappie (or other panfish) fishing. As long as you can launch fairly close to the places you want to fish, I think it's hard to beat a kayak. You can really get up in some tight spots.

That said, there are a few cons:

It's not going to be as comfortable as sitting and moving around in a larger boat.
Limited range. You can't zip to the other end of Guntersville (although you can load up and drive easily enough).
No live well. I just use a cooler. It works fine except on those days where I only catch 2 or 3. But, it's usually pretty easy to find someone who will take my fish.

Also something to think about how will you transport it? Do you have a truck? Need bed extender? Roof rack, etc. Where will you store it?

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With my truck it would be harder to haul 12’ but not impossible.

Im 270 and fish out of a Native Redfish 12. from what i have experienced, I like the 12 foot kayaks. They track well and seem to be a little faster than 10 footers. Seat height is also a consideration as the higher your center of balance the less stability you will have. You will have to learn to pack basic and light. You probably wont have room for all of your crappie gear and a backup rig for bass. the wind will blow you all over the place. In small creeks that won't be such an issue but on bigger water it will get aggrevating in a hurry.

All said and done, you will probably love kayak fishing because it is peaceful, personal, and they can be very sneaky. A good amount of the fish I have caught out of mine were within 10 feet of the kayak and sometimes right under it.

Now that I have said all of that, I will go on to say that I haven't had the opportunity to fish out of one of the newer generation angling kayaks. These have a much different hull design and have integrated features that allow for more organized storage, attachments, and even the ability to stand and fish. My hangup with them is that 1500$ would buy me a decent little aluminum boat. Just my .02. Either way, have fun and be safe!

Everyone here has made some good points. The best thing I can tell you is demo a few. If you are in the Decatur area NAKA (North Alabama Kayak Anglers) has scheduled a Demo Day September 29th at the day park where 31 and 565 meet coming in from the north into Decatur. This goes from 12:00 until 3:00 PM. I prefer a 12' kayak. I currently fish out of a Native Ultimate..which is is sit in kayak. I am a pretty big guy also and there are very few 10' kayaks that I would want to fish out of....the one that does make the cut is the Nucanoe Frontier 10', I am sure there are others. One big factor in buying a kayak for creek fishing for me would be the weight of the kayak..if you are dragging it to backwater creeks to put it in. Hope to see you at the Demo days....there will be a lot of kayak fishermen that will have their boats there and will let you paddle them and probably 2 or 3 dealers. Most of these guys bass fish, but they like to talk kayaks and share their experiences and enthusiasm. If you are within an hour of Decatur I think it would be a good deal to drop in and try out a few boats. There may even be a few good deals on kayaks you never know. A lot of these guys are like me and have 3 or 4 sitting around.

Thanks for the advice guys! Yea I plan to outfit it with a lowrance and I wanted to get as light as I possibly could. I don't want to have to haul it using a trailer but my truck doesn't have a huge bed and it's an older model truck. I live about 15 minutes from decatur and a buddy of mine had told me about demo days so I was planning to make it that day and potentially make a purchase that day if I found a good deal.

Sounds like you have a plan. Demo Days is a good way to go. You might join the NAKA Facebook page several good used kayaks go up for sale on there from time to time.

If you dig around the Alabama page Ditch Basser has posted pics of his rig. He seems to have his stuff together when it comes to yak fishing for panfish.

I use a pelican pedal boat for my small water boat. The weight rating is about 500lbs but weighs less than 100lbs and fits good in my truck bed.It sits comfortable enough and it will hold two people upfront. A lot of timesy son or wife goes with me. I am in the process of finishing up mounting a 30lb Minn Kota. It will do 2.5 mph. Turning is tricky because it is square.

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My current favorite is the Old Town Loon 12'6" foot, carries my 240lbs, gear and fish easily. I can maintain 3 MPH all day, plus the seat is comfortable.

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Originally Posted by Ditch Basser

My current favorite is the Old Town Loon 12'6" foot, carries my 240lbs, gear and fish easily. I can maintain 3 MPH all day, plus the seat is comfortable.

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Hey man I sent you a private message with a couple of questions. Thanks.

New on the market and pretty expensive but its very nice Old Town Topwater PDL. Its a pedal drive 10' kayak extremely stable and weight limit is 450 lbs! It is pretty fast with the pedal drive I could see this making pulling cranks or jigs much easier to cover water. This is now my dream kayak! Google it if interested some very good videos and reviews online.

https://oldtowncanoe.johnsonoutdoors...ter-pdl-angler

I responded to the PM.

I like a kayak I can drag between holes. Limestone Creek is one of my favorites, but it becomes a series of shoals that are inches deep with deeper holes between. I like a kayak with a comfortable seat and that's easy to paddle. Lightweight and easy to put on a cart or short drags over shoals and through the grass. Just my :twocents , because I like to fish in isolated areas. If I see someone else there, then I'm in the wrong place.

There is a kayak dealer out in Pineville that you might want to check out he could probably set you in the right direction,he's located in a small strip mall just before hwy.67 goes from 4 lanes to two lanes

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Slabby, the Kayak Store in Priceville closed a few weeks ago, however it is reopening in Hartselle on Main Street (Hwy 36). I think it opened last week.

Thanks I didn't know that I was playing around with the idea of getting me one and stopping in to check them out.

Ive liked my Wilderness Systems ATAK . Its very stable. Would like to try spider rigging out of it this fall if i can figure out how to set it up.

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Originally Posted by DanielB

Ive liked my Wilderness Systems ATAK . Its very stable. Would like to try spider rigging out of it this fall if i can figure out how to set it up.

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That is the kayak I wanted until I saw the new old town topwater PDL

I have a Jackson Big Rig. It a great Kayak for a Big Guy.

Just purchased an Old Town 106 PDL handles great and gators don’t bother me, it handles so good in creeks and little rivers around me you do need to learn a few techniques which will help in the long run. Usually I chose what species I’m fishing for and go with just what I need! Great stealth way of sneaking up on a lay down or brush pile!

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Originally Posted by lennydalip

Just purchased an Old Town 106 PDL handles great and gators don’t bother me, it handles so good in creeks and little rivers around me you do need to learn a few techniques which will help in the long run. Usually I chose what species I’m fishing for and go with just what I need! Great stealth way of sneaking up on a lay down or brush pile!

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I’ve been looking at those kayaks. Seriously considering that or the 12’ model

Yeah that would be a great length but I’m 66 and have two artificial hips so, in the long run, no pun intended, I chose the 106. It is so smooth holds its place with no anchor and little effort! Turns on a dime or quarter, and tracks really tight. I did a diy anchor stick so if needed I can anchor in shallow water! I chose the OT pdl because it has reverse on demand no flipping switches or whatever the other Kayaks have! Tight lines and paper mouths!

I sold off the kayaks and replace them with canoes. My favorite is an Old Town Guide series. Stable enough I can stand up and paddle it. Enough room to move around some to ease up stiff legs

Yeah the 10’ would still fit in my truck good without having to get the bed extender. Easier to store it at my house too. Just that particular kayak isn’t much more for the 12’ and they say it’s faster and tracks better so..... :dono

Congratulations on your new purchase. And welcome to the area.

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I can walk near a canoe and it will flip over.