I think I need a kayak

[Gray ghost]

Any suggestions for a good Chattahoochee river kayak. Im 200 pounds. Im wanting a nice Kayak for working the Hooch. Any suggestions would be great. I want the kind that you seat inside it not on top. Dark green or camo would be best for me for a little night work. :)

[GregLS]

GG, I have a Wilderness Systems Pungo, it is dark green, 12ft long, weighs 50lbs, is a sit in, very stable. If you'd like to try it out let me know and we'll work out getting it to you. I got it about 3-4 yrs ago from RiverRat and have used it on flat water as well as moving water. It is easy to manuver and tracks well. I weigh 175-180 plus my gear.

See the link..
http://www.wildernesssystems.com/kayaks/rec/pungo140.php

[Steve D]

I was going to suggest a Pungo. WS Pamlico is another option but I think those might be tandem boats. Think Old Towne makes a similar boat - saw one at REI a while back. Paddle before ya buy!

Might take a look at the Georgia River Fishing and PaddleZone for additional good information. When ya get ready to rig it for fishing take a look at www.captdick.net for accessories - Stan is a great guy...

[GonetoSeed]

GG - take a look at this forum on Georgia River Fishing. A lot of kayak fanatics are on GRF and are constantly discussing boats, rigging, etc. Plus, there are a lot of deals posted. http://p077.ezboard.com/fgeorgiariverfishingfrm19

[Tom Rice]

http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/

[Ray D]

I use a good pontoon boat. Extremely stable, light weight, quiet and you can get one that you can stand up in. It can be used in small waters or larger rivers. We use them often in Michigan, but they would work well in your area too. Check out this web-site. www.dryflyfloatboats.com

[fly on the wall]

GG:
Check out the Loon 138. Nearly 14 feet long, 30" wide and will haul me and gear through 4 inches of water. Premeditated stupidity would be required to flip this thing. I can paddle any section of the Hooch upstream or down. Handles big water on Lanier as well. Weighs in at 54 lb.s

[Belvedere]

Ghost,

The Dark Side Attack 'Yak is a 14' Wilderness Systems Pungo. The seat is fabulous and the extra 2' make it easier to paddle upstream. I got mine from Go With the Flow and have been very happy.:)

[Gray ghost]

Hey Guys thanks for all the great info. :) I need to get over to Go with the Flow and check them out this week. Im not sure if I need the sit on top Pungo or the sit in type. What kind do you have Belvedere ?


Fly on The Wall is yours a sit in or sit on top Loon model ?

[moronefly]

Ghost:
Just to further complicate your choice, I've used both the enclosed Pungo 14 and SOT Wilderness System Ride and Tarpon 120. I've sold the Pungo, but use the other two a lot. Several considerations - the Pungo is dry, especially with a skirt; something nice for winter fishing. It was, however, very awkward to fly fish from if there was much stripping or active fly retrieve involved because of the relative position of gunwale to elbows. I'm a big guy ( 6' 1"- 230lbs), and always felt a bit cramped in the Pungo, despite the absolute comfort of the seat design ( perhaps the best of any kayak). Yet, even in a much smaller Tarpon 120, I have lots of room with great stablility. Even more so in the larger Ride. The Tarpon is very nimble and is a superb fly casting platform. The Ride is an even better casting platform. Most of my yak fishing is in shallow, warm water; thus, getting wet is a good thing. In the wintertime, you can always wear breathable chest waders and remain both dry and warm. As for safety, I've fished a lot of moving water in the SOTs and the Pungo. I've capsized the Tarpon once thorugh my own stupidity by trying to go under a tree in heavy current that I should have bypassed. Never turned over the Pungo, but always worried what would happen if I did. Remounting a SOT is pretty easy. Not so with a swamped Pungo. I've made several overnight floats with the Tarpon 120 and the Ride without suffering from lack of storage space. Dry bags and bungee cords are wonderful things. In sum, I don't regret selling the Pungo, but would hate to lose either of the SOTs. Another key question is whether or not your fishing involves a lot of getting in and out of the yak to wade. That's common for most of my fishing areas. Frequent dismounts from a Pungo are difficult. Nothing to in a SOT. While fly fishing from my SOTs, it's very easy by simply lifting a foot over the side to grip a rock or bottom and maintain good casting position. Other Pungo or enclosed yak anglers may disagree, but I catch more fish from SOTs with less effort and concern. Of the 3 yaks that I've discussed, the Tarpon is the most fishable, the Ride the most comfortable and the Pungo the driest for whatever that's worth to you. The best advice is what some other folks have sagely offered - try them in the water before you buy.

[fishhawkrob]

I bought a Power Drifter from Outcast www.outcastboats.com a couple of years ago. I love it and I know other guys who have gotten them do too. The are compact (no racks or trailer needed), incredibly stable, handle fresh or salt water, and have a trolling motor mount. You can stand up in it!!! They only take a few minutes to inflate. I know I sound like a salesman, but this thing is the perfect one man boat. -Rob

[kmox]

I am also a big fan of the Tarpon 120. I use it mainly on rivers in middle GA but i've also floated the Toccoa belew the dam with it. Its easy to fish from and is great for running from shoal to shoal to wade. A lot faster than a pontoon in the slow stuff.

[Gray ghost]

Thanks guys !

[cannibalfly]

I've checked out so many boats myself, and can't decide what I need. Always so many opinions. I've begun to notice the shortcomings of a float tube. When I'm at the beach with family the fish are always "past my cast". I really was thinking about a 'yak, but now the outcast boat has me curoius. Don't mean to step on G.G.s original post, but has anyone else used that inflatable boat?

[wefurr]

I have the Power Drifter with a 3 1/2 HP gas motor and the rowing package. It gives you alot of options on the water. I do not use it in the salt because the oyster bars would cause a serious problem.

I also have a Kodiac kick boat with an electric 65 lb trolling motor. I keep fins on and fish the deeper sections of the Hooch with great mobility for casting position. Then power back up stream and hit it again.

In the salt I fish from a Tarpon 14 and Pungo 12 both are very stable. I prefer the Tarpon for fly fishing as it has beter in & out accessibility and the fly line puddles better in the open cockpit.

[ROBK]

I've got an Old Town Loon 111 that i was thinking of selling. You're more than welcome to give it a try if you'd like. It's already rigged to fish from. Lot's of little extras. It's a sit in that I have fished from for the last two years in florida. good little boat.


Rob

[Tentwing]

OK Ghost I gotta ask. You have a Scadden toon that is two years old and still has not actually ever touched the water ;) ........ Now WHY do you need a yak ???

............Tentwing :)