Any Toccoa Kayakers?

[SaltyDawg]

Does anyone use a Kayak for the Toccoa I fish a lot in salt water and some other rivers in south georgia and I am looking for a watercraft that is a good all around boat. I also do fly fishing and any insight would be great.

Thanks,

Salty

[allenww]

For the Toccoa tailwater, either a canoe or kayak works fine. I prefer a canoe because I have one and prefer the comfort on an all day trip. But
you will drag more.

For the Toccoa DH section above the lake , especially this year, wading would be better. Trying to drift or paddle with the river as low as it is
would be an exercise in frustration.

wa

[Windknot]

Salty,

For the use you describe (salt & warm rivers), a sit-on-top kayak has a ton of benefits going for it. Easy in-and-out, light weight, super shallow draft, plenty of options and aftermarket doodads to make it more versatile.

Works great on many trout rivers. Assuming they have water!

[Grizzz]

Salty, you may want to check out the NuCanoe. They came down to our Fall Fling with a couple of them and they looked nice and very stable. They even show guys standing in them and poling the flats. Their SE regional rep is in Chattanooga and he would be a good contact to see where you can look at one and probably paddle it too. He is very involved demonstrating it all around the areas.

[SaltyDawg]

Thanks guys. My folks live in Mineral Bluff so the tailwaters are always right there but having something that has speed for saltwater helps. i have been looking at the Tarpon 12 and 14 but Im not sure if one will be better than the other. I like the 14 for saltwater but im not sure about manuverability for the rivers.

[Guit_fishN]

You're right about maneuverability. Having anything greater than 14' would be a serious problem on the rivers around here. Even a 14' is pushing it.

I had a 14' X-Factor and had to get rid of it. Getting that thing sideways in swift water was just asking for trouble. I downsized to an Ocean Kayak Drifter and am pretty happy with it on the river.

You should also look at a Ocean Kayak Prowler 13. It is speedy and does well on rivers.

TProud78 on this board has a Prowler13...he always leaves me in his wake.

Another option is the Native Watercraft's Ultimate series. The only major drawback I see to those on a river is they're not self-bailing.

[Windknot]

Here's a site you might find useful in the selection process.

http://www.topkayaker.net/KayakData/Reviews/index.asp

The guys on Georgia River Fishing provided the link.

[cucarachafly]

I have used a sit-on-top for several years on the Toccoa. For me, that is the way to go short of a one-man pontoon. There are several places you'll want to get out and wade so be sure to have an anchor to hold it while you fish. Agreed that 14' may be too long.

[Guit_fishN]

Here's a site you might find useful in the selection process.

http://www.topkayaker.net/KayakData/Reviews/index.asp

The guys on Georgia River Fishing provided the link.

That is a great site! The owner Tom Holtey gives great customer service and the prices are the lowest for most products. He's having an "End of season" sale right now. Mostly it's just gear storage items, but after dunking two phones, I have a couple now. One for a phone and one for my VHF.

Definitely check out the site.

[Path_Less_Traveled]

I have a 12' Wilderness System SOT... and love it... although sometimes i think 10' would be enough... on the Toccoa, lots of bottom scraping. (hint: drop an anchor at the old bridge ;) )

[Bucky Schoocraft]

If you want to talk with some guys that guide on the Taccoa out of a NuCanoe give Feather & Fly a call (423.265.0306). The NuCanoe is very stable, handles and turns with ease and one or two people can fish out of it. If you ever want a demo let me know and I'll be happy to let you try one out. For more info you can go to www.nucanoe.com or send me an email.

[Glowejr]

I bought a new Hobie Kona this year and had Stan from Captain **** Enterprises help me rig it out for fishing the local rivers here in N GA. He's a great guy, very knowledgeable about kayak fishing and willing to share his knowledge. When I took my new Hobie over to his house/shop to get an anchor pulley system installed, we spent 30 - 40 minutes just talking about fly-fishing from a kayak... what works, what doesn't, places to fish, etc. He's a really good guy. His website is http://www.captdick.net/

Also, another great resource for info regarding kayak fishing N GA waters can be found at http://www.georgiakayakfishing.com/ It's a bulletin board much like ours here at NGTO, just with the focus on all species fishing from kayaks.

I couldn't be happier with the decision I made to buy a kayak. I've had a great time fishing from it this summer and fall.

[River rat]

Manta Ray 12 for me. I find the SOT great to put in a Curtis Switch and paddle up stream. You are only limited by how far you want to paddle, and pull over the occasional shoal.RR