fishing kayak vs. a pontoon boat

[tomlaub]

Folks,

I'm interested in moving out of the float tube and into either a kayak or a toon for bigger water and longer floats.

The kayaks seem to be getter more popular all the time but there are plenty of guys floating the Hooch in toons...

I've done my research and have identified which I'd choose in either direction...just thought I'd toss this out to see if you guys had opinions to share...

Yak or toon?

Thanks!

[gonefishn]

I have both and like and use them each differently.

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd183/61tater/Dam%20to%20Settles%20Bridge%206-6-08/sam2.jpg

I like the toon for the rivers where I'll be doing a lot of floating and wading. It's a lot easier to just stand up and fish an area, wade the shoals or get out and work the shore. The disadvantage is you cant row back up to spots you want to fish again and you need to set up a shuttle or have a partner to float with. You can add a trolling motor to help out if you like but then there's registration and taxes involved.

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd183/61tater/Toccoa%20float%20trip%205-24-08/yak1.jpg

Due to my meager budget I went with the Heritage Featherlight Angler and have been very happy with it. If I could afford a Native Watercraft I would go that route. I like being able to paddle up river and float back down to the truck. With the large opening it is easy to get in and out of but you put a good bit of water in the boat that needs to be bailed out. A sit on top makes it easier to get in and out of for wading but is a much wetter experience all the way around. I use it a lot on the ponds and small lakes and it's great to get to those hard to reach places .

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd183/61tater/Dekel%20Lake%206-21-08/bassboat.jpg

The only drawback to mine is there isn't a lot of extra space.

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd183/61tater/Buddy%20the%20wonder%20dog/yakbuddy.jpg

[Glowejr]

I can't speak to the pontoon, but I bought a kayak last year and absolutely love it. I have a sit on top model, and while it's true that you're more likely to get wet in a SOT model than a conventional sit-inside kayak, when it's too cold out and I want to stay dry, I wear my waders or a dry suit and have no problem at all. But when the temps are in the 90's like they are right now, I find the water makes my floats much more comfortable. As an example, I was out on the Hooch for 5 hours this past weekend with river shorts, a wicking tee, and my PFD, and was very comfortable.
The other thing I really like about the kayak, is it draws nearly no water and is much faster in the water than a pontoon. If you plan to fish the Toccoa, you'll appreciate the shallow draft as it'll allow you to float over most of the shoals; and you'll really appreciate the speed if you spend extra time fishing a hole and need to get to your take-out on time.
Good luck. Hope to see you out on the water.

-Gary

> ))'> *---------------

[tomlaub]

Guys...

Thanks for the very good replies!

I wresteld with this a bunch...and spent a ton of time looking through just about every site I could find on these issues...and I went for a kayak! No doubt in my mind that pontoons are great...but I think that the versatility of a yak was the deciding factor.

I bought a Native Manta Ray at Go With The Flow in Roswell. I'm selling off a really nice whitewater canoe (that doesn't get used much anymore) to fund this investment!

There are a lot of good choices for yaks...but the Manta Ray won out in the side-by-side comparison...now to add all of the stuff....!!

Thanks much for the words!

Tom L.

[allenww]

Guys...
I'm selling off a really nice whitewater canoe (that doesn't get used much anymore) to fund this investment!
Tom L.


Maybe you'll tell us about the canoe.

wa

[The Fly]

I'm also considering a yak. I think the SOT would be better for me. I hear their very easy to get in and out. How easy is it to tip one over? I'd hate to lose my fishing equipement and expensive fly rod. Tipping over is a major concern. I see rental yaks all the time on the river. It can't be that difficult. Right? I'm looking at a 10' and 12' model. Any suggestions on length? I'll be using it for the Hooch. I hear their's some class II rapids near the 20 bridge.

[GonetoSeed]

I'm also considering a yak. I think the SOT would be better for me. I hear their very easy to get in and out. How easy is it to tip one over? I'd hate to lose my fishing equipement and expensive fly rod. Tipping over is a major concern. I see rental yaks all the time on the river. It can't be that difficult. Right? I'm looking at a 10' and 12' model. Any suggestions on length? I'll be using it for the Hooch. I hear their's some class II rapids near the 20 bridge.


There is a lot of differences in stability among yaks suitable for fishing. I own and fish from an OK Drifter. It's a tug boat and not all that speedy, but I'm a big guy and it keeps me on top of the water and not in it. I had to try hard to turn it over when practicing on the water reentry. It's possible even for me to stand and fish while floating. Plus. there are a number of ways to secure your rods including rod holders when you do have to navigate faster/shoalie water. Yaks like the Drifter, Prowler, Wilderness Ride 135, Tarpon 120 & 140, etc (sorry if I missed someone's favorite yak) and others also have secure and mostly dry storage for other gear. If you go out to GRF or Georgia Kayak Fishing you will see riggings for just about any gear imagineable. There are a few with enough electronics to do a glitter Bass boat proud.

I also like its versatility. It's a great lake fishing platform and is my prefered way to get into real skinny inshore SW. I've yet to take it off shore however. Shark fishing miles off the coast is something that I'll leave to the youngsters.

[gooseguess]

Tom, My dad and I just purchased an "Ambush" made by Old town from outside world in Dawsonville ,Ga. We"ve used it several times on the Toccoa and I"ll give you some pros and cons about it. Its built well (heavy), made for 2, little storage,has a motor mount if thats your thing,you can fish from it while standing (watch for rocks), easily manuverable.I believe they call it an ocean kayak but I believe its made for duck hunting and can carry almost a 1000 lbs.If you have to get out of it ( like to drag when they are not generating at the Toccoa ) its pretty easy and we only had to do it twice ( which is a miracle in itself ).We got it for a good deal because it was a demo and it meets our needs.The best thing about it is that its camo. Who doesnt like camo? I mean, the trout cant even see us coming,lol.

[tomlaub]

A fellow asked about the canoe I'm putting up for sale...

It's a Blue Hole OCA...one of the best Royalex canoes ever built. Since this isn't the "for sale" page...I'll not alter the thread with a sales pitch. If interested, email me @ drumandfish@yahoo.com. It's going on Craigslist this weekend...will likely list here too.

Tom L.

[flyberd]

Do you still have the boat?
If so, email me at
jamespberz@charter.net

thanks
flyberd

[Grizzz]

Since you all are talking yak's you need to check out NuCanoe also. Bucky, their sales rep for the SE, has been to the last couple of Flings. It is a great fishing platform. I think Bucky will be at the Fall Fling with NuCanoe in tow so you can check it out.

[TroutTackler]

I want THIS: www.freedomhawkkayaks.com/