looking for beginner tips

[LLyaker]

Hello Everyone,


Ive recently been bitten with the urge to do some kayak fishing, ive budgeted my purchase date to be around March 13th (hopefully nothing explodes before then). Ive narrowed down my choice to three of the ocean kayak angler editions but Im going to have to see it for myself before I decide and that leads to my first question - Where would you recommend I purchase my kayak from? Also are there any rules/regulations about kayaking on lake lewisville that I should be aware of? other than that anything else you can share with a rookie would be appreciated

I live 2 minutes away from Stewarts Creek Park and thats where i plan my to try it out for a while in the shallows going south along the bank, I walk the shoreline trail their daily so I feel pretty comfortable with the area.


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Mr. Jones

[crg1939]

Give Mariner Sails in Dallas a call and ask about trying out a kayak model you're interested in. If I remember correctly , they carry the Ocean Kayak line.

[friscotodd1]

Mariner does not have ocean... for that you need to visit Heart of Texas (HOT) over in grapevine.... as to the other questions..no special regulations regarding kayaks.

I don't know anything about your experience or picked models but my advice is not to get in a hurry to spend the money. I am of the opinion that learning to kayak first is a better approach.

I think folks tend to buy the one that feels best to them and initially the one that feels the best is the most stable. The thing is that as you use it more you find you need stability less than you though and what felt like a great boat now feels like a barge...

[LLyaker]

Thanks guys, I checked out both of those sites and I drive right by HOT kayaks everyday so that looks like it will be first stop!


Ive heard this 'barge' term a few times and one thing puzzles me - most of the yaks ive looked at online have a width between 29-33 inches; is that width a common suspect for a barge? the yak would be between 11-12 feet. Let me know what you think, I would hate to buy one only to wish for another model shortly after

Thanks Yall!
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Mr. Jones

[LikiTiki]

Here's my two cents on that.

Before I bought my first kayak I tried out a few. I borrowed some, rented some and went to a Demo day that Heart of Texas put on. The Demo day was the best because you get to try out a bunch at the same time. HOT says on their posting that they'll be having one soon. If you find one you like, rent it for a weekend so you can spend a lot of time on it. Then buy it. HOT may make you a deal on a rental/purchase. I bought a used Manty Ray 12 from them and love it.

Warning - kayaking is a disease. I just bought two OK anglers (big game and Scrambler) that I'll try as soon as it warms up.
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Bob
Frisco, Texas

[Amber]

[Imaexpat2]

The best nugget I can toss to you is to get out an paddle some Yaks around that you think you like on a lake or body of water other than a swimming pool. Dont just paddle them around for a few minutes, no, paddle them for a while. You can do this thru demos and you can also hook up with someone who owns a model like the one your wanting. Things that might not bother you for a 2-3 minute paddle will probably make its presence felt after a 20 minute paddle! The last thing you want to do is waste your time and money with a Kayak that a month down the road you find that you dont really like it so much. A decent Yak aint exactly the cheapest purchase so choose wisely. I say this with experience...TWICE! All I can say in my defense is that sometimes learning is a slow and lengthy process...

A short Kayak, one thats 10-12 feet is ususally more manuverable that say a 13-15 ft yak. They usually arent as fast and dont track through the water as well. In order to get weight capacity these shorter Yaks are often wider, so they kinda plow through the water especially when loaded up pretty good. But becuase they have a tendency to be short and wide they also feel more stable in most cases. Longer Skinnier Yaks though still have decent weight capacities though, and will be much more faster when paddling requiring much less effort. They might feel a little tipsy at first being so skinny but its really a non issue. Just as you get used to balancing yourself on a bike after a little practice so will you become a pro on a Yak. Been doing this for about 5 years and havent went for an unplanned swim yet even when hooked up on some BIG fish! Paddling my Pelican Pursuit 100 (10ft) and my Prowler 13 Angler is like night and day! I never thought a couple more feet and a couple less inches in width would make such a profound difference in paddleing! In the Pursuit, I am wore out after paddle across the bay on the Prowler I am just getting warmed up. When your on a pond it doesnt make much diference. If you paddling up and down the trinity or on the lake its a whole nother world.

To that end if you are considering a Ocean Kayak Prowler 13, I got one and your more than welcome to get together sometime and take it out for a good juant. I am lake side in Hickory Creek as well so it will be easy to do.


Before you buy consider how your going to rig it. How many rod holder do you want and where would you be able to put them. How are you going to install a anchor trolley system? Where and how are you going to store/secure your gear? Where are you going to put that FF? How are you going to mount it, run the wiring and where are you going to keep the battery. I didnt put a lot of thought into none of this when I got my first Kayak, but you can bet your buitt it was a major consideration when I got the second Yak!!!

Dont skimp too much on a paddle. I didnt think a paddle was all that big a deal. I was dead wrong! I bought a cheapie and I guess that cool cuase now I have a back up paddle something I should have with me anyways. But when I upgraded a couple of steps up in paddles, damn is all I can say. What a difference in comfort and speed. Now I am seriously eye balling a carbon fiber one. That right there ought to tell you something!!!

As far as gear/regs go...I am not sure a Life Jacket is required but your an idiot if you aint got one and dont wear it. Enuff said there. You do need a Whistle! I got mine tied to my life vest...kinda hard to loose it there and its always with me and not in the storage compartment of the Yak where it does me no good if I am in the water. If you fish at dusk, night or early dawn you will need a 360 degree white light thats visable up to 2 miles. Several times when fishing at Lakeview Marina I have had boaters cruising the moderately lit Marina tell me that they wouldnt have seen me fishing if I hadnt have had the light on! I use a LED model thats about 6 inches high and uses 4 AA rechargable batteries which I really like and a cheapie that uses a small flash light bulb and 2 D batteries as an additional light. (Its hard to re-tie a lure in the dark...)

Takle Storage. You can use a takle box like many do. Me I very much prefer using a soft tackle bag that was originally designed for worm bags. I can carry a gang of tackle in a small 8x8x3 inch worm bag. Its neat compact and organized and I dont have to dig for anything, its all right there in front of me. Consider your rods. In most cases you will find rods with shorter butts to be more user friendly from your yak. Remember your siting down already and your low to the water. Longer rods with shorter butts are defintiely easier to use. When consiodering rod length consider the length of your Yak. On a Prowler 13 you really need at least a 6 ft rod or longer unless you got arms like a orangatang monkey. This isnt much of an issue if your Crappie Fishing or Bass fishing and catching 2 pounders. Get a good fish on like a 38 lbs Blue Catfish or a lunker Hybrid and you will will see why a rod thats at least half the length of your Yak is important. With a 5.5 ft rod on a good fish your not going to be able to reach around the front of your Yak. This means a break off on a good fish or your going to go for an unplanned swim. You will also find that you need rods with a little stiffer action and MORE back bone in them that you are accustom to. Your in a yak on the water and will move the yak on a hook set. A stiffer rod will allow you to do a much better job of driving that hook set home on a fish despite the Yak wanting to move towards the fish on a hook set.

I am sure I forgot a lot of juicy nuggets, but this ought to give you some food for thought.
_________________
Just making this world a better place...one bomb at a time!

I remember when stupidity used to hurt. There was a lot less of it back then.

God created man...and Sam Colt made them equal.

[LLyaker]

thanks for the ideas & info Amber and Imaexpat2. 1st I definitely plan on having my pfd on at all times, Im too paranoid not to . And I plan to hit mariner sails this week, this past weekend i paid a visit to HOT kayaks yesterday and really liked the manta ray 12 and tarpon 12, previously I had been considering an OC but was really impressed by those two yaks. Also a 'perception sports caster 12.5' at Dicks sporting goods has caught my eye - well really the price has caught my eye and it seems to be very similar to the MR12 and the T120 for about 250$ less.

As far as rods go I really only plan to take 2 out until I feel that that is not enough, I can put those in my crate - the only mount that really appeals to me is a front mount holder (not the flush ones) and a small tackle box/radio/snacks/water/knife/scissors/sunscreen.

In the future I plan on getting a 'night light' I live close to the lake so its a very short trip, something about being out on a clear full moon night in the summer sounds very appealing. My goal is to stay as far away from the power boats as possible when I can - I plan stay in the coves near the parks around LL, but I will always keep an eye out for them.


Thanks Again for all the advice & info!!


Mr. Jones
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Mr. Jones

[Imaexpat2]

Id post a few more comments but I am about to be late for work. Its a late night tonight, and a Pool Tourny tomorrow night so weds is the soonest I can get back to you on this....sorry.
_________________
Just making this world a better place...one bomb at a time!

I remember when stupidity used to hurt. There was a lot less of it back then.

God created man...and Sam Colt made them equal.

[LikiTiki]

The Manta Ray 12 and Tarpon 120 are identical in size. I had a hard time choosing between the two. The Tarpon tracks a little better and the Manta Ray turns a little better. Very little difference. I settled on the Manta Ray because I liked the layout better. You can't go wrong with either.
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Bob
Frisco, Texas

[LikiTiki]

PS, I rented a couple of different Tarpon 120's before I bought and they always took on a little water. The Manta Ray never has a drop.

To be fair, the Tarpons were rentals and were pretty well used. That might have played a part.
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Bob
Frisco, Texas

[spiny norman]

Don't know if you would be interested but there is a used Native Magic 12 for sale over on TFF...

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4558483/Re_Native_Magic_12_for_Sale#Post4558483

[spiny norman]

My rules for yakking LL....

*Stick close to shorelines, no wake zones and heavy timber areas when paddling alone.

*Try to go in groups when you are out in open water.

*Avoid busy times like weekends and the summer months if you can.

*Never take that PDF off till you are back on terra firma.

This can be a dangerous place to paddle if you fail to keep your wits about you. Keep your head on a swivel.

[Imaexpat2]

If your going to be fishing the lake, I would seriously suggest something with a little bit of a rise in the nose of the Yak like the Prowler 13 has. It doesnt take a whole lot of wind to whip this lake up into a nice froth. Riding over the chop instead of "plowing" through it makes for a much more pleasant outing.

Sticking to the bays is a pretty good idea too. Not every boat owner is an idiot but every idiot seems to own a boat! Besides some of the best fishing spots I have found the last couple of years have been just beyond casting distance anyways. Most of the places I fish are just a couple of minutes worth of paddling away.

There are lots of great Yaks out there. Some are more suitable to you than others. Try a few out and see what works best for you. I really like the Pheonix, Hobbies, Prowler 13 and 15. If I upgrade again it will most likely be a Hobbie. They are a bit pricey but when you consider all the extras that come with it as standard equipment and all of the other accessories that are available for them, they really aint that much more cost wise than a comparatively outfitted Yak from another maker.

Check out TKF and TFF and see what others are using and having great success with.
_________________
Just making this world a better place...one bomb at a time!

I remember when stupidity used to hurt. There was a lot less of it back then.

God created man...and Sam Colt made them equal.

[LLyaker]

Thanks for the heads up on that yak Spiny but it already sold! And you had some great advice, my head will always be on a swivel!

Yes it seems there are alot of great yaks out there. It seems like every yak (for the most part) has a loyal group of followers who gush over the benefits of the yak. Besides from what Ive seen if I ever need to sell my yak to get another I wont have a problem doing it - but I highly doubt that will happen.

Ive heard a lot about the dangers of Lake Lewisville - so do yall suggest any other local spots? Like Ray Roberts, Lavon, and Tawakoni? or a State Park within 100 miles?
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Mr. Jones

[Imaexpat2]

Nothing wrong with Fishing Lake Lewisville. It does have a little more recreational traffic lake wide as compared to Ray Bob since Ray Bob has a lot more stump fields.

The Lakeview Marina usually has some god Crappie and Sand Bass and Catfishing action going on it. There are several areas around West Lake park that are fairly productive once you get past the old dam (head towards the I-35 bridge) and out of the way of the boater and jetskiers. Thats where I fish a lot and made some great catches. This area is mainly used by Bass fishermen who are powered by trolling motors so its fairly safe. Lots of good targets of oppertunity there when the lake is full and a few good drop off there too! The March/April time frame on Hiockory Creek can be pretty good too. I usually put in at old alton bridge sine the access to the other access area further down is inaccessable due to road construction.

Check the Fishing Report section for a lot of info on places to fish. Most people report thier catches in that section and often give up a lot of info about that area and many are fishing from Kayaks too!

I dont fear this lake but it does get a lot of Recreational Traffic. Use good judgement and keep your eyes out and you should be just fine.
_________________
Just making this world a better place...one bomb at a time!

I remember when stupidity used to hurt. There was a lot less of it back then.

God created man...and Sam Colt made them equal.

[Amber]

We love Tawakoni mainly because we have always had good luck there - since we don't get out that much, we do depend a lot on luck to catch fish! Ray Roberts Isle du Bois state park has many camping sites with water access, which is why we love going there (plus it's so close). Whether the fishing is good around the site or not, it doesn't get any more convenient than that. This talk about the pros and cons of Lewisville got me thinking, we mostly hung around the marina when we kayaked LL, so worrying about speeding boats was hardly an issue.

And, it's more than 100 miles away, but Broken Bow Lake at Beavers Bend State Park in SE Oklahoma is a wonderful place to kayak.
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And if you don't throw in your buck 'o five
Who will?

[spiny norman]

Lots of smaller waters around that are either no moter or small motor restricted. LBJ Grasslands come to mind