ocean kayak prowler 13

[nomoore30]

I am brand new to kayak fishing but I'm loving it. I bought a preception 12.5 angler about a month ago and still love the set up but Im not real pleased with the hull. I've been out on the James to catch big cats, the Potomac to catch anything that will bite (mostly crokers) and am going this weekend to the mountains to catch smallies but my passion is COBIA! Living in Richmond I drawn to the yak for easy transport to and from the beach in a cost effective way. So my question is; what is a great all around kayak for the mouth of the bay, eastern shore to hampton. I've been looking at a prowler 13. Any info would be helpful.

[ictalurus]

Have you checked out the forums on TKAA.org? There's some folks there that fish for cobia from kayak, and you can see what they use. I think the Prowler 13s are pretty popular. Since those guys fish the same areas you do and are nearby, you can check out how they have things rigged.

How's fishing for big blue cats from a kayak? I lived on the James for a little while near Sandy Point, but I didn't have a kayak then. I used to fish for blues and channels from the pier on the property I was renting, but it wasn't in a good spot for big ones.

[BBCroaker]

Prowler 13 is a good choice so is the 13 Trident or Wilderness T140 Check with Appomattox River Company. They seem to have best prices.
I use a ProwlerTrident 15
The stripers are fun in the spring and fall on the James too.

[nomoore30]

Thanks for the link and info! As far as catching cats I've only caught up to about 30lbs but i think the real big ones are hanging around structure in the deep holes and thats hard to find with out a depth finder. I live right inbetween Deep Bottom and Osbourn boat landing were I saw the state record go back in the water so I couldn't be in a better spot. When I upgrade my yak it will definately have a depth finder but the cats don't seem to have the fight of saltwater fish.

[nomoore30]

I'll check them out. Thank you.

[nnkkayak]

What up bro,
you wont go wrong with a prowler. If you plan on doing any longer distance multiday trips dont go smaller than a p-13 as your space for gear is limited. paddled my prowler from va beach to the potomac river last year and she was fine. dont worry to much about the decision, all the major manufactures have solid boats in that class. get one and rig it out.

rod holders, a crate, and when you work your way up the E-shore for the big reds work on your anchor system.

Im in richmond and the northern neck. drop me an email @ mcvdon@gmail.com

[Friday]

I just tested WS 140 with rudder (2008 model) for 7 hours. For the ride, wetness and speed, I will go with P15 or P13. I did not needed a rudder for P15 and P 13 in1.5' chop. But WS140 doe not track well in 0.6-1' chop compare to P15 and P13 with the rudder up. I paddled WS Tarpon with rudder up for the speed in less than 1' chop. I prefer long and narrow kayak though, I can go with P13 without rudder if money is tight for open water and long distance. Tarpon 140 is good for anglers who paddle short-midium distance and primarily do bait fishing while drifting or anchored. there are plenty of room in the center for preparing bait.

Joe

[BBCroaker]

nnkayak have thye improved the P-13 as fa as being a wet ride yet.I paddled one a couple of years ago before I got the T-15 and it seemed to constantly have water on the floor and seat area through the scuppers.

[ert972]

bass pro shops has a new model in stock called an ocean kayak endeavor- it's the same hull as the prowler 13 but it comes with a seat and sells for about $150-200 less than than the standard prowler 13-i'm guessing that they offered it to bass pro only. check it out my buddy just bought one 2 weeks ago..can't go wrong with that pricetag

[nomoore30]

I also looked at the endeavor, it seemed to be a narrower (less stable I'm guessing) and the deck was a little different (no rod pod) then the T-13. I'll bet it goes through the water like a bullet but I want one i can stand up on for sight casting after a long paddle and the endeavor is exculsive to BPS.

[ert972]

the bass pro rep told us the the measurements on the endeavor is identical to the prowler 13 (ocean kayak does not even have the endeavor on their website so its a little hard to compare!). but it is very fast and the pricetag is significantly less (more $$$$ for fishing tackle!!!)
i bought the big game prowler this spring it does have the flat footwells for standing but i find that i can really only stand in super calm water....i'm 6'4 230 pounds that probably has something to do with it also

[BBCroaker]

Where did you look at the endeavor I would like to see it.
I Ihave a T15 with the rod pod i haven't used the pod.If I got the T15 again i would get it without the pod and use the space to mound rod holder and FF.etc.

[ert972]

we found the endeavor at bass pro in ashland. my buddy bought the only one they had out in the showroom upstairs. i would call to make sure they have more in stock.

like i said ocean kayak does not have it on their website but i just found this link someone else found one at another bass pro.

http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/community/showthread.php?t=77040

[BBCroaker]

I was at the Ashland store about 3 weeks ago and didn't see one. They had it at the hampton store back in May I read on another forum .Thought it may have been a one time deal though.

[redfish12]

I was at the Ashland store a few weeks back and saw one there, your buddy must have gotten that one. I have the Trident 13 version of the Prowler and I love it! It's very stable and I can stand and paddle with out any difficulty (6'1'' 200 lbs + gear). I prefer it over the Prowler because of the fishing specific components (rod pod, sonar shield, adjustable foot braces, etc) but both are great boats for the area you plan on fishing.

Appomattox has the best prices for sure, ask for Tom (he's in farmville) and he will make you a great deal! I got a brand new T13 from him this spring after selling my redfish and it cost me $30 dollars than what I sold my redfish+paddle for. Great deal and they have more kayaks than anyone else in the country, so at the very least you can go check out a lot of different models.

A fishfinder will definitely help your catch rate improve, makes it much easier to locate the water depth you're fishing for and I consider it a must for ocean fishing, cuts down a lot on trial and error!

[nomoore30]

I just came from Appomattox River Co. and they showed me the WS Tarpon 120 2010 model. I liked alot,although if I buy 1 it will be a 140. They now have a rail system mid-mass and rear were you can attach the Scotty rod holder,move your bunges and add all kind of acssories. There hatches seemed better to. BRMS is having a demo next weekend were you can try it in water for 4 or 5 hours,so I'm going to do that. Appomattox is cheaper than anywhere I've seen and if you buy 1 from them they give you 10% off everything else.

[BBCroaker]

Guy I fish with just got a T140 he likes it except for the scupper holes being in a high place of the tank well and it doesn't drain well. Always has water in the middle of the tank well.

[Wilber]

The Endeavor is the exact same hull as the Prowler 13, minus the side handles. In my opinion they got gadget happy with the Trident, too many places for water to get in the hull for me. I think Ocean realized they were stepping on there own foot by not still offering the old school prowler as it was always a good selling boat so they cut the price and brought it back as the Endeavor as to not be confused with the Prowler Trident 13. IMHO it is the best buy going right now.

[BBCroaker]

Does Bass Pro sell them still?

[Friday]

I just got back from a week long training.Boy I am glad I can go fishing tomorrow.

Nomoore,

You mentioned that you want to stand up on a kayak. The only kayaks I witness other people standing up on a kayak were WS Ride 135, Hobie Outback. The personw were 240lb and 210 lb. I (145lb) can stand up on almnost any kayak in calm water. Though It is not easy to cast and retrieve. The only place will be shallow flats where marsh areas are. I will not stand up and fish. I will stand up to stretch and look for some signs on the water. Submerging reels is bad thing for reels. I fell in the water many times while trying to stand up and cast. I suggest you that DOn't bother with standing up fishing on a kayak.

also you mentioned that You want to move fast. Your current kayak is not that slow under one foot wave. But any kayaks you can stand up are slow especially with the rudder down in the water. You have to pick one, a fast kayak or a slow kayak but more stable.

Joe

Tomorrow I am taking my Tarpon 140 for more testing So far IMO, Prowler 13 (without rudder) is better kayak than Tarpon 140 with rudder in terms of speed. You won't be fishing standing on either kayak.

Joe

[BayDaze]

Rudder not a great idea on a fishing kayak. It's usually the first thing your line gets wrapped around when fishing. And if you happen to have a fish on when this happens, you're done. Would suggest your try out a couple before taking
the plunge. Some yaks you'll sacrifice weight or dryness for stability. Also, getting in them will give you an idea of how you want to mount things like rod holders, depth finders, etc. Good luck.

[nomoore30]

Thanks to all for your input. Virginia fish and game magazine has a great article in it this month dicussing all the different types of kayaks out there now and there uses. Everyone needs to check it out.