Buying first yak

[jig monster]

I'm finally buying a yak. Since my friends with the boats don't fish as much as I would like, I decided this was my best bet to get on the water. I've done some fishing out of a yak , but I'm clearly a beginner. There's an outdoor shop that's selling a last years demo 120 Tarpon Wilderness for $525.00. haven't seen it yet. They say it still looks brand new. This sounds like best of both worlds , good yak at a decent price. Just wanted to hear from the experts what they thought. What should I look for when I go to look at it. Should I be looking at something else and get it brand new ? Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Tom Powers]

How far do you plan on paddling on a given outing. Is it with the current, against the current or both?

I am always a proponent of longer wider boats for fishing in open water. 14 to 16 feet long 28" to 30" wide.

Now if you are going to only be paddling like 1/2 mile maybe 1 mile and you plan on using the currents or staying out of the currents then a 12 foot boat like the Tarpon Wilderness is probably a good boat.

There is one other issue and that is the combined weight of you and your gear as it relates to the capacity of the boat.

I go 250 pounds (350 for me, boat and gear) and have a 16 1/2 foot boat that is 30" wide.

Lastly first boat as a sightly used boat is a good idea especially if it saves you 30% or more on the price.

[rhahn427]

Wilderness makes a good Yak .......... 12 ft yak is the minimum for the bay in my opinion ......... nothing wrong w/ a good used Yak

[SteveL]

Jig Monstar,

The tarpon 12 is a very solid boat and that is a very good price--buying used is a very good way to go, especially buying a well-known brand and model like the tarpon 120. I agree with Tom about longer boats being better for big open water and longer distance paddling, and to watch your weight. However, I am a big guy and I have a lot of kayaks including a tarpon 120 (I got it used at a great price) and I think its a good solid boat, much better than some of the cheaper, shorter "recreational yaks." It would be a great first kayak.

I launched my Tarpon in gentle surf and had it a half mile off the beach at Hatteras Island and I caught spanish macks on light tackle, so there is a lot you could do with that boat.

As I am sure you know, you should be very careful in the cold weather and cold water, especially until you get some experience in the new boat. You need to wear quality cold weather gear if you go out in the cold, if possible try to paddle with others so you are not solo, and always wear a pfd.

[jig monster]

Thanks for the input !! I checked out the 120 and wasn't in too bad of shape. Definitely not brand new looking like they said. Most of the fishing will be small waters ( lakes, rivers ) on nice days for now. I'll also fish the sound when visiting the OBX and again, It won't be rough. Don't plan on paddling long distance on big waters just yet. They made me a pretty good offer on the 100. Fifty dollars more and it's brand new.

[kiko13]

John,

I have a couple of Ocean Kayaks (Prowler and Big Game). In my opinion, you need at least a 12 footer (mine are 13'). Feel free to come by to look at them if you want. You can test drive them tight out back in the pond. I am in Ashburn Village....near you.

Ernie

[EDGEWATER]

I bought a Tarpon 120 this year. Fish a lot of lakes and its great for that.

Did fish Broad Creek a few times this summer. Can't provide input on mainstream of the bay but its definitely great for smaller waters.

That's a great price BTW.

Good luck.

[ictalurus]

I've fished my Tarpon 120 in the lower Patuxent and the Bay between Drum Point and Cove Point. It's a nice yak. My model is a 2009, and the seat is awesome. The Slidetrax rails are nice, too, but I haven't used them for trolling much. I've also taken it down smallmouth creeks, and it works well for that. It can be a little tough to turn negotiating rapids, but leaning can help. If you're covering a lot of ground, you'll want a faster yak. I've got a need for speed myself and fish the Bay almost exclusively from my Hobie. However, I can maintain 3.5-4 mph paddling the Tarpon in calm conditions, which isn't that much slower than a stock Hobie.

[jig monster]

Thanks again guys !! Really appreciate it. !