I want to start yak fishing in the ocean
 

Hi guys, I'd like to start kayak fishing in the ocean. I tried it once along time ago on a normal ocean kayak and it was pretty fun; I caught a small cabezon. I need some help selecting a kayak, as I'm on a budget and not looking to drop +600 bucks on a kayak then buy a bunch of accessories. Here's what I've been considering:

1) used kayak on craigslist. It could be a super cheap basic one from a name brand, or a more expensive name brand with more stuff/angler model. Here are some examples I've dug up:
ocean kayak riverline, $125 but without paddle or seat
ocean kayak drifter, $300 with seat and paddle
hobie mirage without peddles, $500 with rod holders, new seat and paddle
Malibu X13 kayak, $400, factory 2nd without seat or paddle.
WEST MARINE Pompano 120 Angler, $375 with seat and paddle
Malibu X9 fish and dive, $500 with seat and paddle

2) New off brand kayak. Some examples:
sports authority sells a 10' lifetime tamarack angler for $200 on sale
Dicks also has a couple on sale right now, Future beach 10' cayman angler for $400, 10' Pelican Boost angler kayak for $250.

Which way should I go? I'd like to get something that I could be happy with long-term, and not something I'd want to upgrade after a few uses.

Thanks a lot guys!

That is a very limited list to select from. If that's the only choices I would pick the X13 but at that price on a blem, only if they gave you a seat and paddle. If that's not an option, and only if you weigh less than 190lbs then I would get the Mini X fish & dive. Otherwise keep saving some more money until you have enough for a better choice. Good Luck

I agree. Do it right the first time. No rush but that's easier said than done. Get around $700-$1000 and now your talking. If u can't wait, then someone on here can help, I can only try. Maybe the x13. How big of a person are you? What's important to u?? Speed, stability, deck Space ???....

Thanks for the help guys. I'm 6'4 but weigh 195. I'm not sure what's important since I'm too new to know the trade-offs. What makes the Malibu http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/spo/5037669246.html better than say the Hobie? http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/spo/5071590002.html

The X13 is designed for paddling and the Hobie (minus the mirage drive) is not. The X13 paddles faster then some larger kayaks but is narrower then most 14+foot kayaks so it trades off some stability. At 6'4" and 195lbs plus all the gear you need for ocean fishing, like bait tank, etc. I think even the X13 might be to short. For surf launching and landing a longer kayak works best, it also works better when the wind is blowing and it get like a washing machine out there. With your size I think you should look for an older Ocean Kayak Prowler or Malibu X factor or Stealth 14. Look for a kayak with a 31" to 33" width and over 14" in length. If you keep looking, they often show up on this site's for sale or trade threads. Better to buy once then be looking to change after only a short time of ocean fishing.

I'm 6'1 and 195 and loved my x13. With a loaded bait tank and gear never had a problem. Paddled great, and handled surf entry and exit very well. Just my 2 cents...

This was an important factor
 

We don't want to see a post about you sinking the first time you get out because you went with Walmart special . Stick with the majors . Save more money , probably an X factor . Maybe O K , if you can find the proper model for .

Ok, thanks for the tips. I found a prowler for 400 in LA so I'm going to investigate that alittle further. What do you think about the wilderness system kayaks?
There's a 12' http://slo.craigslist.org/spo/5068557869.html
and a 13.5' http://slo.craigslist.org/boa/5039242736.html

Don't buy the hobie
 

Unless you can afford the drive present or future . These yaks were not disighned with paddling as the primary source of propulsion .

Those are top of line
 

Probably the later . If your just getting out for quick sessions and gonna bring minimal gear , some of the smaller yaks will work for you . You are borderline on weight . If you were 20-40 lbs heavier , you would have an issue . Try to check manufactures web site to pull up specs for weight ratings before pulling the trigger . Take into account for gear , tank , meter , and batteries . You can add upwards of a hundred pounds .

That wilderness
 

Is a steal

Of the two, the ride is a better deal. 1.5ft longer and already decked out with a lot of what you will want to eventually get. Wilderness yak is a great yak but you will have to upgrade the seat before you even take it out. another 150 to 200 bucks for a decent seat. You won't last 2 hours with that plastic backrest it is showing.

I would say pick that up too. that yak has pretty much everything to get you on the water now!

I ended up buying a green ocean kayak 11' scrambler for $120 with seat and paddle. I know it's probably the equivalent of a beat up toyota corolla, but I figure I can play around with it and sell it for at least what I paid when I want to upgrade to something better. For now I need to get some safety gear so I can start using it in the Ventura harbor and the local kelp beds.

Congradulations
 

When your ready for surf launching we can hit up county . :kayak-surfer: . You can advance your learning curve very rapidly . Or we can try Leo for starters .😀feel free to pm.https://www.facebook.com/george.clou...4855863689444/
Here's a short video from last week. I am on left . About to change shorts .

Hit me up if your interested in a 2014 malibu x factor new for 500. 550 with seat and paddle. I could get you their info. I got mine and its the perfect fishing platform. Do the research on the x factor, they are pretty sweet kayaks in my opinion.

quality over price.
 

Dont go the cheap route. Get something of quality, youll thank yourself in the end.

This dude is right.

Local kelp? The local kelp you're going to find is Leo, or a bit North of that is a chunk on Deer Creek Rd. Beware of that spot, it drops off in a hurry creating some heavy rollers and beach pounders out of nowhere, making it difficult to launch and land.

That Xfactor is a DEAL!

Regards,

Jay

Thanks man, I'll definitely take you up on the offer. West marine is having a sale in 3 days so I'm going to pickup a floating vhf and a life jacket.

i was going to toss my two cents into the mix, but since you swooped on that...
gear up...suggested by bert was moken and not a bad deal at that. but look at the suggestions some of the folks have recommend, and those seats in
Bert's recommendation are amazing. I was in your shoes not too long ago. Ask yourself what all are you gonna be doing. i personally wanted a VERY stable platform to stand up and pee off of. literally, that was a factor in my purchase decision. i also dive and, and let others use my rig. all this had me buy a cobra fish n dive. not the most popular kayak, not the fastest, but i does what i need to; get me on the water and back.
some may argue that your paddle, seat, pfd and radio are even more important what you're sitting on top of but it's my opinion that it's the entire package and desired use that ditcates how much you're breaking out with and what you'll really enjoy.
just a few on my setup: cobra fishn dive- bought new. i saw a few used and went and checked, but for the asking price and condition, and being that my life can hinge on the purchase, i went new. yes, ouch
seat, exposure gear, pfd, are also very important to me.
i bought a feelfree seat online to replace the stocker, and i was amazed at the difference. i haven't gone werner paddle yet, but i assume an equal advantage gain. bottom line.....find out what you want to do, and properly accessorize so as to minimize fatigue while paddling/peddling:the_finger:, ease of gear retrieval, stability for your comfort level, portability, and most of all safety. don't skimp. as others have said, save up, for your first upgrade.
enjoy brother, and be safe out there,
Aaron

I am trying to start a guide service up
 

:D .let me know if you are free tomorrow ? i sent you a pm. just looking for company . if you start monkey business , like hooking yourself with sibiki . then I am out . ;)