True.. you can find Ascends for around $500.. they are just not a top end kayak. They will work to get you started.

Throw FeelFree kayaks in there. The Lure and the Moken are great, I have the moken.

Get a stable canoe. Weighs less, carries more and a ton more comfortable.

Unless you know of a good, stable canoe that's 12' or less (and not $1000+), I think the kayak will better suit my needs.

The weight capacity is everything ! Unless you're bean pole skinny you'll want a wide boat 12 or more feet long with a weight capacity >>> than 350 lbs. The stadium type seats are a must, fishing with a wet azz sux.

I see people riding around in their own cars still wearing masks too. LOL. Can't be scared of everything. I worry about getting a hook in a hand or leg or arm way more than anything else.

I’m 6’2” weigh 275 and fish out of a 10’ Old Town Vapor (Sit Inside) which has a 325 weight capacity. I’ve never had a problem with stability in it and it floats just fine with my heavy rear end in it. My point is, you don’t have to go overboard or overkill on all these things if you don’t have the budget for it. I paid $350 for it used and have fished comfortably out of it by adding a simple stadium seat to it. You can spend as much as you want on a kayak but it’s not an absolute necessity. You can easily find something that works for you for under $500 if you do your homework on each individual kayak that interests you and be patient in your search.

I think he might have one for sale , only has been sunk once! ( that we know of) Comes with your own live well too (well a used kitty litter box, but hey better then nothing!)

I'm taking mine out for its maiden voyage this afternoon. If I never post again y'all will know it didn't go well.

been nice knowin’ ya, bud

Meanwhile, in a kayak on a faraway creek....

True.. you can find Ascends for around $500.. they are just not a top end kayak. They will work to get you started.[/quote]


I’ve known two people in my relatively small circle with cracking problems on ascends. One guy was NOT a big guy, the other was and tended to pack a heavy cooler.

My other advice: on small water, rivers and creeks pay attention to rain and check the flow rate on USGS sites. If there’s a downpour up stream you can get high water quick. Just part of the game, probably less dangerous than tree stands or ATVs for people who have it figured out, but bad stuff can happen.

You need to decide what type of water you’ll be going in and then decide if you want to paddle or pedal. Lots of good options out there. I’m partial to old town and hobie, but you won’t be getting into either of those for less than $1500. For fishings ponds lakes and even the river, it’s hard to beat pedal drives. It allows you to cover a lot of water quickly without wearing yourself out. Also it’s a lot easier to be more precise fishing in a pedal. It’s hands free for the most part.

I always wanted to outfit a kayak with a trolling motor.
You’d have something then.

They make them with a trolling motor built in. I'd imagine that you wouldn't want to have to tote one of those though.

trolling kayak

Once you put a motor on it (electric or gas) you get to pay the state and have to register your ‘yak.

Very true. 🤨

The battery weight was a concern for me and those special lightweight batteries are super expensive.

I wouldn't be surprised if Minn Kota and Motorguide don't already have something like the batteries for lawnmowers and chainsaws in the works. 60 volt maybe.