BUYING A FISHING KAYAK | TOP 6 Things to Consider First

[@ChadHooverFishing]

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[@dcooper323]

This is a lot of really good information. I recently purchased my first fishing kayak, and here is some things I found to be very beneficial. For someone getting into the hobby for the first time, don't be afraid to buy used. Its not like a car where the more it is used or the older it is, the less its value is. For the most part, a kayak will always be a kayak, and there arent moving parts that can break down over time like you would find in a vehicle. I purchased a mid/lower end kayak as my first because I wasnt sure if it is going to be a hobby that I will continue to do, so i didnt want to spend $1000+ on a kayak. I ended up getting a Field and Stream Shadow Caster. Which leads me to my next point. The one I bought is 95lbs. I bought it, loaded it on J hooks on the roof of my SUV, and took it home. Took it fishing once. Immediately bought a jet ski trailer that I am converting to a kayak hauler. These things can be really heavy, and that is something that needs to be considered. So getting into the hobby, I bought a used kayak($400) that came with everything I needed to get on the water, and a trailer($80). So I now have a great beginner setup for $480. Obviously there are other costs you will run into with fishing gear and things like that, but to get on the water at $480 is a great investment. If I dont like it, i can easily get my money back on the kayak equipment. Moral of the story, dont be afraid of used kayaks.

[@ronaldraux6909]

Great advice sir! I am slowly getting my 16 year old nephew into kayak fishing. I have been advising him to watch your videos to learn more. The first time I took him he got hooked. I have 3 Old Town Peddle drive kayaks and eventually want to start a fishing guide service for him.

[@stevesteve8461]

I looked for 10 months before I made a decision of buying a kayak. I bought oldtown sportsman pdl 120 so far I like it.

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Cool! Hope you continue to enjoy it

[@JamesJohnsonFishing]

I jumped into Kayak fishing after spending a winter watching your videos. Initially had a Lifetime Sport fisher due to the weight capacity (I was a BIG dude). Lost 100+ pounds and treated myself to an SS127 last spring. Night and day difference. Absolutely love that kayak.

[@BriantreVino5]

Great information! Thanks for the video. I currently have a foldable kayak and it's very unstable and comfortable. I'm definitely going to take your advice on my next kayak purchase. Thanks for your channel!

[@LovingIdaho]

I took over a year to make up my mind on my last kayak . I bought the lure 11.5 and have been happy with it for 7 years . I was getting older and body would hurt and stiffen up when sitting still in a kayak after a couple hours . I wanted a comfortable seat with lots of adjustment , a nice deck to stand up when needed to move around . The lure 11.5 had all I wanted . At the time , I was over 300 lbs . now , I am around 200 lbs . The perfect kayak for me . The best kayak I have bought in my 20 plus years of kayaking .

[@proteusxavier9477]

The benchmark vid. Excellent work Chad. I know a few guys that would probably put the R near the end, but for more serious anglers, it's very important. In fact, it's probably the first thing on my mind when just browsing boats at the dealership. It's when you take one out on the water that all the other stuff become apparent. In these pressured times, it might be a good idea to include availability as well.

[@lowlifeangler]

I have a cheap $400 Lifetime Tamarack pro 10ft. A little heavy for j bars and I don't have a trailer yet. I can't stand up on it but still pretty comfortable. I have a Garmin Striker 4 plus, double crate with 5 pole holders , Yakattack trolley Anchor , double header paddle keeper. Just need some nav lights and flag for tournaments. Gets me on the fish cheap 😅

[@mikemcgeehan4321]

Long-time fishermen. Getting into Kayak fishing. Good information. 👊🏼

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Thank you.

[@joekocher2604]

I looked for a long time trying to decide if I needed pedal drive or not. So I finally decided on the SS127 after watching a lot of videos and my choice was made from your help. I plan on adding a motor on the near future. I unfortunately didn't get it out on the water yet but I think it's going to be great! Thanks Chad!

[@MysticalDragon73]

hope you enjoy yours more than I did. The seat hurt me being so narrow. Also I got it before bonafide put out their bs disclaimer that boat eight is factored into the capacity. I got it expecting to have a 475lb capacity when in fact its more like 375 or less. the primary stability is great but it was a disappointment.

[@kerrypitt9789]

Agreed x 10! I am currently looking around at Kayaks. I have dropped 100 lbs over the last year, it is an odd feeling to know i am lighter and smaller, but it does cause one, a little confusion. For me the main comfort issue is seating and the ability of the craft to handle a bit of rough water. Ive seen the Hobie PA 14 in some rough weather on Lake St Clair. Not super rough but still Whitecaps. I want all forms of motion, paddles, pedals and a motor. Im 65 and hoping to get a few years out of it! 😂 I really appreciate this piece you have put out and will no doubt refer to this again.

[@roycesanders604]

Chad very good info. I got the Old Town AP 136 last year, and love it. Very stable, lot's room, very comfortable fishing all day. Also use a trailer to tow with, very happy with it all.

[@WhitchurchFishing1]

one of the best seats i have found and still use this kayak to this day is the Kaku Zulu.

[@niekvandenberg205]

Great product shipping did take longer then expected but arrived in perfect condition

[@pb-bx1ll]

I have an ascend 10 and love it. Great video thank you

[@HookAh-snookfishing]

I'll be in town visiting my mom next week and I'll bring him a kayak the fish ditto for the first time on my kayak I always wanted a Jon boat when I was little fishing out there

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Hit me up while you are here

[@Lqviolin2]

Thank you sir! I'm thinking bonafide ss 107!

[@k62g58]

I just upgraded to a Native Watercraft Slayer Propel Max 10. Weight and width (from the standpoint of transport) was always in the back of my head in looking at kayaks. My wife also goes out and we top carry using Malone Seawings. The trip home with it convinced me a trailer was in my future a little sooner than anticipated. Not getting any younger.

[@timharris7425]

I'm 53 years old and started kayak fishing a couple years ago, and did alot of research, and obviously the hobie pa 12 or 14 is the kayak of choice for most people and I would love a pa 14 but they are very expensive, and my second choice would have been a old town sportsmen line up 120 or 136, but since I was new to the sport I wanted something that was stable and a good quality yak that didn't break the bank to buy, cause I honestly didn't know if I really wanted to kayak fish, but I was kinda to the point I had to get a yak cause of so much brush and tamarack along the shore that I can no longer fish from the shore and plus I seen others out on yaks and was just itching to try one, and so I bought a big fish 120 brand new from Austin kayak that was on sale that someone pree ordered and then didn't buy it, and so I thought for the price if I didn't like kayak fishing then I wouldn't be out much plus I could sell it, and I cant lie I was scared to death the first few times out but I eventually fell in love with the sport and made a bunch of new kayak friends and I haven't looked back, I just recently installed a bixpy j2 on it and that was a game changer, but in all honesty I have only owned this one kayak the big fish 120 and I have it rigged for me and I love it, but I have taken a hobie pa 12 out and it was sweet, but for the money I couldn't be happier with my big fish it dose everything I need it to do, don't get me wrong the hobie is what I want with electric motor but I cant justify the cost and I'm sure there is alot of kayaks on the market in that same big fish price range that are great kayaks and would be just fine for most, but for me right or wrong I chose the big fish 120 and love it

[@hectorhornedo913]

Hello Chad; Ty for the video where I can buy the seat cushion that you use. Ty

[@ChadHooverFishing]

www.kushionkompany.com/shop/fulton-cycle-yww57-y8pzm-lp5es

[@Nutakins]

Quality stuff as always man, and already forwarded this to the fam!

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Thank you, I appreciate that.

[@theoutdoordad7395]

Great stuff as usual thanks! Got a recommendation for a 180lb angler for a fly fishing kayak that will be motorized? Primarily for tidal rivers, inshore and reservoirs. Hunting snakeheads, lmb and redfish.

[@ChadHooverFishing]

You weigh 180 or you want one that ways 180 lbs?

[@theoutdoordad7395]

@@ChadHooverFishing sorry my question was confusing- I weigh 180., hopefully 160 soon. An open deck to not tangle fly line is priority. Thanks!

[@TWC6724]

Maybe NuCanoe? They have an open platform.

[@dustincall9234]

I've bought multiple different kayaks in the last 3 years and have things I like about all of them.

[@ChadHooverFishing]

What are some of each?

[@MysticalDragon73]

I'm at 6 boats as each one has a different role. I have a jackson traverse for a bit more whitewater, a tupelo for a good sit inside, a bite for basic sit on top and light scouting, a coosa x when I need some capacity in a mid size and nimbleness, a big rig when I need to max my gear carrying.

[@leeglass3458]

That was great, thank you!

[@ColsenTaylorFishing]

Back to back uploads😮!?!?🤯 great video! Very informative!

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Yeap. Planning to put up a ton of videos this spring. Maybe even every day.

[@Kolibrichiti]

Hello, very nice information. I live in Germany, near Denmark. I am fishing in the sea, but the sea is not very rough here, Only problem is there are some very big vessels pass by and cause significant impact creating unexpected waves. So i am looking for a pedal kayak that has the best stability for unexpected big waves. Or shpuld i use outrigers? In my case?

[@Dragon1165]

Also some states require the boat to be "registered" if they are propelled by any type of motor , paddle and or pedal requires no registration ($$$)

[@AKfortyDevin]

Would love to see a video on the Native Falcon. Seems to check all the boxes for me. Great bang for the buck, quick and easy to go paddle kayak that can use a motor🤘🏻

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Working on getting one right now

[@andrewbickel1450]

Great video definitely American made. I'm a heavier yacker and after research last spring I purchased a RS117 from my local FishUSA in Fairview Pa. I used it a few months and it developed cracks around the top of the scuppers. This was determined to be a very rare occurrence and Bonafide and the staff at FishUSA ( Shout out to Andy and Josh) quickly worked together to resolve this dilemma. I was given full credit for my purchase and added additional $ to move up to the 127. This yac has been awesome I can easily paddle it and have added a 40# Minkota as well because of older age wear and tear on my back and shoulders. Because I purchased local and with a reputable company my experience was very positive. The yac meets all my expectations and I fish 4-6 days a week and spend about 10 hrs a day on it. I hope this helps support what is being addressed in this video Chad. Hope you are feeling better also,🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@MysticalDragon73]

just be careful as the 127 only has 375lb capacity becasue they want to include boat weight into capacity which is absurd. If you are a heavier paddler you can easily be overweight with minimal gear.

[@johnguth5376]

Me and a "few" other Anglers must be all wrong for choosing sit in kayaks. .we love e'm!

[@ChadHooverFishing]

You aren’t “wrong” just not in the majority. Sit on Tops are the most efficient kayaks out there for paddling performance, they just aren’t the best for fishing when all the variables are considered.

[@BriantreVino5]

That would have pissed me off too, I can see the next video saying you were wrong, so I will watch that one next. Thanks for your channel, I learn a lot.

[@PanfishingJournal]

Great video. I'm at the point to upgrade to a nicer kayak for my channel. I understand why you have concerns about pedal drives. Can you suggest a great paddle fishing kayak for 1k? Liked and subscribed!

[@ChadHooverFishing]

The Bonafide RS117, Old Town Topwater, Native Falcon 11 and the Perception Outlaw 11.5

[@PanfishingJournal]

@@ChadHooverFishing Thanks Chad. I'll check 'em out for sure. I've been eyeing the Outlaw.

[@davidlewis9572]

I bought a cheap kayak to start with . Fished it 2 years , upgraded to HooDoo Impulse 12 fin drive . Love my new kayak . Definitely more comfortable n stable. Dink Drop Brother

[@ChadHooverFishing]

How reliable is the HooDoo fin drive?

[@davidlewis9572]

It seems to work fine , no reverse. My first peddle drive but kayak paddles easy . I’m enjoying it still just a few trips on it

[@rodneyhart1826]

Hi Chad. I am close to deciding between the Knarr, PA 14 or P127. I tried each one last year and liked the Khadr the best. Given that I am 6'1 260 and at some point would like to add a motor, do you think I would be better served going with one of the other kayaks? Always enjoy your videos and experience /advice.

[@ChadHooverFishing]

No sir, J think you would be fine with either the PA14 or the Knarr. I personally would recommend the Knarr after some of their fixes from the first release. I also think it’s a little more reliable. Even though Hobie has made major improvements in the 360 and it’s one of the most ingenious designs ever, it still has far too many failures of the drive considering how costly an investment it is.

[@rodneyhart1826]

Thank you!

[@Wapiaries]

Very nice. Any fish?

[@jerrymcmullen28]

Waited/looked for 2-3 years before buying my first kayak. Saw the Wilderness Systems Recon 120 and instantly fell in love! Was able to take it out for the first time a couple weeks ago (first time in a kayak period) and it was like it was meant to be! At 6’6” 280lbs had no issues feeling unstable, thanks to the WIDE platform of the boat. Stood up right off the bat with no issues. Price point was also great for the basic 120 model, but still have the option of adding the peddle drive later without having to get an entire new boat. As always LOVE your content and thank you for doing what you do! If it wasn’t for coming across you on KZbin, I may never fell in love with kayak fishing and I’d still be standing on dry land chucking from the bank!

[@JasonShumate]

Thanks Chad. Can’t do better than hearing it from someone who does this more than just about anyone else in the sport. You didn’t mention hatches tho.. lol

[@raygissendanner1476]

Great tips i am thinking about getting nucanoe frontier do you think it's a good kayak

[@ChadHooverFishing]

I think it’s pretty good, but I think the Unlimited is a much better choice

[@raygissendanner1476]

@@ChadHooverFishing ok thank you

[@jamesfahring6032]

Was trying to send a pic of toad I cought on a windy day muddy water at 50 degrees but I'm technically challenged lol I've been to busy to enter the tournaments and I have been in a brackish water area so I'm kind of out for now

[@ManusFerrea]

I live in Lake Havasu. We get a good amount of chop and wind, and I'm a big guy at 225. Suggestions?

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Are you looking for pedal, paddle or motorized

[@CityRoastGames]

@@ChadHooverFishing I would be interested in this as well. I am similar build with similar water conditions. Personally would prefer Peddle with the option of putting on a motor in the future.

[@ManusFerrea]

@ChadHooverFishing I like the idea of a pedal. But I'm not sure. I like the idea of being able to put in at North Mesquite Bay and pedal upstream a few miles to get just north of the Refuge. I've paddled up, but by the time I got up to the sand bar, I was gassed. And the the paddle back, we ran into a strong cross wind slightly head on. In the sitin Pelican did okay, but I am looking to upgrade.

[@stonejr74]

Which two bonafide kayaks would be the easiest to paddle out of their lineup?

[@ChadHooverFishing]

RS117 and RVR119

[@stonejr74]

@@ChadHooverFishing thank you for replying, I'm getting the RVR119 this Sunday.

[@spinnerbait5226]

Is the bonafide ss127 good for rivers and lakes cause I fish both

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Yes.

[@MysticalDragon73]

I was really surprised that one of the most important things that should be considered is USABLE capacity wasn't mentioned or focused on. its imperative to understand that different manufacturers rate their capacities differently. If you are a bigger paddler. 250lbs plus, especially over 300lbs. understanding a manufacturers capacity rating and getting a boat that gives you a safety cushion is critical. Especially if you are wanting to put a motor onto it. Theres little leeway. I saw a video on another page where the guy was bashing the knarr, yet by his own admission due to his huge size he was already overloading the boat. Bondafide LIES to their customers with a fine print disclaimer that boat weight part of the capacity. Thankfully they are doing this now as they werent when I got my SS127 and was expecting to be able to put 475lbs into the boat. There are other manufactures that do this nonsense. Many retails dont understand this and Thankfully Jackson doesnt. their numbers are accurate what you can put into or mount on the boat. There are a few others that don't lie to their customers. Getting a boat with the proper capacity is critical to ensuring safety for yourself and others.

[@tommyjohnson3566]

Does anyone have any first hand knowledge about the Brooklyn Kayak Company TK122 ? Thanks in advance.

[@HookAh-snookfishing]

Hey Chad I would like to send you some pictures of my art you know because if you want something for your shop or whatever and I can paint bass I mean it's not like beautiful but it would be like this is cool man but anyway you know just pictures of me fishing at ditto I just thought it was cool man like I saw a work at Walmart in Ozark and I met a guy last night and he had me price check a lure and it was like he was like I'm fishing for bass I'm like that's an expensive lure what kind of knot do you use etc

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Shoot me a text when you are in town at 757-348-2232

[@HookAh-snookfishing]

@@ChadHooverFishing I will next weekend sir Chad H.

[@SpregioCheeks]

Hey chad and community. So I'm a big guy, 300lbs, and I was in the market for a fishing kayak.. I happened to get a great deal on a '23 hobie compass. It was brand new, but instead of the 180 drive, it was the standard with kickup fins.. any ways, rei had an open box sale and a 40% off sticker. It wasn't my first choice, because of the 275lb seat capacity, and I'm a bigger guy, but for $1000, I couldn't say no. Does anyone know if I'm at a loss at the weight. Worried I am to be able to float this boat. I've been thinking of getting some foam to go in the hull where the seat locks in, as i think that's the issue for the seat capacity. Not going to have a motor or anything, maybe a small fish finder and smaller battery in the future, but I'm just worried about it. I'm not incapable, just a big dude.

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Man, I hate to say this but I think that if you are 300 and the boat capacity is 275 you will be putting yourself in a sketchy situation using it. I’m not 100% sure how Hobie does it, but for many manufacturers you also have to deduct the weight of the kayak from the capacity. I would do a little research into that, but even if they don’t you will be really pushing it.

[@GeorgiaKayakAngler]

Gotta figure out how to get my wheelchair on my kayak 😂😂😂😂

[@ChadHooverFishing]

We can help with that.

[@GeorgiaKayakAngler]

That would be scary as hell 😂😂😂

[@HookAh-snookfishing]

Is fishing channels 334 get fishing anyways he said he had knew you and fish with you he was a cool dude he said you were a cool dude but anyway I'll be in town next week

[@JD-HALL]

HEY NEWBIES....LISTEN TO CHAD. I'M GLAD I DID.

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Thank you sir!

[@WhatTheH3ll1000]

Buy once cry once. I won’t buy a kayak unless I’ve had seat time in one. Find you a dealer that Carrie’s multiple big name brands and demo several different kayaks. Just because Jackson makes great kayaks doesn’t always mean it will be for you. Seat time is important.

[@johnguth5376]

Me and a few thousand other F

[@hawjfamily321]

I love my autopilot.