Kayak Fishing - Are Inflatables Better? How You Can Save $$$

[@figdragon]

So, I got an inflatable earlier this year. Not realizing that I had a beaver in my pond. I didnt go check on anything for a couple of weeks. When I finally did... A HUGE tree was downed and on top of my now wrecked inflatable craft. If ya go inflatable... Make sure you aint got malicious beavers... or move the thing way away from where they can sabotage your joy. lol.

[@FlyFishDan]

A very good point! Dang beavers!

[@jeffkruger9824]

Thank you for a very informative video. The Blackfoot 130 looks like a great fishing inflatable. Like anything, there are always compromises. My wife and I have a 21' welded aluminum sled, a couple Hobie mirage drive fishing kayaks, and Old Town canoe, a couple float tubes, and an Outcast Striker raft. We have such a great variety of water and fishing here in the PNW. I owned an inflatable kayak for years in Alaska and really enjoyed how easy it was to store and take places. For larger bodies of water we really enjoy the speed of the Hobie's with the mirage drive pedal system. It's possible to troll with them with great control. The track system on my Hobie Outback makes mounting rod holders, fish finder, etc. really easy and configurable. Though we can put both of them in the bed of a truck, when we are traveling in our off grid truck camper, we have to trailer them. I took the rear seats out of the crew cab we haul the camper on, and a couple Blackfoot 130's would fit in there with the rest of our fishing stuff with no problem. Your video has me thinking we may need to add to the fleet. We already have an electric pump we use for the Striker. Next time you're on the east side of the Cascades, give me a holler. We would enjoy the chance to buy you a frosty beverage.

[@FlyFishDan]

Good stuff Jeff, thanks for sharing. I have many craft myself and am very happy I added the Blackfoot to my lineup as well. Love its diversity and easy storage/travel. Thanks for your input - cheers!

[@jeffkruger9824]

@@FlyFishDan the one thing I do really like about the Hobie's with the Mirage Drive is the ability to use both hands for fishing, landing a fish, etc., while still being able to move the kayak. With my Outback, going into reverse is as easy as pulling a lever tha'ts on the drive. Not nearly as easy compact to transport as an inflatable though. I'm hoping to have the chance to see a Blackfoot in person.

[@hntrains2]

Valid points - and not only for those who use kayaks to go fishing. Nicely presented, too!

[@williamcooke6056]

Looks like a sweet ride!

[@danielthomson2131]

What 2 wheel cart would you recommend? I just bought my 130 about a week ago. Thanks!

[@KJRitch]

Good thing I don’t like to fish lakes otherwise I might want one. I didn’t see that stabilizer on their website. Where is that available? How does it handle in wind? How many miles have you paddled with this kayak?

[@FlyFishDan]

The command stand was from Yak Attack - I have paddled in the wind and it does great! Tracks really well. I have had this kayak on many trips, I would imagine well over 100 miles paddled.

[@flyguy2021]

I picked this up at REI when it was 15% off. Could have waited for the 20 off sale. Great thing about REI is if I decide it’s not right for me I can return it within a year. I’ve paddled it and it is super stable. Have not fished from it yet. Maiden fishing voyage is next week at Diamond Lake.

[@FlyFishDan]

Nice! I have been pretty happy with mine...super stable!

[@jasonrobinson7746]

@FlyFishDan how does that kayak work in our western rivers? currently I use a raft.

[@frankk1521]

I noticed you have a Yakattack Command Stand. I'm looking on Amazon... and I see a model SAP-1001. Not sure if that's the same as what you have, but I was wondering if you could share the model number, and how well it worked installing it on the Blackfoot 130. Did you need to purchase additional hardware or adaptive interfacing to make the installation?

[@FlyFishDan]

Hi Frank - I wish I could be more helpful here, but I stopped using the kayak after picking up my Marlon boat. I would recommend getting a hold of Yakattack customer support, I am sure they can advise you on the right model number for today's Blackfoot Kayak. I am sorry I couldn't be more helpful!

[@frankk1521]

@@FlyFishDan Thanks Dan. That was helpful.

[@kosta2177]

Which rod holders would you recommend for Blackfoot Angler 130? I recently hot the same kayak as you but I’m new to kayaking and don’t clearly understand how and what to attach to available mount spots. Thank you

[@FlyFishDan]

YakAttack makes some awesome accessories. They have a base mount that can interchange with Scotty and they have rod holders for fly rods. Hope that helps!

[@kosta2177]

@@FlyFishDan thanks a lot, really appreciate your response

[@DenKwonDo]

Have you taken the Blackfoot on Whitewater, and if so what class do you feel it is capable of If you are an experienced paddler? AquaGlide doesn't provide that information, nor will they tell you what they think it can handle do to liability purposes. I have multiple kayaks, but my daughter claimed my throw and go, so I am in the market for a high quality inflatable, and im on the fence between the Blackfoot and the Sea Eagle 350FX swivel seat package. Personally I like the overall configuration of the Blackfoot much better, however, I know that the Sea Eagle is absolutely bombproof when it comes to durability (We also have a lower end SE370 that has more than proven itself), and on the 350FX they have added a 2nd layer of 1000 denier fabric on the side tubes where you land the fish and also I believe on the bottom, I also know it is fully capable of class 4 Whitewater. Also, have you had any punctures yet from hooks, fins, or sharp rocks? I had seen another video of a guy who had a deep abrasion on the bottom of his from a sharp rock, however it wasn't a big deal to him cause he just repaired it. Any feedback is appreciated:) Thanks

[@FlyFishDan]

Hey Denny - I have never taken the Blackfoot down any significant rapid, not because it couldn't handle it...it's more about me not having the experience. I reached out to AG and asked that same question when I was looking to float the Yakima - they indicated the kayak was built and can handle the bigger water, you just need to know what you're doing. It has 6 scuppers built into the floor, so it can shed water pretty quickly and wide enough to give you stability, but not too wide to be heavily influenced in a heavy rapid. I have not had any issues with the denier, it's been bullet proof so far...just keep in mind that I fly fish exclusively out of this kayak, and the hooks are pretty small. Hope that helps!

[@CaptainRawn42]

Great video. Could you tell me what roller you have?

[@FlyFishDan]

Thanks! I bought it off of Amazon for transporting kayaks, pretty inexpensive if I remember right

[@PNWmultisport]

Great review, thanks!🤙

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you Troy for taking the time to watch - cheers!

[@jlokanis]

I have a float tube but am thinking about getting an inflatable kayak. I have also considered a Watermaster boat. Would the kayak be able to serve the same purpose as the Watermaster for fishing rivers like the Yakima? Also, if I wanted to use the kayak for recreational paddling with a second passenger would the 130 be big enough or should I look at the next size up? Keep up the great videos. This is by far my favorite fly fishing KZbin channel.

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you! I typically use my kayak for stillwater - they can be used in rivers, but you need to be proficient in kayaking before taking down any class of rapid. I would look at Watermaster if you are new to rivers. For stillwater, the kayaks are far better. I would size up to the 160 for the tandem kayaking - the 130 could probably handle the weight of two average sized people...just not a lot of room for gear. Hope that helps!

[@jlokanis]

Thanks Dan! I see you added some accessories to the boat that I cannot find on Aquaglide’s website. Can you share some links to where you got them?

[@FlyFishDan]

@@jlokanis you bet! www.yakattack.us/

[@msireanu587]

How did you install those wheels?

[@thestepcast]

Good stuff! I like saving a little cash too!

[@FlyFishDan]

Totally!

[@mobiltec]

Wow it's a lot less expensive than I thought it would be.

[@FlyFishDan]

Even less with my discount code - feel free to use it! :))

[@ThisSentenceIsFalse]

6'7"!

[@j4ckzilla615]

Early nice