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Fly fishing kayak

6879 Views 76 Replies 47 Participants Last post by  Gator22
Looking for feedback on perception outlaw vs wilderness systems recon. Looking for a yak that’s easy to stand and fish.
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Cheek out the Feelfree Lure if you haven’t already. I’ve had two and both were great. I’m 6’1 210 lbs and it was a super stable platform.
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I use a pro angler 14, so not terribly familiar with those ones. What I will say is a pop up leaf bag/garbage can is great for a stripping basket. If you can find the type with a zipper compartment in the bottom, they make adding a gallon bag with sand easier.
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another to check out Nucanoe frontier 12, very stable, have been using one for years now.
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Per my sig, I fish out of a WS Radar 135. It's 1.5' longer than the Recon, 4" narrower and interestingly 5lbs lighter. It's insanely stable, great seat, very comfortable, solid storage and again - easy to stand in. The Recon looks like it has less "stuff" on the fwd deck than my boat, which is good. To overcome these potential line catch points, carry less stuff and minimize line snags, I bring a towel, wet it down and lay it out ahead of me. Works pretty well.

BUT, compared to my other boats (WS Pamlico, Pamlico tandem, Tsunami 16) the Radar is a barge to paddle in current, against the wind and has little to no glide which means your hands are on the paddle a lot. Being shorter and wider, I'd imagine the Recon (or any boat of those dimensions) is going to be even less efficient. I'm getting old, so that matters.

If you're going for pedal or TM power that lack of efficiency won't be an issue. But, if you're going be be paddle-powered and are going to fish on a lot of water that's open, has strong current/tides, lots of wind, then you might want to go with something longer and as narrow as you can comfortably stand in.
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I had/have a couple of the above (PA, feel free, etc). Not really good for fly. If you have to have a kayak, think diablo. Kind of a PIA to paddle fast, but, way better for stand and fish. I would get a paddle board if I were you.
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Here's a vote for Native Watercraft 14.5 from a former owner. Almost a cat hull design, so stable and the length spans the waves.
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I've got a Bote Rover paddleboard w/o the motor. I usually don't paddle it but pole it with a shortened down 12' pole. It has a lot of hull slap but works pretty good fishing in saltwater ponds. It has a grab bar and a stripping basket fits on the front deck perfectly.
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Use to fish out of a hobie 16' fisherman pedal with one inflatable outrigger. Nobissue standing and fly casting. Put the outrigger on left side as right hand caster. Trick is to uae the large tire carrier as they are heavy boats. Would not consider near gators.
I've got a Bote Rover paddleboard w/o the motor. I usually don't paddle it but pole it with a shortened down 12' pole. It has a lot of hull slap but works pretty good fishing in saltwater ponds. It has a grab bar and a stripping basket fits on the front deck perfectly.
You should add the motor! 😎 Sports equipment Art Skateboarder Rolling Kickflip
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I have owned and fly fished from a kayak (Diablo), SUP (Cayo), and a canoe (Wenonah Fisherman).

The canoe is by far the best fly platform as well as adding versatility the others don't have.

My only question would be what sort of environment would you be paddling in...wind and current pose different challenges for what you may be paddling.
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Definitely agree that canoe is best. I use a kayak paddle for my canoe. You can also carry a short pole if you like. Also lots of canoes are light. My favorite in Maine when not using the cc.
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Definitely agree that canoe is best. I use a kayak paddle for my canoe. You can also carry a short pole if you like. Also lots of canoes are light. My favorite in Maine when not using the cc.
I find it a bit more challenging to stand in canoes.
Look at Jackson Mayfly. Designed for fly fishing.
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I fished out of a Widerness Systems Tarpon 120 for 12 years, not easy to stand up, so I just casted sitting. This March I finally made the switch to a Hobie Outback, this boat is super stable, easy to stand on and best of all you can reverse instantly to pull the yak away from a mangrove when hooked up! I give a strong endorsement to the Hobie Outback and its pedal drive.
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I had/have a couple of the above (PA, feel free, etc). Not really good for fly. If you have to have a kayak, think diablo. Kind of a PIA to paddle fast, but, way better for stand and fish. I would get a paddle board if I were you.
Agreed. Diablos are perfect for fly fishing.
Not sure if it’s on your radar, but check out the SKANU. It’s a little heavy, IMO, but a damn good fly fishing platform. Super stable and lots of room you can actually move around on.
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I've got a Bote Rover paddleboard w/o the motor. I usually don't paddle it but pole it with a shortened down 12' pole. It has a lot of hull slap but works pretty good fishing in saltwater ponds. It has a grab bar and a stripping basket fits on the front deck perfectly.


... From paddles to pedals to Mercs ... Now We're Talkin' ! ...
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