Kayaks
SPIKE'S PICKS, "OVER THE YEARS I CONTINUE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FISHING KAYAKS FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF KAYAK ANGLERS, IN ALL THE FISHERIES AROUND NORTH AMERICA, THAN I COULD EVER GAIN ON MY OWN. THE MODELS LISTED HERE REPRESENT SEVERAL OF THE KAYAKS I HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO RECOMMEND PERSONALLY, ARE TIME TESTED, PROVEN FOR FISHING AND NOT ENTIRELY LIMITED TO THE ADVERTISORS THAT HELP SUPPORT THIS WEB SITE. STILL, A CREDIBLE REFERRAL! WHILE THERE IS NO "BEST KAYAK", THERE ARE A BUNCH OF FISHABLE MODELS THAT FIT DIFFERENT SIZED ANGLERS AND THEIR PARTICULAR FISHERIES. LISTED IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER OF PREFERENCE, HERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT MODELS SUITABLE FOR ALL SIZES OF ANGLERS IN A WIDE RANGE OF FISHERIES AND CONDITIONS. SELECTING A KAYAK IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST HURDLES. BE WARY OF MAIL ORDER KAYAKS. IF POSSIBLE, ATTEND A DEMO DAY OR KAYAK EXPO TO TEST PADDLE THE MODELS YOU ARE CONSIDERING. CONTACT ME ANYTIME WITH YOUR HEIGHT, WEIGHT AND FISHERY AND I'LL SEND YOU A LIST OF ALL OF "OUR BEST PICKS. DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR PHONE # IF YOU'D LIKE A DETAILED REPLY.
Hurricane Phoenix 140
It's not roto-molded or polyethelyne. It won't warp when you lash it to the racks on a hot day and it's not 3 feet wide. Hurricane offers their "Phoenix" line of fishing kayaks in 4 models from 12 to 16 feet long. This was Spike's first impression seeing them in a shop in Dana Point, California... "My first thought when I saw the Pheonix boats was that they inherited fishability through design without compromising the traditional qualities of a kayak."
Hobie Mirage Outback ™ |
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| We have lots of experience with this boat. Dennis Spike and the CKF Guides were involved with the deck design for fishing and did some field trials in the early design stage. This is a specialty kayak for specialty anglers. "Peddle" it and decide what's for you. Very popular with flyfishermen, the Outback is also a trolling machine in striped bass and similar fisheries. |
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| A truly fishy model in the Hobie line, we've had a chance to fish the Quest extensively here on the Pacific. This is a comfortable, seaworthy and very fishable kayak. Smartly designed and easy to portage, the Quest is truly a sleeper among fishing kayaks for most applications and we really like it. The optional rudder is a plus! |
| Hobie Mirage Adventurer |
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| Cobra Fish and Dive |
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| While a few of their models have acheived popularity with fishermen, this giant of the fishing kayaks is among our most frequent referrals to really big guys. Because of it's size and speed, we consider the F&D a short range fishing kayak suitable for most calm water fisheries. The Fish and Dive is the only kayak model we are aware of that has fared well with a motor. |
| Wilderness Systems - Tarpon 160 |
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| Among the fastest of the touring fishing kayaks. Very fishable. |
| Wilderness Systems - The Ride |
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| We loved the old Ride but we hear they have since changed it to a traditional style hull, replacing the old catamaran hull. |
| Heritage Redfish |
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| The Redfish has been around for awhile. The model appreciated upgrades and ongoing development over the years to become a top pick in many skinny water fisheries around the U.S today. |
| SCUPPER Pro TW™ |
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| SCRAMBLER XT™ |
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