Kayak advice

[skiltonian]

Thinking of getting a Kayak for river fishing, mainly the Schuykill as it’s close to home. I’ll always have to paddle upstream and fish down from the launch. I’ll need to transport via a roof rack. What should I be looking for features? For river fishing, is there an alternative personal watercraft I should consider? I think both a float tube and pontoon, suck going upstream where both I’ve had in the past. TIA for any advice.

 

[mszoke1802]

If fly fishing I’d say a sit on top will be easier to cast from if you’re sitting. I have an 11.5 ft Vibe sit on top. I can stand on it but don’t usually. I fish the skuke as well in phoenixville area and areas upstream. I’ve left my car at whatever drop in and have been lucky enough my wife will pick me up. My buddy brought a float tube out years ago, let’s just say it was a one time thing.

 

[5footfenwick]

Thinking of getting a Kayak for river fishing, mainly the Schuykill as it’s close to home. I’ll always have to paddle upstream and fish down from the launch. I’ll need to transport via a roof rack. What should I be looking for features? For river fishing, is there an alternative personal watercraft I should consider? I think both a float tube and pontoon, suck going upstream where both I’ve had in the past. TIA for any advice.

They make little Canoes if you are looking at an a more versatile alternative. Pretty much the same thing as a kayak. Just a lot more room.


Here is a little one I’ve considered. It’s 50 pounds and 500 pound weight capacity. Can still use a double blade kayak paddle. Can multiday camp out of it. Can hook up a trolling motor. There are companies that make outriggers so you could stand up stable for the whole float back downstream.

https://oldtownwatercraft.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/canoes/recreation/discovery-119/0130010124?forceCountry&utm_campaign=shopping+-+brand+-+canoes&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=GOOGLE&utm_term=PRODUCT_GROUP&utm_content=recreational&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADDCzcd-ssKaLi21rleQJXAj5H5To&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzYLABhD4ARIsALySuCT0EMDX_zWuTaqzbu_kqVB-xSqinn-laCQmQL74qDjXNccNYti5Zi4aArk3EALw_wcB

~5footfenwick

 

[HookedOnFlies]

I keep toying around with the same idea. I see too many tantalizing posts about snakeheads and smallmouth! I find the Nucanoe U10 to be intriguing. I Like the idea of being able to stand up and the 41 inch beam appears to provide that stability. At least from what reviews I've read/watched.

One factor to consider is weight. Lugging something on top of a roof rack gets old quick. I assume that is why so many lightly used kayaks are listed on Facebook marketplace. I imagine people find the trouble isn't worth it.

Maybe take a rod and sit in a few kayaks and see how you find casting? You might prefer a raised seat kayak over a sit on top.

Something else to consider is if you motorize a kayak/canoe in PA it needs to be registered.

 

[Andrwhite610]

Check out Crescent Kayaks they have some nice lightweight models. But honestly it your just using it to spot hop upstream with a fly rod a lifetime sit on top from Walmart will do the trick.

 

[Fredrick]

How much do you plan on spending helps better to give you options. You could always get a motor, so you don't have to paddle upstream they are definitely a game changer.

 

[poopdeck]

Maybe I can save you some money because what you are describing sucks. You will spend far more time and energy paddling upstream than you will fishing. If my intent was to river fish I would save my money until I had enough for a boat with a motor before paddling upstream. A kayak may seem appealing but let’s face it, it’s a terrible fishing platform. Great to paddle down river but aweful for any other river application outside of “shooting” rapids. It’s only positive is price. Perhaps you could find a like minded fishing partner so you don’t have to paddle upstream or maybe try some still water fishing. Sorry to be a bummer but there is a reason you rarely see kayak fishermen paddling upstream for any distance.

 

[Andrwhite610]

Maybe I can save you some money because what you are describing sucks. You will spend far more time and energy paddling upstream than you will fishing. If my intent was to river fish I would save my money until I had enough for a boat with a motor before paddling upstream. A kayak may seem appealing but let’s face it, it’s a terrible fishing platform. Great to paddle down river but aweful for any other river application outside of “shooting” rapids. It’s only positive is price. Perhaps you could find a like minded fishing partner so you don’t have to paddle upstream or maybe try some still water fishing. Sorry to be a bummer but there is a reason you rarely see kayak fishermen paddling upstream for any distance.

I strongly disagree. It’s easier than you think to paddle upstream. Obviously there is limitations but can absolutely get you to more fish. Now with a fly rod your gonna have to use the kayak as a spot hopper, park it and wade which is a fun way to fish. With conventional gear you can still fish from the kayak since there is no fly line to manage. I did it for a while but have now upgraded to a pedal kayak which opens even more fishing up. I always single access on the Susquehanna and move freely around the river whichever direction I want.

 

[poopdeck]

I strongly disagree. It’s easier than you think to paddle upstream. Obviously there is limitations but can absolutely get you to more fish. Now with a fly rod your gonna have to use the kayak as a spot hopper, park it and wade which is a fun way to fish. With conventional gear you can still fish from the kayak since there is no fly line to manage. I did it for a while but have now upgraded to a pedal kayak which opens even more fishing up. I always single access on the Susquehanna and move freely around the river whichever direction I want.

Not think, done. I also tried kayaking in the saltwater. Forget that for anything other than exercise. I’d rather fish than paddle, particularly upstream. I assume you upgraded to a pedal kayak because of the paddling. I can agree there are times and places of low flow that make paddling upstream not as difficult as other times. As a whole paddling upstream is more a financial compromise than it is enjoyable to me, and dare I say, most anglers. A pedal system is different discussion and more expensive than paddling

 

[Volksnurse]

Paddling a kayak isn't too much work. I have a Perception Pescador 10 ft that carries a fair bit, is fairly easy to stand up on (once you get used to it, and is easy for one person to get on top of the car. Although I really like that Old Town!

 

[Andrwhite610]

Not think, done. I also tried kayaking in the saltwater. Forget that for anything other than exercise. I’d rather fish than paddle, particularly upstream. I assume you upgraded to a pedal kayak because of the paddling. I can agree there are times and places of low flow that make paddling upstream not as difficult as other times. As a whole paddling upstream is more a financial compromise than it is enjoyable to me, and dare I say, most anglers. A pedal system is different discussion and more expensive than paddling

It has its challenges and yes I upgraded to peddle to free my hands so I can fish more and paddle less. And I will say doing a single access is much easier to do n the Susquehanna than the Schuylkill. I do both. The Susky has way more options to travel around where on the schuylkill you don’t have many paths to travel upstream or over…but using a kayak definitely can open you up to more fish.

 

[TimMurphy]

Thinking of getting a Kayak for river fishing, mainly the Schuykill as it’s close to home. I’ll always have to paddle upstream and fish down from the launch. I’ll need to transport via a roof rack. What should I be looking for features? For river fishing, is there an alternative personal watercraft I should consider? I think both a float tube and pontoon, suck going upstream where both I’ve had in the past. TIA for any advice.

Dear skiltonian,

I think a lot depends on the section of river you are fishing. Like Andrwhite610 says, the water dictates a lot of what you can do. There are places on the Juniata or Susquehanna where you can easily work one large pool for several hours by paddling upstream and drifting down both sides. With a kayak a couple of sections of 3/8" chain and some paracord rigged as a drag anchor will keep you pointing straight downriver to fish.

Like others have said, a small canoe is a much more efficient paddling craft. Check out the Esquif Adirondack. https://www.esquif.com/en/canoe/adirondack/ Also check local Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace listings for used boats, either canoes or kayaks.

One thing you need to keep in mind when cartopping is weight. Some of the popular fishing kayaks weigh 90 to 100 pounds with nothing in them. That's a lot at the end of the day to toss on a roof rack unless it's a sedan. I have a Crescent Lite Tackle and my wife has a Cresent Ultralite. Neither boat is very heavy but getting them on a roof rack on a full-sized SUV or pick-up truck isn't fun. The biggest problem for me was securing in the tie downs. I'm 6'5" and I brought a folding step ladder just so I could reach the tie down straps and secure them properly. I quit that and bought a trailer!

Lastly, just like with fly rods, it costs money to shed weight. If buying something new expect to spend at least $ 1000.00 for a decent boat that is easy to manage off the water.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[Fredrick]

Not sure why guys have problems roof topping their yaks if so check out this instructional video

How to Load Your Kayak on Your Vehicle [Video]

Kayak Bass Fishing’s Chad Hoover covers how to load your fishing kayak on your vehicle in this video, with the help of his wife, Kristie.

bendingbranches.com

 

[HookedOnFlies]

I lift with my back that is what it is there for. 😅

 

[5footfenwick]

This thread got me motivated, I floated about 8 miles today in my canoe.

 

[wildtrout2]

My only kayaking involved riding my mountain bike roughly 3 miles down the Lehigh Gorge Trail to where Bear Creek dumps into the river. I'd cross the Lehigh (about 150 yards), then fish Bear for the day and reverse the process for my return. It's the only legal access point to Bear Creek. It was easy just putting the kayak in the back of my truck.

 

[5footfenwick]

My only kayaking involved riding my mountain bike roughly 3 miles down the Lehigh Gorge Trail to where Bear Creek dumps into the river. I'd cross the Lehigh (about 150 yards), then fish Bear for the day and reverse the process for my return. It's the only leagal access point to Bear Creek. It was easy just putting the kayak in the back of my truck.

That’s awesome!

 

[poopdeck]

Paddling a kayak isn't too much work. I have a Perception Pescador 10 ft that carries a fair bit, is fairly easy to stand up on (once you get used to it, and is easy for one person to get on top of the car. Although I really like that Old Town!

how much time do you spend paddling upstream in a river vs time spent actually fishing.

This thread got me motivated, I floated about 8 miles today in my canoe.

How many of those 8 miles were upstream?

If I were buying a fishing kayak I would buy one that’s upgradable to a peddle because you will quickly be changing your mind about paddling upstream.

 

[Andrwhite610]

how much time do you spend paddling upstream in a river vs time spent actually fishing.


How many of those 8 miles were upstream?

If I were buying a fishing kayak I would buy one that’s upgradable to a peddle because you will quickly be changing your mind about paddling upstream.

got these paddling upstream. I promise it’s worth it. 😁

 

[5footfenwick]

how much time do you spend paddling upstream in a river vs time spent actually fishing.


How many of those 8 miles were upstream?

If I were buying a fishing kayak I would buy one that’s upgradable to a peddle because you will quickly be changing your mind about paddling upstream.

Zero upstream. Just Floated down.