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They are often water-proof with lock tight lids. One stationary, and one swivel to hold your rod in any position if you are trolling and need to paddle. If you are like me, and change bait and lures often, it is wise to have at least two rod holders. The first thing I would look for is rod holders. Many kayaks that are specifically designed for fishing have special storage areas for bait, tackle, rods, paddles, and even fish you catch. This isn’t always the case though, so make sure you know the terrain of your fishing spots to pick the best style for your intended purpose. Although sit-on top kayaks might not be the best for turning, the fact that you are on top makes it relatively easy to cast to those hard to reach spots from where ever you are positioned. Sit-on top kayaks usually have better tracking abilities than sit-in kayaks. That does not mean they are similar, because even slight adjustments can have bigger impacts than might be seen at first. Most kayaks have a combination of both, instead of being at one end of the extreme or the other. Lower rocker is the opposite, with ease of tracking, but poor turning. Higher rocker translates to ease of turning but poor tracking. Here again the length and width play an important role, as well as the rocker mentioned above. With maneuverability there are a few things to consider, like tracking and turning. Wood is the last material on this list, and provides poor durability but the lightest weight. The most expensive option is carbon-composite, which snaps rather easily, although it is easier to repair, and lighter than fiberglass and polyethylene. Fiberglass is another option, but is not going to hold up against logs or rocks that you might hit in some fishing spots, and is a bit more expensive. Triple-layered polyethylene has a layer of foam between which makes it a little lighter, and more buoyant. Single-layer polyethylene is the most durable because it is struck in one mold. Polyethylene is the material that most kayaks are made of in the market today. Another thing to consider is if this kayak is going to be used specifically for fishing, or for other water activities also. An increase in weight can make it hard for a single person to move the kayak around, or down to the water from his/her vehicle. The trade off with more durability is usually an increase in weight. Fishing in calm, open waters will require less durability, while fishing in rocky lakes or anyplace your kayak might take a beating will require more durability. Durabilityĭurability is an important consideration, and like all considerations with kayak fishing, what you choose is going to be determined by where you will be fishing. The higher the rocker, the more speed the kayak will have. The amount of curve on the underside of a kayak is referred to as rocker. This option, however, isn’t optimal if you have very long distances to cover. Many Kayak fisherman prefer the primary stability of the sit-on kayaks. On the other hand, if I my fishing spots are easy to get to, and on relatively calm water, I would look into a sit-on kayak that is wider. If I had to travel across water long distances, or in windy/wavy conditions, I would look for a narrower, sit-in kayak. Speed is another factor that has to do with where you fish. Stability is easy to achieve and shouldn’t be related to price. The fishing kayaks for under $500 don’t have to hide here. This is important depending on how far you may have to travel to get to your spots. Primary stability is usually a trade off for secondary stability, speed, and ease of turning. Some sit-on kayaks are stable enough to stand and fish, which many anglers like. Which one you decide to buy will depend on what kind of water your primary fishing is done in.
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When it comes to stability, sit-ons are wider and shorter which gives it more primary stability than sit-ins. Sit-in and sit-on refer to the two different ways the paddler can be positioned in the kayak.
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Adversely, the narrower a kayak is, the more secondary stability it has. However, kayaks also have have a secondary stability that refers to stability in motion, in moving water such as waves or rapids. Primary stability is stability at rest in calm water. Some are narrow generally speaking, the narrower a kayak, the less primary stability it has. The way a kayak is constructed depends on its purpose.
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There are a few things that I think any person who is planning to buy cheap fishing kayak should know. It gets me close into those tight spaces, and it is a much more intimate way to fish.
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Is it possible to buy a decent fishing kayak under $500? The short answer: Yes! Kayak fishing is a great way to get on the water without spending big money on a traditional boat.
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