Fishing kayak length

[cuestick]

I'm considering buying a sit on top kayak specifically set up for fishing. I think I've narrowed it down to three brands but now I'm trying to figure out what length would be appropriate.

I will mainly be fishing lakes and ponds with an occasional jaunt to the upper spring and buffalo rivers. This kayak is not intended to be used in rough water, the highest fall I might go over is around 5 foot. The most popular models by wilderness systems, OK and native seem to be in the 12-13 foot range.

Would this be a good size to still be maneuverable enough to enjoy on these waters. I've grown up paddling but never taken the time to think about the length of the canoe or kayak I was in until now.

[Roger]

Those boat lengths would not pose any problem for you on the streams you mentioned when you consider that tandem canoes (16') are the usual boats of choice for the streams.

[cuestick]

Thanks, I was thinking that the average canoe there would probably be longer but I couldn't remember and hated to spend the money and then find out it wouldn't work.

[AR-Nimrod]

I can recommend the Native Watercraft Manta Ray 12. Great boat. Wife has one and I've paddled it a few times. We've used it on Remmel to Rockport, Buffalo, Spring, Caddo, Upper Ouachita, and Kings Rivers. It is a very nice fishing platform. The newer model has even better outfitting than hers.

[cuestick]

The Native Manta 12, the OK Trident13 and the WS Tarpon 120 are all intriguing to me. I just need to find a place where I can look them over and then make my decision. The Manta is the one I haven't heard as much about. What about it do you think might put it above the rest. I'll take all the advice I can get.

[strokin007]

try the new jackson coosa best fishing kayak , check it out on at lewis and clark. or on line.....

[strokin007]

THE JACKSON COOSA HAS THE FISHERMAN IN MIND ,ROD HOLDERS PLACE FOR TACKLE BOX, STAND UP TO FISH,TWO LEVEL FOR SEAT, LAKES POND RIVER, AND RAPIDS.NEED TO CHECK IT OUT......

[AR-Nimrod]

OOO in Hot Springs carries the Native Manta Ray. They can fix you up. I understand the seats have been upgraded since we got ours.

[Cowper]

I don't claim to know what separates a good fishing kayak from a great one, but I do know the Manta Ray got a lot of rave reviews over on the http://www.paddling.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; website.

Go over there and read some reviews on boats you're thinking about. Read between the lines; some reviews are "first impressions", some are written by folks who have tried many boats before falling in love with "the one", a few are even written by folks that don't own the boat yet or maybe just paddled it one time. Sort through it, see how consistent the reviews are, which ones seem to be the best thought out.

And of course, if you can, try to demo the boats yourself. It's your opinion that really counts!

Length? - Yeah, what they said.