Where are all small boat and yak anglers at?!?!

[Capt. BassinLou]

I know for a fact there is an army of small boat/yak owners on this site and beyond. Any fun, productive fishing adventures lately? Pics or videos? I know the small boat/yak community are a tight knit bunch, and being a recent small boat owner newbie myself, I wanted to hear from you guys.

[Capt. BassinLou]

I'll kick this thread off.

Bass fishing for so many years, I have witnessed the evolution and growth of the small boat/yak market. My only experience fishing out of small boat was during my high school years. A good buddy of mine had a small, leaky, 8-10 ft riveted tin boat. Good times!!  We bought a pair of wood paddles and used a cinder block with a rope tied around it as our anchor.    Easy, simple, fun!! Fast forward to 2020 and I'm re-living my high school years all over again.  This time around however, my small boat is a Baby Bass Hunter.



The question that get often is, why? Why buy a small boat since I have a bass boat already? My answer is simple really. Down scaling to a smaller watercraft was the right tool for the job when it comes to hunting bass. My fishing grounds experience considerable water level fluctuations and I needed a boat that get into really skinny water, and this small boat fit the bill perfectly.



What say you, what's your small boat/yak story?

[BASSCATLILDAVE]

A little late to the party but here's my rig. I love fishing these small rivers.
Hobie by David Middleton, on Flickr

[caddyjoe77]

I had a jackson 12 footer for a while.  Then i flipped it over in 40 degree water -- I will stick with the bass boat 

[apiazza]

It's a constant evolution but kinda ready to upgrade to PDL or trolling motor based platform.

Edit: not sure why tapatalk is failing to upload picture today.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[apiazza]

Welp, pulled the trigger on a new kayak. More to come when it's delivered but bought a wilderness systems Recon 120 HD. No more paddle for me!

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[Capt. BassinLou]

Welp, pulled the trigger on a new kayak. More to come when it's delivered but bought a wilderness systems Recon 120 HD. No more paddle for me!

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

Very cool!! Congrats!!

[zippyduck]

Welp, pulled the trigger on a new kayak. More to come when it's delivered but bought a wilderness systems Recon 120 HD. No more paddle for me!

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

Nice investment.

[apiazza]

Hmm my boat got delayed a month...might reconsider a different model. With all the covid delivery issues I'm a bit concerned the delivery date is just going to continue to slide. Going to look at a couple other models tomorrow. More to come.

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[Deadeye]

Welp, pulled the trigger on a new kayak. More to come when it's delivered but bought a wilderness systems Recon 120 HD. No more paddle for me!

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

The Paddle aspect is why the Wife and I got Kayaks. To be able to spend some time together, get some exercise, and fish is we want to.

I know they make all kinds of Powered ones now. And Motors you can add onto the ones you have. Watched a guy last year put a Minn Kota motor down into the center of the one he had. went off across the lake at a good clip.

But I enjoy the peace and quiet that the Kay provides. I've paddled up to see Birds Nesting and never disturbed them at all. Last trip had a Big Mudfish come up right to me and just look at me in the eyes like he couldn't figure out what I was. Never had that experience on my boat(s).

[apiazza]

Welp, pulled the trigger on a new kayak. More to come when it's delivered but bought a wilderness systems Recon 120 HD. No more paddle for me!

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

The Paddle aspect is why the Wife and I got Kayaks. To be able to spend some time together, get some exercise, and fish is we want to.

I know they make all kinds of Powered ones now. And Motors you can add onto the ones you have. Watched a guy last year put a Minn Kota motor down into the center of the one he had. went off across the lake at a good clip.

But I enjoy the peace and quiet that the Kay provides. I've paddled up to see Birds Nesting and never disturbed them at all. Last trip had a Big Mudfish come up right to me and just look at me in the eyes like he couldn't figure out what I was. Never had that experience on my boat(s).

I completely agree. I went pedal powered vs electric motor. But not having a physical paddle keeps my hands free to fish.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[Deadeye]

Welp, pulled the trigger on a new kayak. More to come when it's delivered but bought a wilderness systems Recon 120 HD. No more paddle for me!

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

The Paddle aspect is why the Wife and I got Kayaks. To be able to spend some time together, get some exercise, and fish is we want to.

I know they make all kinds of Powered ones now. And Motors you can add onto the ones you have. Watched a guy last year put a Minn Kota motor down into the center of the one he had. went off across the lake at a good clip.

But I enjoy the peace and quiet that the Kay provides. I've paddled up to see Birds Nesting and never disturbed them at all. Last trip had a Big Mudfish come up right to me and just look at me in the eyes like he couldn't figure out what I was. Never had that experience on my boat(s).

I completely agree. I went pedal powered vs electric motor. But not having a physical paddle keeps my hands free to fish.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

Ahh, That would be nice.

But I have already in my short Yak Life of 3 trips seen where I could drift across a Log or Brush or whatever that made me think "could I have done this with a Pedal Type Yak?".

Perhaps you will share your experiences with us and let us know.

[Deadeye]

I haven’t taken real good pics yet, but this will give you an idea of what I have.






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[apiazza]

Well there was a change in plans due to some product availability issues. That said, the new boat is here. I did some rigging to get the electronics up and running but beyond that I haven't done much. Will be off for the maiden voyage tomorrow. Will get a few photos for here and hopefully a fish or 2. Stand by for further details, but I'm beyond excited. This is the closest I'll probably ever get to owning a bass boat

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[SHC286]

I ain’t done nothing but shop for my next kayak. Gonna be the pescador outlaw.
Now I’ve got a truck to make it easier to get my current yak to the fishing holes, ain’t got time with work. Got a little time and my truck goes in the shop. Get ready to pull the trigger on the new kayak, my mechanic calls me up and says “hey man... your transmission is FUBAR.”

Dammit I just wanna fish.

[Hobious]

i actually prefer a kayak fishing day than any bass boat trip.  i like getting to weird lakes.  this lake is one where i have to go 45 minutes up a rough jeep trail.  some bassboaters really take the initiative and drive up there slowly, but not many.  the result?  a very low pressured lake.  trucks get so dirty, and i cannot imagine the dirt dust that gets on a bassboat.  in the rainy season they put up a 4x4 required sign.  i love this lake.  not so much during the gas price hike, but i do love it.

and our recent dry spell really made are regular lakes a challenge to launch boats.  again.. very low boat traffic.

love love my kayak. 

this is the secret remote California lake.