Yak Question

**Cory** · Apr-08-2005, 12:08 PM

What is everyone riding out there? I was thinking about getting an Ocean Kayak Drifter or Prowler 13.

Apr-08-2005, 12:39 PM

My yak, which is my first is the cobra fish and dive. I really like it. I ve only been to LJ once, so I am no ocean expert. It worked for me. I use it more for the bay and lakes.

malibufishnsurf · Apr-08-2005, 01:26 PM

i have ocean kayaks and cobras and would never buy a cobra again.

the cobras are heavier than the ocean kayaks.

they are not nearly as stable as the ocean kayaks.

you get soaked in a cobra, the ocean kayaks keep you drier...i fish boilers and windy points with a lot of swell and this is a big deal for me.

the cobras look cool and the shops always push them, but i hate them.

my uncle has 4 yaks, 2 ocean kayaks and 2 cobras and he hates his cobras. the cobras are the play and the fish and dive models. he'd never buy another one.

most of the ppl who are getting into kayak fishing dig on cobras but if you look at anyone who has been doing it for over 10 years, ocean kayaks are the yak of choice.

doughnut · Apr-08-2005, 02:05 PM

I had a Cobra, and an Ocean, now Im riding a Malibu Extreme. They all have there strengths and weaknesses. I would recommend you paddle them all, try falling out, getting in, loading them etc. I love my Malibu, I loved my Cobra and my Ocean. It comes down to a personal choice thing. Its hard to say a Malibu is "better" than and ocean, they are different. The key is, paddle them all, pick one, buy it, rig it, go fishing.!

aguachico · Apr-08-2005, 02:21 PM

You should test yaks. Don't listen to salesmen or sponsored yakers.

I've owned 2 OK yaks tested a Cobra and now I ride this:

I have an internal bait tank the frees up the tankwell. This is a shot of a 43# Yellowtail and the 23# in the foot well. When I go in BOTH Yellowtail fit comfortabley in the tank well. That gives the desired load balance for landing. Not in the front hatch or foot wells.

PM me if you want details on each yak. I will tell you the truth because I pay for stuff.

joebalo · Apr-08-2005, 02:43 PM

Quote:

they are not nearly as stable as the ocean kayaks

Thats not true. They're acutally more stable than O.K.s. I'm no fan of Cobras but I do know that because of they're wider and heavier than most other sit-on tops, they're more stable.

I agree with doughnut. there's a grip of kayak manufactures out there and although they all look the same they all ride very different, even different models within the same brand. The best advice is to know what you want to use it for. Bay fishing, open water like LJ kelp, or both? Are you gonna be trolling macs all day or throwing plastics at Spotties? I do both so my kayak accomodates to those needs.

blowboater · Apr-08-2005, 02:56 PM

I've been thinking of getting a yak too. so this is a good idea.

what do you guys think of the hatches with the cinch down straps vs the locking hatches like the cobras have? everytime i've used a yak w/ the cinch down hatches i've taken on h2o. usually not much but still a little bit. (i rented yaks w/ my girlfriend and yakked the leeward side of catalina - an awesome trip! - but we had 4 foot waves pushing us along on the 1st day. . .)

so, these hatches are definately not h2o proof. how about the ones on the cobras?

i also think the more h2o tight the hatch is the safer the yak would be if you dumped it. . . .

also, i'm interested in how well the yak paddles. hell, i could probably take my bathtub out for a row but i'd be pretty damn tired after a mile or two. . .

keep the banter going.

malibufishnsurf · Apr-08-2005, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joebalo

Thats not true. They're acutally more stable than O.K.s. I'm no fan of Cobras but I do know that because of they're wider and heavier than most other sit-on tops, they're more stable.

i assume you own a cobra and an ocean kayak. good to hear different opinions.

i havent fished the malibu kayaks but they company is run by a good guy, so i can assume you will get good service with them...you can test them at the malibu pier across the street from his shop.

definitely test them if you can...ideally not by paddling them but by going out and setting up some drits in 3 foot seas, catching a couple waves, going out through a set, etc. i didnt test mine...otherwise i wouldnt own any cobras.

as far as the hatches, i never use them on the ocean kayaks...the one on the cobra between ur legs is pretty cool, its fits a 10lb or smaller seabass in there which is neat and i wisht he Ocean kayaks had them...but i dont mind a seabass bleeding on my legs...my lucky fishing trunks are red anyway.

i love the scrambler and the scupper/scupper pro...they work great for me. i prefer the scrambler here and the scupper at the islands b/c the islands dont have surf launches.

just remember to keep it simple cause kayak fishing is so overdone now...just get in a boat and go fishing and have fun.

**Surfdoc** · Apr-08-2005, 03:15 PM

I have 2 OK drifters.. They are the best of both worlds as far as stability and speed... Or they were the best when I bought them about 6 years ago.

Wet ride for your ass. Seems there is always some water around the seat..

I'd say test 5-6 yaks first..... also how big are ya, not just tall... but weight.

I'm pushing 285#... and ya need the wide yaks... ie the drifter or FnD. I tried the scrambler... fast but felt like I was gonna flip like a cork..

Make sure what ever ya have has a sealable front compartment you can put all your tackle in.. including the rods... when your going back in thru the surf, you have a 50% chance of flipping ... if your gear is up front and sealed it's no biggie...
Ya roll.. fall out, let the yak go to shore and wade in.. not glamerous, but no loss gear...

Good luck.

madscientist · Apr-08-2005, 03:50 PM

I have a malibu extreme and really like it. I haven't paddled many others, but I have never regretted the extreme. It's a little heavy on land, but once on the water the deck space and stability are terrific. I have never felt tippy on it, even in some fairly big seas. It doesn't seem to be as much a hog as the cobra fnd and I have no problem keeping up with prowlers. It punches through surf like a champ, albeit wetly. Once out, its very dry. I'd recommend anyone, particularly newbies, give it a look. And check out the kayak boards for lots of info and opinions.

malibufishnsurf · Apr-08-2005, 03:57 PM

stan makes a great point, size is definitely a factor. i'm 5-8 138lbs.

my best friend is 6-6 and he falls out of every kayak no matter how big it is, lol.

joebalo · Apr-08-2005, 03:58 PM

I wouldn't assume anything on here.

No, I don't own a cobra, nor do I ever intend to. I've got a few friends that own FnDs and I've fished them several times in both the bay and off the beach. I also test drove them down at the san diego sailing center. They weigh too much for one person to muscle around and move too damn slown through the surf. We were also going to sell them at the tackle shop I part time at, but talked the owner out of it.

Personally I've gone through 2 Ocean Kayaks, the scrambler and the caper. I don't yak enough to justify buying a Drifter so my caper does just fine. My roomate's got a dagger and our old roomie left his hobie. I ain't no expert but I've definately been around the block with the plastic.

I find it interesting that the two best yak fishermen on this board both ride malibus.