kayak starter pack

It's nothing fancy but for $150 I'll do some experimenting.

For me, I always wear my PFD, and I carry my boat keys, wallet and cell phone with me in a dry bag. You can use a small collapsible anchor from Academy when you want to anchor Magellan Outdoors 1.5 lbs Folding Grapple Anchor | Academy . I would buy the lightest/best paddle you can afford. I like the Aqua Bound Manta Ray Manta Ray Carbon 2-Piece Posi-Lok Kayak Paddle | Aqua Bound . Be sure to leash the paddle to kayak Yak-Gear™ Baja 36" Paddle Leash | Academy . I suggest adding a better seat with a high back support or at least a butt cushion to this kayak for more comfort. If not, your butt may sit in water all day. You can add a "milk crate" with rod holders to carry extra rods and tackle YakAttack® BlackPak Pro Kayak Fishing Crate 13" x 13" - Kayak Fishing Gear . Also, I would tie a rope to the bow. This can be used to tie the kayak to your wade belt when you want to drag the kayak along as you wade fish.

Thks, thats a good starting point for me!

Always wear shoes, I think they make razors out of oysters

Be safe could duck hunt also

If that kayak doesn’t have scupper holes I wouldn’t venture far without a hand water pump. If you are on the water before daylight technically you need a 360 degree light. Maybe a rod holder so you have a place to put the rod when you land a fish. I wouldn’t take a net unless you are used to using one. Other than that keep it light and simple.

I think once you get the feel of the kayak you’ll like it. I have a couple of inflatable SUP’s I through in the boat sometimes. I have caught a red off the front of the paddle board. You can get back there with the poling skiffs.

Go to the Texaskayakfisherman.com site. There are lots of stickies about rigging, safety equipment, etc.

BTW, that site is only a shadow of its once great self, but most of the stickies date back to the glory years.

Be careful man. I'm too old for paddling and rolling one over. Gimme fuel....Gimme fire....

As far as how to transport your kayak to where you would want to use it, I'd suggest rather than pulling it behind you, that you carry it inside the boat. At 12', it's relatively small and can likely fit on its side between the center console and the gunnel. I have used 2-3 pool noodle to dampen the rattle/vibration. I can handle a kayak that size myself loading and unloading as long as you anchor in relatively shallow water.

My first "boat" was a kayak and I fished out of it for a couple years. Kayak fishing (operating a kayak in general) is its own world. Of course, you can just jump in/on one and paddle around, it in itself is a simple task. Do a little research into the primary and secondary tipping points in relation to the type and style of kayak. If you do decide to explore, I would suggest you venture into water that you can stand up in, you do not want to realize the challenge of re-entry into a kayak in waters that you cannot stand in. Learn kayak re-entry before doing too much exploration, even chest high water can present a challenge. You let your head get past the width of your shoulders on a tippy kayak, you're coming out of it! Get on TKF and source some information on getting started.

I like the Chinook Fishing Kayak PFD Amazon.com : NRS Chinook Fishing Kayak Lifejacket (PFD)-Charcoal-XL/XXL : Sports & Outdoors . It is very comfortable when paddling and has lots of pocket storage. In the pockets, I carry line snippers, pocket knife, whistle, mini flashlight, and cigars/lighter.

I like the Chinook Fishing Kayak PFD Amazon.com : NRS Chinook Fishing Kayak Lifejacket (PFD)-Charcoal-XL/XXL : Sports & Outdoors . It is very comfortable when paddling and has lots of pocket storage. In the pockets, I carry line snippers, pocket knife, whistle, mini flashlight, and cigars/lighter.

I kayak fished for many years. TKF is the place for your info needs. I used to frequent that forum.

1.3 kg Bruce claw anchor works the best. The cheap fold out units will not hold very well in current. It pays to have a light paddle and the lighter the more expensive. Buy what you can afford but light (and strong) is better. Werner makes nice paddles. I had a Werner Camano. NRS makes nice PFDs.

Thks for the pointers, I have no plans other than to boat the kayak to some shallow water with firm ground thats wind protected just to get the feel of things. After that I'll see how deep and heavy I want to get into things.

In kayaking circles, that is called ‘mother shipping’. Your boat serves as the mother ship transport.

Keep it simple. I sometimes take my kayak if I want to get somewhere real shallow that’s too long a walk for a regular wade, like 9 mile and places like that. I just have a paddle, small danforth style anchor and an 8 foot fiberglass stake out stick that doubles for a push pole, technically should have a life jacket but i only ever use the kayak in water under a foot deep. I pole the kayak up into the flats anchor it real good and get out and wade like normal.

Lone-Star said:

Keep it simple. I sometimes take my kayak if I want to get somewhere real shallow that’s too long a walk for a regular wade, like 9 mile and places like that. I just have a paddle, small danforth style anchor and an 8 foot fiberglass stake out stick that doubles for a push pole, technically should have a life jacket but i only ever use the kayak in water under a foot deep. I pole the kayak up into the flats anchor it real good and get out and wade like normal.

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I'm pretty sure this will be the extent of my kayaking.

The annual Hitchcock Good Ole Days Celebration will be having a kayak race for the novice. The event will take place the weekend of Oct 6th, 7th and 8th. Details will be forthcoming.

We transport one when my son fishes with me and he hits the back lakes. They are great for getting into areas, covering quite a bit of territory, and beats wading, especially when there is alot of mud. My son uses a 12' as well, so easier to load/unload and not taking up much room.