A Kayak. I Need Advice!

[Maddez]

I've only just got into fishing, and have already fallen in love with it. I'm keen on catching bass and I'd be happy doing that for some time I think. I've fished parts of the Brisbane River mainly around colleges. I've decided I want a yak, probably between $500-$1000. I was wondering if you guys could suggest a number things for me.

Firstly, what are some good first buyer kayaks for rivers such as the Brisbane River? Secondly, what are some good kayak shops in the Brisbane region?

Thirdly, what are some good online kayak shops?

Fourthly what do you have fitted to your personal kayaks and lastly, what you take out on your kayak (:

All advice would be much appreciated, remember, i'll be predominantly bass fishing, P.B. is 47cm at the moment (:

[RUSSIAN]

Firstly-a warm welcome to the site Hope you find it as useful as I have :woohoo: . Now as fot the kayak, have a look at the other open thread, on the Malibu Mini X. It looks real good and its not to hard on the pocket. Good luck any way!

Cheers

[Gad]

firstly welcome to the site.. if you go into the categories section of the forum,on the left of the bar above your avatar photo,look for kayaking and click on that.

There will be heaps of posts in there that will give answers to your current questions and info that you haven`t thought of yet. cheers

[Baptism]

do you have a car to transport the yak or do you just intend to use it on the brissy river?

the malubi mini x russian suggested is good for those purposes stated

[Surfingant]

If it is really just for bassin, the mini-x and viking Espri are two top options within your budget. Malibu is distributed by bcf so that is your only option for the mini-x, and Mike at viking chermside was very helpful when I purchased mine. I personally wouldn't bother with online as I would want to get in the stores to check them out. Accessories wise apply the KISS rule, a rod holder a comfy seat and somewhere to store some knick-knacks that you may need while out on the water will suffice for bass fishing. Don't go overboard and keep it light for portaging.

And welcome to the site

[51MPL]

Beau (fishingnut) is selling a viking paddle yak for $500 - check the for-sale section

[Maddez]

Thanks guys and thanks for the welcome (:

I like the look of both those kayaks, probably more so the Espri. I might check out the Viking store at chermside and then try buying something secondhand.

Any reviews or info anyone could give me on the Espri?

[Surfingant]

Nothing other than they are one of the best smallwater kayaks you can get your hands on. Check out Beau's ozzie, that's a good price and it is basically an espri in a slightly smaller package so would be a great option to start out on.

[T Fisher]

I am happy with the mini x so far. I am 6ft2 weigh 110 kg and it can handle my 20 kg son along with me . The fact it can handle up to nearly 150 kg was a selling point. As for the length of only 2.8m it still has heaps of leg room for me and it can be put on the 6 X 4 trailero and the 16 ft Coleman canoe can go on the ladder racks above it no problems. My canoe was getting a bit small for the four of us and now we have the option to all go out again aswell. And it also fits out of sight in my small shed under lock and key .

[saundma]

Hey Maddez.

I would check out a brand called "Ocean Kayak" I have a Prowler Elite 4.1 and have been very happy with it, in particular the build quality and storage options. They have 3 or 4 models in your price range (Scramble, Venus, Malibu and Mysto) that have been specifically designed just for fishing. Have a look at www.ocean-kayak.com.au, if you find one you like check out an Ebay store called "seakayakadventures" Thats where I got my one from and ended up getting a really good deal. There actual store is located at the Gold Coast.

Hope this helps you out a bit.

[Maddez]

Thanks for the option, they all look really good aswell.