Gear location?

[jighead]

I haven't a clue about yaks. Why is the area for gear behind you? I understand about paddeling,but I'ld be going lighter then most. When you canoe they like to put you up front? The twisting around to get at your gear puzzles me. Thanks for any input. TIGHT LINES!!!

[Variable]

On a kayak, you are sitting down with your legs completely extended. Getting to the front compartment while underway is pretty hard, unless you have really good balance. With the tankwell right behind you, all you have to do is twist around and you are there.

Does that make sense?

[jighead]

Only if you want to twist around. I should have been more clear, a buddy of mine does competitive yak racing. I've been in/on a yak just not fished out of one. His yaks are purpuse built for one thing to haul the mail! The fishing kayaks seem bulky to me. I do however appreciate the reply, THANKS. TIGHT LINES!!!

[Cookinman]

The fishing kayaks seem bulky to me. I do however appreciate the reply, THANKS. TIGHT LINES!!!

Some ARE !!
There is a delicate balance between what a fisherman wants and a yak that is able to get you where you want to be quickly. Remember the narrower a yak, the quicker, however also the more unstable. As far as most things being behind you, there are instances when you can mount Rodholders on a Bar across you on a SOT ( Sit on Top ) or on the Hull of a Sit - In.
http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/articl ... rticles=45

Also a brand name Rhino Bar is pretty popular in CA.

For the most part as Vaiable mentioned, your legs make it tough to get too far in front and also your paddle stroke will want to be as unhindered as possible.

Scupper Pro's ( I fish one ) are generally pretty fast and very maneuverable Yaks due to the fact that they are very narrow and the rocker of the kayak is pretty steep comparitively. They are also QUITE stable with good secondary stability, also a by-product of a deep rocker among other things.

All those factors should be considered when coosing a yak. Fast = tippy as a rule Ultra Stable = slow as a pig in any chop whatsoever.

There are exceptions to the rules but not many. IMHO
Prowlers ( The replacement model for the OK Scupper Pro) are some of the best all around pure fishing platforms available. Others may differ....For example - My SP is Faster than a Prowler, but who cares about the difference between .5 MPH. Either way tou are gonna top out at less than 5 MPH, so unless you are paddling 3 or more miles all the time to get to where you are fishing, Speed is not as important as comfort, unless we are on a huge journey.
Slow yaks can keep up, the Paddler just needs to work harder, and coast less

I have far less Topside storage in my SP than a Prowler, But have a Huge Front Hatch area which is great for bringing along camping gear, but would be impossible to retrieve a tackle box from in 3' or better seas.

If choosing a fishing Yak, I would consider
OK Scupper Pro's, Prowlers , Big Game ( Slow, but carries a HUGE Payload for Bigger Folks)
Heritage Redfish and Marquesa's Hobie's Many Models are suitable for Yakfishing and the Peddle Drive is AWESOME
WS Tarpon 120's and 140's are Well Loved as well.

I am sure I am leaving out a few but these are some of the most popular SOT's and the most durable.

[Cookinman]

I've got the most stable kayak on earth's face, the Hobie Sport or the SUV (as Cookinman and Fuzzy called it ), with the pedal drive you can fish at anytime and if you want to go a little faster, you can pedal and paddle at the same time, you won't have so much difference, but I'm pretty light, don't know with someone heavier than me on

You did look quite Comfy that day

[jighead]

Thanks for all the input guys!

[Cookinman]

Thanks for all the input guys!

Anytime - and next time I go out, I'll let ya know - you can paddle mine a bit so you can feel another type before deciding!