Heritage 12' Angler

Trying to select my first kayak for fishing. Would like it to be dry as possible. Any comments on the Heritage Angler or other recommendations. Will be using in; the Indian River.



FraninFlorida

Looks like…
Since you’re in Central Fla. and you listed rivers as your primary place to paddle that you’d don fine in the Heritage. You might also do a little research on the Walden Scout and the Wilderness Systems Pungos. Scouts are unsinkable and they have built in coolers. Pungo’s have one of the most comfy seats on the market and are a little faster/better tracking.



I don’t quite understand your aversion to getting wet since you live in a semi-tropical climate. I’m in Louisiana and I fish from a Scout and a WS Tarpon 100. I’ve never been wet to the point that I was uncomfortable. A few dribbles here or there haven’t been a problem. In the winter I dress appropriately (lightweight rain wear or hip waders) to keep water off of me cuz even here it gets kinda cool to be running around wet.



The driest ride will always be a SIK with a skirt. If you’re gonna choose that route you should really learn to roll. That’s not easy in a recreational kayak. Depsite these comments, there are no absolutes.

Just My Thoughts
I would take a hard look at Wilderness Systems Pungo or Pamlico. Great boats, comfortable and fairly priced. Have done well with my Pamlico 140.

Good Luck.

FRAN-IF YOU’RE DOING IR & SHORES
coming over from The Mouse, don’t eclude other boats -the “regular” SOTs - because they’re “wet”. Many are superior fishing platforms, and offer you the opportunity to stay MUCH cooler in summer.



In winter, if you’re going fishing, you don’t dress in a bathing suit up there in Central Florida, right? So you just dress for the weather. You can even stay dry in almost all SOTs by plugging the scuppers.



I would suggest getting a thin (3mm) neoprene wetsuit or farmer jane for you -at least pants. That way they can get wet, you’ll stay warm, and you can get out and wade or pull your boat over shallows and sand bars, etc. Round it out with booty liners worn with sandals, and you’re pretty well set for temps into the low 50s if you put “regular” warm things on top -a wool sweater and a nylon shell or similar arrangement of clothing that will keep you warm even if it gets wet. And your PFD will also provide warmthe, too!



Once so clothed, you can take a look at several models that are really terrific fishing platforms, wet or not.



These are, in decreasing order of speed: the OK Prowler, the WS Tarpon 140, the OK Scupper Pro TW, the WS T120, one of the Mainstream models, and several others.



You should go to a yakfishing-specific site :

http://www.paddling.net/message/showTopics.html?fid=fishing



http://www.kayakfish.com/



http://www.rbbsurf.com/



http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/

http://kfs.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=frm&s=418607442&f=6786086413



http://paddle-fishing.com/



Well, that’s a start…at the very least! Perform a web check via google or similar, look up florida kayak fishing, also Stubb -you’ll see an amazing array of yaks driven by an amazing array of paddlers hhoking up nwith an amazing array of fish!



You may end up with your Pungo -a lot -a WHOLE lot -of folks swear by’em. But whatever you get, remember, you have to paddle it, feel comfortable in and with it, it needs to be a safe boat (one you can handle should something ill occur), and it needs to be a platform for fishing, too!



That way, you -YOU -will be satisfied -at least for maybe the first year, LOL!, before possibly moving on to bigger and better things -as you



Paddle on!



-Frank in Miami

July 2003 Canoe & Kayak
magazine back issue. Has some great reviews of SOT Kayaks for fishing, including the Heritage Fisherman. The reviewer states it has a flared bow coaming, and built in sponsons that deflect water and provide a very dry ride.

Thanks
for the input. I foukd a local dealer and tried out SOTS sand SINKS. I purchased the OT Loon 138. It performed as well as the Pungo and was much more stable. Adding a spray skirt and sugested clothing I should be okay. This forum sure helps a newbie.