Kayaks
Kayaks come in all sizes and shapes – from an 8’ Sit-On-Top to a 20’ Sit In (touring) kayak. There are kayaks sized specifically for the smaller or larger paddler. They are not one size fits all !! Some are made for cruising around the pond in your back yard, others are for covering some distance and/or camping and others for fishing – either the back waters of the bay or the open waters of the Gulf. They range in price from about $450.00 to over $3,000.00.
Sit-On-Top (SOT) Kayaks – the most popular kayak locally owing to their versatility and stability. They are very easy to get on and off and the sleeker models offer performance on par with traditional sit-insides (see below). Not only are they great for calm waters, but they are fun at the beach and many models actually surf (sitting down) very well! They are also great for both day paddling and overnight camping. Because they can carry a lot of gear, and are the boat of choice for kayak fishing. Sit-On-Top kayaks come in both single and tandem models.
Sit-Inside (recreational) Kayaks – cover a broad range of boat styles from still water recreational kayaks to the sleek, speedy sea kayaks described below. A recreational sit-inside generally refers to a kayak with a large cockpit that is easier to get in and out of than a sea kayak. They generally are more comfort oriented, but not made for rougher waters since any water entering into the cockpit has to be pumped (or dumped out.) Not nearly as versatile as the Sit-On-Top kayak, they are great for quiet paddles on calmer waters.
Sea Kayaks (touring kayaks) are sleek, fast and geared for performance. An important aspect of faster kayaks is that they also offer greater range and are therefore the ideal choice for extended trips that cover greater distances. Most have impressive storage and can carry all the supplies you would need for a great kayaking adventure. If you are considering a sea kayak we highly recommend taking a self rescue course to help you be more confident and safe when you are out on the water. Most people find the self rescue training some of the most fun aspects of sea kayaking. If you are looking to take paddling to the next level, a sea kayak will open a paddling world to you that is limited only by your sense of adventure.
Kayak Fishing is a huge sport locally and it is no wonder with the great fishing and secluded waters in the area. One mistake many people make when shopping for a fishing kayak is only considering boats that have lots of built in rod holders and are branded as “fishing kayaks”. The reality is that any kayak can be a fishing kayak and a stripped down model can be customized to your particular fishing style. There are a lot of kayak fishing accessories available – you can create that perfect fishing kayak no matter how you want to go about it.
