Kayak hunting

[BlindHog]

I have been interested in kayak hunting, but the place I need to use one does not offer much wade-hunting. OK, it has phosphate mud-quicksand that is 10 ft deep, so you might guess my honeyhole from that.

Anyway, what I am wondering is what it is like to shoot from a kayak, as opposed to paddling in and standing in waders. Any problems with twisting around after a teal and still keeping your panties dry? How about relative stability of sit-on versus sit-in models?

Any help would be appreciated.

[N. Cook]

You have had a bit of an adventure in my kayak at STA 3/4.....lots of fun but not pleasant with the cross wind....I remember it well despite my "cloudy mind" at the time....first time out after my little "incident"....Hope we can do it again sometime as I am in better health...

I shoot from the kayak sometimes when I do a solo standby on the STAs....it has the same limitations as a lay out rig...but I back into the cattails and look over the decoys and take the good shots...I would be uncomfortable in water over 3 feet in any case.

[Duckaholic Doug]

I have tried both, the sit on kayak and the sit in style. I prefer the sit in, especially with the dog. I like the dog in the boat so she is less likely to jump off.

An advantage to the sit on style, with the one I used is that it had drain holes so you did not hold any water in the kayak.

As for shooting... out over the bow is stable. 90 degrees to port or starboard is tipsy, however, you should not fall over. Individual weight and size may cause results to vary.

[Reddfin]

I own several kayaks but in deeper water a kayak might be unstable/uncomfortable plus not get you low enough. Also every time the dog comes in you are bringing in 3 gal of water. A well trained dog will sit on the transom of a layout boat till he is told to go and its safer for him and his ears if he is sitting behind the gunner. Check out something like a marsh/layout boat.

Great overall in the 9ft if you will never use a motor. 80lb
11ft is heavier (90lb) but can be very versatile with a motor in the off season etc
13ft is more for two people or a real big guy and lots of gear. At over 110lb you will be glad you brought someone to help carry it. All of these are almost impossible to tip over.
http://www.fourriverslayoutboats.com/

I found the DP hard to pole/paddle and you pay extra for a transom but nice overall and a good place for the dog. The Fatboy is pretty light (76lb). You wont tip it over.
http://www.momarsh.com/

Best bang for the buck and very light. Made of polypropelene like kayaks. Only 68lbs No transom/deck for a motor or a dog. If you hunt with one, you and your gear will get muddy and wet. Difficult to tip but possible.
http://www.mallardmarine.net/index.html

Another polypro kayak style boat. Reasonable price. Very light. Also available in fiberglass and composites with nice camo as well for a lot more money.
http://www.aquapodboats.com/index.php

good luck,
Tony

[contractor]

I hunt the same area. I use a carsten puddler and see several others there. They are very light for the carry up. I will buy a pintail,the next larger size before next year. We have always hunted out of home-built units before and they work great. If you build one with a flat bottom they are much more stable than the carstens.

[gmaschek]

I have been hunting the STAs for 2 years out of my wide body kayak and have loved it. I just went to T.M. Goodwin for the first time on Jan 20 and hunted from the kayak in the reservoir area and had some good luck. It helps if you can anchor the kayak, but most of it is just up to the wind. It takes some getting use to, when your in a sitting position, but it can be a lot of fun and a new challenge. I kinda liked having to work a little harder for the birds, just something different.

Good Luck