What Kayak is best for spearfishing

[seaman]

I want to get a Kayak to get to the best spots from shore. Do you think a tandem kayak is better due the extra room for the gear? it could be difficult to maneuver though. Any make or model recommended? any tips?

 

[Pablo FR]

I use a Scupper Pro from Ocean Kayak. I think the've released a newer model. A tandem kayak would be too slow and cumbersome, remember you have to paddle these things. The best French spearfishing kayak is the Pacific from Polyform.

 

[Huan]

I too have an Ocean kayak , I got it this year and am very happy with it.
I don't think that there is any replacement for the SP yet but the newer versions all have a tank well instead of the older double hatch arrangement.
In your part of the world I would guess that the Scupper Pro is available 2nd hand as well as new.
more info:
here here here
Tips that I have heard :
Fill the centre part of the boat with foam so that it cannot sink.
Make a dive flag to fit into the rudder pivot point and make it a good height.

 

[Pablo FR]

You're right Huan, I was looking at the Prowler 15 but it's even wider than the Scupper Pro and so slower too. I've got the double hatch version.

 

[calicojack]

I've been diving out of Kayaks since '93. I started with an Ocean Kayak "Scrambler" and now use their "Scupper Pro" model. It looks like I would get the "Prowler 15" (NOT the 13!!!) if I was buying today. It wasn't available when I got my current boat.

 

[portinfer]

I went for a Cobra Expedition (18' x 24" I think) - nice and fast and although alot of people say that it is tippy I have only been tipped by a broad side wave when I was surfing little waves with it... I think that it is really stable and fast.

How far will you be paddling ?

How much gear will you take ?

From what I found out I would buy the OK Scupper Pro if I wanted a fishing boat but I like touring without diving and the Cobra is very good for that and allows me to go between the islands (well next year when I have more confidence...)

Try and get as long and narrow a one as you are comfortable with - I think that if you buy a fat stable short one you will become p*ssed off with it very quickly....

Hope that helps

Ed

(Have a look at paddling.net - the forums are very very useful and are used ALOT - so you can get good advice there quickly...)

 

[seaman]

Thank's Port. I will be paddling about half a mile from shore to the near Islands, and ill'be carryng as much gear as possible, plus floatline and a telephone pole ... I will check the site right now..


I appreciate it Brother ....

 

[portinfer]

If you are carrying a telephone pole just hollow out a bit and sharpen both ends and all of a sudden you have a nice dugout

Just kidding - I guess you mean mobile/cell phone ?

Anyway - the Cobras are nice and you can pick up one second hand in your area I am sure - from what I have heard you can get plastic kayaks second hand for not much in the States.

What I was hoping to get was a nice surfski like the Fenn Mako or Custom something or other (it's early so the brain is still booting up...) - they look like the same shape as the Cobra Expedition but are sleeker and narrower - might be hard to fish from but would be sweet speed machines ... but despite being about £400 in South Africa they would have cost me about £1500 here ! ... so a plastic SOT it is...

For half a mile the OK Scupper Pro or Prowler would be fine - and more stable / more open area than the Cobra .. horses for courses - depends what you want ....

Ed

 

[seaman]

If you are carrying a telephone pole just hollow out a bit and sharpen both ends and all of a sudden you have a nice dugout

Just kidding - I guess you mean mobile/cell phone ?


hahaha, I meant a Wong's Ono to make a long distance call to a school of yellowtails. or Maybe call collect to a nice AJ.