Any of you guys own/use one? Or have any experience with them? Thinking about picking one up this season, and while I have some experience kayaking, I've never tried fishing from one . . . Seems like it could be chaos if you hook a lunker or something. Looking at the entry-level stuff, seems like Old Town has some decent ones.
By "angler kayak" are you referring to the way it is rigged? If so you can save yourself a lot of money by doing it yourself. If you are thinking of a sit in (SIK) kayak, rod holders are easy to install. You will pay well over $100 more just for the name "angler model". Also, what type of water will you mainly be fishing? Fresh or salt? That will be a factor in choosing a sit in or a sit on top as well as length.
See? This is why I'm glad these boards exist 
I didn't think of the recreationals and the "anglers" essentially being the same thing. From what I can tell the price differential between one rigged for fishing and one not is only about $100 or so, it may be worth it to just grab one that comes with everything already. I'll be 100% on rivers and ponds, don't plan on going anywhere with strong currents or waves really. I think a sit in seems more comfortable, no?
I didn't think of the recreationals and the "anglers" essentially being the same thing. From what I can tell the price differential between one rigged for fishing and one not is only about $100 or so, it may be worth it to just grab one that comes with everything already. I'll be 100% on rivers and ponds, don't plan on going anywhere with strong currents or waves really. I think a sit in seems more comfortable, no? 
The main question I think when buying a fishing Kayak is Sit-in vs Sit-on.
I fished in a sit in for a couple of years and really enjoyed it. More recently I moved to a Sit-on and it provides some key benefits for me. (i.e. better vantage point, ability to Stand, better storage options for my gear)
There are many great fishing Kayaks to choose from. I would decide which type of boat you'd prefer and then try to test paddle as many as you can.
Old Town is a great company. I would also check out Wilderness Systems, Perception, Jackson. The angler specific models usually come with a few bells and whistles that you could do yourself but if you don't mind spending a couple extra bucks it will save you some time.
Take your time to decide because you'll likely be using this for years to come.
Good luck.
I fished in a sit in for a couple of years and really enjoyed it. More recently I moved to a Sit-on and it provides some key benefits for me. (i.e. better vantage point, ability to Stand, better storage options for my gear)
There are many great fishing Kayaks to choose from. I would decide which type of boat you'd prefer and then try to test paddle as many as you can.
Old Town is a great company. I would also check out Wilderness Systems, Perception, Jackson. The angler specific models usually come with a few bells and whistles that you could do yourself but if you don't mind spending a couple extra bucks it will save you some time.
Take your time to decide because you'll likely be using this for years to come.
Good luck.
Any of you guys own/use one? Or have any experience with them? Thinking about picking one up this season, and while I have some experience kayaking, I've never tried fishing from one . . . Seems like it could be chaos if you hook a lunker or something. Looking at the entry-level stuff, seems like Old Town has some decent ones.
My first time Kayak fishing was last year. I did a lot of research / shopping and came up with the Ascend FS10 at BassPro
http://www.basspro.com/Ascend-FS10-SitIn-Angler-Kayak-Camo/product/11081905012223/
I bought it on sale for $399, comfortable, light, tracks OK, better than a canoe on windy days!
A dream fishing Kayak for me would be the Jackson Kilroy $1200+
http://jacksonkayak.com/jk-kayaks/kayak-fishing/2013-kilroy/
I looked at many of the options many anglers here on MAFF have discussed, but I also took into consideration that I have multiple spine injuries and decided on a sit on top kayak for numerous reasons as opposed to sit in. I purchased a Wilderness Systems Ride 135 for its versatility and comfort. Now is a good time to call around for last year model kayaks that are usually sold at a discounted rate. You definitely chose a good group and site to gather data on, good luck Bro!
It is all individual preference. A sit in offers more protection from the elements, especially this time of the year. However, you are a lot more cramped than you would be in a sit on top. If you are a big guy a sit on top might be a better choice. I have a 10' sit in that I use for small bodies of water. I can only last a couple of hours before everything starts to hurt! 
Thanks for all the thoughtful responses, guys! I've been researching the heck out of it all day instead of doing work, and I think I'm gonna go with the BPS Ascend FS10. It's right in my price range, and from what I gather the cockpits are more open than on traditional sit-ins so you don't feel as cramped trying to cast. Sit-ons seem really cool, but I'm a little hesitant about the weight. I wanna get something I can carry myself from the car to the water, plus I'm on the smaller side (5'10" 150lbs) so I'm not as concerned with feeling cramped. One other question, I plan to mod the heck out of it almost immediately (that's at least half the fun of kayak fishing, right?), but I've read mixed opinions on anchor systems. Are they totally necessary? Do you guys use them? Why, or why not? Some people have mentioned that things could get a little hairy if they catch on something while you're in a decent current (not that I plan on white-watering or anything, just calm lakes and ponds).
Yes the BPS Ascend FS10 !! that's right boys another Ascend out on the waters 
haha Nice choice, its the best Kayak out there for $400. I also thought of an anchor but as time went on I think it will be more of a pain and add wait. I've been in choppy water, windy and rivers, never needed one. Thus the sit in Kayak.
Good luck
haha Nice choice, its the best Kayak out there for $400. I also thought of an anchor but as time went on I think it will be more of a pain and add wait. I've been in choppy water, windy and rivers, never needed one. Thus the sit in Kayak.
Good luck
Come on look at this baby 
I was thinking of adding a machine gun up front?
http://www.mafishfinder.com/view_photo_details.php?id=42765&pid=0
I was thinking of adding a machine gun up front?
http://www.mafishfinder.com/view_photo_details.php?id=42765&pid=0
