I have an LL Bean manatee ... I have the angling model, or something like that...which means it has a few rod holders and an anchor. Since you'll be fly fishing, you might not need that because you'll only have the one rod probably. The anchor is definitely helpful in the wind, but you could make one with a coffee can and concrete.
I like the boat because its pretty wide, and the opening is huge. My legs never really get cramped and I can put in a lot of hours without being uncomfortable.
Good luck!
I like the boat because its pretty wide, and the opening is huge. My legs never really get cramped and I can put in a lot of hours without being uncomfortable.
Good luck!
I just bought a Freedom Hawk 12 footer. This is the one where the back section splits out like a pontoon and lets you stand up. I did buy a high back seat for it. I saw a fly fisherman using this on the delaware and got to chatting with him and he said it was the best kayak he's owned. The 14 footer you can take out into the ocean, but I don't do that so the 12 footer is fine for me.
Did you purchase any thing else with it? I have heard that the seat stinks in these after a few hours, and how much does it weigh?
Only extras I got were the oar and a cover. I haven't had a problem with the seat...its not like sitting in an Ethan Allen lounge chair, but its adjustable and is fairly comfortable. The padding is almost like a catcher's chest protector, but softer. I've put in 6 or 8 hour days on it no problem...just get up to take a leak and stretch every once awhile
http://www.wildernesssystems.com/product/index/products/angler/angler_tarpon/tarpon_140_angler/
the above is a good stable boat with loads of space for storage and mounts (rods, fishfinder,gps,etc.) but it is very heavy and difficult to manuver
http://www.hobie-kayak.com/cms/index.php?page=hobie-pro-angler
this boat is super it has ample storage space (too much space means you carry too much) it also has a peddle system to allow you to move while holding a rod a better model for tight spaces and manuverability as it is short 9.5feet
http://www.hobie-kayak.com/cms/index.php?page=hobie-mirage-sport-fish
the above is a good stable boat with loads of space for storage and mounts (rods, fishfinder,gps,etc.) but it is very heavy and difficult to manuver
http://www.hobie-kayak.com/cms/index.php?page=hobie-pro-angler
this boat is super it has ample storage space (too much space means you carry too much) it also has a peddle system to allow you to move while holding a rod a better model for tight spaces and manuverability as it is short 9.5feet
http://www.hobie-kayak.com/cms/index.php?page=hobie-mirage-sport-fish
i have perception swifty 9.5. i'm 5'8" and fish comfortably. its a sit in and wide so it feels really stable. seat is ok but people buy the air cousion seat. its big enough but also small enough so you can carry it your self unlike my ocean kayak prowler which i need my wheeleez cart. http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/community/showthread.php?t=52380&page=2 this site has lots of good info.too bad their store site is closed 
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Do you think a kayak/canoe is essential for catching trout in ponds? I'm starting to think it is, as I rarely if ever see them rising close enough to shore to be able to cast to them while wading. Seems like they stick to the deepest part of the ponds, and then just travel vertical to feed on the hatch in the evenings.
Well the trout like cold waters so its tough to get to them. You can still get good trout feeding early and also in the evening, but the fish definetly are trickier from shore. I feel that if you pulling your bait to the shore then the fish wont hit since they naturally like deep cold waters[/list]