I don't know about the Ocean Kayak brand, but love going out to sea in my hobie. In fact, I like it so much than I shelved my ocean boat almost completely because:
1) takes only a few minutes to prep the kayak
2) it is more exciting to be on a kayak
3) actually even feel safer (super stable even in rough chop, and my legs don't break down like a motor
4) heck of a lot cheaper
5) I can fish the untouched reefs that are too far for boats
(just pull off 101 where I want
6) I can catch just as much fish (aside from halibut and tuna)
7) I can hold a drift better and fish lighter tackle

Yeah, swell and wind are what you watch out for of course. While the kayak handles big stuff just fine, you want small swell for beach launching (otherwise stuck to ports). Ideally you want to find a swell break to launch behind, such as a jetty, rock point, or a cove.

 

Great info! So what exactly is there to look for as far as wind and was swell? I was out fishing on shore today and saw a bunch of ocean kayaks in the bay areas even though the wave swell maxed at 7.5 feet today. Which model of kayak did you prefer? My main issue with buying one is safety. (And cost of course)

 

I dunno if you're referring to the brand, or kayaks that one would take into the ocean in general. "are they good?" is too general of a question with which you'll basically get loads of different opinions. All that being said, whether or not a kayak is "good" in the ocean depends much more on the person operating the craft and the conditions in which they do so, imo.

As far as brand, a number of years ago, I owned an OC SOT and really liked it as it was very stable. Excellent for a fishing platform and one that I wouldn't hesitate taking out into the ocean. Personally though, if I were shopping for a good yak for ocean fishing right now, I'd be looking at a Hobie with their 'mirage' drive system...

Cheers

 

There is a thriving community of ocean kayak anglers. Look up Northwest Kayak Anglers. They are the Ifish of kayaks. They get lings, rockfish, coho, chinook and even some halibut. I'm not a kayaker, but I go to sea in a 14 foot wherry for lings and coho.

 

I hear some folks fish on pwc's as well .

 

Those guys are as crazy as dorymen!

 

A coworker of mine has a couple of yaks and is switching over to PWC to be able to chase tuna and salmon better. has caught more salmon this year then he did in his yak the last three years. He has two yaks that he is thinking of selling set up ready to fish, one is a peddle drive.

 

do you know what price tag he will put on the peddle drive?

 

Lots of things to consider for saftey, but the boats are solid and stable.

 

Now that looks like a good day!

 

I bought 2 Hobie Pro Anglers at the Sportsman Show this year.

Here is my first Springer:

Here I'm bottom fishing north of Depoe Bay, Caught 2 lings and 3 sea bass:

 

You might, nope, you should take an introduction to kayaking class. Columbia River Kayaks in Skamokawa, or Alder Creek, both offer excellent instruction. you will pick a wealth of information on boat handling, safety, and other useful stuff.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T337A using Tapatalk

 

We have some carbon/kevlar sea kayaks, and they are incredibly seaworthy at sea. You can catch fish, but it is a challenge to stow them to get home.

Have played in fishing kayaks. They are lethargic, dumpy barges by comparison. However, they do the fishing thing more efficiently.

Learn how to paddle, follow that with boat shopping.

E

 

Learn how to paddle, follow that with boat shopping.

E

Learn how to pedal . One man pedaling, can pull two men paddling thru the water backwards, and fish at the same time. A well proven fact.
JE

 

Meh. I've never fancied the mirage drive or any of the knock offs. They are great in open water, but fouling them requires unfouling. Paddles self-clean.

They are efficient power producers, and Harry Bryan actually came up with a fish drive that was more efficient, but there's a reason the sea kayak with paddle has survived a few thousand years.

E

 

That is what the paddle clipped to the side is all about, I guess. Seriously, I see them pedaling thru kelp on a regular basis, talk to both sides of the coin, and for fishing?,.........Talk to a paddle guy. Ask if he would trade.
JE

 

(1) So I am actually wondering about everyone's opinion on Ocean Kayaks?
(2) Are they safe?
(3) How many people have been lost due to them?
(4) I'm looking for something to help me get on fish and having a nice kayak would obviously help, if you have used them or do consider them safe, which kayak is the best to go with as far as safety and convenience? What is there to watch for when kayaking in the Ocean? (for examples: tides, wave swell, how to identify things like rip currents)

Thanks in advance for everyone's replies and advice.

(1) Personally, I love Ocean Kayaks, especially the Trident 13 model.
(2) Kayaks are as safe as their paddlers. With some common sense, a couple of good strategies, a little practice and the right immersion gear, there isn't a fishing venue in the NW that's off limits to kayak fishermen.
(3) Kayaks don't kill people. Bad planning kills people.
(4) I urge you to check out the NorthwestKayakAnglers.com website. All of your questions will be answered there by using the search function or simply asking questions. Also, attend the free seminars on kayak fishing given at Hogg's Hardcore Tackle or Next Adventure.

Here's a little example of what an Ocean Kayak is capable of..... Your results may vary

 

went to the Kayak site and found this in their gallery; looks pretty fun to me!

 

They are amazingly safe and stable. I take my ten year old out in Cook Inlet quite often. I would say a drysuit is mandatory though for OCean fishing anywhere North of Northern California

Coincidentally he caught his halibut off THE exact same pedal kayak Spot used!!! Not same model or maker but the actual kayak. lol. One fishy kayak!


The Video. Its' cool to watch how the kayak gets towed around. It is the secret to why the kayaks are so effective and safe on big fish. They wear the fish down by acting like an oversized buoy.
https://youtu.be/zIynGwbuLvw

The picture

 

It is the secret to why the kayaks are so effective and safe on big fish. They wear the fish down by acting like an oversized buoy.

"I've never seen one take down 2 barrels"

I will own a sea capable kayak in the near future, looks like a ton of fun, and a good free diving platform.

 

for fishing sit on top kayaks are what u want. if u want to paddle,- in that area ocean kayak puts out great kayaks. for me its simple, hands free fishing cannot be beat. i have 2 hobie revolution 13`s that are used everywhere.the ocean when doable is where i go/want to be. if i was to exclusively fish the ocean i would be looking at the new longer revolution 16. paddling is not bad but leg muscles can go longer. go to nwka web site ....RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH. look up you tube video`s on fishing kayaks... when ur ready demo a few brands and models. there is too much info on the ocean for u at this point...or to be concerned about, all of what u mention has not been an issue whatsoever. but for the ocean most use a drysuit(dress for water temp not the air temp. if u do spill u want to stay dry so can keep fishing!wetsuits work in the water but not very well in the air),kokatat seems to be the main brand. also a marine VHF radio, as well as a gps.

 

Good advice!

 

good advice everyone, although it looks like kayaks will be out of my price range for quite a while

 

Don't give up!

Watch Craigslist. My 1st kayak cost $200 with a paddle. It's the one in my Avitar.

I used that and a surfing wetsuit (can be purchased used for $100) to fish the ocean and Buoy10 for a couple of years.

Here's a pic of the 1st attempt on Buoy 10 from a kayak. Dang I miss that long hair!

 

I paddled my canoe about 8 miles trolling crankbaits one day on a local reservoir. It's not easy keeping the rods positioned, lines straight, etc. Pedaling would definitely be easier because your hands would be free.

 

One thing i am curious about is are Kayaks like this sensitive to things like rip currents or are they mainly affected only by wave swell and tides? also, how far off shore is considered safe for a kayak angler? I guess i don't know much about how these fisheries are fished by kayak. I actually got interested in Kayak fishing by watching the AWTV Rock fishing classic video out of Depoe Bay, it looks like an absolute blast fishing that way, but i am also a huge safety nut so i always hesitate about things like this.

 

Doubtlessly, each type favors different strokes for different folks. No one has the same build or strength, and like every boat, there will be compromise.

No ocean fishing craft is as safe as sitting at home on the couch, but you will live a longer, healthier life if you get out there regularly.

Ocean fishing from the rocks is likely to be more dangerous than fishing a kayak, or other boat.
JE
Actually, I have no right to voice an opinion, having done no more than play around with a kayak for an hour, on a lake. I do tend to identify with the minimalist approach to ocean fishing,(Kayaks, rowboats, jet skis, free diving, dories, etc, etc, and have been out around the Rock at PC a number of times in my canoe. Fun!
JE

 

I agree with you Joe, on all points. I just wanted to voice an opinion that I've encountered while researching that isn't heard often.

You actually have more right to voice the opinion on the Hobie as you've had an hour's more experience with them than I have had.

 

The Ocean Kayak brand of kayaks are fantastic fishing boats, so are Hobies. I currently own two OKs and a Hobie and have no problem with either at 6'3" both fit me well. The safety level is completely dependant on the skills of the individual. Personally I am comfortable 6-8 miles offshore but I know guys who should probably be restricted to 100 feet from shore.
Check out North West Kayak Anglers. It is a great group of guys from OR to AK who fish a ton in fresh water and salt.
Fishing kayaks are very versatile and a ton of fun.

 

I've owned a Hobie for over 15 years and wouldn't consider anything else on the market today.

https://youtu.be/A9sCxh28p6Y

 

I've owned a Hobie for over 15 years and wouldn't consider anything else on the market today.

https://youtu.be/A9sCxh28p6Y

Thanks for the video! That was hilarious.... (grin)

 

Copy that Joe! We'll leave it at that!

 

I seldom voice an opinion without doing my homework. I read the NWKA forum, among others, and have great respect for that type of fishing.

I have also managed to repair an older rotationally molded kayak that was considered totaled, because it had been folded.

Having observed the local kayaks for several years, I do have an opinion about the fishability of the two types. Suffice it to say, that trolling with, and hovering on structure while jigging, looks like no brainer to me. Not favoring the paddle.
JE

 

The video was funny as heck, the floating line, not so much. Take a few minutes and read the thread on floating crab line, I am sure that you will agree. Have fun out there. We Dorymen like kayaks, but that yellow poly is a real hazard, and cannot be seen in some situations.
JE

 

Are any of the Ocean Kayak brand kayaks pedal drive? Or is that only Hobie's?

 

Hobies are the only with the mirage style drive. Native makes a drive system that is more like a bicycle and turns a prop.
All Ocean Kayak boats are paddle boats, though they do make one that will accept an electric trolling motor.

My dream boat is an Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 fitted with a Hobie mirage drive. =)

 

Wow that video, hah! Probably scares people away from kayaks!

I mean, I know I don't have much room on my ski, but sheesh, that was just painful to watch.

 

That's because it is a video of some one who isn't comfortable on their kayak.