A Primer on Fishing Kayaks, Inflatable Kayaks and the 5 Hottest Ocean Kayak Brands Around

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 ·

By Toby Johns

Now that the warm summer months are rapidly approaching, many folks find themselves wanting to get out on the water to do some fishing. This is a great activity as fishing gives a lot of people the relaxation time that they have been wanting for so long. While some folks do not mind going out on ultra-fast boats to fish, others tend to prefer the peacefulness that comes with kayaking. There is just something about sea or fishing kayaking that people cannot get enough of.

If you have yet to kayak by yourself, then it is highly recommended that you go out with someone having kayaking experience. Even though most kayakers prefer a calm ride, there are some things you'll want to carefully watch. You might, for example, want to wait a bit before buying a kayak for yourself until you get the hang of riding and paddling one. By getting familiar with the sport first, you'll get the experience you need to make a wise decision when it comes time to purchasing one on your own. This will also give you the chance to learn more about the sport so that you'll get the familiarity you need when shopping for your perfect kayak.

When you first head out on the waters for the first few times, make certain that your experienced companion walks you through the ropes as you pay careful attention. If you think you don't have a person with whom to turn for this information, then you may need to seek out a professional. Many places now offer personal coaching on kayaking instruction. They allow you to rent a kayak and then hire an instructor for an hour or two. If you choose this route, you will certainly have a chance to gain the knowledge you'll need to know about the relaxing and fun water and fishing experience.

Once you learn everything there is to know, you can pass on the knowledge to your friends and family so that they too can share in the fun. They can get into their very own kayaks or go out and spend some time with you. Either way, this is an adventure that everyone can enjoy with each other. In hardly any time at all, you will all be professional kayakers (or, at least, look like it) and you will wonder how you ever fished before learning how to use a kayak.

The process begins with selecting a kayak that fits the lifestyle of you and your family. Kayaks are akin to cars: There are so many different models and styles to choose from, and these are based upon your intended use. Here are five of the hottest brands that offer a great mix of high-adventure styles. Among the choices, you'll find kayaks that fit every performance need; everything from maneuvering the rapids to a serene glide across the lake to a day of trout fishing.

1.) Old Town Kayaks. What does a company named the Old Town Canoe Company know about kayaks? Just about everything. Old Town is the oldest and largest canoe and kayak manufacturer, dating way back to 1898. With a much-deserved images for quality, Old Town is known best for leading the kayaking business in craftsmanship and innovation. Old Town's kayaking line includes safe, stable sea kayaks, tandem kayaks, touring kayaks, exciting recreational kayaks and, of course, fishing kayaks. Old Town is known for combining modern materials and stylish contemporary design forms to their traditional, time-honored paddle craft. No wonder Old Town leads as a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts and sportsmen/sportswomen.

2.) Perception Kayaks. When the Great Outdoors calls, Perception Kayaks answer. Perception is a world-class kayaking company that has been creating cutting-edge kayaks since the 1970s. In fact, they pioneered the introduction of the plastic kayak. By using the latest innovative technologies, Perception has moved ahead of the competition by attending to the wants, needs and desires of a new generation of kayaking champions. Perception kayaks are ubiquitous in the touring and recreational kayak line. They also include a wide selection of sporting-rec and sit-on-top kayaks to meet the needs of the most seasoned kayaking enthusiasts. Now, nearly 30 years later, the same enthusiasm that developed the first line of Perception kayaks now drives the creation of today's hottest, sleek, new and innovatively-designed kayaks.

3.) Dagger Kayaks. The story of Dagger begins with a few kayaker friends who worked feverishly in a small shop with a dirt room floor to create leading-edge, world-class kayaks. Dagger kayaks are a kayakers favorite among all brands today. The company is well-regarded for developing and releasing the highest quality kayaks available. The Dagger kayaking line of products are field tested by a collective group of kayaking professionals known as 'Team Dagger' before their products are released to the public. Those who wisely purchase Dagger kayaks can feel confident knowing that their kayak met the highest standards before Dagger was willing to give it their stamp of approval.

4.) Hobie Kayaks. A proud heritage of water craft spawned the ubiquitous brand we now know as Hobie. Their motto is that 'their mother was a sailboat and their father was a surfboard'. Hobie applies this philosophy to their water craft design in order to create the most innovative, awe-inspiring kayaks available today. Hobies expertise and technology redefines the industry standard. Consider their MirageDrive pedaling system. This unique system allows kayakers to paddle with two underwater flippers that are somewhat analogous to a penguins fins. Hobie kayaks employ a seamless, roto-molded, polethylene construction, making them closer to guided missiles than typical traditional kayaks of years gone by.

5.) Pelican Kayaks. Now going into their 40th year, Pelican International is recognized as a leader in producing affordable, high-quality water craft products. Pelican now produces hundreds of boats"from pedal boats and fishing boats to canoes and, of course, durable and affordable kayaks. The company has been a leader in the development of exclusive technologies that set benchmarked standards of excellence for impact resistance, and for products' ability to regain shape after violent impacts, as well as their UV-protected exteriors. Pelican targets the recreational user, and are an excellent choice for the outdoor enthusiast looking for a balance between quality and affordability.

For individuals who have not yet discovered the experience with kayaking, they may not fully understand what all the fuss is about. It is vital to point out,however, that once folks take their first ocean kayak or kayak fishing trip, they suddenly see the light and understand what everyone has been raving about throughout the years. Whether in the ocean, river, or lake, kayaking is just about the best all-around fun time you can have on the water. Since most kayaking is done at relaxed speeds, you are in a position where you can take your time and take in all of nature's scenery. Our lives are already hectic enough, so there is no reason to do anything else other then move slowly and relaxed out on the water.

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