Thanks Tyler! You bring up lots of great points! Another great one is the Vibe Yellowfin it is 10 feet. It only weighs one pound over at 51, has gear tracks and rod holders.

Thanks Tyler! This is right up me alley! I’m leaning on getting the Crescent ultra light.Glad you reviewed it.

@NWKayaking

Жыл бұрын

Let's get you on a demo in Seattle

Tyler, I'm a Lynx owner in the Seattle area and I've got it rigged up for PNW fishing. It's been a great platform for me so far, lightweight, stable, maneuverable, and fast on the water. I've been able to rig it up with a Scotty 1060 using some aluminum extrusion to span the h-rails. Outside of hull slap, I enjoy my Lynx a lot.

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing! Hull slap seems to be one of the most common complaints about the Lynx but my Salty has that too. The H-rail system provides a lot of flexibility in mounting that gear track doesn't.

The Aquaglide Blackfoot also has Base plates at stern and bow that can be used to mount Scotty anchor bracket so you can deploy & retrieve anchor from seated position. Aquaglide also makes a 16ft. Long version of the Blackfoot that's good for fishing with 2 people, kids, Dog, or extra gear for camping. They also make some ultralight kayaks that are great for Backpacking into lakes or remote river sections. The Backwoods Angler 75 model weighs 9.6lbs w/300lb. The Backwoods Expedition 85 weighs 12lbs w/300lb capacity but is longer so it has more room for great and tracks better.

Another great discussion video. I often times feel I have too much or too little kayak. My first was a very basic sit from old town. I drilled and mounted a milk crate and one rod holder. Felt like a corvette for a guy who’d never had a boat of any kind. Still have it 😅 then my PDL120 is amazing. But so often, it feels like over kill. For now I’ll keep my polar opposites as I own them. But it’s a great convo. Cheers sir

The Aquaglide Blackfoot can also be outfitted for various trolling motors with use of brackets and their universal mounts. It's super versatile.

I’m from Texas but also have a house in Sunriver so we are part time neighbors. I started kayak fishing with a Tarpon 120 (63 lbs). It’s a great fishing platform but I wanted some a little more comfortable and and easier go farther a field. I bought a Hobie Outback. More comfortable, more stable and easier to go farther with the pedal drive. Also heavier, 85 lb hull weight, 100+ fully rigged. I have gotten it on the roof a few times but it is a chore at my age (70+). Most people with heavy kayaks around here drive pickup trucks or have a Malone trailer. I bought a Bixpy electric drive that fits both kayaks. I use the drive to get between fishing spots and use my paddle while actually fishing. I normally launch from my house on the bayou but can take the Tarpon to other areas.

My pelican getaway pedal kayak is only 65lb and has done me well. I've been out on the columbia in some decent chop without issue. It is cheap (700$) and that's the only reason I was able to afford a pedal kayak.

Fascinating video. I've been interested in this topic for years. My kayak is way too heavy at 82lbs for just the hull. I am referring to a Wilderness Systems Ride 135. None of the vessels you covered would work for me but you have provided some new perspective on this problem.

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

Let me know if you find something that does work out better for you

Tyler, as always enjoy your videos. I have Blackfoot XL in two seat configuration (older version of BF130) for a couple of years and love it. It is made of very durable material and DS floor is amazing. For seats I use AG DS booster seats with Ozark Trail seat on top. I am using Ozark Trail rod holders with 3 mount options or Yakattack rails for Scotty holders. I use Minn Kota 12V 36 Lbs or AQUOS Haswing 12V 20 Lbs trolling motors, last one is much lighter. Comparing hard shell to inflatable is like comparing apples to oranges. For me, portability is a priority. In high winds it is a challenge to paddle, but with the motor it wasn't an issue. There are some minor annoyances, I would prefer to have mounts closer to inside of kayak, and fin locking using T-bolt instead of original. To dry it up, I remove floor and let it dry separately.

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

That’s some great feedback. Thank you.

Hi Tyler! I wish I had brought one of those Crescent Ultralights with me to Okinawa.

I used the Aquaglide Blackfoot for 3 years. I have the old 125 but changed the seat for the 2021 seat. It's a tank. Very durable and its not a slouch. I out paddled a Pelican Catch in the wind.The tracking is not that bad. I still have it. The 2 drawbacks (minor) is the inflating/deflating. I used a battery powered inflator which makes noise. If your spot is near homes and you fish early, well you might get some pissed off people. At the end of a long day of fishing, you have to deflate and dry out all the creases so that mold wont show up on your investment. It might not seem as a pain in the ass, but after a long day, it will get to you. The second is wind. That thing hates wind. I've gone with a rigid PDL kayak. I'm 52 years of age and there is no way in hell I would roof that. I've modified a utility trailer to accomedate our 2 rigid kayaks. I have alot of trees on my land so the trailer can do both tasks ( carrying branches and kayaks) .

@richpleiss1864

Жыл бұрын

Had a Blackfoot Angler less than a year. On mountain lakes when the morning winds came up it was back to the launch. Those tubes made it a big sail and spun you around. Yes, you have to spread it apart after deflating and dry after use.

Thanks for your thoughts! Switched to a 25 lb 14 ft Hornbeck 12 years ago when I got tired of wangling roto-molded kayaks. Best decision I ever made. A bit less expensive than the Swift. It's held up very well, but I try not to drag it over rocks. etc. No need to really, it's so light.

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

25 lbs sounds dreamy to me!

Hey Tyler, have you considered the Eddyline Caribbean? I use it on lakes all over Western WA and on Puget Sound, it weighs about 50 lbs, is very stable and tracks well. Just used an Oru folding kayak in Baja Mexico on the Sea of Cortez, weighs about 25 lbs and is easy to carry in the back of an SUV.

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

I did but I am not as big of a fan of the more confined cockpit and the durability of the ABS/acrylic they use to construct their kayaks.

I use a Sea Eagle 385 fast tracks for my "light weight" rig. It is the lightest of the serious inflatables. The reason it beats out the aquaglide is that it has a front keel and rear skeg so it glides (tracks) significantly better. It is also only 35 lbs. For those reasons it is significantly better for me. I was lucky enough to go to Nestucca Adventures in Pacific City to try out the Hobies (before purchasing one). The day I went in the wind was howling, so the river was choppy. I went in to buy the Lynx because I am a 60 year old woman and didn't want a 100lb kayak. So I did a test drive and was highly disappointed in how inefficient the Lynx was in the chop. It seemed to be twice as hard as peddling my friend's Outback. Fortunately, I was able to test the entire line of options right there and back to back. The Revo turned out to be the most efficient but I was not really secure with the stability of it. The Compass ended up winning for me. The weight is only 68 lbs and the bow is shaped such that it cuts through the chop rather than rides on top of it (like the Lynx did). The Compass has served me well since out of Depoe bay and many other big water trips but it is small enough to car top and take on smaller bodies. I did buy a Malone trailer to make hauling it even easier but it rides just fine on top my CRV as well.

Ended up buying a 120 sportsman pdl for myself and the 106 for my wife. Love both of them but if I had to do it again would probably go with the 106 pdl for myself the weight difference is definitely noticeable. Keeping in mind I’m just fishing the local trout lakes in Southern Alberta.

I cringed hard when you told the story of your subscriber breaking his pelvis in a fall trying to unload his kayak. Anybody who is an avid outdoorsman should be resistance training at least 3 days a week. One of the major causes of death in older folks is what happens to them during and after a major fall. With resistance, your bone density goes up making your skeletal framework more resistant to breaks. Living here in Pierce county to the east of Tacoma near Lake Tapps, I see older folks slip all the time at the parks loading and unloading sporting equipment. If your subscriber reads this, after you are done healing, please look into some resistance training, even if it is with bands and light dumbbells. I'm 51yrs old and starting lifting weights 2yrs ago. My bone density is in the top 1% of my age group for men. It is so important. Keep up the great content!

I have old town bigwater and a sportsman 120. I want to get a lynx to use as an easy to grab and launch yak without having to worry about parking with my pickup truck rack

The new blow up hobies are awesome! It fits in the back seat of my Honda Civic. Coolest toy I’ve ever had!

Listening to this while I’m loading up to fish the Lewis this morning in my Moken 10, It’s a great river boat. It’s 38*F out, I’ll be wearing a dry suit.

Think my FeelFree weighs in at 70lbs without the Seat with it in right around 74-75lbs not to bad for me but could see it being an issue for someone older think it came in right around $900 with a paddle purchased separately the thing that got me was the "Wheel in the keel" great for transporting from car/parking lot to water...

There are not too many lightweight fishing kayaks out there. I use an old Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro TW (~55lbs) and a fiberglass prototype of the Swell Scupper 14 that weighs

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

I picked up a Scupper Pro this summer in mint condition for a couple hundred dollars. Hoping to get it out on the salt some this next year

@ShadRich

Жыл бұрын

@@spiltmilt Nice, I'll watch for the Scupper Pro to show up in a video! :-)

Great info! 👍

I've spent a lot of time with the Lynx and will say a couple of things: 1) Every time I pick one up, I'm shocked at how light it it, to the point where I've considered replacing my Revo with it numerous times. 2) I'm mystified by how well it performs every time. Tracks shockingly well despite a design that seems like it shouldn't, while simultaneously maneuvering better than any pedal kayak I've ever trifled with. It's a good boat, but I wish I'd gotten one at their original price for sure.

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. That makes it even more compelling.

Tyler, I bought my Lynx because it was light and I am getting older. I knew if it was easy to load and upload I would use it more. I tried several kayaks before I bought mine and I love it. If you would like to get together some time you are welcome to try it. The handling and tracking are amazing and it can turn in its own length. Very maneuverable. I added H rails and they really do add a tone of flexibility. Also, adding a fishfinder is super simple as it is set up for this. Let me know how to get in touch with you and we will set something up.

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

Really glad you enjoy your Lynx. I'll probably just end up renting one for a week or two so I can try it on several different lakes but I appreciate the offer. I do appreciate your feedback and the offer though.

@Mrfishermanbfb

Жыл бұрын

@@spiltmilt suit yourself. I was kind of wanting to talk you into letting me try that motorized old town 😉.

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

I sold my motorized kayak.

Great video as always! I fish a pro angler and love it but I can be a pain. But it is arguable if a PA is actually a kayak lol

Thoughts about the NRS Kuda inflatable kayaks as to a possible contender for lighter weight and portability? I’m a PDL 120 person, it’s great but it’s definitely a heavy car topper for sure.

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

Not a fan. Nothing resembling a keel. Even the slight breeze or current will push you around. I think you'd spend more time fighting the boat than fish.

Very cool videos thank you

A little off topic but do you think the PDL 106 is a good option in the PNW if I want a pedal kayak that isn't 12ft+? My current boat is an 11.5ft paddle kayak and just feels too big. Most of my fishing is ultralight but I am looking to try kokanee and trout trolling.

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

For Kokanee and trolling the PDL 106 would be just fine. I know a few people who use them on the Columbia in the fall for King Salmon and do great in them.

Do you have any thoughts on the Hobie iTrek 9 or 11 inflatables? I am looking for something portable (I drive a Prius) and really want the pedals for fishing. I'm in Idaho and I am hoping to find something portable that could try on the Oregon coast.

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

The 9' would be too short for any real ocean applications. The 11' would be fine for protected bays and really flat days which are not all that common on the coast. The old Hobie inflatables were better as they have more of a traditional kayak shape unlike the new iTreks which look more like paddle boards.

I hope that they renew the UL from crescent. The same upgrades as the Lite Tackle 2.

Hey Tyler, have you looked of any of the actual “fishing SUPs”? I’m super curious.

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

I have. I actually owned one the Zulu Kaku fishing SUPs. I didn't like it. Didn't track well and was very vulnerable in current and wind. I spent too much time fighting the SUP and not fish.

Personally I love inflatables. I had really good luck with the intex excursion pro kayak. I fished the heck out of it and passed it on to a friend.

I do not recommend the crescent ultralight for the average angler. It is pretty tippy for the general population, but it is insanely quick and tracks well especially for its size. I only have a couple 6ft + guys and bigger guys in general that are able to use it. If you put out riggers in it then I’d say it’s useable for the general population. The Yellowfin 100 is more stable, and better for an angler, weighing in at 51 lbs, while also having a lifetime hull warranty. For a pedal drive inflatable option the riot mako 9 air is also pretty good, having a pontoon style hull. For other good inflatable options NRS is my go to.

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your input. I’ve paddle the Yellowfin and found it terrible in terms of tracking. It was stable but pathetically slow. For sure I would not recommend any of these kayaks for people bigger than 6’ but that’s way above average for the US population (men 5’7”, women 5’4”). As for the NRS inflatables I really don’t like them. I tried the STAR and it was an absolute terror to paddle. Zero tracking, slow, and at the mercy of the wind.

@fantomphoenix6170

Жыл бұрын

@@spiltmilt that’s odd, everyone I know that has used a Star liked it a lot, granted they use it in little cuts and streams with no wind as that’s the bane of existence for inflatable paddle board and higher sitting inflatable kayaks/hybrids like the star. I wish I was in a better spot for inflatables so I could test them out, but pretty the only much the only time I had the opportunity to test it was with a customer wanting to put a bixpy on a Bote lono, which ended up needing to be warrantied :( The ultralight is a great kayak, just try before buying, most dealers will let you do that, some for free, or a small fee

Did I hear you say Pelicans are cheaper made kayaks? I was looking at buying the Pelican Catch (another 10ft) !!! What’s your take on it? Just curious. Tanx!

@spiltmilt

10 ай бұрын

Pelican kayaks are thermomolded. Thermomolded are less durable than rotomolded kayaks.

You look great! The hard work is paying off.

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!! 😊

What about Sea Eagle canoes/kayaks? Like the 370?

@spiltmilt

4 ай бұрын

It lacks attachment points for rod holders and other accessories.

Also Milt look at the Akōna Fury ,, looks like good value! Length 9.65' x 31.5" wide Weight is 48lbs Capacity is 350lbs

@spiltmilt

10 ай бұрын

Cheap Chinese stuff

Any thoughts on the Native Slayer 10 @ 64lbs?

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

I've always found Native kayaks underwhelming. They are really hung up on that bath tub shape and the poor tracking and slow speeds that come with it. The Propel 10 is certainly light and if I wasn't at all concerned about speed or tracking, which I would be given the amount of trolling I do even on small bodies of water, then it would probably be fine. I personally feel there are much better performing boats at only marginally more weight.

I'm looking for a lightweight and stable kayak primarily for Nature/Wildlife photography to carry on my CX-5

@TheZX11

6 ай бұрын

Look into the Hobie iTrek 9. It is essentially a Hobie Lynx but in a cross stitch inflatable version. Folds down to a suitcase that fits in the trunk or closet. Weights 20lbs just the hull or 30lbs with seat and everything.

The Hobie iTrek 9 or 11 didn’t make the list? With fitted weight of 20 lbs! Has the Mirage Drive, tracks great, Hobie seat and more packable than the Aquaglide 130.

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

Yeah just not a fan of the price point for an inflatable

Aquaglide customer service and products are spectacular! Prices have dropped too

Eddyline Caribbean 12 Angler... 45#

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

Considered it but not a fan of the cockpit design, too cramped for my style.

Really bummed the new ultralight doubled in weight

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

You must be referring to a different model. The Ultralite is still listed as 49 lbs.

Somethings....... different about ya tyler........

@spiltmilt

Жыл бұрын

Hopefully in a good way 👍

@Redneckkratos

Жыл бұрын

@@spiltmilt absolutely!!! I just saw your health update video and I now realize its your weighloss and beard trim, hope you’re doing well!!! If ya ever make it down to Nevada, we will go ice fishing at wild horse