Peer Pressure Kayak Purchases

Please stop.
Take a deep breath.
Count down from 10.

I'm going to save you some possible headache if you'll take 5 minutes and read this. I hope you take this advice to heart because I sure didn't. I've bone headed this scenario twice and finally learned my lesson. I'll try to save you the same trouble.

Here is how it starts:

Talking heads (yes me included), start telling you about all these cool new kayaks that are coming out. We show you fancy pictures. Then maybe you find a walk through video. "Man, that's a cool yak." You see some pretty cool features you like. "I might buy one of these!," you think while you try to figure out when the next lump sum of cash is coming in. Tax return? Christmas cash? Returning all the crappy gifts you got for your birthday and the three extra blenders from your wedding gifts.

Then you go look at the fishing forums. I wonder what the kayak guys think of this boat? So maybe you ask the question but you ask it too vaguely. Typing in "What do you think about a Great Fork Spearyak 13?" is too vague. What do you want to do in the kayak? What limitations do you have? I could go through a big long checklist here but I have already created it. Check it out:

Think about these questions and think about the answers specifically to the kayak you think is so cool. Does it fulfill my wants list? If so, it could be great. If not, better keep looking.

At this point you may be too deep in the hype and advertising to even listen. I know I was. I had decided that even though it wasn't everything I wanted and it might not deliver, I was going to buy Boat X. So I did. I bought into all the pomp and circumstance surrounding it. While it is a very good kayak for some people, for me it was awful. I hated it. It didn't do what I wanted it to do, I felt some of the things talked about were oversold, and the hype sucked me in. I was more attracted to a brand name than the function. 

What could have avoided all of this headache? A demo. 

I should have paddled the kayak first. That would have told me everything I needed to know but I didn't. I was anxious, in a hurry and didn't want the deal to get away. Whoops.

People who own a certain brand will inherently recommend the kayak they paddle (or pedal). It says they really enjoy the kayak they have and it fits what they want to do. A little quieter are the people who don't really like what they are in but made a HUGE ordeal when they bought Boat X so now they are a bit bashful. Somewhere in that mix are people who are looking for something else but don't want to say anything because they so highly recommended a different boat. 

The plain truth is, sometimes when you think you know what you want, and then you go paddle it, you change your mind. The time to change your mind is BEFORE money changes hands. Getting recommendations will be easy but it will be diverse. If you are going to ask questions on a public forum, make them as specific as possible. 

"How does the Spearyak 13 handle in wind on large open water?"

That is a direct and specific question. 

Additionally, make sure the person giving you the advice/opinion has actually paddled the kayak you are talking about. I've had a couple of dozen people ask me about the Predator from Old Town. I have looked one over and only paddled it once. I make sure they know that.

If at all possible, please demo a kayak before you buy. If you need to find someone who might can help with that, message me on Facebook. I'll try to do my best to find you a shop or person within an hour or so that has that kayak. If nothing else, I can find you someone to talk to about it. 

Be smarter than I was and be happier in your kayak. Don't peer pressure kayak purchase. 

Wilderness System Thresher Thoughts (So Far)

photo via Chad Hoover

ICAST is proving to be a surprise factory as normal but one of the hot chatter items this year hasn't been much of a surprise at all. The Wilderness Systems Thresher (prototype) has had three videos released already showing off its ability to climb the surf and handle foamy chop. A few photos have surfaced as well.

The Stability Myth: Standing in a Kayak

Standing is the new thing.

In kayaks that is. And frankly, it's not all that new. As people flock to the sport they see commercials, ads, pictures and videos of people standing up and fishing from a variety of kayaks. I've seen almost every major manufacturer release an ad for one of their kayaks where someone is standing up and fishing. It's the hot issue. If a company doesn't have a kayak that they sell for standing and fishing they are behind the times.

All that being said, these pictures and videos can be misleading. The design of the kayak, its hull, its width and the water conditions all play into stability so that a fisherman can stand. Not enough people, especially those shopping for a "stand and fish" kayak are looking at the biggest variable: the fisherman.

People are all built differently. People also have different levels of balance. I can stand and fish on an Outback, a Slayer, a Coosa, a Ride, a Commander and a ton of others but that doesn't mean you can.

Drew Gregory from Jackson has jumped and spun around on the deck of at least one Jackson in a video. Here is the not-so-secret secret. Drew is a compact, fit guy who works in the outdoors and is in great shape. His balance is impeccable. I've seen more than a couple of people turtle a Jackson. It's more than just kayak specs that make a kayak standable. It's you too.

But wait! I can hear some of you who have been watching a different set of videos. "I'm built more like Chad Hoover and he can stand in all of the Wilderness kayaks" you say. Well, yes, Chad can. Did you also know he is retired from the Navy? I think he may have the boats, balance and water thing down better than Joe from down the street. Wildys can turtle too. All of them can.

I've seen a Hobie Pro Angler turtle and not in the ocean. It was on an calm day on a small lake. It's about the fisherman too, not just the kayak.

So what am I saying?

If you want to stand, here are some things to think about.

If you are standing on a sit on top kayak, you have to balance from your ankles up. That is a lot of core balance for a lot of people. If you are big in the shoulders or big in the belly, this is going to prove more difficult. Slight framed folks and shorter folks will generally have an easier time with this.

Think about balancing a broom handle, vertically on your palm. It's difficult, right? Add a tennis ball to the middle of the broom handle or to the top and it becomes more difficult. Weight across your body that is not evenly distributed (beer gut) will be more difficult to keep in balance when the balance point is further away.

So how do we make it easier? A few things.

Having a wider platform to stand on makes this easier. It is easier to balance when your feet are able to be shoulder width apart and slightly more. Most adults have a shoulder width wider than 20" so a deck that only allows 20" with a total kayak width of 28" will be more difficult to balance on. As the width of the total kayak gets wider, even if the deck isn't as wide it will become easier to balance. The ideal situation is a wide deck and a wide kayak. Finding a 28"+ wide deck with a 32" or larger total width will help.

Also consider the seat. More people that I have seen turtle have done so when getting into or out of the seat. A seat that is up off the deck will be easier to gain your balance. Is it easier to stand up from the floor or from a chair? The chair, right? Keep this in mind when shopping. Even a couple of inches gained is a big change.

What if we could change the balance point from your ankles? You can! The problem with kayaks is in most circumstances as they get wider, they get slower and more sluggish to paddle (the obvious exceptions are pedal and motorized kayaks). This is where hybrid kayaks come in. The Commander from Wilderness Systems and the Ultimate from Native are hybrid kayaks that are part sit in and part sit on. They look more like a canoe than a kayak to some (though the hull design is different). When you stand in one of these kayaks you have a sidewall to brace your leg against. This raises the balance point from your ankle to almost your knee. It's almost as if you've made yourself shorter. The amount of body you now have to balance is lessened and the 31" wide Commander offers more stability to most people than a 33" wide sit on top. Not only that but it generally paddles faster as well in the longer models.

Now that you are either confused, angry or nodding your head in agreement, let me offer a suggestion. If you want to stand and fish out of the kayak you are shopping for, stop looking at marketing material. Find a demo day near you or a get together or Boondoggle and go try to do this yourself. Find out how hard or easy it is to stand in all of the models you are looking at. Demo. Demo. Demo. If you absolutely can't do that and you have to shop online by specs and videos only, look at total width and width of the cockpit. The bigger they are the more stable. Is it a guarantee that you can stand? No. Will it be more likely? Yes.

It will almost always be easier to stand in a kayak that is 40" wide than one that is 20" wide. Just keep in mind the balance points and demo if at all possible and you should be good to go.

If you want to stand in a kayak, make sure you can before you buy it!

Replacing a Broken Wilderness Systems Seat Back

Sometimes parts break. Pictured below is the seat from my Wilderness Systems Commander 140. Moving back and forth from the Captain's Perch to the seat I didn't pay enough attention and a couple of times flopped down on the seat back instead of the seat and it eventually took its toll. I blame myself. When you don't pay attention and get in a hurry, stuff can break. My Commander doesn't qualify for warranty and I didn't see much in the way of tutorials of replacing a broken seat back so I figured, what the heck. I ordered the parts from harmonygear.com and the next day it was sitting on my door step. I ordered the seat back and the cover for it. Total with shipping was less than $25. The back offered as a replacement is bigger which I thought was a nice bonus.  To do this, reusing hardware you'll need a flat head screwdriver and a Phillips head screwdriver. That's it.

My broken seat back

The first thing you need to do is get the seat back adjustment straps loose. On the front of the seat near the corners are two Phillips head bolts. They are holding the straps in place. They will have a washer on each side and a lock nut. Remove and save these parts.

The front connection point for one of the straps

The lock nut and washer holding the strap

Make sure you save these parts

Now you have the seat back loosened from the front and if it's broken, it's completely loose. Now you need to pull the straps through the back of the rest. You will be removing the adjustment strap and the bungee. Hang on to these as well.

Seat back removed with straps still in

The straps once removed with bungee

Now you need to remove the connection point where the back connects to the seat base. You can do it with a flat headed screw driver. On the right hand side is a plug and spring that will retract with some pressure. It's like the spring loaded toilet paper holders. The left side is stationary and won't move. Put a little pressure moving inward with the screwdriver and pull it out and away from the base. Be careful because the spring inside will make a run for it. Save the plug end and spring as well.

The plug and spring with pressure being applied

The plug and spring you need to save

The old seat back now completely removed

The seat base free of the back

The new seat back on the left

At this point you should have only invested about three minutes in this process. It's time to put the new back on! You will need to lay the seat back facing down with the molded pivot point to the left. Take the tightening straps and the bungee and thread the through with the loose ends coming out of the back of the seat back.

Straps threaded through

Now you'll want to put the cover on the seat back. Make sure the pivot point goes through the strap so it will be behind the seat.

Cover now on the seat back

Carefully place the spring and plug from the old seat into the new seat back and pop the seat back into the seat base. Once you do that you'll want to loosen the seat back straps as much as possible and then reconnect them to the base using the bolts, nuts and washers you saved earlier.

Inserting the spring and plug

Loosening the straps for reattachment

Straps reattached

Tighten the straps a bit and attach the bungees and voila! You did it.

Finished seat with new back

Pedal vs Paddle

America, and most of the world, craves polarization. Whether it's subconscious or completely knowing, people want to know where you stand on certain things.

Are you Republican or Democrat?
Are you Pro Choice or Pro Life?
Are you pro carbs or anti-carbs?
Are you Baptist, Aetheist or Catholic?
Are you a pedal or paddle kayaker?

As you can see, while we want everyone to be one or the other, if we are answering for ourselves, you might be a third or fourth option which isn't given. I know Libertarians, moderates, Methodists and folks who can enjoy both sides of the pedal vs paddle showdown.

Having a bit of research scientist in me, I did a little experiment over at yakangler.com a few weeks back to see if my hypothesis was correct. I set up a poll and asked if money were no object and you could have any one kayak which one would you choose.

With all the us vs them, pedal vs paddle rhetoric that floats around, I was expecting the paddlers to step up and stay firm. If they truly felt paddle kayaks were "truer to the sport" and pedal yaks were "not even a real kayak" as I had heard, the polls should be widely distributed among Wilderness Systems, Ocean Kayaks and others. I expected the pedal guys with Hobies and Natives to of course choose those. I expected about 15% to be Native and Hobie combined if the rhetoric were to hold true.

It didn't.

41% of the people participating in the poll chose a Hobie with a Mirage drive. Another 16% chose a Native with a propel drive. The comments were valuable as well. So many of them talked about money. "Well, if you're giving me $3,000, I'll take a PA," (Hobie Pro Angler).

57% of the people participating chose to get a kayak with pedals. Interesting.

So what do I make of this?

While we all have ideas around what we think kayaking is, when the rubber meets the road, what actually plays a large part is money. Of course! If I asked 100 middle class folks if they were in favor of raising the taxes on the rich so the tax burden could be lessened on those less fortunate, I'd bet a large pizza that most of them would say yes. But after they answered you explained that rich meant above the poverty line, their tune would change. Anytime you add or take away money from an equation it changes how people feel. By taking money out of the equation in the poll question, die hard paddle for life guys would purchase a Hobie or Native.

It happens everywhere in life. Think about driving down the highway. I see $125K sports cars and think to myself, "I would never spend my money on that!" if I were to ever have that kind of expendable income. But maybe I would. If I won the lottery to the tune of $350 million dollars, would I think about that car differently? Maybe so. Maybe not. But, when the money is neutralized in the situation, I am much less quick to dismiss the idea.

Kayaking isn't that much different. We have become a community of haves and have nots. Some guys use a $99 fish finder, some use nothing, and some have $2,000 units on their kayak. Is one right or wrong? No, but $99 guy usually has an opinion about $2K guy. Notice I said the guy. On the water we often draw conclusions about people based on appearance. A pedal kayak with an 1198 Humminbird, all Daiwa Steez equipment and nice clothes means a guy is unapproachable and a rich snob to many. Is that fair? No. But it happens every day. It's almost a reverse segregation.

Chances are the guy in that "fancy kayak" doesn't look down on someone in a $200 kayak. Almost every single person I know that has a decked out kayak goes out of their way to be friendly. I have had them show me their graph and point exactly where to throw, during a tournament! I have had these same guys show me rock piles and road beds as well. They only ask I don't broadcast it.

It's prejudging. We've all heard don't judge a book by its cover. Do many of us live by it? No, not really. We have a desire to compartmentalize people and things. We want to profile with just a glimpse. Have you ever assumed someone was a certain gender or age while they drive in front of you? Maybe saying something like," Get out of the way grandpa!"? I have. And then I pass them and lo and behold it's a 16 year old, nervous out of their mind with Dad in the passenger seat. Suddenly I have more compassion and empathy for the situation and may even feel a little bad for being upset. Why? What changed? It was because I could relate.

Money can drive a wedge in anything. It's the leading cause of divorce, lost friendships and splitting communities. I'm not convinced we will ever get away from that but we can change how we act publicly.

Money appears to be the reason more people aren't pedaling and are still paddling. This doesn't fit 100% but it does apply more than it doesn't. If given the option to purchase a Hobie Quest for $800 or a Hobie Outback with Mirage drive for $800 (see, neutralizing the money), very few Quests would be sold. Versatility is important but when it costs more, each individual has to decide if it is worth it.

The natural reaction is to defend against your current position. My Facebook feed is filled with political commentary. The problem is, it isn't filled with Republicans or Democrats saying what they have done that is helping people, but rather what the opposite party is doing that they don't agree with. We make ourselves feel better by lowering the opposing party. Kayaking is no different.

Lack of money, jealousy and prejudging cause a lot of class warfare. Paddle kayakers tend to poke fun, tease and even badger pedal kayakers about how they aren't real kayakers. The arguments of whether they should even be allowed in tournaments comes up every year too. It's not fair is heard a lot. Pedal kayakers either tell them they are jealous, try to convince them why it's awesome or just keep their mouths shut. So ask the hard question and really examine yourself for the answer. If I GAVE you a brand new Hobie Pro Angler tomorrow, decked out with whatever electronics you liked, no strings attached, would you feel differently? Oh you don't like the PA? How about a Slayer Propel from Native? Think about it. There will be a few who really aren't interested but only a few. It's a money thing.

Pedal vs Paddle isn't really a debate over what is good for the sport, what the word "kayak" really means, or who is doing it right. I firmly believe it comes down to money at the root of it all. We make ourselves feel better about our current situation by trying to reduce the status of others. Pedals and paddles have their place. So do the people that own them. Be kind on the water. Don't judge. The newbies are watching and learning from our behavior. Is it something we want to continue in the future?


Full disclosure: I have owned pedal and paddle kayaks in the last year. Currently I do not own any pedal kayaks. There are definitely days where one can be better than the other based on conditions but there is never room for hating on someone because they kayak in a different style. Share the water. Make new friends. Be kind.
  

Start Cheating... on Yourself

Fishing forums are filled to the gills with people talking about fishing, catching and the baits they are using to do it. Among those baits are certain ones that you have heard about for years and constantly pass over when tying on a new lure while on the lake. I've been doing it for almost 30 years.

I don't like spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and until recently jigs. I've never had a lot of luck on them and they just gave me no confidence. I see friends, family and famous people throwing spinnerbaits but when I do it, it's...well...it's a suck fest. Chatterbaits are just weird to me. My dad likes them and caught his biggest bass ever on one but for me, again, suck fest. Jigs, the same story. Until last week.

I've had limited success previously on jigs. That translates to one six pound bass in the dead of winter. One time. It was a great fish but I quickly went back to my favorite confidence baits (Hag's Tornado Baits). I am sure we've all done it, told ourselves we would branch out and try a new bait that works well for lots of people and is great in lots of applications. We buy some of those new to us baits and take them with us. And then when the opportunity arises, the new tool never gets used.

Speaking personally, I've sold scores of baits that were out of package and merely chauffeured around in my kayak.  I hate that but I just wouldn't cheat. I wouldn't cheat on my confidence bait. I wouldn't cheat on myself. As a creature of habit and seeking to actually catch fish I had to break my mindset. Completely. When you take personal pride in outsmarting nature and convince a fish to eat a non-food item, it's hard to break that. Fly fishermen understand this even more when they tie their own flies. I remember my first fly I caught a trout on that I had personally tied. It was amazing!

So what did I do? I set myself up for success. To gain confidence, you need to locate water with actively feeding fish. Then, you need to cheat on yourself. You need to quit taking your confidence baits. It is much easier said than done and it feels wrong. Only take the bait you need to get to know. Take several of them but stay within that category. For me, the first item was the jig.

I had received a boost of confidence from friends on the forums who already know the fish catching power of the jig. I followed their advice and went to work. Within 15 minutes of launching, I had my first jig fish of the year in the kayak. My Commander 140, nicknamed "Winter Soldier" was proving a great platform for this type of fishing. I could stand, sit or crouch and lay into the hookset to get these fish out of the cover. With early success, I continued to percolate confidence and land several more fish. All on the jig. The other bonus was all of the fish were 14 inches or larger.

Planning for success coupled with forcing the situation made it happen and now the jig has a permanent place in my bait rotation. To me that makes me a better fisherman.

Now I just need to cheat a little more and learn to love a spinnerbait.

Review: Wilderness Systems Commander 140

This winter I was able to acquire a kayak I've been eyeing for over a year: The Wildy Commander 140. I first demoed one last year at Fly Fish Texas in Athens, TX and had been thinking about it since that time. I've had several trips out on the water now and it is time to report in.

The Rigging

My Commander, nicknamed "Winter Soldier" by my son, is the 14 foot version with a front bow skirt and a rudder system. I've added a Lowrance Elite 5 fish finder, a Super Nova Fishing Lights LED light kit, several RAM and YakAttack accessories, a Bullwinkle mount, an anchor trolley and switches for the electronics. I move it from place to place with a C-Tug cart and transport it either via trailer or in the bed of my truck with a bed extender. It is the camo color offered by Wilderness Systems.

The Good

The Commander 140 is the second easiest kayak to stand on I've ever tried, just short of the Hobie Pro Angler (but let's be honest, that thing is a barge, like standing on a cruise ship). Because the Commander is a sit in/sit on hybrid, the point of balance for your body when standing is not your ankles, it is actually your knees because of the padded side rails. Imagine trying to extend your arm perpendicular to your body while standing. Now, in that extended arm, with just your fingertips hold out a six foot long broom handle with a tennis ball on the end from the opposite side. Now try it again, two feet closer to the ball with your whole hand. The second way is easier. Much easier. This is the same thing with the Commander. Using a support point closer to your head eliminates sway in your torso and allows you to balance better.

Standing isn't the only nice thing though. The kayak is spacious. I can store my BlackPak and C-Tug in the back without a problem. There is even enough space that I usually bring a bag of snacks and drinks to stow back there as well. In the main area, the seating options also shine. The lumbar support offered from the Wildy seat is good with adjustable leg straps, back rest straps and tensioners to keep the seat in place. If you need to get a little higher up just fold the seat back down and slide it under the Captain's Perch. The Perch is molded like a seat and getting up and down changes your angle and can also relieve stiffness after long hours on the water. If the Captain's Perch still isn't high enough up, just stand up and paddle.

In front of the main area is a cross bar for mounting items or carrying or resting items. This separates another front area that when you add the bow skirt with the mesh pocket can become additional storage that is not on the floor of the kayak.

As for tracking, the Commander 140 stays pretty straight when paddling and doesn't deviate course. For long paddles with wind, this helps your paddle stroke be more efficient.

So it is pretty easy to stand in, tracks well, has good seating options and ample storage space. There is one more thing that shines about this kayak: The Weight. Listed at only 68 pounds, this 14 foot kayak can be carried on your shoulder and has padding provided to do so. Going from Point A to Point B is easier than with most.

The Needs Improvement

As with most hybrid sit in/sit on kayaks, there are no scupper holes. You need to keep a sponge or pump handy if you are fishing in heavy chop or rain. With a bow skirt you'll eliminate most of the water that could potentially get in on normal paddling days. I also don't recommend this kayak for anything surf side but bay side adventures will be a great fit.

Another thing that is difficult is inside the side track you have these bungee connectors that can move back and forth to be tightened. The tightening happens with a hex key. The hex key is a size that isn't included in a normal $10 set at the hardware store so hang on to the key. I don't have mine and it's been a bear trying to find a size to match it. If Wildy could make a place, possibly under the Perch that had a couple of clips and a couple of the hex keys it would help. At least for me.

Bow and stern skirts currently need to be purchased separately but in the future it would be cool to see a retractable skirt integrated into the front and rear hatches. If you need it you extend it and if you don't it rolls back into its self on the hull. Think of it like those retractable window shades for cars.

It could also be a nice addition to include rod tubes for the main area. I currently store rods in my BlackPak and two on a Bullwinkle mount up front. Rod tubes would store a few of the rods out of the way of limbs etc and also not have them in the way of a sweeping hookset.

The final thing is maneuverability. Because the Commander 140 tracks so well and is long, it needs some extra effort to turn. It takes some extra strokes (as does any 14 foot kayak) to turn but the added rudder can greatly ease that burden. I don't see this as much of an area of needed improvement as a "just be aware of it" item if you don't get a rudder.

Final Thoughts

If you are in the market for a kayak you can stand in, camp in, store tons of gear in, and just all around enjoy, this is a kayak you should look at. With 450-475 pounds of capacity it will accommodate most paddlers and sometimes an additional guest. The Commander is stable and can make a long day of paddling seem short. I'd highly recommend a demo of one.

My Personal Christmas Wish List

I am all for charity, giving and the true meaning of Christmas. Tis the season to help another out and good will toward men. Right now though, I am going to give in to my own wants and needs. Give me five minutes to get this out of my system and then I promise, I'll go back to picking out some Toys for Tots for the Santa Claus Classic (which is a cool benefit tourney on Lady Bird Lake I'll be fishing with Robert Field this weekend).

I've made lots of lists of cool gadgets, kayaks, accessories and more. Some of the stuff on the lists I already have and some of it just doesn't really work for how and where I fish. It does work for the masses though, thus, the lists.

Today I wanted to publish my personal wish list. One thing per category. Chances are I won't get any of this stuff but looking to the future, this is what I am looking at. I definitely wouldn't be heart broken if some of this showed up. Keep in mind this is MY list. That being said, I'd love to hear what's on YOUR list. So Little Drummer Boy slap me down a drum roll cause here we go:

Accessory

Leverage Landing Net-Kayak Model- $69

 I need one of these. I have two nets and they both are too small and not long enough. This net would handle both of those problems.

Electronics

Hydrowave Mini- $139

If it gets me just one more cull fish per tournament, that pays for itself in a couple of weeks, if not just one.
It runs on a 9V so I don't even have to splice it in. Sweet!

Propulsion

Bending Branches Angler Pro- $299

Since going back to paddle yaks, I need a better engine (paddle). This would be a great edition without completely emptying the bank account. It would make a good dent though.

Clothing

Bomber Gear Blitz Splash Top- $100

You have to take the cold weather seriously. I have plenty of summer gear but my winter gear is sparse to say the least. Be comfortable AND dry? Yes please.

Kayak

Wilderness Systems Commander 140- $1049

I have my two Malibu Kayaks which I really enjoy but for those brutally cold days I would love to own one of these. Being able to stay dry, stand and fish, as well as being a breeze to load and unload are just a few of the reasons this made my wish list. When I think stable, dry and easy to load/unload, I think Commander 140.

Fishing Bait

Hag's Tornado Baits- $4

Look, I know I am constantly talking about Hag's but these are my favorite baits in the world. I go through F4 and F8 Tornados in Watermelon Chartreuse like it's my one and only job. I do throw other baits but I haven't been on a fishing trip in several years where I haven't thrown a Hag's. Ask anyone who has fished with me what I throw. They'll agree. You can buy me as many of these as you can afford. They will get used. I promise. Top three colors for me: Watermelon Chartreuse, Purple Haze, Hag's Secret.



So that's it. Sure a lot of these items are pricey. Remember that part where i said, "Chances are I won't get any of this stuff but looking to the future, this is what I am looking at"? That's why. If they were all $20, I'd probably have them by now. Except the Hag's. I'll never have enough of those.

What's on your list for Santa? Dream big! You never know what might show up at your door. :)

Also, note to Santa, most of these things can be found at mariner-sails.com or kayakfishinggear.com (Mariner Sails and HOOK1). Thanks big guy!

Five Kayaks Everyone is Talking About

Most of the 2014 kayaks are starting to arrive in showrooms across the country, while a few are being shown as pictures only for now. Leaking photos, excitement about arrivals and new reviews are fueling the growing buzz for several kayaks. Energized by the Holiday Shopping Fever that is so rampant this time of year, kayaks, and these five especially, are being mentioned in almost every forum and Facebook group across the nation. Innovative designs are leading the excitement and for good reason. These are not listed in rank order. You'll have to decide for yourself which is tops on your list.

1. Native Slayer Propel

Since its first "accidental photo leak" earlier in the year, the Slayer Propel has been seen as a game changer by many. A narrower kayak than its brother the Mariner, the Slayer Propel offers the hull of the original Slayer (with some improvements) but the versatility and speed of the Mariner. Native still hasn't given the Slayer any real underdeck storage but I'm just one guy asking. The price: $2,399

2. Jackson Big Rig

At just over 13 feet long and 37 inches wide, the Big Rig from Jackson is exactly that. Designed for superior stand and fish capability, it should deliver. It's still listed as a prototype but is available for preorder now. The estimated weight capacity is between 550 and 600 pounds which should bode very well for larger paddlers who want to stand and fish. The price: $1499 w/o a rudder and $1699 with a rudder. 

3. Old Town Predator

In two models (13 and MX) the OT Predator has made a splash in the kayak market. Combining lots of sought after features, Old Town is causing people to look their way. A three position frame seat option, rod pod and six removable mounting plates bring comfort and customizability to a big water boat. The smaller MX removes the Rod Pod and is a slightly smaller boat for river running which makes a great fly casting option. The price: $1299 for the 13, $1199 for the MX.

4. Wilderness Systems Ride 115X

The 115X offers a new twist on a current favorite. The removable electronics bay in the front has been a huge hit with fishermen this year. Having a single box that all of your electronics fit on and in (for single transducer models) that are easily removed when needed has been a major draw. With an already proven stand and fish capability, this just adds another reason why people continue to buy Rides. The price: $1059. 

5. Feelfree Lure

The Lure has seemingly taken the lawn chair seating craze one step further. The leaked photos seem to have the Lure posed with a cushioned, lumbar cradling, four position seat that should rival any competitor on the market. Add in molded handles, tri-lock hatch and available rudder and Feelfree is swinging for the fences. Little in the way of thoughts and reviews are out yet on the Lure but it is burning up the internet with talk of what could be. The price: $1099 w/o the rudder, $1249 with the rudder.

Love the list? Hate the list? What should be on the list that's not? Let everyone know! 

Are Sponsorships Not What You Think?

Chad Hoover

Last week when I wrote the "Want to Be Sponsored?" piece,  I heard from people in 32 different countries. Some were mad, some angry, some thought I was clueless, some agreed but what became evidently clear is that the definitions of the different levels were muddy and in some cases not even known. 

Luckily, Chad Hoover who has worn hats as a business owner, tv show host, manufacturers rep, pro staff director, kayak fisherman and brand rep chimed in. He saw what I saw: misconceptions and half truths. Chad wanted to give an outline of what the different levels were from a business and manufacturer rep's standpoint as well as someone who had climbed through them all. It may not hold true for all companies but it does for a lot of them. Actually most of them.

You want the inside scoop? The real deal from Hoover himself? Here it is.

We'll start first with definitions.

Level 1- Field Staff

At this level, a fisherman will typically get some stickers, maybe a hat or shirt and a discount. Usually the discount is less than 20%. There are few expectations for these folks except to say good things about the product.

Level 2- Pro Deal

At this level you are doing some significant things for a company. Maybe it's blogging, videos, pictures, social media and some trade shows. You conduct yourself in a manner consistent with company values and may do a few seminars or speaking events. The discount increases at this level and is usually 20-30%.

Level 3- Pro Staff

One of the most over used terms in the industry, Pro Staff means just that. You are a Pro on the company's Staff. People that work at headquarters know your name even if you don't work in that city. They seek out your advice on product development and deployment. You have a public presence and insider information. You know what new stuff is coming down the pipe well before the public and most of the time, you've been involved with it in some form or fashion. You get good discounts (30-50%) and some free product as well depending on the company.

Level 4- Sponsored

The pinnacle of deals for fishermen. Sponsored guys get significant amounts to all product for free. They are also compensated for entry fees, appearance fees, stipends for days at trade shows, get travel fees and most importantly cut a check for fishing in a kayak. Hoover says there are fewer than 10 of these folks in the country in kayak fishing. 

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Let's talk about getting a deal. Lots of fishermen want a deal. Who wouldn't like free product? So can you get a deal? Maybe Field Staff or a Pro Deal? Sure. Can you get sponsored? Sure. BUT... Let me say it again. BUT... you have to work to get there.

Do you want to know the truth? 

If not, thanks for reading, we'll hopefully see you again next week. 

If you do want the actual truth from the man who has climbed to the summit, keep reading. Hoover doesn't pull punches. He wants you to know the REAL DEAL.  These were my takeaways from our conversation. 

There is no sponsorship lotto you can buy a ticket for. No fast track exists. I cannot learn to throw a football today and expect to quarterback the 49ers tomorrow. Too many people want to know the shortcut. They will ask, so how can I get there? Should I blog or do photos or shoot video or talk at conventions or work trade shows? The answer is yes. You should be doing all of those. One avenue for public exposure is rarely enough for potential suitors to want to give you a deal. You need to network, be known and also be reputable. You can't build a good reputation with thousands of people over night. It takes time, public vetting and hard work with no compensation. If you wouldn't do it for free, don't try to get paid for doing it. 

Confession time. When I started this blog I thought I wanted to be sponsored. I called Chad and he gave me the same info you are now getting. He asked me what I loved. I told him I loved to write and tell people about kayak fishing. He told me to chase that. He told me to fish and write. He told me to quit thinking about targeting companies and start thinking about developing what I loved. So I did. To this day I have received $0 for writing this blog. What I have received in abundance is an overwhelming network of friends, business contacts, partner companies and fishermen that have found value in what I have worked so hard to develop. It's very similar to the feeling you get when you catch a big fish on a bait or rod that you have made by hand. 

So what are some keys to getting to a place where companies will ask about you?

1. Care more about the name on the front of the jersey than the back. If your identity is wrapped up in who your sponsors are, you are doing it wrong.

2. Patience. It takes time to become noticed. In some cases, it may never happen and you need to be ok with that.

3. Work.Can't stress this enough. You have to be willing to put more in than you expect to get out. 

4. Don't posture. Brand wars, mine is better than yours, acting like a fool in social media and fights whether verbal or physical are bad news. Keep a positive attitude and represent yourself well. You are your own brand!

5. Stop trying to get free stuff. Get in the game, pay your dues, keep your nose clean, be accessible, open and honest and your time will come. People are attracted to others with passion. If you are passionate about pneumatic snowball throwers and blog about it twice a week, shoot videos and hold seminars on how to build your own, people who share that interest will seek you out. It may take some time but once they find you, if you are the real deal, they will tell their friends. Building a following takes time.

You want the formula for a Staff, Deal or Sponsorship position?

WORK + TIME + AUDIENCE = INTEREST

Don't spend your time looking for a loop hole. Spend your time developing your passion. It pays off much bigger in the end.

Do you have thoughts about this article you want others to know? Don't agree? Fully agree? Let me know on Facebook or in the comments section. 

Brand Wars

Though it has been happening for years, this summer has been the most vocal, heated and polarizing time I can remember in kayak fishing. At times it is just a gentle murmur on forums and at others it is an all out Brand War.

From the sidelines, I can see owners of a certain brand of kayak wanting to defend their purchase. I get that. You did some or a lot of research and came to the conclusion that based on your budget, needs, wants etc that this was the kayak for you. If someone says they don't like it or it is an inferior boat, tempers might flare, some words exchanged or you just decide maybe you won't converse with that person any longer. Attacks on other manufacturers however, seem way out of place. Segregating based on motor, pedal or paddle seems wrong. We need to appreciate each other, regardless of the kayak and method we propel it.

Each kayak on the market has goods and bads about it. Every. Single. One. Wilderness Owner, Hobie Owner, Native Owner, Jackson Owner, none of you (us) are exempt. You see, there is no perfect kayak for all people in all conditions. Some of the things I don't like about the Native Slayer, my buddy Michael loves. We fish differently and expect different things. Michael and I had a great discussion around the campfire about what our likes and dislikes in kayaks were. I wish everyone could have those conversations and be that open to other opinions.

This is not politics where you are typically Democrat or Republican. More than two kayak companies exist. We live in a time where innovations are made quickly. The public has a great voice in how kayaks are being designed.

We need to use our voice for good. We need to use our voice for inviting others to the sport. The gift of growth is seldom captured but we are in a blooming sport that has no ceiling in sight.

It is my opinion that people looking to get into the sport will be more hesitant to buy a kayak if they think they will be looked down on.

I helped a man this weekend pick a kayak. He was torn between two, one of which was several hundred dollars more expensive. I asked him what he felt comfortable with, talked about all the options out there and reminded him, at the end of the day, getting on the water is the important thing. Your kayak experience is what you make it. If you decide to upgrade later, great! If not, that's fine too. You cannot know what you really like and dislike until you've spent some time on the water. He left with the less expensive kayak, all the gear he needed and felt good about his purchase.

I may get a lot of hate mail and comments for writing this. It's ok. You're just proving my point.

To grow the sport we have to create an environment desirous to people outside of the sport. If you are a brand fanatic, support your brand with all your heart and soul. Please support others who choose a different brand though. Not everyone has to be in your club as long as they are in the sport.

To those of you out there already living this lifestyle of kayak fishing love for all, thank you. To those of you who are not, please stop the hate. Conversations are good, downtalking other brands is counterproductive.

Please help me in encouraging others to create an environment welcoming of all kayakers.

This Public Service Announcement brought to you by paynespaddlefish.com

Catching Fire in the Marketplace

Every 6-12 months a new kayak, new gadget, and new widget seems to catch fire in the retail and barter markets. The object becomes desirable and sells like crazy and then more often than not comes back down to the normal rate of sales a few months later.

Remember when everyone had to have a Native Ultimate? Remember when the Hobie Outback was THE boat? Remember the Jackson Coosa craze? Are you paying attention to the Wilderness Systems Ride craze that is going on simultaneously with the Hobie Pro Angler craze? If you said yes to one of these questions, the follow up to it is why? Why do these things “catch fire” or “sell like hotcakes”?

Malcolm Gladwell wrote a book called The Tipping Point. In it he talks about diffusion models, and three key players: Mavens, Connectors and Salespeople.Don't worry too much about the diffusion model piece.


Let's look at the three players.

Mavens are idea people. They are always thinking of new ideas, inventions, new ways to do certain tasks. I think Luther Ciphers is a great example of a maven. Luther is always pushing the envelope to do things better. He can take an idea, tweak it and give you something better. He also has the skills to make it. Often idea people are just that, full of ideas. Luther can take it from idea to merchandise with his own tool set.

Connectors get the word out. These folks seem to know everyone. If someone asks about a good plumber, they have a guy. If someone wants to know who to talk to about getting a new kayak, they have a guy. The Connector doesn't forget many folks, if any, and has great recollection of where he met someone and under what circumstance. I have often been called a Connector. I like people and like to know what they do. I can remember where I met someone even years or decades later. I have freaked people out when they have no idea who I am but I remind them we met at a party in Abilene, TX in 1997. And I can recall the house, who else was there etc. I've had to limit myself with this skill when someone doesn't remember me. It comes off stalker or uber nerd. If you need a guy for this or that, I can get you in touch with them.

Salespeople are not paid to sell in a lot of cases. They sell things without knowing it sometimes. It doesn't have to be a product; it could be an idea or thought too. These sales folks drive sales just by talking about them. Have you ever been in a room and been fired up to take action? A Salesperson just sold you on something. Motivational speakers are like this as are football coaches. Chad Hoover is a Salesman. When you watch his U-Stream videos you can see the passion. You are drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Chad breathes kayak fishing. People are attracted to his passion. How many of you went to his seminar in Dallas? Did you leave pumped up or did you feel blah? I bet it wasn't blah. 

When the three types work together, products and ideas can catch fire. The Connectors are the hubs. Chad and Luther have hubs all around the world, people referring the folks they know to HOOK1, YakAttack, Wilderness Systems, World Fishing Network, KBF and others. Usually a Connector will recommend you to look at a product or idea by a Maven and then introduce or encourage you to talk to a Salesman.

An example would be the BlackPak by YakAttack. How many of us have heard Chad talking about, Luther building and been referred to both by others?

What makes it even better is when a person with one of the types is also strong in another category. Luther and Chad both have qualities of the other two types. This can create a Perfect Storm in a selling environment.

Passion, when it meets with innovation and need (or want) drives the market. This is why it catches fire.