CHEAPEST Kayak Fishing Setup for Beginners From Start to Finish 

IMO ( my experience ) If you're so new to kayak fishing hat you're not even sure you're gonna enjoy it at all , buy the cheapest one you can find , use the crappy paddle that comes with it and ( if no built in rod holders. ) put together a milk crate with PVC made rod holders held with zip ties . All set to go . If it turns out that you don't like the sport you can sell a cheap boat in 1 day . No harm done . If you do like it you can buy or make better mods . Mainly, keep it simple ( and cheap ) in the beginning. Happy fishing ! Oh , and a fat car washing sponge . ( you'll see how handy they are )

I've been using this kayak for years. I put scupper plugs in, paddle holder, and a trolly anchor system. Works great.

its fricken crazy to me watching you put one of those things in the ocean. I live in Oregon on the pacific coast and I have a 1100 dollar kayak with all the accessories and im still not confident enough to put it in the pacific. Crazy how different our two oceans are.

This was the same kayak that I started with 8 years ago. I did a lot of the same upgrades you did. It served me well, and love that kayak. Since then, I have upgraded to a much more expensive kayak with Bixpy power, ect. I still have the lifetime to use on smaller creeks, or just a loaner to whoever wants to go with me. In my opinion the Lifetime is perfect for someone that's never been kayaking. They are surprisingly stable for the money. Nice video! By the way, those red plastic Folgers coffee container fits perfectly inside the compartment with velcro on the bottom. Everything will stay dry in there if you get water in your hull.

If you are just starting out, you can't go wrong with this at $300 or less. I started out with the Tahoma (same hull, different name from Walmart) and now that I own 9 kayaks, that first Tahoma will always have a special place in my heart and I still own it. I see this is called the Tioga here, but this same hull is sold by different names... The Tamarack and Tahoma are two other names this goes by with only small differences in the way it's outfitted, such as a foam cover on the seat back or a very thin foam seat cushion (I use a cut up yoga mat anyway), or built-in rod holders. If you are new to kayaking, get this, use it a bunch of times, and find out if you are into kayaking or not... It'll pay for itself in just a few uses (vs paying for rentals). Don't spend money outfitting it (unless you really like it and want to stick to it), and after you get a better feel for your specific kayaking preferences and needs, then you upgrade. All the different kayak hulls have their pros and cons and best uses for different scenarios, which is why I ended up with 9... Lol. I also own the longer, bigger brother to this calked the Lifetime Temptation or Lifetime Stealth. I really enjoyed it and used it a lot. I liked it better than the Tahoma... It's similar in many ways to my Tahoma, but longer (11ft), and a bit faster, and handles chop better, and a bit more comfortable because of the extra space. For what it's worth, my favorite kayak BY FAR is the 15ft Ocean Kayak Prowler 15. It's an amazing all-around kayak. It's fast, it's great in shallow water, great in choppy ocean water, and stable. I wouldn't try to stand in it... it's not made for standing, but it's just as stable as my Temptation. I would have to make an effort to flip it and I comfortably sit side-saddled all the time without any fear if flipping. You can find one used on OfferUp or Facebook for $300-$500. Have fun out there!

I bought a Lifetime Yukon last year. Kayaks are so much fun!

Thanks! Good basic information. I just bought a couple of these kayaks here in Belize and you answered several of my questions. We will use them the same way in rivers, lakes, and the sea.

To prevent things moving around in the hull I stacked pool noodles on top of each other with duct tape / measured width of kayak in front + behind hatch / cut noodles to length + stuffed in hatch to provide barrier. If deck to hull distance is short or you get large pool noodles you can get away without stacking. Added Bonus - more flotation!

great video, I'm just starting out my kayak fishing and I'm doing some research and this helped me figure out what I needed as far as accesories go

Bought the same kayak 2years ago. First timer. Love it. Great price.

I'm not a fishing guy - but seems to me an easy solution for your storage - you could just attach a keyring to your tackle boxes - and get a couple cheap carbineer hooks attached to a some tethers on the access doors. This way you can purposely slide your stuff all the way down the hull and make full use of the storage but still be able to retrieve it. Probably esp good for extras or some emergency supplies you want quick access to but don't plan on needing.

Just bought one of these for 249 at my local tractor supply. Very high quality for the price.

I have the same kayak, it's the one I started using and is great for a beginner. I have upgraded since to an Old Town Predator but kept my Lifetime for friends to go with me. I did flip this one a couple times on rivers and lost a very expensive rod so make sure EVERYTHING is leashed because it WILL flip.

i was stoked getting my 10 foot kayak and mounting it up, i just had 2 crossbars on my roof , ran ratchet straps to front and rear, use a soft tackle holder on a cord and it will not get lost in the hull

Thanks i gotta go check those out i really want to start kayak fishing

I also agree this is a great first kayak. I have had other kayaks in the past (sit inside). I love sit on top kayaks, especially for first timers, kids, people who are not very bendy/athletic enough to climb into a sit inside. If you fall off/roll this yak, its easy enough most should be able to flip it back over if needed, and its easy to get back into/onto. This design is virtually unsinkable, even if you flip it, it still floats, and give you something to float on to shore or until someone comes and gets you. If you flip a sit inside, one you have to either roll it back over while still sitting in it under water, or come out of the upside down kayak under water, roll it over if you can, then bilge pump all the water out, then climb back in. Sounds easy don't it? I would say sit on tops are the perfect option for anyone just starting out, and I would say safer than other types of kayaks. I am also $450 into mine. I have mine setup with a fish finder, a net, a better longer and stiffer paddle, and a anchor with trolley system. A 1 gallon black plastic paint can from homedepot fits perfectly in the port/hatches. There are so many vids on youtube about kitting out this yak

Lol I got that same kayak for fishing the bayous around here. Bringing the 2 person one from the, I have all tricked out like yours to Florida next week! 👏

that is a great deal... keep us updated on any seat upgrade

I bought this kayak based off of this video and it is amazing. i picked it up tied it down to my truck roof and went straight to my local lake and it was amazing

OK.. i think i am sold. I've been debating on whether or not to save up some $$ and buy one of these. I was not sure on the stability of it but the ocean test really proved it to be good

Great video and info ! Thanks for sharing !

I always chuckle about wearing the life vest whenever the reason is hitting head and getting knocked unconscious. Sounds like if that’s the worry, you should be wearing a helmet along with a life vest. Don’t get me wrong, I always wear a vest. Not for the knockout worry, but for the chance you get separated from boat for an extended period of time. Sure, most times I’m within a quick 5 minute swim to some sort of land or shallow water, but still I’d rather be able to float whenever needed instead of forced to tread while resting.

Dude you killed this video great job

$150.00 on Craigslist😊

Yes , bless tractor supply. I just got a Hydros 8.5 there .... 199.99 that's a deal 👌 I love it !!!! Electric green 💚

Pool noodle make water good water deflectors cut a couple pieces about 3 inches add to each end of your paddle and easy to replace when worn out .

I plug some of my scupper holes so I don't get the soggy butt. I bought a bag of foam practice golf balls. They work great & were cheap.

Hey Joe, good vid, You can make partitions under dek with some foam and glue them in so your under deck storage doesn't slid the length of the boat. be safe.

That's fine for the price, paddles ok!...did well.

Nice video. I've got the folding Tucktec Kayak, which at 26 lbs total, I like, but I'm thinking of a sit on top because I do the River along Florida's Green Swamp... don't really like being down eye to eye with the Gators. Looks like my turf... West Central Florida. Fun video. Thanks for the info.

Nice content well done

Nice video thanks

This video made me purchase a kayak, I went with a pelican catch mode 110. Bought gopros can't wait to have some time to get it on its maiden voyage

If some one wants to try for the first time seriously consider renting from a local shop for a day. If you hate it no sweat if you love it then you can skip the cheap step and go strait to a mid grade yak.

The Tioga is a pretty good kayak. I have the Teton 100 and honestly, the biggest difference is the seat and storage. The hulls are basically the same. I had a long time kayaker tell me not to buy a fishing kayak. Buy a recreational kayak and add your own rod holders. Rod holders are cheap, but when they add the word "angler", the price automatically goes up. the only problem I have with the lower end lifetime kayaks is the seat. The Teton has a great seat. great video.

Get a plastic 1 gallon paint can and cut the handle off and it will slide in perfectly to the cargo area. It will pull out easily if you need to access inside area and will keep your stuff dry and keep it from sliding out of reach.

Nice boat.

One other note if you're drilling holes in the kayak -- I suggest using a marine grade sealant (easily found at home depot, west marine, or other places) under the piece you're mounting & in screw holes. It'll help prevent water from leaking inside for any chop or if you flip.

Eyyy the Tractor Supply Co looks like the one local to me! Similar layout of store even across the country. I have a blue Lifetime Tamarak and a Tahoma (non fishing version) I got on sale and use as a loaner. They're good boats for the price! -- still working on kitting out my Tamarak better. Thanks for the vid! The mini cup holder is nice for soft plastics and lures I'm actively using or rigging but I just use a bottle for anyting for me that I clip in. The area I'm in has lots of wind in general so I always try to lash in as much as possible

One thing I don't find is the weight capacity of this kayak of this kayak. When I bought my first kayak I had trouble finding one with a sufficient weight capacity. I found almost every under $500 dollar kayak had a max capacity of 250 lbs (some less) . You should only load a kayak to no more than 75% of its capacity. So 250 lb capacity kayak can safely hold 187 lbs which includes your weight plus the weight of your gear. I weigh 240 lbs so I needed a boat with a 350 lb capacity (which allows me to take 20 lbs of gear.). I found a 12.5' Perception with those specs. As you noted the paddles included with kayaks aren't very good. If you can bend the blade, you are wasting power. My first kayak was a sit in and served me well but it was awkward and uncomfortable. I almost gave up yak fishing and I concerned buying a used runabout, But I decided to take the leap and buy an Old Town fishing yak which has a 450 lb capacity . It was night and day . For beginners for your safety and comfort do find the max weight capacity you are considering for safe paddling. , Sounds like you are having a great time. Welcome to the world of yak fishing.

In the center compartment just ad a rope that's what I did on mine case some time fill with enough water to move that box around.

I use an Academy stadium seat in my Lifetime. Fits pretty well, still sucks by the end of the day... but you can actually make it to the end of the day.

I use a seat pad make for kayaks that I got from Walmart it was under $10 I also put a thin rope on my boxes that I put in the dry wells and have use mess laundry bags I get from the Dollar Tree

For when you were in the ocean... not sure how much rope you can fit but an ankor might help for drift.

might be a nice touch. instead of a anti slip pad get some velcro and 3m it to the tackle box and the kayak so it stay securely in place. also you can add it to the top of the box and small strips to your tools to stick those on top of the box

water deflectors? Try drip rings..lol

Use those rug holder mats in the wells only a buck at dollar tree 😂

I literally just bought myself the same kayak at the same store before watching this video.

Are u able to rivet on some loops/hook holders after closing up them holes

JUST WENT ON SALE I SAW THIS AND BROUGHT 2

where can I get one of the bandana's/head covers you wear while scuba diving? they look great

Hi, I had this exact same problem with the paddle spilling water on me. Should I buy a new paddle?(I already tried water deflectors.

I got one of the Brooklyn Kayak Company PK-13 Kayaks which sadly I later found out from a coworker seeing him with a The Ascend 133X which is a lot less but weighs a lot more but is way more stable if your a big guy. These kind of small kayaks like in the video are fine for people his size but for bigger people you gotta have a kayak that can hold the weight plus the fishing tackle both kayaks hold over 500lbs The PK-13 is a bit annoying not much strech room like the The Ascend 133X has.

Video idea : 24 hours stranded on kayak , eat what you catch

I will need an Epirb at all times 😂😂😂

What is the weight limit of the original Kayak?

Is it normal in america to see alligators when lake/river fishing? And do they attack the kayaks?

Im 6'3 and was wondering if i would be to tall for this kayak, also i would have loved for you to do a flip test to show how much it took to flip the kayak.

Velcro in haul, Velcro on the back of your tackle boxes. Thank me later.

are you wearing astral sneakers?

Just continued watching the ocean test and I saw how calm you are when seeing a shark😅. Do they not attack kayaks? And are you not considering carrying a spear with you incase a shark was a little curios about your kayak?

That’s am easy fix to stop stuff sliding around inside the Kayak get a 1 x 2 then feltcro the bottom of the wood and the Kayak and make a square in the pocket as far as you can reach then it can’t slide any where in that pocket

I've gone fishing in my kayak but have not caught anything yet.

I'd like to get a kayak, but I'm on the larger side so I wouldn't know where to start. I weigh just over 300 pounds.

I own a couple of them & they will destroy your back. You need to modify them immediately with new seats, or you will be in pain. Make sure you get plugs or you & your stuff will get wet. The paddles aren't very good & they take in water due to the rivets. I'd suggest getting new ones or at least get drip guards till you can get a new setup. This kayak most certainly moves a lot, so get yourself an ancor & a decent amount of rope. Other than those things it's not bad.

How stable is it? I'm 6"2 260.

Is it just me or was the side of the kayak cracked when he put it on the car when the storm was there

You better get some tethers on those rods, if you flip you'll loose that 200.00 rod for sure.

I subscribed because: 1. This was very informative. 2. Great product review. 3. Last, NOT LEAST, in fact, MOST IMPORTANTLY, you DID NOT use the word “guys” 9 zillion times like a lot of morons do.

I wouldn’t mind fishing in a big boat with gator but a kayak no way

👍👍👍💪💪💪🤩🤩🤩🤩

How tall are you?

this guy made lots of fuckups in this video, too funny

😂 goes under a bridge wow

Me, I don't/won't buy a kayak where I have to upgrade "stuff" "Rig stuff" to make it work and certainly don't want one that is letting WATER into it. You can tell from this review, it was how cheap can we do it rather then make it functional. GREAT review because for me it is NOT a kayak I would buy.

your not supposed to be scooping water when you paddle you should be pushing the water, your scooping water in your kayak like a spoon haha nice build

12:36 I might be wrong but that looks like a crack in your hull already there.

*gets in water * gets mad he gets a little wet5

I added a bungee cord to the back of the seat back to keep it from falling while I'm using the boat . Then to travel I fold it down and hook the bungee to the center hatch bungee to keep it from blowing up while on the road . I also added a hatch in the bow of the boat for more storage . I also added a bungee net to better lash things on the bow with dedicated eyelets for the corners of the net . Great boat for $300,

Only 299 not 300

I feel like I'd be too concerned about gators/crocs and sharks. I have no idea how you stay so level headed with those big guys withou mouths full of sharp teeth all around you.

you are complaining every little detail grow up big man.

Should've left it where you found it!! 🤢

nice color too. id do the same. thank yuu