So stoked to see this review by Dan! He has played a huge role in bringing exposure to Crescent Kayaks and has such a vast understanding of the industry to pull references from. We have similar beliefs when it comes to kayaks and how they should perform. What a great voice and authority to speak on the LiteTackle II. 💪🙏
His review of the LT 2 as well as the first Lite Tackle was one of the motivating decisions for me to purchase the LT2 and I couldn’t be happier as a paddler that likes to do some fishing. My 6yr old daughter loves riding on the back of it plenty of room for her!
When Dan posts a kayak review, you watch it! This came at the perfect time so thank you for the insight! Agreed, those new added features spice it up a bit. Looks like it would be great for kayak camping
I’m 6’8” 280lbs and love my LT2. Paddles great. Great with my NK180. Plenty stable even in the high seat position. Best combination of stability and paddle ability of any fishing kayak on the market in my opinion. I’ve owned over 50 kayaks and the LT2 is in my top 5. Maybe top 3.
The lite tackle is a great kayak for dog owners, my Belgium Mal fits perfectly... a little tighter with my Siberian joins , but I manage when she wants to ride.
Bought my LT2 about 3 weeks ago from Quarry Springs Outfitters in central Iowa, about 30 minutes east of Des Moines. Greg is a really helpful, courteous guy; and clearly wants people to enjoy the sport, helps them get there as much as he can.
My first quality kayak. I love it. Paddle with a kid or two, fish, and hunt with dog from this thing. Did my research and this boat is my happy place. Crescent fan for sure. Lite tackle 2 is the bomb.
What I love most about crescent is how they are more stable with the more weight you put in them. I took my ck1 down a huge fast paced river loaded with camping gear. Even had a full bag of charcoal 😂 and I felt so stable. Had other kayakers in my group with different kayaks who tipped over during the trip and were freaked out about continuing but I felt so comfortable and stable in my CK1. Felt like I was in one of those big old school Cadillacs so smooth and stable with all my gear in it.
I fish out of the LT2 and I LOVE it! The high seat position is so damn awesome. Sit up nice and high but still stable...easy to get up and down. Had been using a SUP+ which I'll still use during the summer. Big fan of Crescent!
Me and bro in law have each, LT and LT2. We’re both 6’5”, 220-250lbs. We’ve been in all kinds of water, super stable in high and low. The playful primary makes it more enjoyable to paddle in all conditions. It does plow as you mention, but I’ll take that as the only sacrifice. Best kayak I’ve known!
As you know, I'm a fan of Lite Tackle. I'm digging the improvements. I agree with you on the rudder. Trolling with a heavy weight on one side, in a current and in a high wind, I think having a rudder is essential.
That's a really thoughtful deck layout. I like, too, that the hull design allows for some fun paddling too. My father got his fishing kayak (that Prowler 13 I was telling you about), and he ended up enjoying just paddling around more than the fishing, so a boat that allows for that sorta thing is fantastic.
Exactly. The Powler series paddles great. I can’t believe they discontinued it! That’s why I’m happy Crescent is pushing a little more performance friendly sit on tops now.
@@HeadwatersKayak Yeah, glad at least someone is; gives me something to suggest to people looking for a flexible fishing kayak. Need to see if anyone in Ontario carries them though.
With a whole lot of research, I got the original LiteTackle tan in color. Wife has the UltraLite. I'm older so stability was important. These kayaks provide that stability and ease of turning unlike some other kayak makers. Crescent company has great products! All the way to the thought of using Mighty Mounts instead of holes - openings to the inner hull. We are super happy with our Crescent kayaks! 👍🏻
I have the LT-1 and feel like an appropriate term for how this craft performs is; This kayak can really carve! Kind of like how one carves on skis through the snow. It's amazing in rivers as long as the water is not too shallow. It paddles up stream very well too.
Great review! I bought the LT1 about a month before Crescent announced the LT2. I'm a big guy at 370 pounds. There's no way I'd stand in this kayak nor would I dare use the high seat position. I moved from a Frontier 12 to the LT. In the Frontier, I had stability issues in the high (normal/factory) seat position. Hence my thinking that the high seat position in the LT is a no-go for me. My dream LT would actually entail an extra low seat position that places my hips below the gunnels like some SOT sea kayaks do with a molded in seat. I'm still struggling with the lack of primary stability. I may just need more seat time. I'm also losing weight, so that will help as well. It's a very challenging adjustment coming from the Frontier, which I fully expected. I bought the LT to experience this difference, and with the hopes of being able to take advantage of the much better paddling ability of the LT. Other big guy thought of the LT: - the foot pegs are not ergonomic: my heel sits on the peg rather than the balls of my feet. This ergonomic flaw really reduces my connection to the hull. I bought a set of foot pegs from 3DYak, which should be an improvement. - The seat (original unpaired seat) is solid in terms of supporting my weight. I feel like the seat cradles me well and I'm connected to the hull rather than sitting ontop of a floating platform. Without cushioning the seat is uncomfortable, though I have numbness issues. - the deep keel: I beach launch with a part of the kayak touching the ground in a few inches of water. I was concerned that the deep keel would make on-boarding a tippy nightmare. It was fine! I did install a kydex keel gaurd because the keel is going to take a beating - front hatch lid: I saw the LT1 hatch design as a flaw and a concession for price point purposes. It's not water tight, it does wiggle, and I have to take it off for transport. The LT2 front hatch design looks awesome 👌. Can't wait for warmer water temps. Water is still in low 40s here in NY. For reference, I fish bigger lakes in unprotected waters with chop, big boat wakes, and wind. I'm still worried about lack of primary stability in these conditions
@@joerico5918 I basically kneel into to the kayak and then turn to position myself in the seat. That part is not difficult. To exit, I just swing my legs over the side and slowly stand up with the kayak in a couple feet of water. I don't stand while in the kayak, but I imagine that would be hard at my size from a low seat. I do have a set of stabilizers I may resort to. I'm hoping to get used to relying on secondary stability, so I've opted to not deploy the stabilizers as of yet
I have the first version of this at 5'8" 250 it hauls me, 12 duck decoys, blind, and a shotgun out every year. I bought it because of your recommendation. I have had it a mile off shore in the gulf and around numerous lakes in Texas. It's amazing. I would have done just a few things different and it looks as if they addressed those in the 2.0 version.
Love my LT2 have it in the Moon Rock color looks really sharp and is just a ton of fun to paddle and fish out of. I have a good size lake with 50 miles of shore line I take it on water can get real choppy at times and this yak handles it like a champ
Dan, thanks for the great review! Watching your previous Crescent reviews I bought a CK1 last month! As a older kayaker the 60 lbs is good for me, and SOT as well! FYI bought from Headwaters Adventure! Great to work with and shipped up to Washington St.
@@HeadwatersKayak Also shot out to Tyler Hicks, spilt milt RU-vid channel for posting a vid on lighter boats.He mentioned crescent ultra light.. Got me looking at Crescent and watched all your videos on Crescent!
Great...last lite tackle review i watched i had to go buy one...thanks Dan, but im sure the people at H2Go Paddle in Monroe, La (and now Dallas, Tx) will love to see me coming!
Your my go to for kayak questions. I love Crescent, thinking of replacing my Jackson Mayfly with one of these. If I would of had you around years ago when I first started kayak fishing I wouldn't of made all the mistakes with my first kayaks. Thank you and keep the videos coming!!
I've recently discovered Dan's channel as I search for my first owned kayak. I am between the CK1 Venture and the Lite Tackle 2....I'd love to hear if anybody around 270lbs has a CK1 and if they are happy with the water dynamics at that weight! Great video Dan !
If you’re between the two go long. You’re gonna get better paddling performance out of it and stability. The higher volume of the lite tackle is a better match for your body weight. You could part of the CK one and be fine but no reason to hold yourself back by getting shorter kayak in my opinion.
I'm 6' 260lbs and have a CK1 Venture. I love it. I actually sold my Eddyline recently because it didn't work for me (great kayak though), and am keeping the CK1 Venture. It does seem like the LiteTackle II took some features from the Venture. I'm in Florida, when I was looking the Venture was brand new (2021), and the LiteTackle II wasn't out yet. I don't really have an interest in kayak fishing, but the Venture is capable enough and has a lot of the same Yak attack mounts and rails. The Venture would be better if you ever were going to have a kid or dog on it with you, because the front of it is totally open and you can take the bow cover off for all that open space. Had my friend's dog ride on it with me once, lol.
@@justinlintz9745 Took my ck1 down the manistee loaded with gear and it felt like I was in a Cadillac. Super smooth and stable. They get more stable the more weight you put in them. I also got my ck1 from water dog outfitters 🤙
I have the OG LT and the LT II. I have paddled in all of Crescent"s kayaks except the splash. They are all a blast to paddle. The LT2 being my fav all around kayak. Love all the improvements. I also have no issues fishing out of it. I only wish the pad kit extended to under the seat as I absolutely use it for storage when in high position which I'm so use to and love I hardly ever take it out of. So I'm getting ready to do 340 mile float on the Missouri River in Aug. What rudder would you recommend to put on the LT2? I would like it to be on a hand control as I like my foot pegs solid. You mentioned in a previous video that putting a moter on one of these crescent kayaks would "take the soul out of it". I couldn't agree more! The lt2 is so much fun just to paddle. Thanks and see ya on your next video
i bought the lite tackle last year just before they came out with the LT2! this was a little frustrating i would of waited if i had known there was a new one coming out! and i have not gotten to take it out yet because we didnt get it till late fall but hopefully soon!
Contacted Crescent but they don't ship. Trying to find a shop near NY that carries them, but I'll drive to GA if I have to. They did suggest I call Headwaters to see if they'll ship to NY.
Five Mountain Outdoors in shickskinny PA. Great local shop. Last week they had 27 crescent yaks in stock . There’s also a shop in Buffalo that carries crescent too
@@kayak_homie Thanks, I'm heading to NC in June. May return with a new Kayak! I figured I could fish my way back from GA but that will work out better..
Dan, will you be finding a new home for your LT? Love my LT after watching your original review. Crescent definitely did their homework on making the LT2.
My old LT is now being used down at the Lodi Boathouse as a premium rental. It held up to 3 years of me paddling it and now it’s lived through a year at the boathouse and it’s still going strong.
I'm definitely wanting to get a Crescent kayak when I free up some finances. I've watched a ton of videos on the CK1 and now this one looks great. Do you guys sell these? Was looking and seems a Headwaters Adventure Company in Redding is the closest Crescent dealer to Portland Oregon. I've only gone paddling 3 times. First time, didn't know what I was doing, struggled while in Kauai. Then I watched a bunch of your videos, and love how you gave educational tips, and the next two times I went kayaking, I had a blast! Rented a sit inside on Lake Crescent on they Olympic Peninsula, and then a sit on top on Lake Washington. I actually felt comfortable on the water. I did find I loved the feel of a sit on top more than a sit inside. It was like night and day after watching your videos. Thank you for your videos, they're great!
Glad you enjoy the videos. Headwaters Adventure is your best bet. They ship now as well. If you buy it in the next few weeks i may be able to deliver it to Portland end of the month. I’ll be up there for the Alder Creek Demo Day.
@@HeadwatersKayak My gf and I booked slots next weekend. Won't be ready to buy yet, but thought I would check out the kayaks on demo day. Hoping to get a sticker. Kayaking is definitely something we want to get into doing for exercising. Probably sign up for classes from them too!
@@HeadwatersKayak Just ordered the CK1 from Headwaters Adventure down there in California to ship up here to Portland. Wish I had had the funds back then for you to bring it up here. I can't wait to get it onto the water.
Dan, I am currently rigging my Crescent lite Tackle for fishing rivers and may upgrade to the Lite Tackle 2 for obvious design reasons you touched on in this video. I was on the fence over Tackle 2 or a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 as these kayaks compete for similar performances. Could you do a on water handling review for both a up and down river paddle of the comparisons of Tackle 2 and Tarpon and thoughts about your findings? Would be very appreciated for buyers in this market that has little comparisons to each being tested comparatively.
If I wanted to, I'll mount a bow trolling motor and you can't stop me. Also there needs to be a stand assist. Now put it together Crescent. I will mount a front trolling motor!!!!!!
Just bought the lite Monday guy was trying to get rid of last yr stuff for new can't wait to get her on the water figured if good enough for you good enough for me 😊
Nice review. I currently have a 12 foot Perception Pescador Pro. Nice boat on the river. But the scupper placement/design sucks and I am bumping up against the weight limit with me and gear. I have been looking at the CK1 or Lite Tackle. My question, with the more defined keel, will these two kayaks sit a little lower in the water, drag more often in a really shallow rivers? I assume so, but is it enough to notice? Probably an impossible question to answer, but I thought I would throw it out there.
What's the weight? I found the 75lbs unloaded was way too heavy for fishing on a whim. Other than that, the LT1 was a great kayak for me until I sold it.
Good morning Dan! First, let me say that we started paddling and made our first purchases because of you. Your honesty and expertise while being humble really resonated with me. We started with Crescent Ultralight for my wife (5 feet tall) CK1 for me and later we got the Crew once we were confident we could handle the weight. We have loved all three and taken them everywhere from the Smokies to Ontario. Recently gave the Ultralight to a great friend who fishes in small areas. We LOVE our Crew but we are looking for lighter kayaks moving forward. What lighter tandems would you recommend? We have looked at the Hurricane Skimmer 140T and the Santee 140T but also looked at Liquid Logic 14.5 Saluda. We are also looking to add another single lighter kayak and looked both Hurricane and Eddyline to go along with the tandem. I love the Eddyline Sandpiper and Hurricane Tampico. Any and all recommendations would be amazing! I will never part with my CK1 though. LOVE that yak. Again, a massive thank you! The last 4 years for us have been amazing because of kayaks and being on the water!
I’ve used all the tandems mentioned. My favorite is actually the Liquid Logic out of those. It is a really efficient design. The Eddyline Whisper is what I use for my family. It’s fast and spaces us apart far enough that we don’t have to paddle in sync which is awesome with kids. Also the rudder makes it so I can control everything from the stern and the front paddler can just enjoy the ride. I appreciate the kind words.
Thanks for another great video! Can a 60lbs kid sit on top of the front hatch of LT2? I like the LT2 features more than the CK1 Venture but I really need my kid to find a spot in the front of the kayak. Thanks!
I used to find, on this channel, several videos on Crescent kayaks a year or two ago. It seems that those videos no longer exist. Have they been removed from public access? For example, I recall an indoor video with the Ultra Lite, CK1, and Lite Tackle on sawhorses, with a discussion of the three boats in one video. I do not find that, anymore. Any help?
Im comparing the shoalie vs the LT2. I like to fish, but my husband likes a good performance kayak. Hes 250 and im 180. We trade off on our two kayaks with carrying our toddler. I like the flat deckjof the crescents, just not sure which to add to the collection.
Both are great but the LT2 wins for me because it paddles better and still has plenary of fishing features. The Shoalie is better in the rivers and has a million little rigging options and smart touches.
I just asked about fishing kayaks and thank you for your videos and selection advise. My wife paddles with me but just wants to watercolor paint while I fish. (Blackfoot River, MT. mainly). Have good maneuverability/stability in class II and III rapids, with at least one storage compartment. Sit on top version. She’s 5’2”” and 120#s. Would appreciate an order of recommendations for her? Thanks, Dan S.
I have a pedal kayak (wilderness Radar 135) and love it but I am looking for something lighter to bring into smaller lakes where I might have to carry it in a bit. This ticks all the boxes as far as the performance I’m looking for but wish it was lighter still. Another one I was looking at was the tarpon 120 which is a bit lighter. Thinking I might have to consider a sit inside to get much lighter.
Check out the Liquid Logic Kiawah 12 review I just did. That’s lighter than the Crescent and is actually a little faster. If you go sit inside I really like the Pungo, Dagger Axis, or Eddyline sandpiper, also the Oldtown look is cool.
Check out the CK1 from Crescent as well. It is a 16" shorter than the LT2, 15 pounds lighter, and keeps most of the paddling characteristics of that signature Crescent hull. Also has about the same capacity as the LT2.
I bought the original LT not long before the LT2 came out...overall I honestly still think I like the OG version better, although I do wish it had the cup holders. What paddle were you using in this video?
Hey Dan awesome review as always. When comparing this to the Moken V2 12.5, which one would be better at trolling? I tend to put a lot of lake and offshore miles on my boats. I don't really care that much about primary stability mostly looking for a good paddling fishing boat.
Nice kayak, I wished it had some flush mount rod holders for the anglers, but overall looks great, unfortunately these kayaks doesn't exist in my country.
Dan, What is the most stable Crescent? I have a Shoalie, but I'm curious. 6'1" 295 pounds. All my body mass is above my waist and I feel it in the Shoalie, as expected. Love my Coosa X (trailer it local) but bought the Shoalie (20 pounds lighter & it makes a big difference) to put on the top of the 4 Runner when pulling my travel trailer. Also, the CK2 (I know it's coming soon) is very intriguing due to the 60 pounds. Is it a definite no go? Woud serve dual purpose for the 125 pound wife as well. The Shoalie was a piece of cake for her in the Okaloosa sound. I'm thinking the LT2 might offer more stability and be more comparable to my Coosa X. So, What is the most stable Crescent? Is the CK2 a definate no go? LT2 stability compared to the Shoalie? Great content. I'm new to kayaks and have learned a lot from your content and continue to learn more. Really impressed with the amount of interaction with your commentors. Thanks!
I think the Shoalie is the most stable in my experience. The CK2 looks awesome, can’t wait to test it. I will say the 60lb weight claim is a suspect. I weighed on the other day and it came in at closer to 75lbs. Not sure where the listed wight comes from, but it needs to be double checked.
Cresents hull designs do not seem as stable as Bonafide. Standing to fish on rivers makes a huge difference being able to see down in the water at structure and seeing the fish strike, also makes it much easier to skip lures under limbs. I thought I wanted a Sholie until I tried my friends for a day.
Am I right when I calc 450 lbs capacity less 75 lbs kayak weight giving us 375 pounds total capacity. Say 375 x 0.75 for 281 working capacity less equipment. Say 250-270 lb dude max. Is that about right? I'm never quite sure and they never really say.
You are exactly on the right track. Someone up to 300 could probably paddle it, but I would agree 180-275 is probably the sweet spot for paddler weight. Obviously you could be on ether side of that and by ok.
Oldtown a are better fishing platforms, but honestly Im not impressed at all by how they paddle. It’s obvious that they cater towards the fisherman first mindset, and not the paddler. It’s stable, easy to turn and slow.
Dan...how is the seat width compared to my moken v2 ? Just as wide? Larger guys like me tend to get sore hips from the narrower seat frames and the moken is wider than most. Do you feel the lite tackle would be just as comfortable as the moken? And legs length? Thank you Sir
Im looking at river fly fishing mainly to get from point A to point B, going through some class II and maybe III rapids, between the Crescent Shoalie Crescent lite tackle II Feelfree Moken 12.5 or something else? Not planning on standing up much but could. Not planning on overnighting, just carrying gear and a couple fly rods. I’m 6’2” 200#. Any particular order of recommendation’s ?
@@HeadwatersKayakI just asked about river fishing kayaks and thank you for your videos and selection advice. My wife paddles with me but just wants to paddle along and water color paint while I fish. (Blackfoot River, MT mainly), have good maneuverability/stability in class II AND III rapids, with at least one storage compartment. Sit on top version. She’s 5’2” 120#s. Would appreciate an order of recommendations. Thanks, Dan
I’d insert Crescent CK1 into that list. Class III is stout for these type of boats. I routinely run II and am sending it on some III next summer. Been doing some hiking and scouting and it definitely looks like some swimming. Have experience with everything listed there and think the CK1 would be my choice for harder water. Don’t sleep on that one for moving water
How tall are you and what length paddle were you using? I'm 6"2' and getting the same kayak. Just having a hard time deciding on the right paddle length as I have no personal experience to reference. Pretty I'm set on a length adjustable to be safe as everyone's preference is different. But me not having a preference yet trying to get something that's well suited for the low and high seat without trialing first. But it may come down to that since I plan on aiming around the $200 mark for a paddle. But any advice is well appreciated!
@@HeadwatersKayak Thank you! When you say "high seat" do you mean the high chair that crescent sells separately or the chair that comes with the Litetackle II in the high position? I don't plan on buying the high chair so with the chair it comes with in the high position, what range do you think I'd be happier with 230-245 or the 240-255? Thanks again for your help and all your knowledgeable videos!
The round hatches they choose for this and the ultra lite are horrible. they get stuck or too hard to twist on/off with one hand when out on the water or in the field. otherwise love the ultra lite and LT.
@@doctorkayak how about you give your experience, insights, and tips with these hatches to have a better experience. School us so called "inexperienced" so we can avoid the many bad experiences people have with these hatches....instead of you attempting to belittle someone you don't know with your arrogant comment.
@@leemp337 when things get stuck or hard to turn: lube it. Hit it with some silicone spray or maybe a light wipe of either wd40 or even some lube spray at the dollar tree.