Any opinions for a first kayak?  I am looking at the Ascend FS12T.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Also if any ideas for added features such as fish finder would be great.  Thanks
Living for the Outdoors

Welcome to the forums, Josh!

I personally have never owned a kayak myself, but my friend owns a few and lets me use them quite a often.  He got one of his best kayaks on sale for $100!  It's best not to purchase a cheap kayak, though, unless its a relatively expensive kayak on sale.  Cheap kayaks are usually not that sturdy.

As far as electronics go, I would avoid them.  If you flip your kayak, you could ruin the them!

Does anyone out there have any opinions?

I purchased the Ascend FS12T 3/22/2010. This is the first kayak I have owned and used. I have had it out in freshwater 10 times, the Gulf of Mexico twice and the Texas Bays over 15 times and the Ascend is still going strong! There has been many trips that have ended with a long paddle back to the launch in 25mph+ winds and the Ascend did fine. I am 5'9" and weight 170lbs and it tracks great! I was originally looking at the Ocean Kayak Prowler Trident 11, but ultimately decided to go with the Ascend due to the price difference while still sharing almost identical specs and dimensions. I did a lot of research before purchasing my kayak and I would recommend you do the same. Although this yak is perfect for me, it may not work for you.

Thanks for the info. Those are the 2 kayaks that I have been looking at also. Like you I like the price of the Ascend rather than the Ocean. I went to Bass Pro Shops and sat in the ascend, unfortionally not in the water because it is frozen here, but it felt pretty good. Have you rigged a depth finder? If you could you pos some pics as to how. That was the one feature that I really liked about the ocean.

I just installed the transducer in the hull tonight! I'm going to wait for the adhesive to dry then I will mount the display. I will let you know if the set-up works once I get a chance to put it in the water.

I would recommend finding a place to test paddle whatever you would like to buy. Different kayaks act differently for different people. Weight, height, athletic ability all make a difference in how a boat handles. I know the Ocean Kayak models like Trident and Prowlers make good fishing platforms. I have 2 Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160 yaks that I like. Got a good deal on both too. Both fully rigged with: 2 rod holders for trolling- 2 holders for spare rods- anchors and different systems for using them- aftermarket comfortable seats for hours of fishing and paddling- 1 has tankwell for holding milk crate for storage of all fishing gear- other has other storage options- milk crate will also hold three more poles or nets,gaffs etc-1 boat has a rod holder fastened to the milk crate that angles forward to hold rod for sturgeon or big fish fishing- of course rod and gear leashes- each has a fishfinder, 1 Humminbird Matrix 12 and 1 Eagle Cuda-one transducer is marined gooped in and one is used with a small piece of pool noodle gooped to the hull and filled with water. Look on websites like Texaskayakfishermen.com or NCKA.ORG for lots of rigging ideas and info on yaks. You can usually find great deals on yaks on kayak fishing websites. My last WS Tarpon 160i cost $500 for about $1700 worth of equipment. Last word of advise for now, where your PFD. Send email address and I can send you some pics.
   Rob

You need to be carefull installing the ducer with an adhesive. You can have zero bubbles in the liquid or it will not give great raedings. That's why I know just use a small piece of pool noodle glued in and filled with water. No bubbles for the ducer to look through

You need to be carefull installing the ducer with an adhesive. You can have zero bubbles in the liquid or it will not give great raedings. That's why I know just use a small piece of pool noodle glued in and filled with water. No bubbles for the ducer to look through

Josh, if I was you and being in your shoes, I would borrow or rent and go paddling with others and make sure this is really what I want. I had bought 2 kayaks in my lifetime, and thinking I could handle the last one. but after my operation had to stop. But, I tried out other kayaks and canoes and now you have the Nucanoe and sit-on top and then you have those float tubes that fly fisherman like to use. Man there is so many types of boats to chose from but don't just sit in one at the store because that isn't the way it really going to feel. So go to those sales and demonstrations of kayaks and canoes etc. Another word think first before you waste your money, you asked the question and now your getting the answers.

Yes I am definitely going to wait until I get a chance to test drive. BPS will start doing that sometime in mid-late spring which is okay with me because early spring is wading season for walleye, and no boat is needed for that. I just want to make sure and find something before the bluegill and crappie bite starts. What I am looking for now is just knowledge and opinions about different options.

Looks nice. Where did you mount the transducer? Did you have to drill any holes?

I mounted the transducer inside the hull. Did not drill any holes for the fish finder. I did drill some holes for the bungee system over the front hatch.