Malibu Kayaks is the newest top-rated maker of fishing- recreational kayaks. The creators in their workshop are obviously yakkers who love the flexibility of hitting the surf just for a challenge but love dropping their kayak into the nearest river at the campground.
This sit-on-top fishing kayak lives up to its name, Stealth 14, as it slivers silently across the waters, sliding into position to surprise the big dog in the lake.
Product Features:
Weigh Capacity:
With a 550-pound capacity, you can pack enough to paddle out to a remote island in the center of a northern lake, unpacking your tent for a week of fun, and spend your days leisurely fishing in any kind of weather.
Seats:
The seat, rather indented space for your bottom, can be hard on the backside if you are on a quiet lake or lazy stream. But, it is the ideal seat for those occasions when the water is splashing up over the side, making a padded seat soggy. But, knowing that either way you go, fishing in a sit-on-top fishing kayak will get you wet; you can purchase a seat separately that also gives you more back support.
Paddles: You will need to purchase paddles separately. We recommend that you buy a good one that has a curved blade that pushes the water for you. Unlike an oar in a boat where it is designed to slice the water and using the height from the water as leverage, in a kayak you are only inches off the water and your leverage is gone.
Storage spaces: On the bow is an extra-large Gator hatch that will hold tents, clothes, rods, bins of food and other gear. In the center is the circulating bait tank with side hatches. Behind the seat, is a second hatch storage area for smaller items. And, behind that the open day-well with the bungee system large enough to store diving tanks.
Flush Mounted Rod Holders: With 4 rod holders placed strategically for quick access whether seated or standing, there’s no issue of holding the rod between the knees while grabbing a drink from the cooler.
Adjustable Foot Track System: Forward of the bait tank and just over the casting foot wells, the foot tracks are placed off the flooring but not so high that your legs are uncomfortable.
What Real Users Like:
What Real Users Complain About:
Is This Fishing Kayak for You?
When you are spending good amount of money on a fishing kayak, it should be rated for rivers and lakes, large bodies of water and surf fishing off northern California. This Malibu Kayaks Stealth 14 is rated for all of that, plus for offshore ocean fishing – for those interested.
This is ideal for fishing competitions because it can get into those difficult spots and can withstand the waves and swells when storms erupt on a lake.
The unit also has a motor mount area so you can purchase a trolling motor – which should only be used in lakes and quiet bodies of water. A motor on a yak in the ocean or fast moving stream can put it off balance and impede your ability to guide it.
If you are a yakker with experience at ocean fishing, then, you’ll understand why we take these few paragraphs to discuss the primary differences.
Every experienced yak ocean angler repeatedly tells you:
“Never, ever, ever go ocean fishing in a yak alone!”
One newcomer to the sport posted the following question on a forum: “Why do so many people say it’s not safe to ocean fish in a yak alone?” One angler replied that he always goes alone and never has a problem. Here’s some of the responses, he received:
“Everything above has happened to experienced kayak anglers, including myself. Flipping a kayak is not a matter of “if” but “when”. I was thankful I was not alone when my “OH CRAP” moment happened.”
