Perception Sport "Caster 12.5" Hot

I was so excited when I got this yak several years ago. I knew nothing about kayaks and had done a lot of research but being a 20 year canoe guy I figured I knew enough to keep myself out of trouble. I was well below the weight rating but as soon as I sat on the seat water shot up through the scuppers and soaked me to the core. I paddled it several times to see if I could learn to live with it but could not. I learned that my back and butt can't tolerate a snap in style seat. this could be a great boat for a younger lighter guy but I was thankful that the store took returns.

I bought this as my 1st yak. It was great as an affordable way to get into the sport. Its durable and has taken lots of abuse, comes with 2 flush mount and 1 scotty rod holders. Those are the positives. The negatives are that it is pretty uncomfortable. I bought 2 additional seat cushions to try and make long hauls a little less torturous. The screw in hatch just in front of the seat is poorly designed and often times would stick or try to cross thread. It is also by no means water tight. Only put things in there if you have them in a waterproof container or ziplock! This boats is rated to 400lbs....Im 280lbs and it rides about 2 inches above the water with just me in the boat so its a pretty wet ride, but its pretty stable none the less jus be nice to have a little more freeboard. Overall if you are looking for an entry level fishing yak and especially if you are smaller framed I say give it a go.

The Perception Caster 12.5 is my first kayak. I bought it specifically to fish out of. It tracks fairly straight at times, but there are some times that it seems impossible to keep it straight at all. That is the only con I have really found.

It has plenty of storage...front hatch and 2 hatches with dry bags. There is also a nice space in the rear that I keep a milk crate in, and I still have room for other stuff behind that if I want. The location and design of the rod holders is perfect, and all are easy to access. I haven't had any issues with water through the scupper holes...I mean, there is water that comes through but just a little. My butt never gets wet unless a boat gets too close and the wake is very big. I've had one time where the entire kayak filled up with water due to a boat not seeing me around a bend and came about 15-20 feet from me and I almost flipped. I was able to stay up, but the kayak took on as much water as it possibly could. The water eventually made it out through the scupper holes. The main hatch up front only had a small amount of water in it. The 2 hatches with dry bags were just OK. I had a phone and camera in them, and neither was waterproof. The bag felt wet, but it wasn't holding any water in it. The camera and phone both still work, and were only slightly damp.

I've fished for up to 10 hours in a day and found this kayak to be pretty comfortable. My butt hurts a little after sitting too long, but I have managed to be able to stand up in my kayak in calm conditions with no problem, or just get up on my knees if I need to stretch a little without getting out. I am 5'7" and 175 lbs. This kayak is perfect for me, and is a good choice, and does exactly what I need it to do.