Redfish 12 is a small flat-bottomed kayak so it's very nimble. The nimble-ness can either be a good thing or a bad thing. When in tight quarters it's a blessing, but when you're paddling any distance it can be a pain to keep on track. The wind blows it around more than other kayaks and the current spins it around pretty easily. A rudder should improve the handling while paddling and great acceleration. Once you start paddling it gets up to speed very quickly.

The hull is super quiet so that's great for skinny water. The skateboard-like agility makes it super easy to maneuver around tight quarters. Throw in the quiet hull and it would be a great flats yak. It's a fairly stable kayak. I was able to comfortable stand up while on Elkhorn Creek. If you're planning on doing a lot of standing and fishing you might be better off with the Redfish 14 (which has a higher weight capacity).

The floor of the cockpit is nice, flat, and featureless which is great for fly fishing. There are enough places to mount rod holders and other accessories. Both the bow hatch and the small hatch behind the seat seal very well. The seat is ok but an upgraded model would add to your comfort. All in all I’d give this yak 7 out of 10.



Specs
Length: 12' 3" (368cm)
Width: 30" (76cm)
Depth: 12” (30cm)
Kayak Weight: 65 lbs. (29kg)
Cockpit Length: 53” (135cm)
Cockpit Width: 18.5” (47cm)
Bow Hatch Length: 16” (41cm)
Bow Hatch Width: 11.25” (29cm)
Stern Well Length: 33” (84cm)
Stern Well Width: 18” (46cm)
Capacity: 350 lbs. (159kg)

Redfish 12 is a small flat-bottomed kayak so it's very nimble. The nimble-ness can either be a good thing or a bad thing. When in tight quarters it's a blessing, but when you're paddling any distance it can be a pain to keep on track. The wind blows it around more than other kayaks and the current spins it around pretty easily. A rudder should improve the handling while paddling and great acceleration. Once you start paddling it gets up to speed very quickly.

The hull is super quiet so that's great for skinny water. The skateboard-like agility makes it super easy to maneuver around tight quarters. Throw in the quiet hull and it would be a great flats yak. It's a fairly stable kayak. I was able to comfortable stand up while on Elkhorn Creek. If you're planning on doing a lot of standing and fishing you might be better off with the Redfish 14 (which has a higher weight capacity).

The floor of the cockpit is nice, flat, and featureless which is great for fly fishing. There are enough places to mount rod holders and other accessories. Both the bow hatch and the small hatch behind the seat seal very well. The seat is ok but an upgraded model would add to your comfort. All in all I’d give this yak 7 out of 10.



Specs
Length: 12' 3" (368cm)
Width: 30" (76cm)
Depth: 12” (30cm)
Kayak Weight: 65 lbs. (29kg)
Cockpit Length: 53” (135cm)
Cockpit Width: 18.5” (47cm)
Bow Hatch Length: 16” (41cm)
Bow Hatch Width: 11.25” (29cm)
Stern Well Length: 33” (84cm)
Stern Well Width: 18” (46cm)
Capacity: 350 lbs. (159kg)

I love my redfish 14 but I am thinking of going to a magic!

everything that I've read about the magic looks great. The local retailer that Mark and I use didn't have any at the end of last season but we've been in his ear about getting one for us to demo.

Let us know your thought if you get one or atleast go demo it.

I have fished out of a magic more than once and love it.
The seat alone is reason enough to go from the redfish to the magic, but I like that it is much like a kit with all the options. It is as stable as a long board and paddles like a dream. I will do a review on one if you would like?

redfish chuck wrote:


Hell yeah do it up! Save it and I'll post it as an article first then we can put it into the forum.

I will! I want to do it on a day the weather is good so I can get good pictures of it!

The WS Commander 120 is worth a look. It was a toss up with me over the Magic, and I went with the Commander. I like the Captain's seat option for a change up once in a while. Weighs in about the same as the Redfish. Have heard that there may be a 14' model available now.

Reelstory wrote:


Yup, it's not up on their site yet but they introduced it at the Outdoor Retailer show.

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I've had my Redfish 14 Angler for several months now, and I love it! It does need a rudder though! Unfortunately, the spots I like to fish are not paddler friendly. So, instead of the rudder, I got a Min Kota saltwater trolling motor. Two words: Problem solved! <!-- s:thumbup: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_thumbup.gif" alt=":thumbup:" title="Thumbup" /><!-- s:thumbup: -->

My next pick for a kayak would be the Malibu Stealth 14!