Ok my girlfriend and I went to the Get Outdoors truckload sale today and she purchased a Ride 135 angler model which in my opinion appears to be a great boat. Up until that point I was dead set on getting a Tarpon 160 to use as my main fishing boat. I live within a stones throw of Badin, Tillery and Tuckertown and will maily be using it there. The thing that has me considering the Ride 135 is its greater carrying capacity thatn the Tarpon. I already have a Tarpon 100 I use to fish from that has rod holders depth finder etc. What I would like to know is which would be a better choice and why?

Did you by the latest version of the Ride 135?

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Great Outdoor Provision Company ♠ Member, Great Outdoor Provision Company Kayak Fishing Team ♠

Yes, two flush mounted rod holders, anchor trolly, camo. The angler model. Brand spankin new.

i would go with the ride i have an older version of the ride and i like it alot better than the tarpons. i think the rides are more comfortable and better for fishing than the tarpons because its easier to stand and has more compacity. the biggest advantage you will have with the tarpon 160 is speed its one of the fastest fishing kayaks out there that dosent a a pedal drive it will track great but will be less manuverable. my preference would be the ride but this is just my opinion so for what its worth i hope it helps.

I'd go for the Tarpon 160. I troll to find fish and the Ride does not move well. It is a barge. I've paddled my Tarpon over 20 miles a day for a couple days and it is really comfortable. In less than Shoulder high chop it is sea kayak fast.

On the other hand, if you don't paddle more than 3 or 5 miles in a day and you want to stand up and cast, then I think the Ride would be a much better fishing machine.

John, I looked at the Ride 135 last night and agree with others that it's a barge. It's wide and weighs 82# not outfitted whereas my Manta Ray 12 weighs only a little over 60#. Unless you want the ability to stand up I think there are better boats for your use out there.

By the way, I'm selling my OldTown Predator-see it in the classifieds here if you're interested.

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Randy Rogers
Native Watercraft Manta Ray 12 Angler
Old Town Predator 138 Angler (camo)

Well I put a Tarpon 160 on layaway today, so I guess Ill see how it does in a few weeks

Well I made the last payment on the 160 and brought her home. I haven't taken any of it since I got it home and off the car. Have yet to get it in the water since I just got it back friday and have worked all weekend. Maybe I'll get to take it out Wed. I got it with the intention of replacing my Tarpon 100 with it but I just can't find the heart to sell the 100. Pay no attention to my brother behind the car please, I love him but he can be goofy at times.