Hello everyone i'm getting ready to buy my first fishing kayak im looking at a used mantay ray 11, I live in central NC and will be fishing manly the rivers in the area Jordan and Sharron Harris lakes. Is the mantaray 11 a good buy for this type of fishing...Thank You for your time.

First welcome to the group. There are many here who are real experts and more than willing to share. As for which boat to purchase. It is always best to actually get out on the water and try several (also paddle and PFD) before you actually buy anything. I see you are in "central NC", so the good folks at Get Outdoors in Greensboro would be a good choice. Sometimes those here and on the Native Watercraft Owners Group Forum http://www.nativeownersgroup.com/ will arrange to meet you and let you give their boat a spin. All in all welcome, ask many questions, review the posting on the forums and try try try before you spend your money.

Good luck

Welcome to the site and I know several members who have that kayak and love it! I am sure they will help you.

My first question would be: "how tall are you and how much do you weigh?"

If your weight is 200# or less, it might be a good fit for you!!
If you weigh 250# and you add fishing gear, cooler, paddle, tackle, etc. you might want to reconsider!!

Every kayak vendor "fudges" a little on their weight capacity...some up and some down...but a kayak near the "Capacity" as mentioned below probably would not sink with you in "rivers or lakes" as you said, but it would handle like a barge!!
Also, large boat wakes and wind waves or a rain squall would make it pretty close to Max!!
TAKE IT FOR A TEST PADDLE!!
Good Luck....and Tight Lines!!
JohnYaksJax

From the Native Watercraft website:
http://www.nativewatercraft.com/boat.cfm?id=25

Length: 10' 10" or 330 cm

Width: 30" or 76 cm

Weight: 56 lbs or 25 kg

Depth @ Beam: 11" or 28 cm

Capacity: 300 lbs or 136 kg

Yeah, most people end up being much better off in something 12' or longer. Any shorter is OK for women and children but if you're looking at a wet ride once you start packing on gear.

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