So what's so great about kayak fishing?
Results
Kayak fishing works, its a proven productive form of fishing. Whether its drift fishing, fishing around rocks, offshore fishing, or using your kayak to set a long line, kayak fishing is delivering the results. The fish don't hear you coming. You'll be hooked.
Excitement
The sheer thrill of catching a fish from a kayak is multiplied ten fold compared to fishing off other craft.
Cost
For a fraction of the cost of a boat you can have a fully equipped fishing kayak.
Exercise
A great low-impact form of exercise to work out arms, pecs, stomach, and back muscles, increasing heart rate at a comfortable level and burn those extra calories.
More Options
You can go places you wouldn't normally consider going in a boat. You can launch your kayak virtually anywhere and you can also get access to locations for landbased fishing previously inaccessible.
Increased Time Fishing
Because its so easy to launch a kayak (compared to a boat) you will end up going fishing more often, that's a fact. Kayak fishing means more time fishing and more fish!
Environmentally Friendly
No fumes and no oils to harm the environment and no noise. Just fresh sea air.
Surf
Sit-on-top Viking kayaks are ideal for surf launches and surf re-entry.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PROFISH 400 AND PROFISH 440?
Our Profish kayaks have been designed for kayakers of all skill levels, and while they offer brilliant performance in the variety of conditions found around New Zealand they’re quite different in design and the features they offer:
THE PROFISH 400 LITE
* Light weight
* Easy to paddle
* Low windage
* Performance through the surf
* Stable and comfortable
The Profish 400 Lite has been designed as a lighter more easily managed craft off the water making it much easier to get on and off roof racks. On the water the Profish 400 delivers a low wind profile and fantastic stability for a safe confidence inspiring ride. The shape of the sides, including the scallops beside the paddlers hips give kayakers of all shapes and sizes good water access for easy efficient paddle strokes. In fact this aspect is so good many paddlers rate the Profish 400 as the easiest and fastest kayak they’ve paddled. Another feature of the Profish 400 is its performance through the surf; with a little practice it’s an easy kayak to negotiate those transitions making it a popular kayak for west coast areas like Taranaki. For a guide to how the Profish 400 handles check out these reviews: YouTube Review 1 YouTube Review 2
THE PROFISH 440 EVOLUTION IV:
* Safety – storage without risking open hatches
* Lay-flat rod storage for surf transitions
* Rigid hull – brilliant rough water handling
* Excellent primary stability
* Greatest range of rod holders for positioning tackle
The Profish 440 is the real packhorse with huge storage options, all accessible without risking an open hatch when on the water. The large front well with hard cover is perfect storage for items you may only need occasional access to and provides excellent protection for rods laid flat on deck for surf transitions. The 28 liter center well delivers the best cockpit storage on the market, deep and wide enough for a huge selection of tackle and accessories. The separate softbait well immediately in front of the seat solves storage issues for the notoriously leaky packets. The pair of bait wells behind the seat is the ultimate in easy clean bait storage, and is easily converted to a pair of dry lockers when bait isn’t carried. The rear well completes the storage options with a range of accessories for keeping your catch in good condition. A defining characteristic of the Profish 440 is the flat hull hard chine design with 16 drainage scuppers. This results in an incredibly rigid hull that doesn’t flex and loose performance in rough conditions – the true 4WD of fishing kayaks with confidence inspiring performance.
WHY A VIKING KAYAK?
The whole team at Viking Kayaks use kayaks whether it is just for Cruising or for serious Kayak Fishing - just ask Stephen Tapp and Grant Montague about their successful fishing adventures in their Viking Profish kayaks! Viking Kayaks are made in New Zealand to the highest standards and have been designed with Safety and Stability in mind. We offer the best warranty and we really care about customer satisfaction.
WHAT ARE THE SHIPPING COSTS?
Within New Zealand, Kayaks cost around $65 to ship within the north island and from $95 to the south island. (Depending on the size of the kayak and where it's going to)
Orders for accessories cost $5 to courier within NZ per order - unlimited number of accessories per order.
WHAT ARE VIKING KAYAKS MADE OF?
All Viking Kayaks are manufactured using virgin linear medium-density polyethylene powder. This plastic incorporates Maximum UV Inhibitors and is Colourfast. The fittings on the kayaks are Nylon and Stainless Steel, suitable for use in salt water conditions.
WHAT ARE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY CONDITIONS?
Viking Kayaks stand by the Quality and Craftmanship of their kayaks to such a degree that they are the only kayak company to offer a Free, Optional 30yr Extended Warranty*. You must simply register your Kayak On-Line on this web site - It's Easy and it's Free!!
*Extended Warranty applies to the original purchaser and applies to the kayak only. *Warranty does not cover intentional or accidental damage to the kayak. Accessories and attachments (including seats, paddles, bungey cords etc) are covered by the standard one year warranty only.
HOW DO I STORE MY KAYAK?
The best way to store your kayak is under cover, on its side leaning against a wall or flat on the floor or on wall cradles. Do not leave your kayak lying on its hull with other items stacked on top of it as this will cause the hull to distort. Do not store the kayak on an uneven surface as this will distort the hull, this includes stacking the kayak on top of other kayaks.
HOW DO I REPAIR MY KAYAK?
Polyethylene is a very strong and durable product but in the event that they need minor repairs, they can be plastic welded. This can be done by an experienced plastic welder or you can bring your kayak to the Viking factory and we can do this for you.
HOW DO I CARE FOR MY KAYAK?
Viking Kayaks require minimal maintenance. A Viking Kayak is UV stabilised and colourfast but as with most things, if it can be stored out of the direct sunlight it will look better for longer.
For the correct way to store your kayak please read "HOW DO I STORE MY KAYAK" above.
HOW DO I TRANSPORT MY KAYAK?
Transporting a sit-on top kayak is very easy. You basically place it onto your roof racks upside down and secure with a couple of tie-downs. If the kayak is over 4m in length, some people like to tie the bow to the front of the vehicle to reduce any sideways movement. No special roof racks are required but if you are looking at taking 2 kayaks regularly then it might pay to get wide roof rack bars (1500mm) so that they can lie side by side or you can use Fold-A-Poles whereby the kayaks lie on their sides.
CAN I USE MY KAYAK OUT AT SEA?
Yes, Viking Kayaks are great to use out at Sea, in the Surf, down Rivers and around Lakes.
WHY A SIT-ON TOP KAYAK?
A sit on top kayak is very user friendly and that is why they are becoming so popular. A sit on kayak tends to have a wider hull thus making it more stable. This means most beginners can hop on and paddle off without the fear of falling off. The more you paddle, the more confident you will become and the more adventurous you will be! If you are looking at doing long distance touring or white water kayaking, you might be better suited getting a sit-in kayak that is specifically designed for that purpose.
WHAT ARE THE HOLES FOR?
All sit on top kayaks need to have drainage points. These are called Scuppers. A sit-on kayak is self-bailing so there is no need for a bilge pump. Most water that enters the cockpit area will drain out via the scuppers. Scupper Plugs are available in the cases where you are paddling on a lake and want to restrict any water entering the cockpit. This may occur when the kayak is carrying a heavy load. Scupper Plugs should not be used when going through surf.
HOW WATER-TIGHT IS THE KAYAK?
On calm, flat water your kayak should be water tight but once you start going through waves, playing in the surf and capsizing it often, you may find water will get into the hull. This might be up to one litre. If you feel your kayak is taking on an excessive amount of water, check it for leaks. Viking Kayaks are all fitted with drainage plugs so that you can rinse & drain your kayak. Any electronics like mobile phones or car keys (with remotes), should be stored in watertight dry bags or containers. Ideally, you want your phone to be in a proper watertight bag that you can dial and talk through – this stops your wet hands from touching the phone.
DOES MY KAYAK HAVE A SERIAL NUMBER?
Yes, all Viking Kayaks have their own unique serial number. This can be located at the rear of the kayak on the right hand side. Please fill out the warranty form and quote your hull number to activate your warranty. In the rare case that your kayak is stolen, you will be able to recognize it as yours if you have the hull number recorded.
WHAT CLOTHING DO I NEED?
Firstly, you will need a Buoyancy Vest. These range from $90 to $200. Either way it is money well invested especially if you are parted from your kayak and are stranded waiting for help, for a long period of time. A vest should fit well, not too loose or too tight. It should be Safety Standards Approved. You will need to make sure that there is plenty of room in the armpit for freedom of movement when paddling and you will want it to be a bit shorter in the body so that it doesn’t sit up around your ears when you sit on your kayak. A lot of people find wetsuits are a good option when kayaking. They offer sun protection, warmth and wind protection. They also offer a degree of buoyancy if you capsize. There are other types of waterproof tops and longs available as well – it will depend on what you are intending to do on your kayak i.e. fishing, river trips.
ARE ALL SIT-ON TOP KAYAKS THE SAME?
No. There are different Viking kayaks available for different requirements. If you are looking on doing a 3 day river trip, you will be requiring a kayak with more storage. If you want to just play in the surf, you will find the smaller models much easier to catch waves on and to turn. If you want to go fishing, we have several models that are designed for the sport of kayak fishing. Simply let us know what you want to do on your kayak and we will direct you to the most suitable model.
WHERE CAN I BUY A VIKING KAYAK?
Viking Kayaks have retailers across New Zealand. Please go to our STORES page to find the nearest outlet to you.
KAYAK SAFETY TIPS:
Always wear a buoyancy aid.
Check weather conditions.
Paddle in company
Ensure hatches are securely fastened when on the water and while transporting
Practice re-boarding your kayak from the water in a safe area
Most of all, have fun and enjoy your kayaking experience - every trip will be new and exciting!
Thanks
Team Viking Kayak NZ
