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Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Angler Edition
Brand: Ocean Kayak
Model: Prowler 13 Angler Edition
Price: $850.00
Purchased At: Bass Pro Shop

Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Angler Edition

posted by Buster in Fly Fishing, Kayak Touring

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About two years ago, I decided I wanted to float my local river to fly fish areas I couldn’t wade to on my weekend trips. I started researching kayaks and accessories. I had decided on two kayaks, both were good choices. Between the two kayaks, there were some considerably differences: size, weight, and weight capacity. The main difference was price: one kayak was $400.00 and the other $750.00. Since I was just getting into kayaking for the purpose of floating from one wading spot to another I went with the cheaper $400.00 kayak. After a recent float trip on my local waters, I decided a larger kayak was needed. Plus, I wanted some thing new and one I could customize for my needs.

To offset the cost of the new kayak, I sold my old kayak to my fishing buddy who was in the market for a new water craft. So, I headed to the local outdoor store to buy the new toy. I bought a green Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Angler Edition. The Prowler was a good choice for me. The kayak is 13’ 4” in length; it weighs 54 lbs, and has a weight capacity of 450 lbs. The length is great. My last kayak was 11’ 8” and didn’t track as well as I wanted it to. This was important for me. I have been fishing from the kayak mainly and haven’t been getting out and wondering around. I need the kayak to stay straight while I am fishing and casting.

The weight wasn’t much of a factor. It is only 6 lbs heavier than my old kayak. Of course, I still need to be able to lift the kayak onto the top of the truck. I have a Yakima rack on the top of my camper shell. The kayak loads easily onto the top of the truck. I also recently bought the Land Shark kayak saddles. I installed them this morning and put the kayak on top to make adjustments and tighten them down. They are going to work great.

At first, I didn’t think weight capacity would be a concern. But recently I seem to carry more stuff with me and now that I am going on an overnight kayak camping trip, I need something that would carry me, fishing gear, tent, food, drinks (water…yeah right), and all of the other camping essentials.

I had my maiden voyage last weekend on the Elk River near Lynchburg, TN. I have a trip report on that experience. I launched early in the morning at the Dam. I didn’t have anywhere to be Saturday night, so I had the entire day. The Prowler is 28” wide, which was 2” narrower than my old kayak. This did concern me, but after about 5 minutes in of getting accustomed to the new yak, the narrower body was not going to be a bid deal.

I played around on the river before I started fishing that day. The kayak turns easily in slow and swift moving water. I was able to paddle out of swift water into slower currents. This was good. I could go down the swift current, turn out of the current, and paddle back up stream is the shallow water to fish areas I just floated through.

I do have one problem with the kayak. When I first got into the kayak, water came up through the scupper holes and filled the foot wells with water about an inch or two deep. However, as soon as I started paddling the water emptied out some. I plan on buying scupper stoppers to prevent this problem in the future.

The Prowler is fast. I ended up paddling about 3 to 3 ½ miles down stream that day. And on the Elk River, the flow is downstream, however, parking is upstream. So since I paddled downstream, I had to paddle my way back up to the parking area. As I paddled back upstream to get back to the truck, I notice that the Prowler is fast in slow water. In some of the swift water areas, I was able to paddle and muscle my way upstream. This was nice, I didn’t have to get out too much and walk upstream pulling the kayak behind me.

Overall, the Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 is a great kayak. The kayak is fast, it turns easily and is light weight and I can also haul all the gear I need on my fishing excursions. I am ready to get the kayak rigged up. I am adding a fly rod holder in front for easy access, I plan on installing an anchor trolley system, and I am adding additional strap eyes in various areas on the kayak. I already have a milk crate with additional fly rod holders and room for a soft sided cooler for food and drinks. I can’t wait until I can get the kayak on the Caney Fork.