One of our newest adventures has been to start tournament fishing. AJ & I decided that, with our propensity for kayak fishing, we should start with kayak tournaments rather than getting a full blown bass boat. We’ve tried out a variety of personal watercraft (kayaks, fishing boats, etc.) and always seem to come back to kayaks for our adventures. The Perception Outlaw 11.5 happens to be one of our preferred choices when it comes to entry-level kayak fishing in tournaments.
You can break down our reasoning for this into 7 very effective factors.
You can dig more deeply into these 7 Steps to Choosing Your Perfect Kayak to see if the Perception Outlaw will be right for you too.
Let’s start by getting the technicalities out of the way:
- Designed to accommodate small to XL paddlers
- Optimized and elevated seating console – frame seat folds and is removable
- Stow position for seat is useful for transport and storage
- Large bow and stern tankwells provide ample storage for crates and fishing gear
- Molded-in trays and cup holders keep important items and refreshments within easy reach
- Large stern deck surface for DIY addicts who want to customize their boat
- Mesh cover with paddle park over front storage area
- Transducer scupper on hull for fish finders
- 2 “double-barrel” rod holders
- Traction pads provide added grip and deaden sound for fishing
- 3 Solo Mount recesses enable you to easily add mounts & accessory holders (sold separately) without drilling
- Unique molded-in bow and stern handles
- Side handles double as gear tracks
- 35L cooler storage area that can also be used as a seat
Specifications
- Length: 11′ 6″
- Width: 35″
- Height: 16″
- Capacity: 425 lbs.
- Weight: 77 lbs.
1ST: How does the Perception Outlaw 11.5 match our skill level?
We fish frequently. We kayak fish about 90% of the time we go out. But we’re not professional-level anglers yet. We’ve just started competing in fishing tournaments so the payouts are next to nothing with rankings that match this.
We are comfortable on kayaks but not experts.
While we’re not necessarily looking for an entry-level kayak, we definitely don’t need professional-grade kayaks sporting all the latest bells and whistles. This comfortable middle ground has a variety of options waiting to be explored. Since we started our kayaking adventures with Pelican, it seemed natural for us to branch out to its sister company Perception when we started advancing our kayaking skills. Now, out of curiosity, we have explored other kayak brands (Bonafide, Heritage, 3 Waters, etc.) and each has a unique set of qualities that make them great kayaks, but for our first motorized tournament kayaks, we felt the outlaw met these 7 factors best.
2nd: How does the cost fit our budget?
Probably the most frequently asked question AJ & I see is a variation of the question “What is the best kayak I can get for the cheapest price?” With an MSRP of $929, the Perception Outlaw can be purchased for as little as $700 brand new. It’s important to remember what you’re final intentions are when you’re choosing the kayak you’re going to start your fishing adventure with. If you plan accessories and/or modifications for your kayak, these are added expenses that may be included in other kayaks for less than you’d spend separately.
In many cases, you can get more of your needs and wants met with a kayak at a mid-range price and then make modifications yourself at a minimal price. Yes, you can get a “higher end” kayak for less if you buy used, but in many areas, it is next to impossible to get the proper licensing to motorize a kayak if you purchase used. If you plan to paddle, peddle, or motorize your kayak, make sure you check your local regulations to ensure you are going to be getting everything you need to get out on the water. Your local agency will be your best resource for this information.
Here in Texas, without the original purchase receipt and the original manufacturer’s certificate of origin, TPWD will rarely issue you a license to take the kayak out on public waters. And I can assure you, legitimate tournaments will not let you compete with an “illegal” vessel. Unless you know the original owner and are very thorough in your examination of the kayak before you purchase, you are likely to discover a variety of hidden damage and safety risks on your kayak that can result in more expenses than you’d have had purchasing the kayak new.
3rd: How are we going to use the Perception Outlaw?
This kayak is to be our tournament kayak for everything from small (read shallow) creeks to large lakes. We tend to do a lot of standing when we’re bass fishing. We like to have a lot of legroom to spread out our gear and stretch our legs during long fishing trips. This is also going to be our first kayak to have a fish finder incorporated into the layout. We’re not looking for easy paddle-ability since this kayak will use a trolling motor. Most importantly, we intend to do a variety of modifications and the Outlaw is designed with DIY modifications in mind. With a raised seat, solid mounting tracks, access port zones molded into the hull, the large tank wells perfect for gear and electronics, and only needing about 5-6” of water clearance the Outlaw accommodates all the uses we intend to put our kayak through.
We are investing a significant amount of time into building out the kayaks we choose and intend to put a lot of nautical miles on these kayaks. We wanted to select a brand and model that could hold up to the abuse we’d put it through. With a 5-year hull warranty and an average life span of 10-15 years, the Outlaw should hold up fairly well to the abuse we’ll be putting it through.
5th: Can the Perception Outlaw grow with us?
As I mentioned, “Large stern deck surface for DIY addicts who want to customize their boat” is just a starting point for the modifications this kayak can accommodate. Because of the company’s forethought, the Outlaw is more than ready to grow with us as we build our skills and grow in the kayak fishing tournament arena.
Up next, our modifications to the Perception Outlaw 11.5 making this kayak the ultimate tournament fishing kayak.
6th: Is the Outlaw kayak I want available?
When we decided to purchase the Outlaws, they were available in our area, but options were limited. Part of that was a local sale (we were able to get about $150 off the store’s price for each of the kayaks we purchased) and part of it was the timeframe. We typically purchase our kayaks in the wintertime when companies are looking to clear out inventory and we’ll have more downtime to work on our modifications before taking them out on the water extensively.
7th: Is it time to bite the bullet?
As the disclaimer on our sight states, we are not sponsored by or contracted with any kayak manufacturers or distributors. When we decide to purchase a kayak, be it testing something new out or putting it through the entire gauntlet that we call our outdoors adventures, that purchase comes out of our pockets. I have become an avid fan of Pelican and its sister companies for a variety of reasons (affordability, durability, approachability, customer service, etc.) and could not justify choosing any of the other brands on the market when the Perception Outlaw checked off so many of the factors I had on my needs list. If you’re in the market for a stable, affordable, and modifiable kayak to begin tournament fishing from, the Perception Outlaw 11.5 could definitely be a good purchase for you as well.
