Field and Stream Eagle Talon Field and Stream Eagle Talon

I bought a blue camo Eagle Talon on Sept 9th from Dick's. This is my 3rd kayak. I also own a wilderness system Pungo 120 and an older 10' Wilderness systems Mallard(10 ft). They are both great kayaks but I wanted to do some serious fishing so I was in the market for a SOT. I looked around and combed through ebay and Craigslist every day for months. Since I am on a tight budget price was definitely a factor for me. After having experience modifying both of the sit inside kayaks for fishing I was well versed in the installation of rod holders, Scotty mounts, bungee systems, hatches and anchor trolleys. The point being, I wasn't afraid to buy a base model and modify it for fishing. I finally settled on the Eagle Talon after reading the reviews and seeing the new blue camo color for 2014. It is the exact same paint scheme as the Feel Free Moken 12 , which I liked.
I love this kayak but I never tried it "out of the box" without some slight modifying. After reading tons of reviews I installed scupper plugs under the seat, Changed the seat to a really nice Feel Free kingfisher, and removed the standard scotty mount in the front and installed a flush mount with a rubber stopper. I did all this BEFORE it hit the water. There are too many reviews that say things like "this would be a great kayak if.... so I changed them from the get go. The result? This is a great kayak. I am 6'3, 240 lbs and I stood up in it with no problem (in my pool) I doubt I will try this on the water because I'd probably go swimming but it wasn't hard to stand. Here are the trials I have put it through so far:
I've used it in open water fishing several miles of the Gulf off crystal river Florida. Not just the flats but out in the fast currents, open water and some island hopping. It handles choppy water fine although I did get a bit wet from the sea spray and small waves. I had to go out and tow my Dad ( 70 yrs old) back into the harbor who was in my Pungo 120 when he got sucked out between the sandbars far out to sea from the low tide currents. he wasn't a strong enough paddler to come back in on his own. It was a great tow boat. I've been out to the Gulf 6 times this month already (Dad is fine and he stays in the flats now lol.) I have used it to tow my kids when they need assistance or just tethered for safety (line in hand)
I've fished Rodman reservoir (Lake Ocklawaha) and the barge canal bass fishing. The boat was comfy and stable, I wish I brought extra sandwiches. I fished Lake Weir as well as some more Gulf Coast trips to Yankeetown, FL. I list these to let you know that I have been getting to know this boat well.
This Kayak is not slow nor is it a wide turning boat. With the proper strokes I can 360 this yak just as easily as the Pungo. Take a few minutes to learn your paddling strokes. The reason it is not as slow as you would assume is probably because it is not 12 feet long, it is 12' 6" which makes a difference. Also, the Talon is not 30 inches wide but an honest 29" at its widest point. I can barely measure out the beam at 29 inches using straight 90 degree reference points pressed to the hull for accuracy, 30 inches is simply not true. The good news is that while it is slightly thinner and longer than reported, it is still a quite stable yet efficient SOT hull design. I just think that marketing believes fishermen want to see nothing less than 30 inches for a beam width.
The crate problem: If you've read reviews by now then you know a typical milk crate doesn't just slide in behind the seat. I did find a great alternative that needs no modification (but I did anyway.) At Lowes I picked up the Brute Double Bucket by Rubbermaid for around $11 (came in red only) so I painted it, added some rod holders and canopy ties which fasten it directly to the bungee grommets that are already installed for the cargo net. It fits perfectly and was easily accessible.
The front hatch: Having detailed expensive cars in South Florida in my youth, I knew a little trick to soften black rubber and moisten it while not leaving the rubber shiny and greasy. Use baby oil. Rub it on the hatch cover, both sides and under the lip. It absorbs into the rubber hatch cover leaving it soft and supple and very easy to lift off and put on. Apply each time before your trip for easy access and the added protection against the water. It does not make your hatch greasy , keeps it from drying out and it actually smells quite nice.
As far as the seat goes, like I said. I splurged on an expensive seat but it was worth it. How valuable is your comfort for the day? That is a personal decision. I felt I made the right one by dropping an extra $120 at ack.com for the Feel Free Kingfisher seat. Feel Free has a video which shows you how to properly install the seat on YouTube, it’s worth the three minutes of your life.
That weird little pre-molded hole behind the seat: It fits the Plano 3600 box perfectly, has a bungee installed to hold it in place AND holds a container of gulp underneath. It does not hold a Plano AND a small bait bucket as advertised. It’s either /or with regards to the bait bucket.
I haven’t had any problems with my foot rests but I am a tall guy and they are on the longest setting.
Enjoy your kayak, spend some time, do your research, make the right modifications that make a difference to your preferences and you should have just as great as an experience as I am having with this boat.

For my first fishing kayak this has been a great experience. After having it for three months now I have no complaints. I'm a good sized guy, 6'3 and 225 and it's very stable. I primarily fish rivers and have no issues with tracking or paddling up river in strong current. Very stable on lakes as well. I'm out in it at least twice a week. Great buy for a first time kayak fisherman.

Handles well in tight bayou channels and ponds. I have kayak fished for five years and love this kayak! I purchased on sale for $399.00, wow!!!!! I have fished it almost a dozen times, it tracks well, its fishes very comfortably. The layout is well thought out. Comes with factory anchor, and trolley system! Three Rod holders and is the best fishing kayak I own!!! (I have four fishing kayaks)
Venice, Louisiana
Fishing Capital of the World

First off, I know this yak doesn't have all the amenities of some of the higher end boats but I'm still giving it high marks because of its quality and price. I know I am bias because this is my first kayak, but I couldn't be happier with my purchase. I believe the price listed above may be a sale price because it usually sells for $549, but there are always sales of between 50 and 100 bucks off. I have seen it lower online, but Dick's store won't actually sell it for online price, because the site and store are ran by 2 different entities (at least that's what the site said when I contacted them). And when I have seen it listed for $399 that's plus the shipping, which a store employee told me was about $150. Anyways, when I first got this yak I was 330 lbs and it seemed kinda sketchy, so I made outriggers to help out. Now I'm not sure if my unsteadiness was due to my weight or just the fact that I never piloted a yak before, but after dropping 50 lbs and one day forgetting my mounting plate I went out without my outriggers... and have never used them since... I was completely stable. (If you live in or close to Columbus, Ohio, I am willing to give them away...but not willing to ship them, just contact me on here) Now I haven't had the balls to try to stand and fish yet, but my buddy has the same boat and he has done it. He says it's a little wobbly, but he also take his 7 yr old along who sits on the front of the boat who he compensates for. Their combined weight is around 210 lbs. There is plenty of storage with the front hatch, rear well, hatch between your legs and the little area behind the seat, made for the plano 3600...which I don't have but still usually set my tackle box in anyways. 3 rod holders is plenty for me and have thought about adding more, but just haven't yet. The seat kinda sucks for a fat guy, but for my friend it works just fine and he says he has no problem with it, and we're usually out for at least 6-8 hours at a time. I plan on adding some more accessories to hold my fish finder and maybe another rod holder. It also moves well in the water, so I can't complain about that. I usually get a little water in it from the scupper holes by my feet and some under the seat, but I put plugs in the seat ones, but you gotta expect that when your body weight takes up about 3/4 of the capacity. And the only time I get water over the sides is when the water is wicked choppy due to weather or huuuuge boats flying by, but it's not that bad at all. For 500 bucks, you can't beat this boat, not only is this a great beginner boat, but I would have no problem getting another one if I ever wear this thing out...which I assume won't be for a long time, unless something tragic happens. I highly recommend the Field and Stream Eagle Talon 12 Sit on Top Kayak!!!

[Editors Note: we did have a sale price of $449 listed. We updated it to reflect the normal price of $549. Thanks!]