In waders and not having paddle experience...and in the dark on top of that with a loaded down yak..I'd say 10 max.

Depends on your skill level and your boats secondary stability. These are the things to find out in the summer months. I know you just got it. If you have not had experience paddling then be very careful. If you get out on the water and feel uneasy then turn and go back. Listen to the common sense that you have,and do not try to be a tough guy dead at the bottom of the lake.

I haven't bought yet, just convinced myself it's gonna happen. I'm supposed to see them tomorrow. I would consider myself a quick learner and would definitely go out a few times before not only to scout, but to get the hang of things. Any suggestions on a life jacket?

I would suggest a full wet suit. You're going to get wet. Very wet. Might as well ward off the hypothermia. Also, get a shotgun case that floats. Even an experienced hunter gets wet. Good luck. If you can pull it off, it will be a most rewarding experience.

I hunt with my kayak. It is the Wilderness Systems Ride 135 in camo color.

I, like others have said, do not hunt from the kayak but use it merely as a transporter of gear and hunter. it is much easier to hide on the shoreline vs. floating in a yak. And like others have said, you would be limited on your shooting range...

My yak is GREAT for hunting because it has a carrying capacity of like 550+lbs. I am not small(250) and I usually carry my gun, blind bag, camo covers, decoys and a marsh seat. I'm sure I'm pushing over 300+lbs in this boat and it still rides great...

Not the fastest yak out there but it is super stable and can carry all the gear you can fit on it. I have carried up to 26 decoys at once and I could have fit some more in other spots if I really wanted too.

Welcome to the addiction.

I got into kayaking because of fishing. Now fishing comes second to duck hunting!!!

Nice pics.

Stability has everything to do with your safety and comfort level. Open deep water is also different than crossing a shallow flat or staying close to shore.

thanks all for the great feedback and discussion here. Looking forward to getting out there. good luck to all this season!

What about the sit inside type- any good for duck hunting? Wouldn't that be better in rough water(wear a spray skirt).

I wouldn't recommend a sit inside for duck hunting...they can easily sink. Unless you shoot a hole in a sit on top, it's not going to sink. Not to mention, it's much easier to get in and out of a SOT in the water.

I have both. The S-i-s is dryer for you and your gear. Mine will not sink,but it can be swamped. It is slightly more difficult to enter and exit. The s-o-t will be a wetter ride and you have to make sure everything is strapped down so it does not slide overboard. They are only slightly easier to enter and exit. In rough water I want a s-i-s. If it is smooth the the s-o-t is more convenient. No perfect boat. Like screwdrivers, Torx head vs. Phillips head. Yes they are screwdrivers,but with different jobs.

all I have to say is if you plan to shoot out of the kayak, don't shoot to the side, you will roll over and turtle. Or so I have been told.

I would love to take one down to Port Aransas went down there to fish out of a yak a few years ago week of thanksgiving and the sky turned black with ducks.

I am going to try it. I am working in Aransas Pass at the moment and I have a kayak at my disposal.

I hunted from a kayak once and loved it. Even rolling it while turning to get the drop on a hoodie won't deter me from doing it again. I got wet, bird lived to tell the tale. I've had yak envy looking at some of the pics guys post on here of their rigs. Just where I hunt right now i don't need one, but I kind of wish I did.