Hanover_Yakker

Reverse? You're in a kayak - reverse is the same for every hull, use your paddle. That's what I do. What people forget about with "reverse" is that you aren't hands free. You have to make rudder adjustments with one hand. Last I checked, no angler I know has three hands, so your fishing will be interrupted to some extent. Just something to keep in mind in the evaluation process.

For me, I keep as little as possible. The contents of my PFD pockets are: Right pocket - a pair of SNIPS by Boomerang and my pliers. Left Pocket - where I put my phone Outside of Right Pocket - NRS River Knife Outside of Left Pocket - Hobie Safety Whistle Outside Right pocket insert - copy of my fishing license in a Ziploc bag.

The fixed mast style drive systems have their own nuances that have to be evaluated, but there is one thing to keep in mind when considering a pedal drive system and that is to pay close attention to the range of adjustments of both the drive system relative to your leg length and your seating position. This includes seat height, hip angle relative to the pedaling motion and the overall comfort on your back and joints. I would encourage you to try all available seating positions in rough or windy conditions to also assess the stability of the hull when in motion and you are pedaling. Many folks try both styles out at demo days and can feel comfortable for the few minutes they try them each out, but they fail to take into account the overall comfort after a full day on the water. I know several cyclists that have tried both drive systems (Propel vs Mirage Drive), and you might be surprised at the choice of drive system the hard core cyclists chose. While the cyclical motion may seem to be more natural, it does place additional strain and flexion and requires a full range of motion. In other words, in order to move the kayak, you have to cycle the pedals one full revolution at some point even if you decide to do partial or half pedal motions initially. Just food for thought.

Here you go Clayton: http://heroesonthewater.org/chapters/kansas-chapter/ While the organization is kayak based, you can volunteer your time and use a chapter provided kayak and equipment as well. Email the chapter coordinator and see how you can get involved. If you're looking for a boat based group, then something along the lines of ARMY Bass Anglers or Wounded Warriors might be an option.

I'm no expert on that body of water, but the one thing shared with me a few years back was downsize your presentation. I used small black/blue 3/16oz finesse jigs with small trailers and fished the cypress knees on the feeder creeks. Never got skunked. Also, if you can get on the water and back into the creeks, the lily pads hold bass all summer long and are awesome top water opportunities - frogs, spooks, weightless finesse worms or jerk shad style baits when worked through them produce.

Some of you may already now, but for those that don't, I volunteer with Heroes On the Water as often as possible. HOW is an organization that offers service members the opportunity to experience kayak fishing at no cost to them. For many of them, this is the only means of escaping the confines of the VA Hospital or some other form of rehab. It is very fulfilling to say the least. Last weekend, I took my son along as I had done on several past HOW outings, only this time it was a smaller event where we were paired with a lone service member. Along with another volunteer, we managed to put the veteran on several bass on the day. During the event, the volunteers are also fishing as well. My son and I ventured back into a protective cove and both hooked into fish. I landed my first bowfin, while my son landed his new personal best largemouth bass measuring out at 17 3/4". It was an awesome day!

PowerTeam Lures 7" Finicky Tickler in Kitchen Sink color.

PowerTeam Lures 10" Ribbon Hinge Worm texas rigged with a 3/16 tungsten worm weight and a 7/0 superline hook paired with 65lb braid. The tail action on the lure is so phenomenal that it literally requires no retrieve at all. It is neutrally buoyant, so when it hits bottom, it will coil up and uncoil on it's own. A slow drag every 30 seconds or so it all you need. I'll toss it into the thick of a lily pad field or submerged timber and have a blast!

Welcome!

I've been on an Armored Saint kick lately - the latest single is pretty awesome!

I used a yoga mat or a bathroom mat that has the sticky bottom. It will sit atop your roof and over the edge and not budge. Hope that helps out a bit more.

Anything's possible with the right technique! I know not every person can afford the Hully Rollers that angle off the rear of a rack system or even the load assist bar options out there, but maybe this can help you out some.... These are my last two Hobie Pro Angler 14's that are 13'8" in length, 38" in width and 118lbs! The Dodge Caravan with the rack system was over 6'6" off the ground, and the CRV with racks installed is over 6'0" off the ground. By using fulcrum and leverage techniques, you reduce the weight profile and can lift much more than you realize.

All I can say is that as a kayak angler, people get hung up sometimes on "marketing" of individual hull characteristics. I can honestly say that in the four years I have fished out of my various Hobie kayaks in both fresh and salt water, I have had to go backwards intentionally a handful of times. And you know what I did? I used the paddle like every other kayak angler out there. Subtlety and stealth are the key in these situations - so using the drive systems may not offer the best stealth profile. Proper paddling technique will be the more stealthy option. A company called the Backwater Paddle company even has created a niche market for this very purpose. They make small single hand paddles that you use instead of the full size regular paddles. It allows you to keep one hand on the rod in the event of a strike and one on the paddle to make subtle corrections. I know a couple times in salt water it would have been nice to go back and forth, but in those instances I was fishing in heavy current and wind and in all honesty shouldn't have even been fishing in those spots with those conditions. Keep an open mind and do your homework. Look around for some demo days where you can try out both side by side independent of the "sales pitch" by the respective associates. I represent Hobie through and through, but when someone approaches me about Hobies, I let them take mine out on the water and try it for themselves. The sales pitch piece is once they've made up their mind and decided on one brand or model over the other. The hull's characteristics and attributes sell themselves. Let your body tell you what fits and will work for your fishing style. If you decide after all your research and real water time that one or the other is right for you, great. I would much rather see you end up in a model that fits your style and angling goals than to see you six months down the road sell it. Just my .02

Seat time seat time seat time - and by that I mean really get to know and understand the benefits and limitations of each pedal-drive kayak offering (ie: Hobie Mirage Drive and Native Propel). Currently, the Native line offers the Propel in the Slayer 13 and 10 models, and the Mariner 10 and 12.5. The Hobie lineup has Mirage Drives installed in the following hulls: Outback Sport (9'), Outback (12'1"), Revolution 11 (11'6"), Revolution 13 (13'5"), Revolution 16 (16'), Pro Angler 12 (12') & 14 (13'8"), Inflatable i9S (9'), i12S (12') and Adventure Island (16'7"). They also have tandem drive options as well (I wouldn't recommend it for spousal outings, but fishing buddies would work ) in the regular rotomolded, as well as the Pro Angler, Inflatable and Sailing hulls. What I mean by seat time is not just how the kayak hull feels on the water, but you need to understand all the nuances of how to maneuver the hull in the bodies of water you fish. If you fish primarily heavy wooded, matted cover with thick vegetation, then a drive system is likely not the best option for you. If you are a big sight casting angler, then your hull choices in both lineups decrease based upon your own equilibrium and the respective hull's stability characteristics. Lastly, you need to understand your body limitations when it comes to the range of motion that is required to utilize both drive systems. The Propel drive is a bicycle style pedaling motion. While that seems natural to most, what many do not consider is the angle of their hips and the ability to pedal using that motion for an extended period of time. The same goes for the Hobie Mirage Drive. The pedaling motion is a linear motion with shorter leg travel or range of motion required. In both drive systems, if you do not position the seat properly or you have poor posture, you will likely induce discomfort over the course of an outing. As far as loading the various hulls, all I can tell you is that I loaded my two different Pro Angler 14's atop two different vehicles over the last three years - my first PA14 was loaded countless times atop my Dodge Grand Caravan. And my 2014 PA14 was loaded last year atop my Honda CRV - it's not as hard as people make it out to be. I have a torn labrum and limited range of motion and loaded them both with ease.

Depends upon the presentation: Steady retrieve - Stanley Ribbit Walking - Evolve Nervous Walker or SPRO BronzEye Popper Floating/Pausing - Ken Daubert Clone Frog

Siebert Outdoors Swim Jig with a PowerTeam Lures trailer!

You can park at Ft. Belvoir on the north side and park/launch your kayak/SUP down near the Archery Range or you can launch directly out of Pohick on the southern side but I think that launch is a bit small. You only need your driver's license to enter Ft. Belvoir, and there is less traffic at the launch. Loads of creek channels and spatterdock to prowl.

Do either of you ever fish up near Pohick? I've seen some beastly SH up that way. One over 40" that looked like a musky when it charged my bait a couple years ago - scared the #@$! out of me. I was in 2' feet of gin clear water in a back creek sight casting to a couple LMB and never even knew the SH was lurking in the shadows out of my periphery.