Hobie Kayaks

[roadwarrior]

Who is fishing from a Hobie and what can you tell us about them?

 

 

http://www.hobiecat.com/?s=f&utm_source=bassresource&utm_medium=logo&utm_campaign=threemonthbr

 

 

 

 

[Hanover_Yakker]

I think I am qualified to answer that question.  I could do a write up for BR if you want.

[J Francho]

Yes Chuck, please do!  I think our members are getting short changed about what they might think they know or don't know about these fishing machines.

[Hanover_Yakker]

I'm possibly heading out on the water tomorrow for a HOW planning event, so I'll see what kind of unique footage I can get and piece together some compilations.

 

I also have several Hobie videos of real fishing action I have put together over the last year and a half already in case anyone wants to look at those in the mean time.

 

 

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[noway]

What I see in any kayak is the emergence of a monster back ache and the high tip over potential while attempting a prone position. To compensate for the instability, I see some kayaks with outriggers or pontoons.  After you load them up with electronics and other accessories, you may as well buy a entry level bass boat.

[Jay Ell Gee]

What I see in any kayak is the emergence of a monster back ache and the high tip over potential while attempting a prone position. To compensate for the instability, I see some kayaks with outriggers or pontoons.  After you load them up with electronics and other accessories, you may as well buy a entry level bass boat.

 

I happen to own both a bass boat and a kayak and I can say that there are many scenarios in which I prefer the kayak. If anything, it's just a sporting way to enjoy the outdoors.

 

I use mine for small bodies of water as well as backwaters that aren't accessible to my bass boat. Let's not even start with the marsh!

 

I do not own a Hobie, though. However, I will gladly accept one to test and in return, write an outstanding article!

[Hanover_Yakker]

I'll do my best - weather is not cooperating for tomorrow, so I have already booked time on Sunday morning when the sun comes up to do some video of the Pro Angler in use.  I plan on showing:

 

1. The overall layout of the Pro Angler.

2. How I have it rigged for fishing.

3. How to unload/load it from your vehicle.

4. The view from the seat when fishing.

5. The view from shore or another boat as you are seen fishing.

6. Maybe even get a hookset or two.

7. Casting while standing.

8. Accessing rods and tackle while in the Pro Angler.

 

I also plan on doing a voice over of the walk around and rigging if I can find a microphone.  Might just take the GoPro out of the waterproof housing and hope the wind isn't up and do the voice over while doing the walk through.

 

We'll see what I can come up with.

[mtaag3]

Can you come up with a dealer for a test paddle in Alabama? I'd love one of these things.

[Packard]

What I see in any kayak is the emergence of a monster back ache and the high tip over potential while attempting a prone position. To compensate for the instability, I see some kayaks with outriggers or pontoons.  After you load them up with electronics and other accessories, you may as well buy a entry level bass boat.

 

It is not for everyone. Do I need to mention the reason why many bass pros are sponsored by Prilosec? I am $1500 into my kayak and would take it over any small boat in that price range  which wouldn't include a working bass boat. I have very little maintenance and don't have to pay gas. I don't need to own a truck to get it in the water. It can keep you fit and is good for the environment. I can stand and cast just fine without any aids.

[whittler1]

When purchasing any kayak do not cheap out on the seat. A good quality seat, although expensive, makes night and day difference in comfort when on the water. The sit-on-top kayak is very stable fishing platform that will allow you to fish water that you can't get to in a bigger craft.

[aceman387]

I spent 8 hours fishing in my ride 115 without a backache or pain and i am 52.I would have stayed out even longer if a front hadn't passed through and shut down the bite.I have never tried a hobie pro angler but they look like they would be a mean fishing machine.

[Hanover_Yakker]

Can you come up with a dealer for a test paddle in Alabama? I'd love one of these things.

Without knowing your exact location other than what's in your avatar, the closest one might actually be out of state in Columbus, GA.

 

The best thing to do is check the website for current dealer locations.  You can use the Dealer Locator found here:

 

http://www.hobiecat.com/dealers/

[mtaag3]

Without knowing your exact location other than what's in your avatar, the closest one might actually be out of state in Columbus, GA.

 

The best thing to do is check the website for current dealer locations.  You can use the Dealer Locator found here:

 

http://www.hobiecat.com/dealers/

 

I did check and the closes one is in Columbus, GA. I'm surprised there isn't a dealer in the Birmingham area. There is a huge fishing and kayak culture here.  

[Hanover_Yakker]

I did check and the closes one is in Columbus, GA. I'm surprised there isn't a dealer in the Birmingham area. There is a huge fishing and kayak culture here.

I hear you and I know all about the culture down there. Several of my KBF friends are in that area. Part of the challenge of carrying certain brands of kayaks is the dealer/store actually committing to carry the line. Carrying every brand requires a huge warehouse.

[scrutch]

I've been eyeing these Hobies for awhile now. I mainly would use one for a few of the lakes I've vowed to never take my bass boat back to. The last one I went to is a great little fishing lake but it has no pier near the launch and I will NOT put any more chips in the bottom of my boat because of it.

That little fact puts Hobie in the picture...

Watching this thread with interest.

[Hanover_Yakker]

I have about three hours of footage I need to edit and cut down into a 3-4 minute snippet, then I need to complete the sit down session tonight.  Tonight's session will include a walk around of the Pro Angler 14 pointing out the design features, as well as a couple of my small accessories I added then I will summarize a few of the FAQs I get from time to time about Hobies in general and the Pro Angler.  FYI, I previewed some of the clips briefly last night, and I managed to get four hookups on film from a couple of different angles.  Nothing citation worthy, but at least I caught some fish in real time.

 

Hope to have this ready for you all in the next few days!

[mtaag3]

Looking forward to the clips. Also will you be able to address how you travel with it and know of others who travel with it? One of my questions is do I need a trailer if I don't have a truck? It seems like a heavy kayak but can it go on a roof rack? Is there a particular roof rack one needs?

 

Thanks

[Hanover_Yakker]

 

I load mine on top of my mini van - does that quell your fears a little?

 

In all honesty - the dry hull weight of a Pro Angler is 118lbs.  That may or may not exceed any factory crossbars your vehicle may have.  Check your manufacturer's/owner's manual first.  If that weight exceeds your rack's limitations, you can do what I did which is to purchase the landing pads, control toweres and crossbars from Yakima and install them in your factory tracks.  If I ever sell this vehicle (which is highly likely in the next year or so), then I can simply remove my Yakima setup and re-install the factory bars.

 

As far as loading, the video I captured yesterday shows me loading and unloading it for a day on the water.

 

As far as getting seat time in one in the AL area, I've got some "feelers" out for you with my 'Bama yak friends.  I'll keep you posted..

[mtaag3]

Thanks!

I'm actually glad to hear about the Yakima cross bars as the extra cash for a trailer added to the question of this particular kayak. The weight of the kayak getting it on and off is not a concern.

 

Also, tell your feelers I could sweeten the deal with a cold beer afterwards if that would influence their decision

 

Thanks again for your help.

[Hanover_Yakker]

Until I get the 'sit down' portion right with the back lighting and sound levels, here's a little teaser of some of the footage from this past weekend to wet your appetite.......

 

[CPBassFishing]

Is there a single person version you can stand in? Price? Saving up for a small boat, either an aluminum jonboat or a kayak but it has to be trolling motor compatible and I have to be able to stand in it.

[J Francho]

That is a single person boat.  The Pro Angler comes with Mirage Drive, so no heavy batteries or trolling motor necessary.

 

http://www.hobiecat.com/mirage/mirage-pro-angler-12/

[mtaag3]

Speaking of batteries where do you store the battery for a fish finder and how big of a battery can be used?

[J Francho]

A little 12V 7ah battery is around 6x3x4" and can be located anywhere in dry storage that just about every fishing kayak has. You'll get at least three full days of fishing from a single charge.

[Hanover_Yakker]

Hope you liked the quick video preview.

 

Like John said, the 'deer feeder' style of batteries work beautifully and hold a charge a long time.  I use a 12v/5am battery for my Lowrance Elite-4x DSI and it will run for three trips.  I keep mine in a small Sterilite sealable container stowed underneath the center hatch.  You can use any number of sealable containers like Pelican boxes, Glad or tupperware containers, etc.  The beauty of this type of modification is that you probably already have a suitable container in your house that is not being used.

 

As far as the vessel itself, the Pro Anglers are single person designs; however, my son rides shotgun in the rear tankwell whenever we go out on the water.  We can both stand and fish side-by-side with no issue.  The cost of a Pro Angler 12 or 14 is more than worth it in my opinion when you take into consideration that you do not need to register the vessel as a powered watercraft, nor do you have any annual fees associated with taxes, maintenance or insurance.

 

As far as powered options, Hobie has a licensing deal in place with Torqueedo, and they have the Evolve electric motor that inserts right into the Mirage Drive opening on the Pro Anglers.  Other companies like BassYaks and Gator have alternative options as well, but the Evolve option is the cleanest of them all and the lightest.  It is somewhat cost prohibitive for me, plus it would mean that I would have to register it as a powered vessel.

 

I prefer to use my legs and the Mirage Drive to move my Pro Angler, but if your situation necessitates a powered solution, it is an available option to consider.