Kayak Fishing

[Glenn]

Want a stable ride with ample storage? Look no further than Hobie Fishing kayaks! Arguably the best built kayaks on the market!
 

Do you have one?  How do you like it?

 

[Flywatersmallie]

Nice but awfully expensive

[flyfisher]

and borderline even a kayak....lol  sweet boat though

[Glenn]

Most models are under $2k.

[Jim Mac]

Most models are under $2k.

Is that all? !!!!

[BassAssassin726]

Lol under 2k. Thing is sweet but not every has "under 2k" to blow on a yak. Like fyfisher said too, Im not sure id even call that a kayak. 

[DogBone_384]

I set myself a $2K budget for diving into kayak fishing (BassResource made me do it?!?!?!?!) but instead of a Hobie I ended up with a Ascend 128T, FeelFree Lure 11.5, paddles, PFDs, a cart for the 128T, two Lowrance fish finder (along with batteries, pelican cases, and other necessities) and had gas money left over.

Not that Hobies are bad, they seem great, but $2G+'s is a lot of dough, and only one guy can go fishing.

[Darren.]

I love the idea of the Pro Angler, which is what I'd probably buy if I had almost $3K laying around. The other models do not suit my needs for fishing, which includes a stable platform to stand on.  I know some of the peddle-yaks they make can be stood in if necessary (not designed for), but the PA is designed for it.

 

Hobie makes a premium product, and a good product. But the PA is definitely on the boat-yak side of the aisle.

[kudagra]

With those peddles, what is the draft of these kayaks? 

[Mattfrom_NJ]

2k plus what it costs to add a trailer/hitch bc unless you own a pick up, that's the only way to get it around.  That said my local B&T is a Hobie dealer and when they have a demo day I'll most certainly take one out for a peddle. 

[Ring King]

Yes, I do have a Hobie Pro Angler 14 and I love it!

 

I hear these arguements all the time from folks that say the price tag is too high.  Hobie's prices, although at top in terms of amount, are comparable with the other brands.  It's all about what you're looking for.  I sold my bass boat and wanted something that would keep me on the water, cost substantially less to maintain and operate, allow me to be comfortable for all day trips, and have the carrying capacity to fit all my gear so that I didn't feel like the transistion from boat to kayak was a decision that limited my effectiveness on the water.  I typically carry 6-8 rods, 10 Plano 3700 boxes, several soft bags of plastics, and my safety gear and snacks with me without having the boat cluttered.  There aren't many kayaks out there that can do that besides the Pro Angler 14 and possibly the Native Propel Mariner 12.  The ability to stand comfortably without any loss of stability means techniques like flipping, pitching, and punching can be done in the traditional manner without sacrificing accuracy or distance.  The Mirage Drive is such an advantage when dealing with wind or current that putting a price tag on it's "on the water" value is almost impossible.  Any of you naysayers on that aspect would understand that after spending just one day on the water fishing a tournament in 20mph winds!  There are so many arguements/discussions about paddle vs pedal and the advantages that the pedal yaks have in those situations that there's no point in me beating a dead horse here over it.

 

I'm not saying that the Hobie Pro Angler is the perfect kayak for everyone that's looking to get into the sport.  If you're looking for something to throw in the back of the truck for quick trips to farm ponds a couple times a month, if you're looking for a small craft to navigate small shallow rocky rivers, or if you just want something for leisure trips then you'd probably be better off with a standard paddle craft that you can get for anyhwere from $299 at your local big box store up to $2999 for a Stealth Pro Fisha 575.  See what I mean about Hobie's not being so out of line on price?

 

However, if you're a serious kayak fisherman that spends many hours on the water enjoying our sport and or you're a serious tournament angler then maybe a Hobie Pro Angler or other pedal kayak is the right boat for you.  That's a question that each of us have to answer for ourselves when looking to purchase a kayak.  For me it was definitely the right choice and now that I've been in a Hobie Pro Angler 14 for the last three years there's no way I could go back to a paddle yak!  In fact I'm looking to buy myself a new Pro Angler 14 and will be giving my old one to my 11 year old to use.

 

Just some price examples:

 

Hobie Pro Angler 14     $2999

Hobie Outback              $1999

Stealth Pro Fisha 575   $2999

Bote Ahab SUP             $2399

Eddyline Caribbean 14  $1649

Jackson Big Rig             $1699

Native Slayer 13 Propel $2399

Native Mariner 12.5       $2349

 

These were just a few of the bigger yaks out there that "might" be comparable in size/price/capability as the Pro Angler.  So as you can see the Hobie prices aren't really out of line with the other top shelf fishing kayaks on the market.  Hobie includes a paddle with all of their Mirage Drive kayaks so that's is also included in the price.

[Nelson Wormefeller]

I wouldn't be caught dead in that thing. Just my opinion.

 

I'm sure Stephen Ambrose in the picture up top would think the same thing about the floating jalopies I fish from. 

[Arv]

One day.

[MacP]

I've got a first generation mirage sport, I love it.  I'd rather have a newer pro angler though.

[Christian M]

I was shopping for a kayak for a while. I stopped at Jersey Paddler at least once a week to look at what they'd gotten in. I spoke to the guys there & they said basically the same thing about the Hobie Pro. Its about the best yak you can get, but without 3k you can't get into one. IMHO, with that price tag, and the need for a trailer, its hard to even call it a kayak. I couldn't justify spending 3k on a kayak when I got my 17' Bass Boat for the same price! I ended up getting a Native Ultimate for ponds & small water. I love the workout, and the difference between fishing off my tracker is cool. That being said, I would love to have one!

[Loop_Dad]

Here in Austin TX where kayak fishermen are everywhere, I see quite few of Hobies. I've seen being carried in the back of truck or in the mni-van. Wouldn't it even possible to car top at 138 lbs?

 

I see the marketing being the ability to launch on more small waters than the boats while having more stable plat form. I don't know how much of benefit to be able to stand, because you have to sit down again to adjust your position if you drift a bit. This sounds like too much of stand up / sit down work out all day.

 

Not sure if it is designed for, but one father had his son on the back fishing.

[Ring King]

For those that are looking for a Pro Angler but have issues with the $3k price tag you just need to shop around for a used one.  I bought mine from a guy in Florida who had won it at an IFA tournament.  It was brand new, still wrapped in the manufacturers plastic, and came with a full manufacturers 2 year warranty.  I got it for $2100 which was a steal!!

 

There's one right now on NorCalKayakAnglers.com for sale that's been there for about a week somehow.  It's a 2012 in like new condition with no holes drilled in it and the guy is asking $1900!!  I can't believe someone hasn't snatched it up yet!

 

My point is that for those that want a pedal powered kayak and don't want to pay the "new" price for it there are deals out there.  You just have to keep looking and you'll eventually find one that fits your budget as long as your budget is reasonable for what you're looking for.

[kikstand454]

I've been kayak fishing for about 6 years now. ....and it is great. I spend most of my kayak time inshore fishing though- my bass fishing is done in the pa in laws boat.

I find bass fishing in my kayak to be enjoyable and rewarding as well. .... so don't shy away from it if its on your mind.

In regards to the PA and peddle drives in general- it is really dependent on the types of water you're going to fish. I have absolutely zero use for a peddle drive and will never own one. When I'm bass fishing in my kayak- I stick to one or two big coves on large lakes. I don't need to peddle. Paddling is just fine. Most of the time in my area. ...if I'm in a river or a pond bass fishing- I'm in much too thick of grass to make the peddles effective. In the salt- I'm fishing 3ft or less almost 100% of the time and am frequently super skinny and posted up on and around oyster bars.

You certainly don't need peddles to fish out of a kayak- and many times they're completely unneeded/ detrimental. Furthermore. ...there are tons of opportunities to purchase gently used kayaks at a significant discount from new. Rental fleets sell their old models all the time. Try out a kayak at a local demo day- and bring a rod! Also... .there are many fishing kayaks that are designed to stand up in- not just the hobie PA.

[Ring King]

My two sons fish with me regularly on my Pro Angler.  When my little one was smaller I would put him in the front hatch, minus the hatch liner, so that I could keep an eye on him.  No he rides on the back deck.

 

 

My oldest has always sat on the back deck either flat on the floor with a stadium seat for offshore fishing, or he rides atop a 50qt cooler if we're fishing inshore or freshwater.  He's gotten up to 115lbs now and really needs to be in a boat of his own but it still works to tandem on the Pro Angler when he doesn't want to paddle his own yak around.

 

 

The Pro Angler is quite at home in shallow water.  You simply push the pedals to the full tilt position which pins the find against the bottom of the hull.  When this is done it only takes about 5" of water to float the hull with the angler aboard.  Then you can use your paddle or push pole to get around.  If you've got 10" of water you can make partial strokes of the pedals (referred to as fluttering) and still achieve forward propulsion even in water too shallow to make a full pedal stroke.  Grass is not really an issue either unless you're trying to bust across topped out matted vegetation.  In these circumstances no boat "excels" in getting across the grass and simply pulling the drive unit out and paddling will get you where you want to go.

 

This pic was shot in less than a foot of water as I was chasing redfish that had their backs half out of the water.  Shallow is no issue!

 

[kikstand454]

I wasn't trying to say the PA Can't do those things.....I'm saying that it isn't ideal in those situations. And therefore- if you find yourself fishing in those environments predominantly, then the advantages (especially when added to the disadvantages) of the PA may not be good choice. Like I said, I have/will never have a use for one. I am very active in the kayak fishing community in my area- and a vast majority of fishermen choose paddles over peddles. This includes "touring" pros who travel to yournements all over the south.

I'm just stating that while the PA is an awesome fishing platform in many situations- its not the be all end all in kayak fishing. Nor is it even a kayak technically. I just noticed people freaking about the stats and cost and wanted to assure people that a much lighter and cheaper option exists that is just as productive.

[Ring King]

I definitely agree that there are plenty of lighter and cheaper kayaks out there! However, I believe that the majority of kayak fishermen are in paddle kayaks due to the cost of pedal kayaks and not because of any perceived disadvantages that they might have. I spent the last four years in Jacksonville, Florida just up the road from you. I'm also extremely active in the kayak community and although I don't consider myself a "touring pro" I do fish every tournament I can that is anywhere even remotely near me. In fact, I'm driving two and a half hours this weekend to fish in the second stop of the Delta Kayak Bass Series and two weeks ago i drove two hours to Clear Lake for the FreshKATS tournament stop up there. The tournament scene in both Florida and California (where I live now) regardless of whether its fresh water or saltwater is loaded with pedal kayaks!! In my opinion there are no "Pros" in kayak fishing at this time but I would say without a doubt that the majority of the guys that resemble that status are in pedal yaks. That's easy enough to see by looking at the anglers/boats in the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournaments in South Florida, the IFA Kayak Events, the Kayak Bass Fishing Open, the Kayaks and Greenbacks tournament, and the AFWC events. Most of the serious hardcore tournament anglers are either pedaling Hobie Mirage kayaks or Native Propel kayaks. The efficiency, range, and ability to maintain speed over longer durations is just too much of an advantage when it comes to competition fishing. If that wasn't true then we wouldn't have the constant pedal vs paddle arguments and there wouldn't be so many people that always argue that pedal kayaks shouldn't be able to compete in the same tournaments as paddle yaks.

[Christian M]

I don't even think it's a question, the Hobie Mirage Drive yaks & the Native Propel yaks are superior vessels. IMHO I think it really comes down to either what you can afford, or what you prefer. I bought a paddle yak because I already own a Bass Boat, but when it comes to paddling, the upper-body/core workout helps with my back issues. If I didn't already own my Tracker, I definitely would have sprung for a Hobie PA or Native Propel.