Jumping Into The Kayak World

[Murrica]

I am making the jump into the kayak world.  I grew up on water as a kid and I am pretty comfortable on any boat platform.  I am doing a demo on the PA 14 this Thursday.  I tried the slayer in the spring and it felt too narrow.  I am 6'1 300# so I figure the capacity will be plenty.  Plans for the yak are going to be a homemade live well, ff and some rod holders to start.  I have been doing research for the last year trying to figure out what I really need and don't need.  I am going to try it without the h-bar for standing up unless someone highly recommends it.  Any input is definitely appreciated.  

 

The whole reason I am going with the kayak is ease of loading and unloading and I mostly fish by myself anyways.  

[J Francho]

Wilderness Systems ATAK, Commander 140 (I own one), and Ride 135 should all be on your list of boats to get seat time in.

[Murrica]

Those were but the issue I am having is I fish a lot of moving water and I am thinking the mirage drive will be better for that.  I would go with one and just get a torqueedo but then I would have to register it. 

[bholtzinger14]

I just fished my first tournament out of a borrowed Hobie PA this last weekend. It was very nice. I was able to fish for 7 hours with no problems. Never once thought it was going to tip over. I want to try the slayer propel and the Diablo Amigo before I decide which one I am going to buy. 

[J Francho]

Those were but the issue I am having is I fish a lot of moving water and I am thinking the mirage drive will be better for that.  I would go with one and just get a torqueedo but then I would have to register it. 

 

So, like I do for my truck, car, two boats and trailers every couple years?  Not a problem.  It's easy.

 

Put this on your radar, then.  Lighter, less cash, hulls made here:

 

http://www.wildernesssystems.com/us/experience/videos/video/power-wilderness

[Murrica]

I will definitely demo one.  The main kayaks I was considering was the ATAK and the PA.  The downside is finding the ATAK locally having to pay extra for the rudder and for the torqueedo.  I would be over 4k in the hole at that point.  I won't count it out yet though.  The other reason for the PA decision wise is the I would be getting a demo model at a great price.  I plan on only buying my main kayak once and then if I needed a paddle yak for other options like skinny rivers then I would pick up one that was smaller.

[J Francho]

Add a trailer to the PA price... Great boat, I been in a couple, but really heavy.

[Hanover_Yakker]

The PA is an awesome fishing platform as long as you recognize and account for its physical weight and your ability to load and unload it.  I've owned 2 and loved them both.  I'm currently fishing out of a 2015 Outback and a Quest 13.

[Choporoz]

I was seriously considering a peddle/drive type.  I decided to defer that cost for my first kayak until I was sure this was something I want to do.  Turns out I'm quite happy in my Wilderness Tarpon.  There are times, no doubt, that I'd like the peddles.  However, there are also a LOT of time that I'm drifting into inches of water or across weeds at, or nearly at, the surface and I think the peddle-type would have been a huge drawback. I can't count the times that I paddled through thick hydrilla, millfoil and spatterdock to areas that I probably couldn't have with peddles.

[J Francho]

That's an advantage rarely mentioned in kayak fishing.  You can get into slop easiliy and queitly that a bass boat cannot.  We have a ton of it up here - it's bread and butter for my fishing.

 

[Hanover_Yakker]

I was seriously considering a peddle/drive type.  I decided to defer that cost for my first kayak until I was sure this was something I want to do.  Turns out I'm quite happy in my Wilderness Tarpon.  There are times, no doubt, that I'd like the peddles.  However, there are also a LOT of time that I'm drifting into inches of water or across weeds at, or nearly at, the surface and I think the peddle-type would have been a huge drawback. I can't count the times that I paddled through thick hydrilla, millfoil and spatterdock to areas that I probably couldn't have with peddles.

 

Two things - first, they're pedals, not peddles

 

Second, it literally takes less than two seconds for me to remove my Mirage Drive and lay it at my feet if the vegetation gets too thick.  Then I paddle just like a traditional kayak.  Did it in my Pro Angler for three years and never had an issue.  Currently do the same with my Outback, so while your thoughts and opinion have some validity for other drive systems, they are moot and not a real factor with the Hobie Mirage Drive System.

 

Now, that doesn't mean that there won't be someone that tries to do it and gets fouled up and blames their drive, but I'm not that guy.  Sometimes, you just have to use common sense.

 

Just saying......

[Darren.]

Those were but the issue I am having is I fish a lot of moving water and I am thinking the mirage drive will be better for that.  I would go with one and just get a torqueedo but then I would have to register it. 

 

A Torqueedo is a great option, but just consider that

they are much noisier (based on reviews I read) and 

not as stealthy as say a Motorguide or Minn Kota based

motor system.

 

And based on your stated height/weight, I think you'd

really like the PA. It is one of the wider platforms on 

the market.

 

I was going to suggest trying a Slayer, but since you have

and found it too narrow, that...narrows down your search.

 

The ATAK, the Lure should be looked at, too.

 

I use a Native Ultimate 12' and love the stability, you 

actually stand "deeper" -- under the water line based on

the concave pontoon structure they use. The new models

are even more comfortable and stable than previous.

 

However, no scupper holes. Only major drawback in my book.

But it makes up for it and is perfect for me and how I fish.

 

Mine is outfitted with a DIY Minn Kota C2 30 adapted to 

steer via the foot pedals and I've got a control box at my

left hand for forward and reverse.

 

In my book, it's the best of all worlds. I keep an emergency

paddle for ... 911 times, or if I need to lift the motor and 

navigate through weeds, sticks.

 

Since money doesn't seem to be an object for you, the PA

with a BassYaks kit would give you some tremendous

options and a big platform to fish from.

 

Oh, and the one disadvantage of the Mirage system is no 

reverse. No matter what is said, you simply cannot go 

backwards without either using a paddle, or reversing the

actual pedals. With a pedal drive like Native uses you can

do both, and can also quickly lift the system out to negotiate

through weeds. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

 

If I were to buy one or the other tomorrow, it'd probably be

a PA 12. Just my .02. I have no sponsorships or dogs in this

hunt.

[J Francho]

Adding a trolling motor to a PA?  How much does a deep cycle weigh?  That's a heavy craft....

 

If you want a jonboat with an kicker and a troller, get that.  If you want a Mirage Drive Hobie, get that.  If you want a light kayak and a paddle, get that.  Hybridizing every possible permutation of a personal fishing craft will leave you with a confusing mess.  I say, get a big boy boat, like a C140, ATAK, PBG, Lure, etc. and a GOOD paddle, and have at it.  Then when you want to add on, trade up, whatever, you have a good foundation of what the craft can do.

[Darren.]

Adding a trolling motor to a PA?  How much does a deep cycle weigh?  That's a heavy craft....

 

If you want a jonboat with an kicker and a troller, get that.  If you want a Mirage Drive Hobie, get that.  If you want a light kayak and a paddle, get that.  Hybridizing every possible permutation of a personal fishing craft will leave you with a confusing mess.  I say, get a big boy boat, like a C140, ATAK, PBG, Lure, etc. and a GOOD paddle, and have at it.  Then when you want to add on, trade up, whatever, you have a good foundation of what the craft can do.

 

If he adds a Torqueedo, the LiON battery is only about 6 or 7 pounds.

Total weight of system around 17lbs.

 

But he'll add another grand or two to the total depending on the Torqueedo package. 

 

Personally, I love my hybridized setup. Lots of folks have done it. To each his/her own, eh?

[J Francho]

Oh yeah, absolutely...  since I have a boat(s), my perspective may be a little different.  I've also been in on the kayak thing for a decade now, so while my actual kayak may look wildly outfitted to an outsider, it's actually pretty simple.

 

I still don't know why you'd add a Torqueedo to a PA that already has a very good propulsion system, but like you said, to each his own.  I'd be looking at a more efficiant hull design... the upcoming Tarpon, for instance --  cough-cough...

[T-Rick]

I have a 2015 PA 14 and love it.  I am 6' 215lbs and the yak is very stable and I am very comfortable when I stand to fish.  You have many good recommendations of other yaks to get some seat time.

[Murrica]

I have access to a 18' jet boat any time I want to use a boat.  With a kayak the other part is stealth.  I will do some demo's today and tomorrow and keep everyone posted on what I decide.

[Fin Stalker]

Old Town Predator 13

Ocean Kayak Big Game II

As for fishing slop....

I can not explain how thick some of these pads are.

[Dye99]

Wilderness Systems ATAK, Commander 140 (I own one), and Ride 135 should all be on your list of boats to get seat time in.

 

Agreed. I run an ATAK and I have a friend who is in the 300# range...He loved using my boat, but eventually went with the commander..

the com140 is a perfect boat because it fits a few different roles and the lack of scuppers is a good thing as well.

[flyfisher]

Agreed. I run an ATAK and I have a friend who is in the 300# range...He loved using my boat, but eventually went with the commander..

the com140 is a perfect boat because it fits a few different roles and the lack of scuppers is a good thing as well.

Another reason to consider the type of fishing you actually do....that is the reason i got rid of my commander and bought an ATAK

[Murrica]

I tested some other yaks out and made the decision on the PA 14 due to stability and ease of movement.  I can paddle still in shallow water and the storage is great on it.