Bass boat, or kayak?

[jaimeastin]

Oh and... I was at Sheels a little while ago and saw a Hobie 14' kayak that was quite Amazing.  I don't think it is a kayak, more an alternative fishing boat.  It was also $4k.

 

For a person who does not want to deal with boat maintenance, boat cost, but want to have a super stable and very capablw fishing vessel, I can see putting down the money for it and it being their fishing boat.

[LadiMopar]

14 hours ago, jaimeastin said:

For a person who does not want to deal with boat maintenance, boat cost, but want to have a super stable and very capablw fishing vessel, I can see putting down the money for it and it being their fishing boat.

I know this probably wasn't exactly the point you were trying to make, but I thank you.

 

Don't have a Hobie, but my Feelfree Dorado (same $$$ point) with integrated electrical/battery box, retractable transducer arm, and unified peddle/motor drive (and a million other features) is absolutely the best of both worlds for me. 

 

As a disabled angler paddling has become an issue so this gives me the freedom to still get on the water by myself, with many of the perks of a big boat and the quiet enjoyment I got from my paddle only yak. Motor drive is optional in this model, but very important to someone like me when getting back to the ramp at days end.

 

Just my two cents. ?

[jaimeastin]

10 hours ago, LadiMopar said:

As a disabled angler paddling has become an issue so this gives me the freedom to still get on the water by myself, with many of the perks of a big boat and the quiet enjoyment I got from my paddle only yak. Motor drive is optional in this model, but very important to someone like me when getting back to the ramp at days end.

 

Just my two cents. ?

That was why I checked this boat out.  I love kayak fishing.  When I back was in very bad condition, I couldn't fish from my kayak, float tube or hardly walk from time to time.  My wife knew I had to fish and used to fish 3_4 four times a week.  She convinced me to get a boat.  

 

2 years later, here I am feeling better.  I have been wanting to kayak fish.  We bought a new boat and it is all fine... I have upgraded a lot of stuff and our a lot of money in it.  I just miss fishing from a kayak.  I don't think some understand how great of a feeling kayak fishing is.  I just took my favorite kayak out the other night for the first time in over two years. 

 

Thankfully my kayak didn't hurt me so bad... But paddling did irritate my back if I did not watch my technique.  The sales person showed me this kayak... I got in it and tested it out.  It was amazing.  The pedal drive system did not hurt my back.  The kayak was very well thought out.  

 

I completely understand why you love your yak and how it was a life changer.  Every dime was worth it and the experience is just about unparalleled.  I used to think these kayaks were just too big or untraditional at wanting to be a boat.  I had to remember that anything that gets you fishing is what it is all about.  Secondly the boat is addressing needs that can specially help people who need certain attributes.

[J Francho]

@jaimeastin You saw a Hobie Pro Angler, top of the line boat from them.  I have a Hobie Compass Mirage Drive and love it.

 

https://www.hobie.com/kayaks/mirage-pro-angler-14-360/

 

[the reel ess]

I've owned both. They each have their place. I just sold my fish/ski and haven't missed it because I was getting no use out of it. It just sat under a shed, mocking me. You know what they say about the first and last days you own a boat being the best. In terms of getting into places where the bass are not pressured, nothing comes close to the kayak. 

 

Kayak Pros:

Light, no trailer and very little maintenance required. Much easier to transport.

No registration required almost everywhere if it's not powered

Cheaper in pretty much every way

Good exercise. I try to get some cardio almost every day. I skip my usual cardio on days that I fish.

Allows access to paces a boat can't be easily launched

Allows you to get closer to fish without spooking them. It will actually surprise you how many big fish can be very shallow that you didn't notice before because you used to spook them out with the big boat and trolling motor.

 

Kayak Cons:

Not motorized so getting from Pt A to Pt B takes time and energy

Limited storage space. Not easy to carry a lot of gear and be prepared for every eventuality. I have a rigged crate and can carry 7 rods and some extra tackle.

You can't paddle and cast and reel at the same time. You can get peddle kayaks or rig a trolling motor, but those still require a hand to steer and they start to negate the cost savings over a big boat. 

It's more primitive as electronics don't come with it. You need to rig your own. Electronics are necessary if you're going to fish deep structure, so you're a little confined to shallower lakes/ponds. Electronics push that cost back up. I mostly fish private, shallower places, so that's fine. I do have a fish finder on one of my kayaks, but mostly use it as a water temp gauge. LOL.

The older I get, the more I start to see that a big boat is more comfy to fish from. After 5 hours in a kayak, I'm tired and I feel it a little the next day. I think the Ghenoe with a gas and rolling motor looks like a good compromise. But I'd still keep the kayaks.

 

 

On 7/7/2019 at 8:21 AM, Rodney Smith said:

I would recommend a Gheenoe or Riverhawk. You can fish ponds, rivers, reservoirs, and lakes too. Find you a good used one and have some fun.

I want this! Take my money now! The wife and I plan to retire to somewhere coastal and this would be about exactly what I'd want. I have little desire to go offshore and if I do, I can pay someone to put me on fish way cheaper than I can do it myself. Being a bass fisherman, I like inshore much better.

[Skunkd]

Congrats on your yak purchase. The obsession begins! Tons of great info on here already, a couple other things to gnaw on. You will no doubt be thinking about how to rig your yak soon. Rod holders, fish finders, gopro mounts, livewells, depth charges, it can get overwhelming ( and expensive) fast. Take your time rigging your yak. Sometimes the most important thing is where Not to put something. Leave a section of gunwale open for landing fish/ reentry should you go swimming accidentally. Half the fun of owning a yak is making it your own but it takes time on the water to figure out what works best for you.

Tight Lines T

[jaimeastin]

7 hours ago, J Francho said:

@jaimeastin You saw a Hobie Pro Angler, top of the line boat from them.  I have a Hobie Compass Mirage Drive and love it.

 

https://www.hobie.com/kayaks/mirage-pro-angler-14-360/

 

Hey, I look looked that the top of the line, another one below it which was nice and then a smaller one that still had the pedal drive.  I was just impressed.  

 

I have been considering the garmin trolling motor, ultrex or the new motor guide as my next big fishing purchase, but a hobie is so nice.  My wife brought home some brochures, so I know I kinda have approval, lol!  Now I just need to sell body parts and fluid to buy it

[Skunkd]

Another vote for Hobie. They're pricey but still the best made pedal kayaks available ( my.02).Only wish they had a better warranty. Lots of other companies are catching up fast so there's plenty of good options out there. I bought my 2017 Outback last year NOS. About 6 months later they came out with the new 2019 OB. No regrets. Try to pedal as many boats as you can before pulling the trigger. Mirage drive pedaling feels very different than prop style drives. Some people really prefer it (me), others like the prop. 

[LadiMopar]

On 7/14/2019 at 9:49 PM, jaimeastin said:

2 years later, here I am feeling better.  I have been wanting to kayak fish.  We bought a new boat and it is all fine... I have upgraded a lot of stuff and our a lot of money in it.  I just miss fishing from a kayak.  I don't think some understand how great of a feeling kayak fishing is.  I just took my favorite kayak out the other night for the first time in over two years. 

 

So happy to hear you are doing better, and really glad you are able enough now to get back in the yak. I wish you many, many more years of continued good health so you can enjoy every minute in your yak. I know my time in the kayak, even with the motor drive is limited. Not complaining, just stating a fact that my health issues will never improve, so I am going for it now with everything I've got. I don't believe in mourning what will be, I'm just grateful everyday for what I have now.

 

But, that being said, I will absolutely miss being out in the yak one day, and imho you're right, some folks don't quite understand the allure of being in a kayak. As I like to say...it's an acquired taste and probably not for everyone.

 

Like your wife, hubby would happily buy me anything I needed to keep doing what I love, including a bass boat, but its just not for me. Maybe that will change one day; never say never...right? But for the moment, I'm not ready to give up all that I get from my time out there...and really glad you aren't either. Paddle On! 

[schplurg]

Some of my more negative thoughts after kayak fishing 4 times now. Just bought a used WS Ride 115 that came with a nice AirPro Max seat. I debated for a long time between a yak and a 14 foot or so aluminum fishing boat.

 

It's not that light - my kayak is 75 pounds empty. I'm 51. I have back issues that come and go as well as tendinitis. Sometimes putting the yak in my truck before and after fishing exacerbates these issues, even if just a little. I try to do it carefully, but it does take some strength. Coming up with a good technique is important.

 

You also have to drag it around the ramp sometimes when it's full of gear.

 

I feel that I miss out on a lot of fishing due to long paddling sessions, and due to the exertion while doing so. Depends where you fish though. Also constantly picking up the paddle to reposition the boat. I want to add a trolling motor, but now I think maybe I should just have a boat?

 

I feel like I would change baits more often if I had a boat. It would just be more comfortable and easier to move and reach around in.

 

I sometimes feel like I need to get out of the yak just to "get out". It's confining, obviously. It is a good idea to get out and stretch anyways.

 

No escape from the hot sun.

 

I spun around in my seat the other day and almost got tipped out of it. It's supposed to be stable but standing has been a little wobbly for me. I can, but I don't find myself doing it yet.

 

It's generally more cumbersome. Grabbing a sandwich, getting into your milk crate and being stuck sitting in one spot can get frustrating.

 

I do love kayak fishing. It's a great feeling and slipping into strange new areas in the trees is pretty cool. I'm just listing some negatives since there are so many positives in the thread already

 

I may buy a cheap aluminum boat for next year and do a casting deck and all that. I only paid $500 for the yak with the seat so I will probably keep it, storage space permitting.

 

Putting a trolling motor on the yak will require me to register it, and pay the same amount for inspection and launch fees as a boat.

 

I don't find loading the yak in the truck any easier than hooking a trailer to my truck (opposite I'd say), so as for "more likely to get on the water with a yak than a boat" - eh, not too sure about that.

 

Our electric-only lakes allow boats with gas motors as long as they are not used. I saw a full-on bass boat on the lake one day and asked about it. Was surprised.

 

After using a yak 4 times I'm still not sure what I want. Both would be ideal!

 

I'm still unsure as to what I will do. I need to use it more and I definitely will. I do love it, don't get me wrong, but now that I have one I see the good and bad about it, for me personally. I'm leaning towards getting the boat though.

On 7/8/2019 at 2:17 PM, flyfisher said:

And I think that many people who get boats are just fat and/or out of shape and don't have ability to fish out of a kayak.

 

Haha many reviews I read when looking for a yak said something like, "I'm 5'10 and 350 pounds and this yak just isn't stable!" Being out of shape ain't stoppin' many people from kayaking 

[jaimeastin]

17 hours ago, schplurg said:

Haha many reviews I read when looking for a yak said something like, "I'm 5'10 and 350 pounds and this yak just isn't stable!" Being out of shape ain't stoppin' many people from kayaking 

Its all about the right kayak and what works for you.  

[Hook2Jaw]

Had a boat, got a Hobie, sold the boat, upgraded to another Hobie.  Then, Hobie decided to hump prices for tariffs so I've decided I'm getting myself into an Old Town Predator PDL.

[Brad Reid]

1 hour ago, Hook2Jaw said:

Had a boat, got a Hobie, sold the boat, upgraded to another Hobie.  Then, Hobie decided to hump prices for tariffs so I've decided I'm getting myself into an Old Town Predator PDL.

That's a great kayak, the Predator PDL. I have several friends who fish out of them with great success. And, I believe they made some improvements for this model year and dropped prices a bit.

 

The new Hobie PA 12 or 14 with the new 360 Drive? For anyone fishing with a heavy emphasis on working around boathouses, docks, marinas, really hard? Or, pulling along long shorelines and casting parallel to the edge? These expensive new Hobies, likely $5,000 with taxes, will be very hard to beat. They will go forward and backward, like PDLs, Natives and others, but also allow the angler to sidle over left or right. Someone mastering its movements will be able to get in great position to make great casts to difficult spots where bass hang out.

 

Brad

[Hook2Jaw]

19 minutes ago, Brad Reid said:

That's a great kayak, the Predator PDL. I have several friends who fish out of them with great success. And, I believe they made some improvements for this model year and dropped prices a bit.

 

The new Hobie PA 12 or 14 with the new 360 Drive? For anyone fishing with a heavy emphasis on working around boathouses, docks, marinas, really hard? Or, pulling along long shorelines and casting parallel to the edge? These expensive new Hobies, likely $5,000 with taxes, will be very hard to beat. They will go forward and backward, like PDLs, Natives and others, but also allow the angler to sidle over left or right. Someone mastering its movements will be able to get in great position to make great casts to difficult spots where bass hang out.

 

Brad

I agree about the Old Town.  One thing I do like about the boat is they're reported to be speed machines and with my top end at 7 in the PA14 in short bursts, I believe I can hit 8 in the Predator from all the reports I see.  The cruising speed is supposed to be phenomenal.

 

As for the new Hobie Pro Angler 14 360, I think it'll be an amazing boat for exactly what you said.  I have an addiction to banging squarebills off cover at the moment, so I'm hoping the foot only access to reverse with the Predator will up my game in that regard.  Hands free reverse is still something firmly in the realm of propellers, and I think Old Town has the premier propeller driven kayak. 

 

Five thousand dollars is too rich for my blood, I plan to put myself in the Predator, grab a Topwater 120 for the future wife, and a Topwater 106 for the son as soon as he can walk. 

 

I just wish Old Town would release a pedal drive tandem.

[LadiMopar]

1 hour ago, Hook2Jaw said:

just wish Old Town would release a pedal drive tandem.

 

Feelfree has a tandem with peddle drive. A guy my hubby works with bought one this year and absolutely loved it.

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