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Started By
Message
re: Kayak Fishing
Posted on 7/9/15 at 10:33 am to Barf
Posted on 7/9/15 at 10:33 am to Barf
quote:
can we even call a $3k Hobie Pro Angler a kayak?
Interesting fact: Hobie does not refer to the PA as a kayak anywhere in it's literature and until recently, they were listed under "Boat" category rather than with the other kayaks.
The beauty of kayak fishing is that it can be as minimalist as you want. . . or as technical as you want. You can spend a few hundred bucks on a kayak from Academy and get to the same places to fish as the guy who just spent $5200 on a PA17! You don't have to put a depthfinder or other electronics if you don't want to, and a $10 PVC Stakeout pole will hold you boat just as well as that $650 micro Powerpole.
To answer your earlier question, I personally enjoy fishing tournaments- it takes you out of your comfort zone, gives you an opportunity to fish new areas that you may have never fished, and the competition will make you a better fisherman. Tournament fishing from a boat is big money- just look at the Redfish tournament going on in Leeville this weekend; cost of entry to fish those tournaments are just too rich for my blood! However, kayak tournaments have a low entry cost and can be just as competitive. No motors allowed though, so you need a kayak to participate!
That alone is a big reason I haven't sold my kayaks and bought a small skiff that would allow me to fish the same waters I currently fish from my kayak. Would it be more convenient? Sure, in the sense that I could reach those spots a lot faster and probably be more comfortable fishing in a skiff, but then you have the added motor maintenance to contend with. So it's a toss up at this point.
1
Posted on 7/9/15 at 12:02 pm to nahtanojc
Just to knock some of the Hobie prestige down a little bit 
...the new Hobie Vantage seat (aka '15 Outback) is middle of the road for comfort in a kayak. Yes, you are not sitting with a wet arse, but the material and geometry is not very comfortable. People who like it have never sat in another lawn chair style seat. Jackson Elite is much more comfortable. I have done several 12 hr trips in the Jackson Elite and I wont stay in the Vantage longer than 6 hours unless tournament.
What I am saying is, an older Outback fitted with Jackson Elite is more comfortable than Outback with Vantage. The big difference in the new Outback is the glide technology Mirage drive. The 10% is a big 10%. Even so, older Outbacks have a tremendous bang for buck value right now.
...the new Hobie Vantage seat (aka '15 Outback) is middle of the road for comfort in a kayak. Yes, you are not sitting with a wet arse, but the material and geometry is not very comfortable. People who like it have never sat in another lawn chair style seat. Jackson Elite is much more comfortable. I have done several 12 hr trips in the Jackson Elite and I wont stay in the Vantage longer than 6 hours unless tournament. What I am saying is, an older Outback fitted with Jackson Elite is more comfortable than Outback with Vantage. The big difference in the new Outback is the glide technology Mirage drive. The 10% is a big 10%. Even so, older Outbacks have a tremendous bang for buck value right now.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 2:05 pm to AutoYes_Clown
Interesting that you brought that up, a little while back I came across a youtube clip on I think hobie's forum. I'm not 100% that's where I was, but anyway to the story.
Basically the guy had went to his local dealer with the intention of buying a 2015 outback because of the raised seat you mentioned, but they had last years model for $1000 less. So he got that one knowing about the seat issue. Came home and ordered a raised seat from Jackson for like $100. Dont remember which model it was, but it fits the outback perfectly and then posted a step by step of the install on youtube. When he got done it looked really nice. Thats your fix on the outbacks seat problem
Basically the guy had went to his local dealer with the intention of buying a 2015 outback because of the raised seat you mentioned, but they had last years model for $1000 less. So he got that one knowing about the seat issue. Came home and ordered a raised seat from Jackson for like $100. Dont remember which model it was, but it fits the outback perfectly and then posted a step by step of the install on youtube. When he got done it looked really nice. Thats your fix on the outbacks seat problem
This post was edited on 7/9/15 at 2:07 pm
Posted on 7/9/15 at 2:08 pm to Sythyn30
Oh my bad, just noticed that's exactly what you were saying LoL
I did hear that Jackson Seat made the outback slightly less stable? Any truth to that?
I did hear that Jackson Seat made the outback slightly less stable? Any truth to that?
This post was edited on 7/9/15 at 2:10 pm
Posted on 7/9/15 at 3:00 pm to Sythyn30
That is exactly what I'm saying. A $1300 <2014 Outback + $100 Jackson Elite seat is a lot closer to a $2300 >2015 Outback, than most realize.
Yes the Elite on an Outback makes it less stable, but not much different than Vantage at full height. The Elite can be modified to sit a lot higher than Vantage can get. Its all about how you want it set up. However, an Elite on an Outback is definitely not a clean install like factory Vantage.
If you can't tell, I'm a Jackson fan boi who stepped out of the family and added a 2015 Hobie Outback. I have yet to deal with Hobie's warranty and customer service but I have heard rumors of horror stories because you are at the mercy of the local dealer. That being said, I've used Jackson's and it is pretty much no-questions-asked handled by Jackson themselves. I bring this up because the Vantage seat in the Outbacks are having major quality issues where the mesh fabric attaches to the seat. It is attached by screws that rip the fabric even under normal usage. I don't fish very hard and I don't see the seat lasting 18 months. I expect to see a flurry of claims on this soon.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 3:26 pm to AutoYes_Clown
How steady is the outback when you stand in it? Some of the other guys before are making me a little nervous to consider the outback? I am a fan of 30milesout and Ty and his wife ran an outback for awhile and they didn't look to have any issues standing so wondering what the guys earlier mean about it's stability?
Posted on 7/9/15 at 3:59 pm to Sythyn30
God honest truth is that the Outback hull is like a 15+ year old design. The hull is cathedral/tri with the center drafting deeper than sides. It has a natural list when unloaded and doesn't sit flat until loaded. The Outback has very little warning at threshold of tipping. This is why some say it feels unstable. Modern designed fishing kayaks with wide flat hulls offer much more stability and you can easily feel the point of no return.
That being said, it only takes a trip or two to get sea legs on an Outback. I wouldn't take a crew boat wake standing up, but its more than stable enough for standing inshore. The only time I get close to joining aquatic club while standing is trying to twist around to put rod in PVC rod holder (crate behind seat).
That being said, it only takes a trip or two to get sea legs on an Outback. I wouldn't take a crew boat wake standing up, but its more than stable enough for standing inshore. The only time I get close to joining aquatic club while standing is trying to twist around to put rod in PVC rod holder (crate behind seat).
Posted on 7/9/15 at 4:08 pm to Sythyn30
In regards to the Jackson seat on an Outback; yes it works but like AYC said, it is not the most stable configuration. In order to fit the seat, the back supports sit in the tankwell, placing you slightly further back and higher. Those whom I know who have done this have never had an issue flipping, but then again, quite a few of those people sold theirs and got new 2015's when they came out. . .
As for how steady it is, keep in mind that the Outback was never designed to be stood in. As such, it does take some getting used to to stand in, especially when you compare it to kayaks that were specifically designed for that (Slayer). It's still doable, and I can stand in mine with no problem- the biggest issue is going from a seated to standing position and back while on the water- the seat is only a couple inches off the deck and there is no stand-assist strap like they have on Wilderness and Jackson kayaks, so getting the appropriate leverage isn't as easy. (Simple fix though by adding a strap)
As for how steady it is, keep in mind that the Outback was never designed to be stood in. As such, it does take some getting used to to stand in, especially when you compare it to kayaks that were specifically designed for that (Slayer). It's still doable, and I can stand in mine with no problem- the biggest issue is going from a seated to standing position and back while on the water- the seat is only a couple inches off the deck and there is no stand-assist strap like they have on Wilderness and Jackson kayaks, so getting the appropriate leverage isn't as easy. (Simple fix though by adding a strap)
Posted on 7/9/15 at 4:20 pm to nahtanojc
quote:
(Simple fix though by adding a strap)
Yep, stand assist tied to front T handle doubles as stand assist and stern rope.
This also goes back to what I was saying about warranty claims with Hobie. It is going to be interesting to see how they handle the tearing seats because with there being no stand assist, you kind of plop down into the seat when sitting. This no doubt contributes to the issue.
Even though I've seen Jackson cover it anyway, the first thing they ask when there are hull cracks, tearing seat, etc is: Is the stand assist strap installed and is it being used?
Posted on 7/9/15 at 4:20 pm to nahtanojc
Thanks for the info guys, I think I starting to lean more towards the PA even though it's going to take quite a bit longer to save for =/
The strap idea I had never heard of, that's a def keeper thou and I could see it coming in handy a yak like the outback
The strap idea I had never heard of, that's a def keeper thou and I could see it coming in handy a yak like the outback
This post was edited on 7/9/15 at 4:27 pm
Posted on 7/9/15 at 6:14 pm to Sythyn30
Get a hobie outback and be done with it
Posted on 7/9/15 at 6:24 pm to Sythyn30
Are you dead set on a pedal kayak?
A KC with a trolling motor is pretty fun to fish out of.
A KC with a trolling motor is pretty fun to fish out of.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 6:52 pm to StrongBackWeakMind
Yes I like the idea of a pedal kayak, what is a KC though?
Posted on 7/9/15 at 6:57 pm to Sythyn30
KC Kayaks makes a good fishing kayak. Easy to connect a trolling motor.
Few local guys own it.
Few local guys own it.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 7:02 pm to StrongBackWeakMind
Just looked it up, still $1,550 barebones before motor, thanks for the suggestion but I think I still prefer non-motorized.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 7:08 pm to Sythyn30
That's still a thousand dollars cheaper than a hobie.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 7:11 pm to StrongBackWeakMind
I think if I was gonna go the motorized route those Gheenoe's that Barf suggested look pretty awesome and economical... But ya at this point still thinking a pedal yak.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 7:56 pm to Sythyn30
Posted on 7/9/15 at 8:01 pm to Sythyn30
quote:
I think if I was gonna go the motorized route those Gheenoe's that Barf suggested look pretty awesome and economical... But ya at this point still thinking a pedal yak.
A friend of mine bought one with a 8hp Yamaha 2 stroke. It's pretty awesome. It came with a trailer but he usually carries it in the back of his truck. We have fished everything from Big lake to the everglades in that boat. It's a beast. I think he paid $1000 for the hull/trailer and another $700 for the motor. No batteries. No motor issues. Runs all day on 3 gallons. Floats in a puddle.
here is a good one with an awesome motor for $2500 boat/motor/trailer. LINK
This post was edited on 7/9/15 at 8:04 pm
Posted on 7/9/15 at 8:36 pm to reds on reds on reds
Awesome pic! So jealous of you guys close to the coast with your reds and specks! 
Oh just noticed something, where's your milk crate man? haha
Oh just noticed something, where's your milk crate man? haha
This post was edited on 7/9/15 at 8:38 pm
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