Hobie Kayaks

[Doop]

Anyone ever do any fishing out the Hobie kayak you see Hank Parker fishing out of once in a while on TV?

If you google hobie fishing you can see them. I'm guessing they can't get in water shallower than 2 feet because of the pedals.

What are you guys' thoughts?

[NCLaker]

My friend has the Hobie's ... from what I understand the foot paddles can retract up, or be removed completely so it will not be an issue in shallow water - but would need a separate traditional kayak paddle when doing this.

He loves his Hobies - the foot paddles move the kayak very well, and frees up both hands to do his fishing.

He showed me a hobie catalog - I was amazed at all the fishing options available for this kayak. They even make a live well for them. It displayed a hobie fully decked out with fish finder, GPS, rod holders all over, built in tackle box, etc ... pretty impressive. These are pretty spendy compared to most other kayaks. If I had thought I would want to do fishing out of a kayak, I would have probably justified the extra cost.

[sparcebag]

By the time your done outfitting a Hobie for fishin,you could have purchased a small boat with a motor.

[Chode2235]

Probably, but the kayak has many advantages over traditional boats.

One big one is storage. I can fit 20 hobies in my garage compare to 1 boat.

You can use them on a wider variety of waters from, shallow rivers to big lakes (motor reg. lakes).

Its a blast to not buy gas.

Its quiet, relaxing, and good excercise to propel yourself.

Stealth. I have gotten right over fish in shallow water that would have spooked with a regular boat and motor.

Kayaks troll at the perfect speed. Jig or pull rigs in a hobie and you will never want to go back to backtrolling.

[sparcebag]

Ya I have a yak 9'6" perfect for playin and creek fishin,just blowin smoke.

[Chode2235]

I don't own my own hobie yet, but I take kayaks out in the big lakes without too much fear of anything besides boaters. Get a bright colored yak.

[Doop]

I don't want a small boat and motor for the exact reasons given.....I would think these would be perfect for the boundary waters....instead of all that paddling....give that workout to the legs!

[Chode2235]

You cant take a hobie into the BWCA because it is mechanical propulsion. They're (mirage drive) banned up there. You can take your kayak, but you need to paddle.

[nate larson]

I wouldn't hesitate to bring a hobie into the BWCA.

[Doop]

wouldn't they difficult to portage though?

[Chode2235]

They are pretty heavy (compare to a canoe) and carry much less gear than you can carry in a canoe, plus it is against the rules to use a mechanized propulsion system (like the mirage drive) in the BWCA. You could paddle it, but the outbacks paddle like a bear.

For a BWCA multi-day trip there are much better options than a hobie.