NorthWest Kayak Anglers

Kayak Fishing => Product Discussions => Topic started by: tdspence on June 30, 2022, 09:00:06 PM

Title: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: tdspence on June 30, 2022, 09:00:06 PM
Shade this summer would be nice to have. Is the Hobie Bimini worth it? Are any of the generics a better deal? I mainly troll for trout, so I don’t think it will be in the way to much. If anyone has bought one, how do you like it? Thanks. Dusty
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: SFHarry on July 01, 2022, 09:14:48 AM
My solution is good for too much sun or for wind propulsion. I have a leash on this puppy as well!
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: BigFishy on July 01, 2022, 10:19:46 AM
My solution is good for too much sun or for wind propulsion. I have a leash on this puppy as well!
Looking at that yellow box in the back. Is that a battery for motor? Also, did you have to jerry-rig the umbrella to fit the mount or they sell them like that?
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: Mojo Jojo on July 01, 2022, 11:11:32 AM
Looks like a bazooka tube and an umbrella to me, looks like a motor at the drive hole.
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: pmmpete on July 01, 2022, 11:25:15 AM
A bimini, umbrella, or other sunshade will catch a lot of wind, and looks like a good way to get regular self-rescue practice.  Get a big hat.  It'll be safer, and won't interfere with fishing.
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: snopro on July 01, 2022, 11:31:55 AM
A bimini, umbrella, or other sunshade will catch a lot of wind, and looks like a good way to get regular self-rescue practice.  Get a big hat.  It'll be safer, and won't interfere with fishing.
X2
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: SFHarry on July 01, 2022, 12:04:33 PM
The yellow box in the back is a Pelican case for my Nikon D7500 and 70-300mm Tamron lens. I use a Scotty Bazooka tube with the slip disc setup and a Costco golf umbrella that fits in the tube perfectly. The slip discs allow me to angle the umbrella any which way to block sun or catch some breeze. I leash the Umbrella cause it will sink in a flash if it gets loose.  Otherwise, the tubes make a great arm rest and trolling rod setup. I've hooked some 20lb lings and 27" Steelhead with this setup and it works a treat! If the wind is above 5-6 mph I don't deploy the umbrella, of course.
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: SD2OR on July 01, 2022, 01:49:13 PM
I love the hog trough setup!
Looks really convenient.
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: SFHarry on July 01, 2022, 02:05:45 PM
Yep! I really like the Hog Trough setup as well! I use to keep it in the back but it would end up under my camera cases, etc. There was a YouTube on it, I had an old cutting board, and any excuse to use power tools. It is really handy and doesn't get in the way at all.
here's the link. https://youtu.be/eycs8lNzDT0
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: Mojo Jojo on July 01, 2022, 03:34:19 PM
The yellow box in the back is a Pelican case for my Nikon D7500 and 70-300mm Tamron lens. I use a Scotty Bazooka tube with the slip disc setup and a Costco golf umbrella that fits in the tube perfectly. The slip discs allow me to angle the umbrella any which way to block sun or catch some breeze. I leash the Umbrella cause it will sink in a flash if it gets loose.  Otherwise, the tubes make a great arm rest and trolling rod setup. I've hooked some 20lb lings and 27" Steelhead with this setup and it works a treat! If the wind is above 5-6 mph I don't deploy the umbrella, of course.
Not a motor…. A cup and pool noodle on the side behind the akc (can’t get no more) bump board.
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: SFHarry on July 01, 2022, 04:27:54 PM
Turquoise container is water bottle. Pool noodle holds lures (Christmas Tree)
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: Tinker on July 01, 2022, 04:28:13 PM
A bimini, umbrella, or other sunshade will catch a lot of wind, and looks like a good way to get regular self-rescue practice.  Get a big hat.  It'll be safer, and won't interfere with fishing.

I agree.

Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: Tinker on July 01, 2022, 04:29:23 PM
I love the hog trough setup!
Looks really convenient.

They're available all over the place if you look.  Most are for the Hobie H-rails.
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: SD2OR on July 01, 2022, 06:26:50 PM
Thanks for the info n link. I currently have the folding "fish stick", that is easy to stow. If n when I lose or break it, might do something like your setup.
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: BigFishy on July 02, 2022, 08:46:10 AM
That's a sweet setup! Nice to meet a fellow photographer 📸 It's hard to tell looking at the pictures but I am pretty sure that camera box is thethered.   
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: SFHarry on July 02, 2022, 08:56:44 AM
It isn't but it does float! I also bring my Tamron 150-600 with me occasionally in my bigger Pelican case. I usually have a waterproof Lumix DMC-TS5 for quick shots. Other devices sometimes brought are a Mavic Mini drone and a GoPro 8 hat cam. I use a Cotton Carrier to keep the big Tammie under control when pedaling.
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: BigFishy on July 02, 2022, 09:14:37 AM
I knew Pelican cases float but surprised that it will not sink with all the heavy camera gear. Something about that displacement physics law...
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: tdspence on July 02, 2022, 11:32:41 AM
The yellow box in the back is a Pelican case for my Nikon D7500 and 70-300mm Tamron lens. I use a Scotty Bazooka tube with the slip disc setup and a Costco golf umbrella that fits in the tube perfectly. The slip discs allow me to angle the umbrella any which way to block sun or catch some breeze. I leash the Umbrella cause it will sink in a flash if it gets loose.  Otherwise, the tubes make a great arm rest and trolling rod setup. I've hooked some 20lb lings and 27" Steelhead with this setup and it works a treat! If the wind is above 5-6 mph I don't deploy the umbrella, of course.

Thank you for the info. I like your setup and it is much cheaper than the Bimini. The wind usually is not bad where I go, so I not being able to use it occasionally won’t be a big deal. I will just keep the hat on and make sure to use lots of sunscreen.
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: Pinstriper on July 04, 2022, 08:49:01 AM
We have tried both an umbrella (mount clamps to the seat) as well as the actual Hobie Bimini. The umbrella constantly pulls over from the wind, and the bimini has multiple lines that would interfere with fishing, not to mention self rescue, and itself gets pushed around a lot from wind.

It is also frequently out of position to provide actual shade, unless you are pedaling straight into or out of the sun, at mid-day when it is high in the sky. Otherwise it comes in under the awning and you are in the sun anyway.

It makes a fine spinnaker when heading downwind, however.

Not recommendable.
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: SD2OR on July 04, 2022, 09:04:04 AM
When I bought my first Outback (used), many years ago, it came with a kayak shade. I forget the brand name, have never seen one since. Anyway, when I first saw it, I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Then when I got ot on the water, I realized that it indeed was not. Its cords constantly got in the way, kept me from accessing things behind the seat, rarely cast shade on me, due to angle of the sun, impaired my ability to cast, and caught the wind way too much. After one trip, I got rid of it, and do fine with appropriate clothing, wide brim hat and sunscreen.
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: SFHarry on July 04, 2022, 09:33:12 AM
I tried the clamp on umbrella type but sent it back for being to flimsy. My umbrella is a fairly sturdy setup and I can position it on either side and adjust it using the Scotty slip discs and pulling the Bazooka tube out to reposition. The umbrella was purchased at Costco and occasionally shows up there. I was extremely lucky the handle just fit the Bazooka tube, I don't know of any others that would work as well. It's a ShedRain model but I couldn't find it on their website, but did find it on an EBAY site for twice as much $.
Title: Re: Is the Hobie Bimini worth it?
Post by: snopro on July 04, 2022, 11:20:10 AM
Scotty slip disks are great.  Can't wrap my head around umbrella or bimini on a fishin yak being a good thing.