NorthWest Kayak Anglers
Regional Discussions => Montana Kayak Fishing => Topic started by: bndhunter on September 06, 2016, 05:14:32 PM
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I posted this question on the gen board but want to ask those of you that fish in Montana. I am looking to get a new kayak to go along with my Hobie Oasis. The main fishing will be done on the lakes and reservoirs such as Francis, Tiber or maybe even Pack at some time in the future to also include others around our great state. Eventually once I get a little experience I want to try setting up a down rigger for lake trout and possibly use it for some bow fishing and maybe try to learn how to fly fish some time in the future. With that said I really am looking at a kayak that will be very stable to stand in.
I am a little over 6' tall and bounce around between 220 and 240 lbs. depending on the time of year. I have little to no experience with kayak fishing but the little bit I have done I have enjoyed.
I have narrowed my choice down to three kayaks in order of choice, Hobie PA14, Jackson Big Rig and the Hobie Outback
Sorry for being so long winded but I wanted to include as much as possible about what I am looking to use it for.
Any pros and cons for either boat would be great.
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You can easily install a downrigger on a Hobie Outback or Revolution. I routinely troll down to about 180 feet with the downrigger on my Revolution.
However, standing up in either an Outback or a Revolution is kind of a stunt. If standing up while fishing or bow fishing is part of your game plan, the PA 14 might be a good boat, because you can definitely stand up in a Pro Angler. But it's big and heavy. Not very many people can get a Pro Angler on top of a vehicle, so you'll probably need to trailer it, and mostly launch from developed motorboat launch sites, although you can bring a Pro Angler down a good low angle trail to an undeveloped launch site on a kayak cart.
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pete,
Thanks for the response. I have an oasis that I enjoy peddling and paddling that I think I am going to set up for trolling with a downrigger. I have seen your set up and might even borrow some of your ideas for setting up the downrigger, still trying to figure out my layout for that boat. I see you are over towards the west side of the state but would love to pick your brain for tips and tactics for kayak fishing here in Montana if your willing to help a new guy out.
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I'd be glad to help you out. Personal message me, and we can talk on the phone or communicate via e-mail.
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I have a Native Watercraft Ultimate FX 15. It is a sit-in type of kayak. Very stable and I can stand in it to cast. 600 lb capacity, very comfortable seat, tracks well and I have a bow hatch cover that keeps water out of the boat if you have waves break over the bow. The cons are that it is not a kayak that you want to wrestle up on top of your vehicle. I trailer mine but the up side of that is that I keep all my gear in the boat ready to go. I just have to hook it up to my hitch and I am on my way
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Thanks Pete I will get with you at a later date.