Need help Picking Kayaks for this Area

I would like to buy a couple of Kayaks. From the very little I know(and I know absolutely nothing) I think the Hobie kayaks (so far) with the mirage drive are the way for me to go. This is mainly due to me being sold the Mirage drive speed and efficientancy claims by MFG, and sales reps. Also by the fact that hands will be free to steer and fish.

What I am looking for.

Me: I want to go out and catch all those fish I see you all catching.I want something that I can go out on the sound in, perhaps coastal ocean, but mostly local rivers like the snohomish, the sound, and our local Snohomish county lakes.
The Hobie Proangler seems like the logical choice, but I have never fished from a Kayak before so I am not sure if this is the way I should go or not? I want to buy the right Kayak the first time so input from the professionals would be greatly appreciated.

Family: We have a family of three. I also feel my wife and daughter would have a lot of fun out kayaking together as well. My 6 year old is obviously too small to go by herself so I was thinking something like the Hobie outfitter, or Oasis would also be a great second Kayak for them (or a friend) while I was out on the Proangler or whatever the case may be.
Once again, input would be greatly appreciated. Please assume nothing, and I would rather ask the questions now, and learn vs. buying something only to realize that I should have gone a different direction.

Thanks all.

I'm gonna beat everyone else to the punch and say first and foremost go test drive anything before you buy it.

That being said....hobies are awesome..pricey, but awesome.

I've got an outback and pro angler (PA), both of which are awesome for stability and storage space for gear, lunch, your fish, fish finders, rod holders, camera, net, rods, more rods, bait, and you.  Yes, they can haul a lot of stuff.  They are both awesome fishing machines for just about any type of water.  Note: I have not tried either in quick river currents, so I don't know how they would handle. 

Either of these would suit you just fine, but be aware of some things. 
- buy turbo fins and sailing rudder (outback). These performance upgrades are worth the money
- they are not light, try lifting a PA on top of a vehicle by yourself after a long day of fishing...its tough.  Trailer it or bring a friend
-be careful on very windy days, these catch wind easily and can make it difficult to make headway....hint, turbo fins.

Hop this helps and happy hunting

What he said on try before you buy.  I admit I did not... but I also didn't buy a hobie.  It would seem various hobie owners are passionate abou the one they purchased. 

I have a Trident 13 and a minix and have little experience with them in the river.  Some of the guys here have used them in the river.  If you aren't experienced with the river it  may take time to get a feel for that.  I have heard there are some folks who fished the satsop out this way with some success from a proangler.  But I admit to thinking a sot in a river is dicey... but that may just be my lack of experience talking.

You might try doing some paddling too.  You may find you really enjoy it... and it would give you a chance to see if you like being on the water.  It is also far less expensive to get started then with a hobie.

Some other things to consider as you start adding up the cost of gear.  It is never just the kayak.  Think carts (although hobies may come with one), immersion gear of some type, pfd, you may even want different fishing gear.  I have shorter poles for my kayak then when I fish in other ways.

Ask lots of questions! we are happy to answer or point you in the right direction.

As Zee (I miss Zee) used to say, Welcome to the Cure.

Try before you buy is very sound advice. I have both the Outback and the Revo and fish the Sandy  and and sections of the Deschutes. The Outback is my Yak of choice for floating, point to point, in fast current small rivers. It's tight turning radius is very helpful. You have to be very careful about your drive though. I would not recommend any mirage drive Hobie for anything above a class II rapid.

For fast water, larger rivers I prefer the Revo. Going against the current is much easier in the Revo. Yes folks, I am saying that the Revo does have advantages. A day on the Columbia is much easier in it other than the Outback.

As a fishing platform, the Outback tips the scale because of the extra real estate. You can spread out much more.

I will try these before buying for sure (at least the Hobie models) as the dealer is right on the water in Seattle, not to sure about the others. Not knowing a lot, I dont anticipate going down any rapids with one, but for sure would remove the Mirage drive if purchased.

Any suggestions on other gear to go along? I imagine a high quality inflateable PFD would be in order. Dry suit? Good vendor suggestions?

I think from the get go, I would probably buy both Kayaks for a better deal, but only take them on the lake unitl I get up to speed. Then, hopefully I can make friends with someone who will let me tag along for some salt water "Catching" -I dont fish

Keep it coming! Thank you!

 

Welcome to the forum.  A lot of information and good folks here.

When you try out the Hobies do not forget to try and paddle them too.  The wider Outback and PA are much tougher to paddle than the Revo. 

Also consider the weight of the boat and how you are going to load it and unload it solo.  Having a boat requiring two to load/unload is going to limit your fishing opportunities.

I am not a river fisherman, so I'm not sure what purpose the added real estate of the more stubby boats fulfill.

I know Portland's not super close for you, but if you can get away this Saturday, don't forget that Next Adventure will beholding their annual Summer Splash this Saturday and will have over 75 different makes and models of kayaks available for test rides... This may be worth the trip for you. There will be a lot of different Hobie's available too. Consider making the trip down. Most of us from NA will be there to help out Saturday. Bring your families as it is a lot of fun. Also the weather looks great for this weekend as well. 

Thanks, I just talked to them. He is talking me out of the Pro Angler 12 due to its lack of seaworthiness in Rough conditions. I am kind of bummed because I thought that was going to be the one.

Thanks, I just talked to them. He is talking me out of the Pro Angler 12 due to its lack of seaworthiness in Rough conditions. I am kind of bummed because I thought that was going to be the one.

If nothing else, the other non-sail hobies are lighter and cheaper than the Pro Anglers 

Thanks, I just talked to them. He is talking me out of the Pro Angler 12 due to its lack of seaworthiness in Rough conditions. I am kind of bummed because I thought that was going to be the one.

Not to complicate things and I don't have any personal experience with the PA, but I was out this weekend in some pretty bumpy conditions and witnessed a PA seemingly doing just fine out there...granted the guy at the helm has a ton of experience, but...

If you are looking at getting 2 hobies then i an guessing price isn't an issue. Which is great. And it's hobies you should be looking at!

So, if you're going to get 2, then have one be a PA. It would be perfect for lakes, snoho river and calmer days in the sound. If you don't *need* a tandem as your second kayak, get an outback. It's the most stable and seaworthy of the hobies (IMHO). It's gonna be your vehicle for choppy days or when you go to the coast. And because of its stability, it's a good boat for kids, as long as they can reach the pedals.  If they are too small to reach the pedals, then I'd think they'd be light enough to just put behind you in the tankwell of either the PA or the Outback (if you're just messing around on a lake or whatever).  A tandem is an OK option, but I just think you'll get more out of an Outback as the 2nd kayak.  (agree with the point about installing the turbo fins and sailing rudder)

Of course, I am a little biased because I have a PA and an outback.  Though I have gotten there by way of process of elimination.  I do like the PA alot, but I actually use the outback most of the time.

The adventure is an awesome kayak, but for me not stable enough.  I fished one for a couple years.  When I moved to the outback I found I was enjoying my trips better because I was able to focus more on the fishing aspect and less on the kayaking.  But if you're coming from a sea kayak and want to keep that feel, adventure is a good option.

hope that helps!  maybe see you on the water sometime!
 

I have an Oasis and absolutely love it.  Fast and stable.  The only thing it's short on is storage, it's hard to fit more than three good sized fish in the tank well, bit not impossible.  If you want a tandem, it's the way to go

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Thanks, I just talked to them. He is talking me out of the Pro Angler 12 due to its lack of seaworthiness in Rough conditions. I am kind of bummed because I thought that was going to be the one.

Not to complicate things and I don't have any personal experience with the PA, but I was out this weekend in some pretty bumpy conditions and witnessed a PA seemingly doing just fine out there...granted the guy at the helm has a ton of experience, but...

Rumluck,
Where did you see the PA12 fishing in rough conditions? Just curious.

Thanks, I just talked to them. He is talking me out of the Pro Angler 12 due to its lack of seaworthiness in Rough conditions. I am kind of bummed because I thought that was going to be the one.

Not to complicate things and I don't have any personal experience with the PA, but I was out this weekend in some pretty bumpy conditions and witnessed a PA seemingly doing just fine out there...granted the guy at the helm has a ton of experience, but...

Rumluck,
Where did you see the PA12 fishing in rough conditions? Just curious.

The reason I ask is I was fishing PC on Sunday with a friend from Hobie. I put him in an Outback. The only other kayak I brought with me to the coast for weekend with my family was a PA12. Sundays weather sucked. I really wished I had my other Outback with me as the PA12 gets pretty sloppy in that kind of wind and wind waves. Also...IMO....The best kayak for those kinds of winds, swell and wind waves would have been a Revo 13 or an Adventure. Killer fishing though! Only a  few of us actually made it out, but of those that did, we did very well.

So how would the Oasis do as the primary rough/salt water yak?

(And for Christs's sake I can only afford 1 of these things, but need to buy two! I would be 1 very unpopular guy pulling up with 2-single seat Yaks, let me tell you that!)

I have to buy a tandem period. My daughter is a very tall 6 y/o. She has been looking at them with us and can reach and manipulate the pedals, not to mention is pretty excited about the proposistion. This is the one we would take camping, buy a sail for and play popeye the sailor with. It also would be the spare if a buddy wanted to use/and or if we only want to bring one boat. It also has the most load rating, and he is very fat.

I sure do loves me the "Hummer H2 ness" about the Pro angler. There is no doubt about it. I have visions of it dripping with mods and all set up to spank hogs. But maybe the Outback would be better to set up for salt water if the oasis is a non performer?

I am not sure how much salt water fishing I would do. My thought is that I would like to do mostly river and salt fishing, but I really dont know how to catch these fish from a yak, where to go, or even when to go.

At any rate, I need to pedal a few this weekend.

Please keep up the feedback, I'm lovin it!