New to you

I've never posted on a forum before, and I'm on a phone so we'll see how this goes...

I've been a passionate angler since catching my first trout at 5 years old on the backside of a grass clump on Gales Creek in Oregon.  First real job was at a tackle shop, saved and bought hip boots, then chest waders, then a small boat, worked up to a drift boat, then after guiding in Alaska my first season at 19 I bought an old jet sled.  Years later after getting a career and trading up over and over I ended up with a beautiful new aluminum sled and a garage full of gear.  Funny thing was each time I "traded up" I seemed to get less enjoyment from fishing.  Now time is in short supply with my kids to raise and bills to pay.  I'm not ready to go back to hip boots but a simpler experience that literally and figuratively puts me closer to the water is what I'm seeking.  I have access to an outback with Mirage drive, but haven't even decided what boat to get yet.  I'm excited to start a new journey and look forward to learning from everyone on this site!

I hope to meet you soon!

Steelee

Welcome, Steelee! Sounds like you'll fit in nicely here!

Gales Creek, haven't thought about that stream for a very long time. I wonder if the old Balm Grove is still there? It was my old stomping/ fishing grounds as it were. 

Welcome to the site. A Hobie Outback is  a great kayak. What type (or species) of fishing do you want to try first?

Wobbler

For someone who's never posted to a forum before, you do with aplomb. 

Welcome!  As Rawkfish said: It sounds like you'll fit in here nicely.

-Spot-

Welcome Steelee. The Outback is a great choice for a  fishing vessel

Thanks for the kind replies!  I remember seeing the Grove Tavern and heard that folks would fish for steelhead behind there.  My uncle has property downstream a mile or two.

I'm primarily a salmon and steelhead fisherman, mostly gear but I'll swing flies on the Deschutes for summers.

As for the Outback, I'm leaning towards getting one, been reading about Revos but I'm 6' 230lbs so a little worried about being constantly wet in a smaller boat.  Also considering a PA12 but haven't heard if they are the best for the ocean which is a huge interest to me.

Any advice is appreciated.

Steelee

As for the Outback, I'm leaning towards getting one, been reading about Revos but I'm 6' 230lbs so a little worried about being constantly wet in a smaller boat.  Also considering a PA12 but haven't heard if they are the best for the ocean which is a huge interest to me.

My son, JamesC, is your height & weight and fishes the ocean in a Revo with no problem. As far as being constantly wet, while you're on the ocean you're going to be either waterproof or in a wetsuit, so you won't notice it. In fact, I hope to be wet often - washing fish blood off of myself.

You'll find somebody on this forum fishing the ocean in just about every model Hobie has to offer. I believe the Adventure and the Revo to be the best choices because they are easier to pedal for the long distances ocean fishing sometimes involves. Myself, I pedal an Oasis in the ocean because that is what I have. It is the same width and almost the same weight as an Outback, and I do OK with it.

You won't really get wet in Revo, plus if its cold you're probably wearing gear to keep you dry. In the summer when its hot it doesn't matter!

Thanks sherminater and jamesc.  I was leaning towards a Revo13 until the right deal on an Outback came up last night.  Took out my new (to me) and the girlfriend's outbacks for the first time today.  First time with two boats in my pickup but used a little ghetto carpentry and it worked fine.  I can see a trailer would be nice to have.  We just paddled around the lake today, no fishing but that's next!  I did notice the Outback seemed to take lots of adjustment to keep it going straight, and that was on a calm lake so hoping some swells and crosswind aren't too difficult to troll through!

Nice! You'll get more used to how it handles after a few more outings. Look into getting the sailing rudder. It's a great $30 upgrade and should help a bit.  Turbo fins are another great upgrade, if you haven't already.

Congratulations on your new Outback - I'm assuming your GF already had one since you said you had access to one - you will love it. Get some blood on it!

Nice boats! Like Skidplate said, get the sailing rudder and the turbo fins and it will feel like a entirely different boat. Best upgrade you can do for an Outback