Looking to convert

Hello all

I was turned into this board after asking about this topic on ifish.

I'm here because I've been a Pacific City Doryman my whole life. I started going out on my dads dory, Playin' Hooky, when I was 3-4 years old. its a way of life to me and it's been a family tradition for 3 generations but now my dad it looking to sell the dory and buy an offshore boat to moor in Depoe. Between a young family, finances, a demanding career and my hunting passions Im not in a place where I can buy and take over the boat. I can't fathom not pushing a boat through the surf at Cape Kiwanda so I'm exploring the idea of getting a yak to hit the reefs and halibut grounds out of PC. I've been fishing out of PC for nearly 30 years I understand the ocean, know what kind of gear is needed in what conditions and where to go, I just don't know what I'm getting into in regards to ocean kayaks. I have used sit inside models in lakes and slow rivers but never in salt. So that's what I'm hoping to learn here from those that are willing to offer insight

Here's an abbreviated photo journal of my life as a Doryman...

















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A kayak would suit you well. Lots of different models to choose from. I pedal a hobie revo 11.  If you look on this forum under classifieds, there are good deals on used yaks for various reasons so you don't have to cash in one of your kids to join the party.  Do some searches for the details you're after, and ask questions. You'll find lots of kindred spirits here.

Check out Summer Splash this Saturday if you can.  Lots of different kinds of kayaks to demo on the Willamette river in Portland.
http://nextadventure.net/summer-splash-kayak-demo-day
It's a great way to check out lots of different kayaks in one place.  They usually have some discounts also.  If I didn't have to work this weekend I'd be down there again just to try out some new kayaks (not that I need anymore). 

Edit:  Actually, I'd be in Garibaldi at the Mayday Tourney this Saturday if I didn't have to work...

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Demo, demo, demo. You won't know what you like and dislike, what is tolerable and what might be a deal breaker, until you get your ass in the seat and try it yourself. Try to make that PDX demo event from NA if you can for sure.

Join us at Depoe bay on July 9th and check out the various customizations. There are some extremely clever and handy people here who give freely of their time and advice. It helps a ton with the learning curve.

It's also possible to spend as much money as you want to on the sport, and your travel costs will likely go up as you start planning family trips around kayak fishing new spots farther afield. It's a madness.

A lot of new folks like to gravitate towards "stable" wide kayaks. If I were you, I would not do that. After a couple trips out, you will not notice much difference in stability, but you will notice a big difference in speed and effort if you are going out for halibut.  Especially when coming back in against the ocean currents from a couple miles out. Unless you know some secret spots in close. If you do, what are you doing next Monday if the ocean is nice? I have a spare Hobie you can borrow.   The skinnier yaks are better for salmon fishing in the strong tidal and Columbia currents, too. Plus they make your fish look bigger.

edit: I must state, that the above mentioned points have been my experience. I have both a Hobie Outback, and a Hobie Revolution. If I have to cover ground or fight current, I take the Revolution. I used to have a 16 foot Hobie Adventure (now the Revo 16), but it would get a little squirrely on me in rough water on the Columbia which is why I sold it and bought the Revolution. Basically, it was long enough that it would sometimes get lifted by two different waves, one in front and one in back which made it do weird stuff.

If you have young kids or a wife who is not interested in doing ocean kayaking, that might push you into buying a motorboat.  But if you decide to try kayak fishing, a basic decision you'll need to make is whether to buy a paddle kayak or a pedal kayak.  I am no stranger to paddle kayaks, as I have 32 years of whitewater kayaking experience, and some years of paddle kayak fishing as well.  I used to think of pedal kayaks as gimmicks which feeble old people with no paddling skills could use to trundle around in on ponds.  But as soon as I tried out a Mirage Drive kayak, I was totally sold on the advantages of a pedal kayak for fishing, because you have both hands free for fishing, and you use the big muscles in your legs to propel yourself rather than your arms.  And as you have no doubt noticed, pedal kayaks work very well in the ocean, although when the wind and waves get crazy or I'm going through surf, I pull up my Mirage Drive and paddle my Revolution.  But those are just my personal views; as Crash says, demo, demo, demo, and make up your own mind about what you like.

Pedal kayaks tend to be more expensive than paddle kayaks, but nevertheless a heck of a lot less expensive than a motorboat which is suitable for use in the ocean. 

Since you know when and where to fish PC, it will pay for itself soon. I think I have easily paid for mine with salmon and ling fillets plus the many pots of crabs I have pulled. It is one hobby I have had where my wife likes the benefits.

I have a 3yr old and a 1yr old. My wife has enjoyed fishing at times but has never been in the ocean and I think she her life would go on just fine if she never caught another fish. She can take it or leave it, she's glad I enjoy it and relishes the product but not really her bag, like my hunting. A boat is in our future but she has a pleasure/leasure boat in mind to play around in a lake with. I think that a boat that doesn't get bloody is a waste. So for the time being I'm flying solo, that's why I'm looking at yaks

A lot of new folks like to gravitate towards "stable" wide kayaks. If I were you, I would not do that. After a couple trips out, you will not notice much difference in stability, but you will notice a big difference in speed and effort if you are going out for halibut.  Especially when coming back in against the ocean currents from a couple miles out. Unless you know some secret spots in close. If you do, what are you doing next Monday if the ocean is nice? I have a spare Hobie you can borrow.   The skinnier yaks are better for salmon fishing in the strong tidal and Columbia currents, too. Plus they make your fish look bigger.

edit: I must state, that the above mentioned points have been my experience. I have both a Hobie Outback, and a Hobie Revolution. If I have to cover ground or fight current, I take the Revolution. I used to have a 16 foot Hobie Adventure (now the Revo 16), but it would get a little squirrely on me in rough water on the Columbia which is why I sold it and bought the Revolution. Basically, it was long enough that it would sometimes get lifted by two different waves, one in front and one in back which made it do weird stuff.

This is good info, thank you! I don't have any secret close halibut spots but FWIW we catch incidentals off the TDM reef every year but not usually til the last half of August. Sometimes we get lucky and there's a season open other times they go back down. I even caught a 26" flat one out of the haystack kelp beds on a spinning rod and a weighted jig trying round out our rock fish limit of you ever need anyone to test that extra hobie to make sure it still floats, I'll be your huckleberry

If your free this Saturday and can't make Portland shoot up here to Garibaldi early if you can 5:00 am there will be an assortment of yaks and yakers all hitting the tournament here, most are willing to talk to you about the what's and why's they have attached to there yak and a few might let you take a quick cruise around the old boat docks at the Old Mill that's the launch point as well as the after party, awards, and our raffle. Tickets are $5 each or 5-$20 and you don't have to fish the tournament to buy raffle tickets... All proceeds go to Heroes On The Water Portland chapter. 

Does anyone know any other places, online or otherwise, I might look to shop used kayaks? Given the places out of PC I like to fish and the water to cover to get there I think a hobie with a mirage drive is the best way to go...

Thanks

Craigslist is probably your best option. Set up email notifications and be ready to jump on them quickly. Another option is to watch classifieds on this site and post a wanted to buy. You can also try the lower Columbia kayak anglers Facebook page.

I second the Craigslist one - you can also "subscribe" to posts here on the forums for a specific forum "Classifieds" so you get notified of new postings. You will wade through the non kayak postings but it could be worth it. Hobie's that are well priced go quickly though on the secondary market... Good luck!

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