Kayak for ocean nearshore bottom fishing... Which one?

I sent this PM to Zee. I will also post it here, so that I can get other people's input as well:



Hi Zee...

I'm new to the forum, and new to kayak fishing. I am in the process of deciding on a brand new boat, and because this is a one-time investment (for the forseeable future), I want to get it right, because I will be shelling out a lot of green for the new yak, and all the accesories I will need. I have several in mind, and they are all Hobie Mirage drive kayaks, no doubt whasoever. It is between the Outback,  Revolution, and  Pro Angler.

I realize that each has it's particular advantages and disadvantages, so I will tell you what kind of fishing interests me the most, so maybe you can give me your seasoned opinion.

I live in Coos Bay, and want to use the yak mostly for bottom fishing off of Simpson Reef, just outside of Sunset bay. I will also use it for some lake fishing, but probably nothing that involves any kind of river fishing. This entire time, I have been setting my sights on the Outback, but after readin a lot of your forum, I am actually a lot more torn than ever. Because I will be in an often windy envoronment, I don't like the idea of being blown around so much, like the Outback tends to do, according to what I read. But I DO like the idea of lot's of room, comfort, and stability. The Revo is obviously easier to get around in, but is tipsy (not good for a beginner) and more restricted in room. The Pro Angler looks AWESOME, but I've seen comments like, "a good bass boat", and... "it would be good on flat water", etc... etc...

I want to feel safe and comfy, but I also want to be able to deal with wind, because it is such a persistant thing out here. So which kayak would YOU personally get, if you were looking at the long run, something you think you would still be happy with years down the road, if you wanted to use it for nearshore ocean fishing? I was thinking that maybe with a Revolution, I could use those little Hobie outriggers on it, until I was used to it, or even just leave them on all the time for stability, once I get destinated to where I want to drop my line. I also LOVE the Pro Angler, but do you think it would be too hard to peddle against wind, waves, etc...? Also, would it stick so far out of the water that it would also get blown around too much?

One more thing, that I still don't know yet...

Where do you store the fish on a kayak? lol... If you have a limit of rockfish and lings, where do you keep all that fish on board?

Thanks for your help!

BILL in Coos Bay

17 views, and not one reply, to help a new guy out?

Wow, looks like I found the internets friendliest web forum! 

Well, personally, I don't think the narrower Hobie kayaks are unstable craft.  I own an adventure, and have paddled a few pigs by comparison, and am quite comfortable in my kayak.  The only answer you're really going to find is to demo them.  This is the perfect time of year to do it, too, considering the relatively warm water conditions.  Keep in mind that it's not at all uncommon to sit sideways in these kayaks (dangling both feet in the water off one side.)  Stability is, however, relative to your situation, experiences and physical state.  Again, demo them.  I took out a  Revolution, Outback and the Adventure before I made my decision to buy an Adventure Island (ya, I have a sailing bug that I had to satisfy at the same time.)  I did, as well, dump out of them on purpose just to see how far I really had to go to actually end up in the water.  Nothing will replace actually being in them to know which one fits you best.  Don't for a moment think that I'm an expert on the subject.  I'm just relating my personal approach and experience.  

~edit~
FYI, the only time I use the outriggers on the Adventure Island is when I'm sailing it.  They aren't at all necessary under fishing (read non-sailing) conditions.

17 views, and not one reply, to help a new guy out?

Wow, looks like I found the internets friendliest web forum! 

There are 600 viewers here and maybe 50 regular posters.  It's slower here on the weekends as folks are out getting their lines wet mostly.  Wait till everyone is back behind their desk and dreaming of their next day off.  You'll get some solid responses.  

On a side note, I can't help you much with your decision as I have ZERO experience with Hobie yaks, let alone your fishing grounds.  
However you are in luck as there are a few regulars here that live down near you that love their Hobies and fish that area regularly.

From what I gather, the Pro Angler is better off on flatter water and would probably be a sweet bass yak vs, an ocean going yak.   But, again I haven't paddled any of them, so I can't say for sure what the outcome would be like.
  

I have both the outback and revolution, like them both, Best advice is to demo all that you are intrested in, Both kayaks are very stable, I can turn and sit side saddle on both.
 That said I am relocating to central vancover Island and the revo and a tarpon are coming as I feel that the slightly longer,faster kayak is better for sea, large lakes, esp if you intend to kayak any kind of distance, Ensure you get a rudder if its windy in you area, I got in to problems years ago on Great Slave Lake with a storm front and wind, if I had had a rudder and a faster hull (was in a white water kayak) I might not have spent the night out. By the same token I now check the weather BEFORE I head out.
 I put fish in a cooler behind seat, sometimes in plastic bag or wet sack threw hatch depending on size of fish and length of time expected on water. Some people use a stringer.
 Never even seen a pro angler.
 You may find as time and experience increase, your wants, needs and desires will change in regards to what kayak you use. Bet you don't drive the same make and year as you 1st. Try before you buy.
 
 

  If you are planing on keeping this boat for the long haul I personally wouldn't be too worried about it feeling a bit tippy your first time out.  All the boats you mention are very stable and you are going to feel much more confident after even a couple of trips out in any of them.
   I tested both the Adventure and the Revolution, a T13 and a couple touring yaks. Test them all, more than once if you want. Jump out, climb back in. Flip them all over, you can (and eventually will) flip in ANY kayak. Find out which one is easiest to flip back over and climb back in on the water.

  For me personally the confidence in knowing that my boat (I went with the big A) is good over distance, handels wind and chop well and is all and all much better than I am is the kind of stability I would look for.  A little practice with self rescue quickly takes away the worry of flipping over.  At least that's what works for me.
   Chris

 

What's your size & how far are you going to paddle it?

I have the Outback, and can see myself bumping up to the Adventure within the next couple of years.

I haven't had difficulty with the boat yet against moderate current or wind - My initial impressions on paddling it was that it is obviously not designed to be paddled, and that I need to improve my paddling skills.

The one beach launch that I have done so far with it was totally uneventful, but then the waves were maybe 2 feet at the tallest.

Personally, if I could make the purchase again, I would go with the Adventure.  The increase in speed sounds great - a faster hull, from what I have read, will translate to less effort over the long haul.  Not that I don't adore my Outback, but the grass is always greener.

  yak Attack,, Have a revo here in Bar View,, will pm my phone #,, take a test run,,. Bunch of yaks here close, Empire lake is a good test pond  ,, Royg

17 views, and not one reply, to help a new guy out?

Wow, looks like I found the internets friendliest web forum!  

Patience my friend! As a matter of fact, you have found the Internets friendliest forum (just don't piss off Zee ) It also does not help much that you started out with the most nebulous and best "answered" question on the board though (the search box is your friend). But I'll take a crack at it anyway .

 First, pretty much every newbie is looking for waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy too much stability. The result is most buy a Big Lame or a it belongs Outback ahhhh, barge in search of a kayak that fishes like a Carolina Skiff or a Sled. ALL kayak fishing boats are unstable compared to any conventional fishing boat. That's a big statement, but show me a sled that I can turn over. Now find a kayak the you can't turn over. Get the idea?

Back to what's first: If your fishing in a kayak, you should expect to swim everytime you go out and be pleasantly surprised when you don't. With that in mind, you'll be safe and happy with your yak fishing experience.

Back to your question. All of the boats you mentioned are fine boats (no matter how bad I talked about it two paragraphs ago ) , but the slightly narrower and longer boats are faster than the shorter fatter boats. Faster does not mean you can ski behind it, it means that you get more distance per paddle stroke. That means its easier to get out to that haystack.

 The narrower boats are a bit tippyer than the wide ones but the learning curve is pretty shallow and a day or two on the water will have you paddling (pedaling) with the best of them. Does that mean they will dump you in the water as soon as a good ling pulls on your line? No, especially if you hang your legs overboard while your fishing (which is a LOT easier on the narrower boats than the wide ones) and even the Outback will dump you if you lean too far out over the water or twist around too far to get something out of the tankwell.
 Find Revo Roy and Coos Bay Yaker or the rest of the Coos Bay crew.

The Pro Angler looks pretty sweet as well, but it weighs a gigaton and unless your launching like a dory in PC, that could be a problem. Also, I don't think its self bailing (Zee?). There's a short vid of a Hobie Pro being surfed in San Diego, so you can play in big water, but that's not exactly what its designed for. But as I've said before, who cares what its designed for! If we did, all of our SOT's would be relegated to Caribbean hotel tourist lagoons. That said the Pro Angler looks like it would REALLY be a bear to paddle, but I have not paddled it.

Finally, the best first purchase for a potential yak fisher is a paddle lesson. (Jason: send my commission check to Florida ) It will shorten the learning curve tremendously and is well worth every penny even if your pedaling. I'm kidding about the commission, but a good paddle lesson (beginning ocean kayaking as opposed to a whitewater class) really is the best investment one could make starting out especially before your buy a boat. The only caveat on paddle classes is that most will not be able to give you much advice on fishing SOT choices. Except for perhaps Jason in PDX, most don't use SOT's let alone fish from them, but all of the other skills will be directly tranferable.

The one beach launch that I have done so far with it was totally uneventful, but then the waves were maybe 2 feet at the tallest.

Don't be too dismissive of the knee slappers my friend, I have seen a LOT of folks dumped in smaller waves. 
You done good!

YA, before making a decision, talk to CBY. He loves his Outback, and everytime I have fished with him, I have been impressed! Of course, my little Caper works fine for me, but if I had to upgrade, it would be an Outback. Also, if you are fishing Sunset, no worry on the surf launch. It's like launching into a coastal lake!

By the way, with the turbo fins, the Outback is anything but slow.

I have both the outback and revolution, like them both, Best advice is to demo all that you are intrested in, Both kayaks are very stable, I can turn and sit side saddle on both.
 That said I am relocating to central vancover Island and the revo and a tarpon are coming as I feel that the slightly longer,faster kayak is better for sea, large lakes, esp if you intend to kayak any kind of distance, Ensure you get a rudder if its windy in you area, I got in to problems years ago on Great Slave Lake with a storm front and wind, if I had had a rudder and a faster hull (was in a white water kayak) I might not have spent the night out. By the same token I now check the weather BEFORE I head out.
 I put fish in a cooler behind seat, sometimes in plastic bag or wet sack threw hatch depending on size of fish and length of time expected on water. Some people use a stringer.
 Never even seen a pro angler.
 You may find as time and experience increase, your wants, needs and desires will change in regards to what kayak you use. Bet you don't drive the same make and year as you 1st. Try before you buy.
 
 

Quote:

"I put fish in a cooler behind seat, sometimes in plastic bag or wet sack threw hatch depending on size of fish and length of time expected on water. Some people use a stringer."

I thought of the stringer right off, but my biggest fear (in a seal-sized craft) on the ocean, is the fact that GW's love seals. I kinda figured that a struggling ling or rockfish might send out the very kind of sporadic impulses that attract them. It's one thing to reel in a fish (which usually only tales a minute or two, depending), but to have a few fish on a stringer, constantly struggling over an extended peroiod of time, seems like ringing the dinner bell. I suppose that I could just club each fish, and make sure they don't keep dancing on the stringer.

I've had quite a bit of bottomfishing experiences from conventional boats, so it's never been a concern until now. I just went out to Orford Reef this spring, and all five of us caught our limit. A nice mix too. 5 limits on lings, with only one under 26 inches. Most of them were very decent size! We caught our limits on Rockfish too. Tiger Rock, China Rock, Blacks, Blues, Cabbies, Greenling, and the aforementioned lings.

That place is awesome!

Anyhoo... I didn't mean to get so sidetracked. I'd like to respond to a few other replies here, when I get a chance. Until then... Nice to meet you guys. This is going to be a real adventure for me, once I get my yak!  

BTW, are any of you guys Ham operators? I've got an extra-class ticket, and my call is KE7FXO.


BILL

What's your size & how far are you going to paddle it?

I am 6 feet, and about 200 pounds. Very muscular, with good stamina. As far as paddling goes, I don't intend to paddle any more than necessary, but I DO intend to peddle it for several miles, at times!  

At the moment, I am seriously leaning toward the Revo, mostly because (like the other guy said) I probably won't be worried so much about staying upright, after I gain a decent level of experience, and then I'll probably be sorry that I DIDN'T get the Revo. And like I said in my initial post, I could actually get a set of those baby outriggers (training wheels!) that Hobie sells. The kind that inflate, and you can adjust how high they ride too. They can ride IN the water, or just OUT of the water, and I can't imagine that they would slow ya down too much, especially if you keep them in the high position. And even in this position, you are probably not going to turn upside down once the pontoon goes into the water. To be perfectly honest, I am a good swimmer, have good balance, and very able to hoist myself up, but I still really don't have any desire to spend time in the water, even though it wouldn't be that big a deal. If it happens, it happens, but if 5 years from now I still haven't flipped my kayak, I will consider that a plus.

  yak Attack,, Have a revo here in Bar View,, will pm my phone #,, take a test run,,. Bunch of yaks here close, Empire lake is a good test pond  ,, Royg

Hi there Roy. I've read many of your posts here at the forum, and look forward to meeting you. Also, I have a very good friend who is also going to be making has yak purchase at the very same time that I am, and will be fishing with me (probably almost every time I am out). We've talked to two retailers who both say that they will give us a great deal if we buy two new yaks. 

Right now, I am still in the process of putting together our trailers. We bought those red fold-up utility trailers from Fred Meyers, and are converting them into yak haulers. I just put a hitch on my vehicle a couple of days ago, and Paul (my friend) is getting his done in the next few days.

Hey, do you know how to wire a vehicle to a trailer? I had no problem assembling the trailers, and also installing my hitch on my car, but I am a little leery of wiring my car to my new trailer. And with as much as Paul and I are spending on these kayaks (not to mention a dozen accesories), I am trying to find a way to get them wired as cheaply as possible. I have a 2001 Sentra, and he has a 2002 Accord.