I've been living in the DC/Maryland area for the past three years. Kayak fishing is pretty popular up here, and I'm thinking of buying a Hobie kayak with the mirage drive. I've never sat in a kayak before, but I hear these are stable enough to stand on and simple to operate.

The one I'm looking at (Pro-Angler 12) is pretty damned expensive.
Anyone have any experience with kayak fishing or hobie kayaks and care to share some advice? Are they worth the cost? Should I save the money and go with a normal paddle kayak?

paging shiftyandquick

http://texags.com/forums/34/topics/2601947

For fishing that water up there I'd absolutely get a pedal-driven kayak like the Hobie PA.

I'd probably spend a little bit more and go from the 12 to the 15 though. I know almost every person with a PA15 says they can stand easily in it and I'm not surprised. They were designed for that.

Hobies are VERY expensive and completely worth the extra cost.

I have a PA12 myself, but i recommend the PA14 instead. The extra front storage and slightly better stability is worth it.

I love mine for fishing because its hands free and you can kind of stay in the same spot if you are positioned against the current and fish the same spot versus drifting all over the place.
Cons are that it is heavy to carry around and you can't get super shallow in flats where im at- not sure u have to worry about that.
If you want to be able to pedal backwards look into the Native Kayaks.

The biggest negative to the PA Hobies are their size/weight and thus their transport and loading/unloading. If that's not an issue for you and you have tried one out on the water and it feels good then go for it.

But don't think you have to get a Hobie to get something that is stable - there are many other options in the "stable" category.

Yes, plenty of stable yaks, but none as stable as the PA14.

If you want a paddle yak and just care about stability, take a serious look at the Santa Cruz Raptor

I can't really comment as to fishing from a kayak, per se, since I have never done it.

But in the spirit of the OB, I won't let a fact like that prevent me from offering my expert opinion.

I have a new Hobie Outback. I see videos of guys standing in it. On a test drive a few years ago I tried standing and thought "hmm, this feels a little sketchy." But with the new Outback design and a little practice, I'm guessing I could make it work in calm lakes.

Hobie kayaks with mirage drive retain their value very well. I wanted the outback because it is cheaper than the PA, and also smaller/lighter. If you buy one, you can always sell it later for something fairly close to the new price.

That Raptor looks like ass! Neat boat, but it looks awful.

Another option if you decide to go w/o a pedal drive would be the Feel Free 13.5 and you could use the other $1,000 on beer, rods, reels and new tackle..

I'm in the market for an entry-level kayak. Decided not to get the Cuda Because I don't even know if I'll like kayak fishing.

Could anyone tell me if the Ascend 128T is worth a damn?

I am going on a trip down the Devils the wknd after Easter and need a yak. I have always borrowed one when piddling around in them.

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I'm in the market for an entry-level kayak. Decided not to get the Cuda Because I don't even know if I'll like kayak fishing.

Could anyone tell me if the Ascend 128T is worth a damn?

I am going on a trip down the Devils the wknd after Easter and need a yak. I have always borrowed one when piddling around in them.

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Pretty good discussion here. Saw it at BP last week and it looked like a neat boat at first, but looked pretty cheaply built upon closer inspection, which I guess you'd expect at $699.

http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=200212

I've looked at these as well. I like the look of the big flat top and the "real" seat, but for a boat that size it doesn't have a very large payload capacity.

I currently have a Malibu X-Factor and could probably sell it for more than the cost of the Ascend and have a new yak at no out of pocket cost, but I'm really worried about the buyer's remorse potential since the Malibu is a great yak.

I may have to go to one of the local TKF events and see if anyone has one I can paddle, but my gut instinct tells me to stick with my Malibu and maybe just see about getting a new seat back.

Well hell.

Then I'm looking to find a decent fishing yak, with adequate storage and something that is stable enough to stand on and cast when I'm in calm waters.

The kicker is, I'm looking to spend no more than $700. I'm sure this limits my options quite a bit. A few suggestions to check out would be greatly appreciated. T.I.A.

I have been checking craigslist around Austin, but people are pretty proud of their kayaks or it seems to look like it won't be what I need.

Watch the TexasKayakFisherman.com forums &/or up your budget a little bit.

You have to be patient. Or more realistic in your goals.

Wilderness ride 115? Used, of course.

All reviews I've read are positive barring some sissies that complain about not being able to lift 75# into the bed of a pickup.

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Wilderness ride 115? Used, of course.

All reviews I've read are positive barring some sissies that complain about not being able to lift 75# into the bed of a pickup.

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The Ride 115 is a great kayak. The 135 is probably more versatile but more expensive.

And if you can't lift 75# into the bed of your truck you might have bigger problems.

Thanks Finn.

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/forums/70/1/yakkers_classifieds

watch there as well. typically some decent deals on used yaks. Good yaks can start around $700 used

Ocean Kayak 15' Prowler - $550

Hobies aren't as common on those sites. And when they do come up, they're not discounted very much. Trust me. I watched off and one for over a year.

I've had my eye out for an ocean kayak trident. Want to do a lot of camping and it seems to have a lot of storage space. Plus it can go out in the salt pretty well.