Best Kayak for fishing

[Dying to Fish]

Looking to buy a kayak for fishing the bays. Fishing in the North Wildwood area. Any info on makes and outfitting the yak would be great thank's all.

[smellinfishy]

If you can spare over $1000, Hobie makes nice pedal yaks.
I'm looking into getting one.

[mastergaffer]

ut o steve back bay murader

[ 03-23-2006, 08:47 PM: Message edited by: mastergaffer ]

[BigSexy]

Widerness Systems Tarpon models.

[Librarian]

Having had a 12' Cobra Navigator, a 17' CLC Chesapeake and now a 12' Hobie Outback Marage there is no comparison for the back bays of South Jersey. Hands down it is the Hobie pedal kayak. Just the increased fishing time from having the rod in your hands all the time is worth it. BTW Barrell will be demoing the Hobies at the Wildwood Boat Show this weekend or if you get a chance see him to try one out in Brigantine.

[barrell]

There are more kayak brands and models this year than ever before to choose from. The Hobies by far are the best but not everyone can aford them. You need to find one that fits your body size and is stable enough that you feel comfortable and can concentrate on catching fish.
Speed is not important as we use our trucks to get the yaks close to the fish. Do demos of different models before you buy so as not to be disapointed in your choice.
Barrell

[KeysKid]

Here we go...Its like asking who makes the best 20' inshore CC...
This one is really up to the individual. The Hobie wont do some of the types of fishing I want to do, but, its perfect for some. All about your preferences in fishing, your size, your gear needs etc...

[ccg130]

Another vote for the Hobie. Hands free fishing! I have a Sport and just got a Outback for this season. I also fish out of North Wildwood and have had nothing but good experiences with my Hobies.

[Bgsdad]

Originally posted by Dying to Fish:
Looking to buy a kayak for fishing the bays. Fishing in the North Wildwood area. Any info on makes and outfitting the yak would be great thank's all.

Anyone you can hang a motor on!
It's a bear paddling against the tide in the ICW.
Get a trolling motor and spend more time fishing and less time paddling.

[Eric G]

Decide on a sit inside vs. sit on top.

I like sit inside for extended season, prefer the Wilderness Systems yaks

My second choice is Cobra Fish & dive for the SOT, but it is HEAVY

If you got the money Hobie Outback hands down

My opinion, rent/borrow then buy. Each yak is different.

See Barrell, he point in the right direction, he's at the Wildwood Boat Show this weekend. Print out the coupon from www.gwcoc.com.

I fish 17th to Hereford via Beach Creek. Green WS Pungo with ornage paddle blades, rigged with live well and trolling rods via milkcrate. Yak is at my 22nd Street property in NW if you want to see it. I pull it on the kayak cart with my bike to 17th street end to launch.

[ 03-24-2006, 05:40 PM: Message edited by: Eric G ]

[Coastie]

I have a Tarpon 160 For Sale, it is a great fishing boat.Pics available

[barrell]

bgsdad, I know its hard to beleive but I will probably pass a guy with a trolling motor against the tide. The Hobie doesnt seem to be slowed down by tide,wind,and chop. Your legs are so powerfull you dont even feel like your doing much but fishing.
Barrell

[Ron Redington]

Best Kayak For Fishing?

That's a good question!

All I know is Barrell turned me onto the Hobie Outback last Spring and as far as I am concerned it's the best thing since sliced bread [img]smile.gif[/img]

Here are a few things that stick out in my mind as pros for this yak~

Hobie stands behind their product.

It fits nicely in the back of my 6' bed pickup truck.

The marage drive gets me to where I'm going via leg power. So I don't have to kill myself paddling.

The mirage drive allows me the freedom to spend more time fishing and less time fiddling with a paddle. If ya ask me the Mirage drive is priceless [img]smile.gif[/img]

I also stay a LOT drier by not having to use a paddle. With the Mirage drive ya stay nice and dry [img]smile.gif[/img]

Sure it cost more then a typical yak...but then again, it's not a typical yak. It's a FISHING MACHINE

The best $ I ever spent!

[Keeper Seeker]

Just took a look at the video on the Hobie site. The Mirage power looks interresting ... but my question is this. What about the skinny water? In the video it looked as if you need at least two feet of water to manuver it the way those flippers were swinging.Is that the case? How low can you go???

[Ron Redington]

Originally posted by Keeper Seeker:
What about the skinny water? In the video it looked as if you need at least two feet of water to manuver it the way those flippers were swinging.Is that the case? How low can you go???

I was in 1.6' of water last night and didn't have a problem using the MD. I probably could have gone a bit shallower if I wanted to.

One of the nice things about the Mirage drive is that the fins can be positioned so that they are tucked up flush to the yaks hull. Simply strap one of the factory installed bungee cords to one of the pedals(this will position the fins horizontally under the yak). From there whip out your paddle and keep on fishing [img]smile.gif[/img]

If worse comes to worse you can always pull the Mirage drive up and out. It stows nicely fore & aft [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 03-25-2006, 05:42 PM: Message edited by: Ron Redington ]