Please talk me out of a Hobie!!

[sparky1423]

I am only into my first season fishing on a Kayak and already doubting my purchase. Don't get me wrong..I LOVE my Tarpon120, I have invested so much time and money into the yak. It is for sure a fine tuned fishing machine (wish I could say the same for myself). Being on at least 10 fishing excursions, I have realized the many advantages to fishing out of a Hobie.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to find all the pros and cons of a Hobie, but the battle is easily decided. Unfortunately, I can only dedicate one kayak to my garage for storage. Keeping one kayak outside in the elements is out of the question for me.

I have sad and deepened eyes thinking of selling "my precious", but I have come to a fork in the road.

[Turtle135]

what kind of fishing do you do 80-90 percent of the time?

[kevinfry]

I hope you don't feel the same way about your wife when you are around other beautiful women! LOL
If you fish rough water alot and shallow water seldom--Hobie is good
If you never go out and fish in rough water, if you like the option of drifting a river or fishing shallows----avoid a hobie.
If yu want to cover 10 miles plus in a day REGULARLY---get a hobie
If you hate mechanical problems or hate taking 1/2 hour to launch---avoid a hobie

if you have double the amount you spent on your tarpon (or more) laying around, go for it.
If not, "Love the one you're with". You will catch plenty of fish....plenty

[sparky1423]

My favorite fishing is fresh water which does not involve much distance or being miles off shore. I would venture to say 80-90% of my fishing has been the Susquehanna flats and the Bush river since I live minutes from both.

One of my decision factors is primarily based on the flats. Anything over 2ft chop and white caps causes long trips back to the launch and hiding in protected waters with limited fishability....while getting passed by Hobies with their lines out, eating with one hand and texting with the other.

Money is not a factor and it's upsetting thinking of parting ways with my tarpon after salivating at the WS website for months. Maybe I am just jumping the gun. One other factor is my kids are getting older and my fishing times are slowly increasing. I might want to venture to other areas such as Kipto, CBBT, etc...I would love your opinion Dave, being such a Wilderness Systems fan.

what kind of fishing do you do 80-90 percent of the time?

[sparky1423]

Now you are really making me feel bad LOL, never trade her in for the world!

I hope you don't feel the same way about your wife when you are around other beautiful women! LOL

[manlystanley]

Money is not a factor ........

So, I've got to have your job.......

[Turtle135]

I think I see where you are coming from on a pedal driven kayak. I was fishing the Jamboree on the flats yesterday and that wind was dictating where and how I could fish. A MirageDrive would have been a big help yesterday.

However, I'm mostly a black bass fisherman. Maryland Reservoirs, Tidal Potomac and the Upper Potomac. The Ride 115 suits the fishing I do (and fins would not be deployed all that much). I can take it into inches of water, stand and fish and it has very good stability. My Tarpon 100 is my "grab and go" kayak for a quick after work trip (minimal tackle, no fish finder and a couple of rods = easy on and off the water).

One thing I do see all the time, nobody gets off buying just one kayak!

Good luck!

[sparky1423]

I think that came out wrong! Let's say I am willing to invest a little capital in my hobby for a good return....I still have holes in my sock like everyone else

[DaveFX35]

Do it!

[kevinfry]

if your freshwater fishing invloves sliding through weeds, over logs, or encountering submerged rocks---you made the right choice. That being said...I got you with the frustration of watching hobies fish in bad weather. Frustrating. I think they have a distinct advantage fishing structure that has current too...like the cbbt....b

[echo5oscar]

No way man. That paddle stuff is for the birds. Push one peddle completely forward, the fins are flat against the hull, which will still allow you to run up in some skinny water. Also, you can do half or short strokes and still hold position in current, or move through water that's too shallow for full peddling. And then if that's not an option, use the paddle.

[Excalibur]

If you do decide to move up to the Hobie, let me know what kind of $ your thinking on your T120. I've got a T100 right now and have been thinking about upgrading to the T120 because they have much better features now than when my 100 was made. Mark

[DaveFX35]

No way man. That paddle stuff is for the birds. Push one peddle completely forward, the fins are flat against the hull, which will still allow you to run up in some skinny water. Also, you can do half or short strokes and still hold position in current, or move through water that's too shallow for full peddling. And then if that's not an option, use the paddle.

Says the guy with the new Hobie craziest luck I've ever seen lol

[sparky1423]

Yeah Nathan, why did you take my hobie,,,that was going to solve all my problems! Thanks for the buzzkill

Says the guy with the new Hobie craziest luck I've ever seen lol

[sparky1423]

Will do....just spent a few hours on it cleaning the mud an adding a new coat of 303. I wonder if the "a clean car drives better" works for a kayak.

If I could find the stuff that Clark Grizwald used on his saucer, I would be in good shape!

If you do decide to move up to the Hobie, let me know what kind of $ your thinking on your T120. I've got a T100 right now and have been thinking about upgrading to the T120 because they have much better features now than when my 100 was made. Mark