Thinking aqbout trying out kayaking

offshore64 · 01-08-2009, 04:57 PM

Hey guys, I just sold my cape horn and was thinking about giving the kayak thing a try. I'm pretty big, about 6'1" and 260 or so. From the stuff I've seen on the internet, a lot of bigger guys like the ocean kayak drifter. anyone here have one or can recommend something similar? im not looking to spend a whole lot, I've found the drifter online at under 600 and thought i might be able to find a used one cheaper than that.

also, where do yall normally fish? Do you stay inshore in the bays or go offshore? if you go offshore, how far do you go?

whats the biggest fish you have caught? you ever feel like the bigger fish will tip the kayak over?

thanks

Chris V · 01-08-2009, 05:08 PM

I fish out of gulf shores and Orange Beach mostly. I fish both back bay and offshore and have been about 7 miles offshore in my yak fishing the rigs. I fish out of a O.K. prowler big game. I have caught some pretty large fish from my yak including sharks upward of 150lbs. and have never felt like i would be tipped over. Fish tackle that is appropriate for kayak fishing and you should never have a problem.I like rods from 6 1/2 to 8 feet long to help get around the bow or stern when fighting a fish. Keep your setup simple and try not to put too much stuff onboard in the case that you do flip. I have 2 flush mount holders, 1 on each side to the side of my seat and a single scotty power lock centered in front of me. In addition i can hold 2 more rods in the rear scuppers located in the bottom of the large storage well behind me. I could put more rod holders on but then i would be overloaded. I currently do not have a depth finder but am planning on installing a GPS/depthfinder soon. If you do get one and want to go fish with someone give me a shout.

Chris

offshore64 · 01-08-2009, 09:16 PM

thanks for the info Chris, when I get mine I'm gonna have to take you up on that, I fish mostly out of Orange Beach too.

specslayer · 01-08-2009, 09:31 PM

OK kayaks are a very nice choice but i think you would LOVE a hobie outback or revo here the biggest fish ive caught out of my outback a 50 in bull red by navarre pier

true-king · 01-08-2009, 09:44 PM

I've also got a prowler big game. Very stable and has a lot of load capacity. You guys are killing me, making me think of spring kayak fishing!

offshore64 · 01-08-2009, 10:00 PM

those outbacks look nice, but they also look like they are about a grand more than the drifter angler edition. but thats an awesome looking red!

specslayer · 01-08-2009, 10:02 PM

shoot the peddles are deff worth it...it dosent matter if your in flat calm seas or in 3-4 with 40mph head winds you go a certain speed, also the hands free is soooooooo nice....just saying you sould just test one at least....im only 16 and waited and saved till i had the money to get mine and its worth every penny

Team Hobie · 01-09-2009, 04:52 PM

Biggest fish, 35 lb Cobia, 39 inch Mahi, 40 Inch Red, 42 inch King plus several sharks that did not get measured.

I regularly go out in the Gulf but there were days that I honestly feel I may not have gotten back without Hobie technology due to the wind and current shifting and turning against me.

Drifter and Prowler Big Game are both excellent boats. Test drive them before you buy because they are wide boats and can be difficult to ppaddle for some people.

Good luck.

Ted

Chris V · 01-10-2009, 10:35 AM

I agree with testing several boats before committing as one model may be alright for some but not for others. I've been in several models and my favorites so far for the type of fishing I do are the prowler big game and malibu X-factor. Both are extremely stable, offer plenty of storage without having to add hatches and such, and are very maneuverable for big yaks. I'm 5' 8" and weigh around 175lbs. so I'm not a very big guy but I can easily handle these 2 models.

I've been in a couple hobies and they were nice but didn't quite have the feel or arrangement I preferred. I would still look at them though as you may find them just right for you. It also depends of course on how much you are wanting to spend.

Chris V · 01-10-2009, 10:38 AM

I've never been in the drifter butI hear they are great. You should PM Razzorduck and ask him,I believe thats what he has.

01-08-2009, 04:57 PM	#1
offshore64 Senior Member Snapper Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Perdido Key and Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 497	Thinking aqbout trying out kayaking Hey guys, I just sold my cape horn and was thinking about giving the kayak thing a try. I'm pretty big, about 6'1" and 260 or so. From the stuff I've seen on the internet, a lot of bigger guys like the ocean kayak drifter. anyone here have one or can recommend something similar? im not looking to spend a whole lot, I've found the drifter online at under 600 and thought i might be able to find a used one cheaper than that. also, where do yall normally fish? Do you stay inshore in the bays or go offshore? if you go offshore, how far do you go? whats the biggest fish you have caught? you ever feel like the bigger fish will tip the kayak over? thanks

01-08-2009, 05:08 PM	#2
Chris V Squid technician Blue Marlin Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: foley, Al Posts: 4,179	RE: Thinking aqbout trying out kayaking I fish out of gulf shores and Orange Beach mostly. I fish both back bay and offshore and have been about 7 miles offshore in my yak fishing the rigs. I fish out of a O.K. prowler big game. I have caught some pretty large fish from my yak including sharks upward of 150lbs. and have never felt like i would be tipped over. Fish tackle that is appropriate for kayak fishing and you should never have a problem.I like rods from 6 1/2 to 8 feet long to help get around the bow or stern when fighting a fish. Keep your setup simple and try not to put too much stuff onboard in the case that you do flip. I have 2 flush mount holders, 1 on each side to the side of my seat and a single scotty power lock centered in front of me. In addition i can hold 2 more rods in the rear scuppers located in the bottom of the large storage well behind me. I could put more rod holders on but then i would be overloaded. I currently do not have a depth finder but am planning on installing a GPS/depthfinder soon. If you do get one and want to go fish with someone give me a shout. Chris __________________

01-08-2009, 09:16 PM	#3
offshore64 Senior Member Snapper Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Perdido Key and Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 497	RE: Thinking aqbout trying out kayaking thanks for the info Chris, when I get mine I'm gonna have to take you up on that, I fish mostly out of Orange Beach too.

01-08-2009, 09:31 PM	#4
specslayer Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: GULF BREEZE Posts: 931	RE: Thinking aqbout trying out kayaking OK kayaks are a very nice choice but i think you would LOVE a hobie outback or revo here the biggest fish ive caught out of my outback a 50 in bull red by navarre pier

01-08-2009, 09:44 PM	#5
true-king Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pensa-hassee Posts: 2,027	RE: Thinking aqbout trying out kayaking I've also got a prowler big game. Very stable and has a lot of load capacity. You guys are killing me, making me think of spring kayak fishing!

01-08-2009, 10:00 PM	#6
offshore64 Senior Member Snapper Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Perdido Key and Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 497	RE: Thinking aqbout trying out kayaking those outbacks look nice, but they also look like they are about a grand more than the drifter angler edition. but thats an awesome looking red!

01-08-2009, 10:02 PM	#7
specslayer Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: GULF BREEZE Posts: 931	RE: Thinking aqbout trying out kayaking shoot the peddles are deff worth it...it dosent matter if your in flat calm seas or in 3-4 with 40mph head winds you go a certain speed, also the hands free is soooooooo nice....just saying you sould just test one at least....im only 16 and waited and saved till i had the money to get mine and its worth every penny

01-09-2009, 04:52 PM	#8
Team Hobie Senior Member Trigger Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 303	RE: Thinking aqbout trying out kayaking Biggest fish, 35 lb Cobia, 39 inch Mahi, 40 Inch Red, 42 inch King plus several sharks that did not get measured. I regularly go out in the Gulf but there were days that I honestly feel I may not have gotten back without Hobie technology due to the wind and current shifting and turning against me. Drifter and Prowler Big Game are both excellent boats. Test drive them before you buy because they are wide boats and can be difficult to ppaddle for some people. Good luck. Ted

01-10-2009, 10:35 AM	#9
Chris V Squid technician Blue Marlin Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: foley, Al Posts: 4,179	RE: Thinking aqbout trying out kayaking I agree with testing several boats before committing as one model may be alright for some but not for others. I've been in several models and my favorites so far for the type of fishing I do are the prowler big game and malibu X-factor. Both are extremely stable, offer plenty of storage without having to add hatches and such, and are very maneuverable for big yaks. I'm 5' 8" and weigh around 175lbs. so I'm not a very big guy but I can easily handle these 2 models. I've been in a couple hobies and they were nice but didn't quite have the feel or arrangement I preferred. I would still look at them though as you may find them just right for you. It also depends of course on how much you are wanting to spend. __________________

01-10-2009, 10:38 AM	#10
Chris V Squid technician Blue Marlin Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: foley, Al Posts: 4,179	RE: Thinking aqbout trying out kayaking I've never been in the drifter butI hear they are great. You should PM Razzorduck and ask him,I believe thats what he has. __________________

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