Advice needed: Malibu Mini X for kelp fishing? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

igotswansons · 07-11-2011, 12:32 PM

Seems like the difficulty of storing and loading the longer kayak outweighsnthe shortcomings of the mini x. People don't seem to be too bothered with the mini x's issue with speed and tracking while fishing in la jolla. Looks like I will probably pull thr trigger. Thanks for everyone's input!

cjthomas · 07-12-2011, 12:37 PM

I have both the X-factor and the Mini-X. I'm 5'11 and 180 pounds so the x-factor is a little big for me. The x-factor is a better kayak for La Jolla because of the speed and tracking as previously mentioned. With the x-factor you can get some momentum going, stop paddling, and glide for a little while. The mini-x has a very hard time gliding. Also, as you paddle, the mini-x bow will move right-to-left, or left to right. The difference is like walking (mini-x) and skating (x-factor). You will go faster and cover more ground on the x-factor, which is good in La Jolla.

Also, the x-factor doesn't do too bad in the surf if you know how to work it (lean back, paddle in the wave, hang foot over the side). Plus, it has TONS of storage so all your rods (even the 8 foot ones) will fit nicely inside the kayak.

Both kayaks are great though. I love the mini-x for bay fishing and the x-factor for open ocean. They are both SUPER stable, being over 30 inches wide, I can stand up paddle either one. So if you plan on covering a lot of ground I would consider something with better speed and tracking then the mini-x.

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07-11-2011, 12:32 PM	#1
igotswansons Junior Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 5	Seems like the difficulty of storing and loading the longer kayak outweighsnthe shortcomings of the mini x. People don't seem to be too bothered with the mini x's issue with speed and tracking while fishing in la jolla. Looks like I will probably pull thr trigger. Thanks for everyone's input!

07-12-2011, 12:37 PM	#2
cjthomas Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 108	I have both the X-factor and the Mini-X. I'm 5'11 and 180 pounds so the x-factor is a little big for me. The x-factor is a better kayak for La Jolla because of the speed and tracking as previously mentioned. With the x-factor you can get some momentum going, stop paddling, and glide for a little while. The mini-x has a very hard time gliding. Also, as you paddle, the mini-x bow will move right-to-left, or left to right. The difference is like walking (mini-x) and skating (x-factor). You will go faster and cover more ground on the x-factor, which is good in La Jolla. Also, the x-factor doesn't do too bad in the surf if you know how to work it (lean back, paddle in the wave, hang foot over the side). Plus, it has TONS of storage so all your rods (even the 8 foot ones) will fit nicely inside the kayak. Both kayaks are great though. I love the mini-x for bay fishing and the x-factor for open ocean. They are both SUPER stable, being over 30 inches wide, I can stand up paddle either one. So if you plan on covering a lot of ground I would consider something with better speed and tracking then the mini-x.