feedback from Hobie peddlers please - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Adam · 11-24-2007, 08:37 AM

I paddled an ocean kayak for 14 years and last year switched to a hobie outback. I love the outback. I think I fish more effectively because I can power with my legs while still dealing with my rods and tackle. It is nice to be able to troll while holding a fishing pole. Also, I am faster and can go further without getting tired. I cover much longer distances and am less aprehensive about running further offshore. The outback is also very comfortable, the only downfall is I can't stow my rods in the hull which was nice on my ocean kayak because I frequently go through heavy surf. Also, the outback is nearly impossible to ride down the face of a wave (at least for me). The outback is wide and sort of a "tank", but due to the peddle power it still gets me around pretty well. Paddling the outback is okay, but you definitely would not want to do it all the time. Paddling is more handy for fine movements around docks / rocks and fine tuning through surf.

With all that said, there is something very rewarding about paddling which I miss. I would like to also have a paddling kayak which I would probably use half the time. The peddling is quite a different experience that doesn't retain all the sort of ?primitive" / "purist" qualities of paddling out and catching your fish.

steveooo · 11-24-2007, 10:01 AM

I have an extreme and a hobie adventure. The malibu is for sure the more comfortable yak. It has more deck space, it is a dryer ride, a better layout, and is pretty much the rolls royce of kayaks. I bought the adventure with the same idea as you, to get rid of back pain. Wrong. Back pain is the same in both yaks, maybe a little worse in the hobie due to you actually putting all your weight on your butt, rather than having it spread out over all your butt and legs. I have tried every comfy seat out there (GTS airwave, GTS pro) and lower back pain is the same in both yacks.

With that being said, when I fish I usually take the hobie. The main reason is endurance. I can fish a lot longer in the hobie. It is nice to not worry about wind or a lengthy paddle back after an extended fishing session. I can get out of the kayak after literally a 20 mile session and still have energy left for the day. Yes, the adventure is fast in a sprint, but I have found that when you peddle at a comfortable speed that will not burn you out, it is roughly the same speed as someone that paddles.

For lower back pain I have found that it is related a lot to your hamstring flexibility. Ever notice than when your back is killing you after an extended paddle that your hams are really tight too? I know it sucks and is boring but try doing the old-school touch your toes stretch a few times a day; for me it did not completely get rid of it, but did help alleviate it a little. (i knew my kinesiology exercise science degree would come in handy someday!)
Sorry the write up is so long, but I hope it helps a bit.

One Rev · 11-24-2007, 10:01 AM

Adam, primitive went away for me when I turned 50 lol

reel fishy · 11-24-2007, 10:20 AM

Thanks for the responses guys. I will have to test paddle a couple.

Will my Surf-to-Summit GTS seat work on the Hobie?

I will definitely do more old school stretches for the Hams too. Good advice. I have been doing some stretches for my back, and it does help, but the hamstrings do seem to be tight when my back starts hurting. Guess it all ties together.

Endurance plays a factor too, as I am completely exhausted after a long day paddling. I guess getting up at 3:00am, paddling all day and having lots of cervezas will do that to you. But there have been a few times in La Jolla where I drifted south almost without noticing it, and then had to battle uphill against the ripping current for a loooong time and felt like I wasn't making any progress and might not make it back. I did make it back to the launch every time no problem, but was beat tired afterwards. Seems like the peddling can be maintained for a longer period of time without getting worked. Larger muscle group I guess.

Again, thanks for your input, and anyone else feel free to chime in with your .02

Tight lines

steveooo · 11-24-2007, 10:54 AM

Put a couple of deck loops behind you in the tank well and your sts seat will work fine.
Another thing that might be a factor is that you are 6'5" and 230.
I am 6'2" and 185, and sometimes feel a little cramped in the adventure. The seat well is a little skinny. I also owned an outback and felt the same way. Good luck.

bigderel · 11-24-2007, 12:30 PM

I used to have a little back stiffness in my paddle yak, but after the initial period of getting used to the Hobie Adventure I don't experience that anymore. At 6'-4", 230 we're similar size...the Adventure fits me just fine. Nobody ever accused me of having a small ass either.

Try the Revolution too, I hear the legroom is comparable and while not as fast, it has a better turning radius.

FISHIONADO · 11-24-2007, 02:25 PM

I have a Prowler 15 and a Hobie Outback. I can paddle my P15 faster than most Outback peddlers. The Outback is good for the bays but not La Jolla. The flipper system has a huge "neato factor" but only average "reliability factor". Mine broke once when I was 2.5 miles from the launch, I didn't have a hex wrench so I did the best I could with needle nose pliers, it would work for a 1/4 mile and then I would have to pull it out again. The Outback is a pig if you are paddling, you probably wouldn't be able to paddle into a small headwind. And where would you put a big fish if you caught one? I saw Jimijig-Jimi peddling in with a 40lb WSB in the back of his Revolution once, it looked like he was doing a wheelie. He said it was very sketchy. The Outback seems best suited for bass fishing. Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Freeway · 11-24-2007, 04:14 PM

Those hobies are great kayaks and ranks at the top compared to the other kayaks. I think the peddle kayak will ease the discomfort of any back pain but you will get stiffness in your back legs arms and butt after and everywhere else after 8hrs.You are less likely to notice it on the water though. You will definetly notice the pluses of this type of kayak and be awed that their is a fishing kayak that makes everything that was a bit annoying or a hassle to dissappear. Their are alot of pluses to this kayak but the one that I most appreciate is when your about 5 miles out and the current is strong you don't have to worry that you would end up in mexico. The only downfall to a Hobie is landing. I haven't quite mastered it yet but who has. Rolling 1,2,3 times a year for a kodak moment is no big deal. I purchased my hobie for Ron in San Diego. Good Luck.

11-24-2007, 08:37 AM	#1
Adam Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 27	Outback Review I paddled an ocean kayak for 14 years and last year switched to a hobie outback. I love the outback. I think I fish more effectively because I can power with my legs while still dealing with my rods and tackle. It is nice to be able to troll while holding a fishing pole. Also, I am faster and can go further without getting tired. I cover much longer distances and am less aprehensive about running further offshore. The outback is also very comfortable, the only downfall is I can't stow my rods in the hull which was nice on my ocean kayak because I frequently go through heavy surf. Also, the outback is nearly impossible to ride down the face of a wave (at least for me). The outback is wide and sort of a "tank", but due to the peddle power it still gets me around pretty well. Paddling the outback is okay, but you definitely would not want to do it all the time. Paddling is more handy for fine movements around docks / rocks and fine tuning through surf. With all that said, there is something very rewarding about paddling which I miss. I would like to also have a paddling kayak which I would probably use half the time. The peddling is quite a different experience that doesn't retain all the sort of ?primitive" / "purist" qualities of paddling out and catching your fish.

11-24-2007, 10:20 AM	#4
reel fishy Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 42	Gracias Thanks for the responses guys. I will have to test paddle a couple. Will my Surf-to-Summit GTS seat work on the Hobie? I will definitely do more old school stretches for the Hams too. Good advice. I have been doing some stretches for my back, and it does help, but the hamstrings do seem to be tight when my back starts hurting. Guess it all ties together. Endurance plays a factor too, as I am completely exhausted after a long day paddling. I guess getting up at 3:00am, paddling all day and having lots of cervezas will do that to you. But there have been a few times in La Jolla where I drifted south almost without noticing it, and then had to battle uphill against the ripping current for a loooong time and felt like I wasn't making any progress and might not make it back. I did make it back to the launch every time no problem, but was beat tired afterwards. Seems like the peddling can be maintained for a longer period of time without getting worked. Larger muscle group I guess. Again, thanks for your input, and anyone else feel free to chime in with your .02 Tight lines

11-24-2007, 10:01 AM	#2
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,922	I have an extreme and a hobie adventure. The malibu is for sure the more comfortable yak. It has more deck space, it is a dryer ride, a better layout, and is pretty much the rolls royce of kayaks. I bought the adventure with the same idea as you, to get rid of back pain. Wrong. Back pain is the same in both yaks, maybe a little worse in the hobie due to you actually putting all your weight on your butt, rather than having it spread out over all your butt and legs. I have tried every comfy seat out there (GTS airwave, GTS pro) and lower back pain is the same in both yacks. With that being said, when I fish I usually take the hobie. The main reason is endurance. I can fish a lot longer in the hobie. It is nice to not worry about wind or a lengthy paddle back after an extended fishing session. I can get out of the kayak after literally a 20 mile session and still have energy left for the day. Yes, the adventure is fast in a sprint, but I have found that when you peddle at a comfortable speed that will not burn you out, it is roughly the same speed as someone that paddles. For lower back pain I have found that it is related a lot to your hamstring flexibility. Ever notice than when your back is killing you after an extended paddle that your hams are really tight too? I know it sucks and is boring but try doing the old-school touch your toes stretch a few times a day; for me it did not completely get rid of it, but did help alleviate it a little. (i knew my kinesiology exercise science degree would come in handy someday!) Sorry the write up is so long, but I hope it helps a bit.

11-24-2007, 10:01 AM	#3
One Rev Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chula Vista, CA Posts: 65	Adam, primitive went away for me when I turned 50 lol

11-24-2007, 10:54 AM	#5
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,922	Put a couple of deck loops behind you in the tank well and your sts seat will work fine. Another thing that might be a factor is that you are 6'5" and 230. I am 6'2" and 185, and sometimes feel a little cramped in the adventure. The seat well is a little skinny. I also owned an outback and felt the same way. Good luck.

11-24-2007, 12:30 PM	#6
bigderel UberMember Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: On the water Posts: 71	I used to have a little back stiffness in my paddle yak, but after the initial period of getting used to the Hobie Adventure I don't experience that anymore. At 6'-4", 230 we're similar size...the Adventure fits me just fine. Nobody ever accused me of having a small ass either. Try the Revolution too, I hear the legroom is comparable and while not as fast, it has a better turning radius.

11-24-2007, 02:25 PM	#7
FISHIONADO Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 698	I have a Prowler 15 and a Hobie Outback. I can paddle my P15 faster than most Outback peddlers. The Outback is good for the bays but not La Jolla. The flipper system has a huge "neato factor" but only average "reliability factor". Mine broke once when I was 2.5 miles from the launch, I didn't have a hex wrench so I did the best I could with needle nose pliers, it would work for a 1/4 mile and then I would have to pull it out again. The Outback is a pig if you are paddling, you probably wouldn't be able to paddle into a small headwind. And where would you put a big fish if you caught one? I saw Jimijig-Jimi peddling in with a 40lb WSB in the back of his Revolution once, it looked like he was doing a wheelie. He said it was very sketchy. The Outback seems best suited for bass fishing. Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

11-24-2007, 04:14 PM	#8
Freeway Junior Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: vbxcvb Posts: 13	Those hobies are great kayaks and ranks at the top compared to the other kayaks. I think the peddle kayak will ease the discomfort of any back pain but you will get stiffness in your back legs arms and butt after and everywhere else after 8hrs.You are less likely to notice it on the water though. You will definetly notice the pluses of this type of kayak and be awed that their is a fishing kayak that makes everything that was a bit annoying or a hassle to dissappear. Their are alot of pluses to this kayak but the one that I most appreciate is when your about 5 miles out and the current is strong you don't have to worry that you would end up in mexico. The only downfall to a Hobie is landing. I haven't quite mastered it yet but who has. Rolling 1,2,3 times a year for a kodak moment is no big deal. I purchased my hobie for Ron in San Diego. Good Luck.