I can't deside between a Hobie Revo or a Malibu Stealth 14 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

da22y · 03-21-2009, 08:09 AM

I have a Revo, but never caught a 50lb+ fish yet in La Jolla ( one monster black seabass released doesn't count).

I can't find a "proper place" to hold the potential LARGE fish other than my lap either.

Becasue the tankwell has the huge Hobie livewell tank in place, no good.

Under the hatch, there are my dry bags, battery bag, fishfinder console ,upper wet suit , 3 to 4 fishing poles with reel , no good.

That leaves me only on my lap. Not gonna be pleasant, but I'll take it any day.

Dan

dadandsonkayak · 03-21-2009, 07:58 PM

i would store it in the front hatch and slip the fish in there with a trash bag wrapped around it so u dont hav a fishy hull to make ur personals smell..i know for a fact that it is easier to use leg muscle than arm but the some paddle kayaks have better featurs such as a built in bait tank. wich on a hobie ur bait tank is behind you which somtimes is hard... either way

ur gonna be happy with either one

THE DARKHORSE · 03-21-2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by da22y

I have a Revo, but never caught a 50lb+ fish yet in La Jolla ( one monster black seabass released doesn't count).

I can't find a "proper place" to hold the potential LARGE fish other than my lap either.

Becasue the tankwell has the huge Hobie livewell tank in place, no good.

Under the hatch, there are my dry bags, battery bag, fishfinder console ,upper wet suit , 3 to 4 fishing poles with reel , no good.

That leaves me only on my lap. Not gonna be pleasant, but I'll take it any day.

Dan

I'm a little too clean to put a fish below deck, but fish over fifty pounds fit just fine on the Revolution...catching them is another story.

Dan · 03-22-2009, 06:35 AM

Worst case (best case) you catch 2 or more really big fish you could probably pull your drive and paddle the kayak in? That Stealth looks pretty roomy too.

da22y · 03-22-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE DARKHORSE

I'm a little too clean to put a fish below deck, but fish over fifty pounds fit just fine on the Revolution...catching them is another story.

Looked like you tie a rope at the tail of the fish ? How to secured it ? I am interested to learn your way.

When The Darkhorse teach, we listen....

THE DARKHORSE · 03-22-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by da22y

Looked like you tie a rope at the tail of the fish ? How to secured it ? I am interested to learn your way.

When The Darkhorse teach, we listen....

Step one: Turn around in your seat facing the bait-tank holding fish on game clip.

Step two: Pull fish straight across the back hatch so the belly is in the center with the head and tail off to either side.

Step three: Pull game clip straight between the Hobie rod holders and Hobie tank until you wedge the head of the fish...make sure to secure the game clip at all times.

Step four: Center the fifty pound plus fish and secure it with the Hobie bungee that's used to secure the rudder during transport. I simply use my gaff to put the Hobie bungee around the tail and slip it over the clip, easy

.

dsafety · 03-22-2009, 08:02 PM

Revo or Stealth? To me it comes down to the basic decision of peddle or paddle. Most of us who ride Hobies are convinced that peddling is the only way to go. Is the Revo perfect? Definately not, but it is still a very nice kayak.

If I were working with the Hobie design team I would lobby for:

Better rod holder placement and design.

Wider, recessed mounting locations on the forward rails, (so the rails remain flat after Ram or similar mounts are installed)

Larger center hatch with bulkheads fore and aft to keep stuff from sliding around.

Install a watertight bulkhead in the front hatch so it could be filled with ice to store fish, (or beer). This could be a removable tray to allow for easy cleaning.

I am sure that other ideas are out there. If you have any, please post. I know that the Hobie folks read this forum.

Bob

da22y · 03-22-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsafety

Revo or Stealth? To me it comes down to the basic decision of peddle or paddle. Most of us who ride Hobies are convinced that peddling is the only way to go. Is the Revo perfect? Definately not, but it is still a very nice kayak.

If I were working with the Hobie design team I would lobby for:

Better rod holder placement and design.

Wider, recessed mounting locations on the forward rails, (so the rails remain flat after Ram or similar mounts are installed)

Larger center hatch with bulkheads fore and aft to keep stuff from sliding around.

Install a watertight bulkhead in the front hatch so it could be filled with ice to store fish, (or beer). This could be a removable tray to allow for easy cleaning.

I am sure that other ideas are out there. If you have any, please post. I know that the Hobie folks read this forum.

Bob

Ok , here is my wish list :

1. Some kind of mini version "Rod Pod" design openning on the right side of kayak (for easy storing of rods).

2. A center hatch molded livewell tank with timer.

3. Two flush mount rod holders in the front at an angle for trolling. Molded five rod holders straight up just behind seat area.

I then have the tank well vacant for big fish , I am a happy man.

Dan

mg2969 · 03-22-2009, 09:04 PM

As a 250lbs 6ft Revo owner, I like the Revo. Like already said arms vs legs,
especially into the wind, its not even a discussion.

1 thing I would like to
see though is a high weight limit. I never feel worried, but the 350 lbs
suggested max capacity is something always nagging in the back of my
mind.

250lbs weight
56+ weight of water in 8 gal in hobie bait tank
306 total without any gear

I still love my Revo, definitely the most versatile of all the mirage drive kayaks.

Hooping is also totally doable after you unscrew the cleats in the rear so that
netting doesnt hangup

Trophy Killer · 03-22-2009, 09:26 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE DARKHORSE

I'm a little too clean to put a fish below deck, but fish over fifty pounds fit just fine on the Revolution...catching them is another story.

Damn Big Dog!!! Nice Fish!!! I'd be worried that a seal might mistake the Hobie for the kitchen table. What do you think about instead of opting out for the hobie bait tank I get the Kayatank System and free up some space in the back? Have anyone out there seen or used the Kayatank and what are your thoughts on it. I live in Los Gatos CA and my job is relocating me to Laguna Beach by summer time so I cant stop by the local OEX and pick there brain. Till then

Billy V · 03-22-2009, 10:30 AM

These Pics are from a classic BWE Post.

This is Paul's (amsurferoceanbeach) Hobie Adventure.
- A Salty Dog fisherman

As long as the blood doesn't enter the ice chest its all cool.

89 lbs in here.

couple more.

There could possibly come a time when storage becomes a problem. You may have to remove your ice chest and relocate it to the rear well.

03-21-2009, 08:09 AM	#1
da22y Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 265	On the lap I have a Revo, but never caught a 50lb+ fish yet in La Jolla ( one monster black seabass released doesn't count). I can't find a "proper place" to hold the potential LARGE fish other than my lap either. Becasue the tankwell has the huge Hobie livewell tank in place, no good. Under the hatch, there are my dry bags, battery bag, fishfinder console ,upper wet suit , 3 to 4 fishing poles with reel , no good. That leaves me only on my lap. Not gonna be pleasant, but I'll take it any day. Dan

03-21-2009, 07:58 PM	#2
dadandsonkayak Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: near palm springs Posts: 82	in the front hatch i would store it in the front hatch and slip the fish in there with a trash bag wrapped around it so u dont hav a fishy hull to make ur personals smell..i know for a fact that it is easier to use leg muscle than arm but the some paddle kayaks have better featurs such as a built in bait tank. wich on a hobie ur bait tank is behind you which somtimes is hard... either way ur gonna be happy with either one __________________

03-22-2009, 09:04 PM	#9
mg2969 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Beach / Lakewood Posts: 85	As a 250lbs 6ft Revo owner, I like the Revo. Like already said arms vs legs, especially into the wind, its not even a discussion. 1 thing I would like to see though is a high weight limit. I never feel worried, but the 350 lbs suggested max capacity is something always nagging in the back of my mind. 250lbs weight 56+ weight of water in 8 gal in hobie bait tank 306 total without any gear I still love my Revo, definitely the most versatile of all the mirage drive kayaks. Hooping is also totally doable after you unscrew the cleats in the rear so that netting doesnt hangup __________________ Hobie Mirage Revolution Prowler 13 - Look ma no hands

03-22-2009, 06:35 AM	#4
Dan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,053	Worst case (best case) you catch 2 or more really big fish you could probably pull your drive and paddle the kayak in? That Stealth looks pretty roomy too.

03-22-2009, 08:02 PM	#7
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	Revo or Stealth? To me it comes down to the basic decision of peddle or paddle. Most of us who ride Hobies are convinced that peddling is the only way to go. Is the Revo perfect? Definately not, but it is still a very nice kayak. If I were working with the Hobie design team I would lobby for: Better rod holder placement and design. Wider, recessed mounting locations on the forward rails, (so the rails remain flat after Ram or similar mounts are installed) Larger center hatch with bulkheads fore and aft to keep stuff from sliding around. Install a watertight bulkhead in the front hatch so it could be filled with ice to store fish, (or beer). This could be a removable tray to allow for easy cleaning. I am sure that other ideas are out there. If you have any, please post. I know that the Hobie folks read this forum. Bob

03-22-2009, 10:30 AM	#11
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	These Pics are from a classic BWE Post. This is Paul's (amsurferoceanbeach) Hobie Adventure. - A Salty Dog fisherman As long as the blood doesn't enter the ice chest its all cool. 89 lbs in here. couple more. There could possibly come a time when storage becomes a problem. You may have to remove your ice chest and relocate it to the rear well.