Anti-Hobie sentiment? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

dsafety · 05-15-2010, 08:35 PM

The Mirage drive is a wonderful thing but you still need to bring along a paddle. If you want to go into the kelp, the peddle system will not cut it. Paddles are a necessity. Similarly, landing in big surf is easier with a paddle. I strap down the drive, raise the rudder and use the paddle on almost every landing.

That said, in my opinion, the Hobie system is far superior when used for a fishing platform. The other day I was chasing a fast moving YT feeding frenzy while trying to cast a jig stick.I peddled like an Olympic sprinter while getting my jig stick ready to cast. I would have to have chosen one activity or the other on a paddle kayak.

For the record, my Revo caught up with the fish and it only took me one cast to hook up.

Try it once and you will be a convert.

Bob

Billy V · 05-15-2010, 09:59 PM

Hobie makes a high quality kayak, and nice fishing accessories.

Custom plug and play bait tank, slick rod holders, good sealing hatches, good customer support after the purchase, and more.

The mirage drive is soo efficient that you'll probably gain weight after buying a Hobie. No Joke, is almost impossible to break a sweat.
--------------------------

TCS · 05-16-2010, 08:13 AM

It's a little like the longboarder vs. shortboarder controversy in surfing or skiing vs. snowboarding. There are a lot of guys out there that have been kayak fishing for a long time, are excellent fishermen, and they paddle their kayak. Then along comes the mirage drive, more popularity, and maybe the hobie makes if easier to be a good fisherman.

semiwrecker · 05-16-2010, 09:47 AM

Kayak: : an Eskimo canoe made of a frame covered with skins except for a small opening in the center and propelled by a double-bladed paddle...

So none of us are fishing out of true kayaks since we don't have the animal skins. So those Hobie guys are doin it ALLL wrong. No animal skins or double bladed paddle? Hobies arent real kayaks they're fake kayaks... i fish a fake kayak called a Pro Angler... so next time make sure to cover your PWC with fish skins that way it will become a kayak...

Siebler · 05-16-2010, 01:54 PM

Everybody has their own reasons for Disliking/ Liking of the Hobie Kayaks. Personal;ly I have found too many negatives to gain the one Positive of Hands Free Fishing. Some of the Negatives are not as big of a deal to others as they are to me. Again to each his/her own.

Plus after almost 10 years of Kayak fishing I just enjoy the paddling part.

And yes I have tried the Hobies and work on them for customers very regularly.

robmandel · 05-16-2010, 04:34 PM

dunno about anti-hobie sentiment. I think some guys just gotta bitch about something. I'll say this though: I've never been almost run over by a hobie

we're all 6" above the water on a piece of plastic. how you move from point a to b under human propulsion, I gather, is irrelevant. I've actually never rode a hobie, maybe in part because I figure if I do, I'll never be happy until I get one

also, I love paddling. to each their own.

every kayak has its pluses and minuses. hobies don't have the storage for rods (like my FND did and my T15 does) and they are less than ideal in the surf. they seem, seem, to be more popular closer to LJ where longer excursions are the norm. more up north, us malibu guys, don't see as many. our trips are shorter, and the surf a bit more interesting. but they work all the same.

one thing I've always been leery of, and I'll catch some shit for this

is that old saying "mechanical device subject to failure". I htink every hobie owner I've fished with has had, at one (or many) time, some mechanical problem with them, and a few times, on the water. that is not to impugn hobies, or the company. great product, great company. and probably a stupid concern.

there are more important things to fight over. for instance, power pro sucks. use izor spectra. shimano calcuttas are way overpriced and come with crap drags. get a daiwa luna. oh, and 2-speed lever drag reels are simply so guys can brag they fish with 2-speed lever drag reels.

Iceman · 05-16-2010, 04:52 PM

dsafety · 05-16-2010, 04:57 PM

OK Rob, I'll bite. Why do you think Power Pro sucks and Izor is better? Please start another thread so we can have a discussion.

I have no experience with any kind of Spectra other than Power Pro and need to fill a new reel, so I would like to hear what you have to say.

Bob

batty1of3 · 05-16-2010, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semiwrecker

Kayak: : an Eskimo canoe made of a frame covered with skins except for a small opening in the center and propelled by a double-bladed paddle...

So none of us are fishing out of true kayaks since we don't have the animal skins. So those Hobie guys are doin it ALLL wrong. No animal skins or double bladed paddle? Hobies arent real kayaks they're fake kayaks... i fish a fake kayak called a Pro Angler... so next time make sure to cover your PWC with fish skins that way it will become a kayak...

aha finally something to do with those pesky sea lions

Aaron · 05-17-2010, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsafety

The Mirage drive is a wonderful thing but you still need to bring along a paddle. If you want to go into the kelp, the peddle system will not cut it. Paddles are a necessity. Similarly, landing in big surf is easier with a paddle. I strap down the drive, raise the rudder and use the paddle on almost every landing.

That said, in my opinion, the Hobie system is far superior when used for a fishing platform. The other day I was chasing a fast moving YT feeding frenzy while trying to cast a jig stick.I peddled like an Olympic sprinter while getting my jig stick ready to cast. I would have to have chosen one activity or the other on a paddle kayak.

For the record, my Revo caught up with the fish and it only took me one cast to hook up.

Try it once and you will be a convert.

Bob

Yesterday, I was paddling like the dickens on my x-factor. I saw a school flare up and was just a bit too far. If i had pedals, no doubt i would have gotten there and no doubt I would have been launching that iron as I pulled up to the edge of the school. I can paddle at a decent speed but I still missed that school by literally 20-30 seconds and went home empty handed. The added speed and ability to have my jig stick in hand would have changed that result.

I would love a hobie, but as has been said, too rich for my blood right now. I love my x-factor. Its a great boat and I love how comfortable I feel on it after fishing it for all of this time. But yesterday, it would have been grand to have pedals. But then I ask myself, "How many times has this scenario happened"??? Not enough to justify the purchase for me obviously!! I'll likely keep paddling until someone wants to swap me for their hobie!

lamb · 05-17-2010, 06:40 PM

All I can think of is

bubblehide · 05-17-2010, 07:15 PM

I use to have a Hobie. Due to the rude and malicious Hobie rep I dealt with, I will never own one again. I'm aware that some people have had good experiences dealing with Hobie after the sale, but my experience was horrid.

They state that you have hands free (as in plural); frankly you don't due to the need to constantly keep a hand on the rudder control; so it's only one hand free.

I had a lengthy email exchange with the Hobie rep. Franky if anyone ever gets hurt on one of their pedal drive kayaks and they decide to sue Hobie, the emails I have from Hobie will sink them. I simply still can't believe the Hobie rep actually put what he did in writing.

I got rid of the Hobie yak I had, and haven't regretted it.

Aaron · 05-17-2010, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubblehide

I use to have a Hobie. Due to the rude and malicious Hobie rep I dealt with, I will never own one again. I'm aware that some people have had good experiences dealing with Hobie after the sale, but my experience was horrid.

They state that you have hands free (as in plural); frankly you don't due to the need to constantly keep a hand on the rudder control; so it's only one hand free.

I had a lengthy email exchange with the Hobie rep. Franky if anyone ever gets hurt on one of their pedal drive kayaks and they decide to sue Hobie, the emails I have from Hobie will sink them. I simply still can't believe the Hobie rep actually put what he did in writing.

I got rid of the Hobie yak I had, and haven't regretted it.

I'm sure I'm not the only one that would like to hear the details of this.

dsafety · 05-17-2010, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sapdawg711

I'm sure I'm not the only one that would like to hear the details of this.

I second the request. I know a lot of the Hobie guys and have always found them to be very helpful.

Bubblehide, if you have something to say, please say it.

Bob

TCS · 05-17-2010, 09:38 PM

And here is the anti hobie science!

http://ftlauderdaleyakfishingclub.or...unplugged.html

btw....I'm in the market for a revo or adventure. Seriously.
Prefer turbo fins and sailing rudder. Send me a pm.

Adam12 · 05-18-2010, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sapdawg711

I'm sure I'm not the only one that would like to hear the details of this.

X2

fishinkid2010 · 05-17-2010, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubblehide

I use to have a Hobie. Due to the rude and malicious Hobie rep I dealt with, I will never own one again. I'm aware that some people have had good experiences dealing with Hobie after the sale, but my experience was horrid.

They state that you have hands free (as in plural); frankly you don't due to the need to constantly keep a hand on the rudder control; so it's only one hand free.

I had a lengthy email exchange with the Hobie rep. Franky if anyone ever gets hurt on one of their pedal drive kayaks and they decide to sue Hobie, the emails I have from Hobie will sink them. I simply still can't believe the Hobie rep actually put what he did in writing.

I got rid of the Hobie yak I had, and haven't regretted it.

I too am curious. Hobie and Fastlane were super helpful to me... they went so far as completely replacing my Revo, and upgrading it to a newer model.

Did you ever try talking with them over the phone or in person? Email can be so impersonal.

j mo · 05-18-2010, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubblehide

They state that you have hands free (as in plural); frankly you don't due to the need to constantly keep a hand on the rudder control; so it's only one hand free.

LMFAO! Great point im taking my Hobie back and telling them it doesnt self steer.....

lterrero · 12-13-2010, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j mo

LMFAO! Great point im taking my Hobie back and telling them it doesnt self steer.....

Try to paddler with one hand & steer at the same time, but don't worry j mo I'm working in a Autopilot

05-16-2010, 01:54 PM	#5
Siebler Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Richland Oregon Posts: 1,547	Everybody has their own reasons for Disliking/ Liking of the Hobie Kayaks. Personal;ly I have found too many negatives to gain the one Positive of Hands Free Fishing. Some of the Negatives are not as big of a deal to others as they are to me. Again to each his/her own. Plus after almost 10 years of Kayak fishing I just enjoy the paddling part. And yes I have tried the Hobies and work on them for customers very regularly. __________________ CJ Siebler

05-16-2010, 04:52 PM	#7
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,943	__________________

05-17-2010, 06:40 PM	#11
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,563	All I can think of is __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

05-17-2010, 09:38 PM	#15
TCS Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 478	Global warming is a hoax...... And here is the anti hobie science! http://ftlauderdaleyakfishingclub.or...unplugged.html btw....I'm in the market for a revo or adventure. Seriously. Prefer turbo fins and sailing rudder. Send me a pm.

05-15-2010, 08:35 PM	#1
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,121	The Mirage drive is a wonderful thing but you still need to bring along a paddle. If you want to go into the kelp, the peddle system will not cut it. Paddles are a necessity. Similarly, landing in big surf is easier with a paddle. I strap down the drive, raise the rudder and use the paddle on almost every landing. That said, in my opinion, the Hobie system is far superior when used for a fishing platform. The other day I was chasing a fast moving YT feeding frenzy while trying to cast a jig stick.I peddled like an Olympic sprinter while getting my jig stick ready to cast. I would have to have chosen one activity or the other on a paddle kayak. For the record, my Revo caught up with the fish and it only took me one cast to hook up. Try it once and you will be a convert. Bob

05-15-2010, 09:59 PM	#2
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	Hobie makes a high quality kayak, and nice fishing accessories. Custom plug and play bait tank, slick rod holders, good sealing hatches, good customer support after the purchase, and more. The mirage drive is soo efficient that you'll probably gain weight after buying a Hobie. No Joke, is almost impossible to break a sweat. --------------------------

05-16-2010, 08:13 AM	#3
TCS Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 478	It's a little like the longboarder vs. shortboarder controversy in surfing or skiing vs. snowboarding. There are a lot of guys out there that have been kayak fishing for a long time, are excellent fishermen, and they paddle their kayak. Then along comes the mirage drive, more popularity, and maybe the hobie makes if easier to be a good fisherman.

05-16-2010, 09:47 AM	#4
semiwrecker Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 54	Kayak: : an Eskimo canoe made of a frame covered with skins except for a small opening in the center and propelled by a double-bladed paddle... So none of us are fishing out of true kayaks since we don't have the animal skins. So those Hobie guys are doin it ALLL wrong. No animal skins or double bladed paddle? Hobies arent real kayaks they're fake kayaks... i fish a fake kayak called a Pro Angler... so next time make sure to cover your PWC with fish skins that way it will become a kayak...

05-16-2010, 04:34 PM	#6
robmandel Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 186	dunno about anti-hobie sentiment. I think some guys just gotta bitch about something. I'll say this though: I've never been almost run over by a hobie we're all 6" above the water on a piece of plastic. how you move from point a to b under human propulsion, I gather, is irrelevant. I've actually never rode a hobie, maybe in part because I figure if I do, I'll never be happy until I get one also, I love paddling. to each their own. every kayak has its pluses and minuses. hobies don't have the storage for rods (like my FND did and my T15 does) and they are less than ideal in the surf. they seem, seem, to be more popular closer to LJ where longer excursions are the norm. more up north, us malibu guys, don't see as many. our trips are shorter, and the surf a bit more interesting. but they work all the same. one thing I've always been leery of, and I'll catch some shit for this is that old saying "mechanical device subject to failure". I htink every hobie owner I've fished with has had, at one (or many) time, some mechanical problem with them, and a few times, on the water. that is not to impugn hobies, or the company. great product, great company. and probably a stupid concern. there are more important things to fight over. for instance, power pro sucks. use izor spectra. shimano calcuttas are way overpriced and come with crap drags. get a daiwa luna. oh, and 2-speed lever drag reels are simply so guys can brag they fish with 2-speed lever drag reels.

05-16-2010, 04:57 PM	#8
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,121	OK Rob, I'll bite. Why do you think Power Pro sucks and Izor is better? Please start another thread so we can have a discussion. I have no experience with any kind of Spectra other than Power Pro and need to fill a new reel, so I would like to hear what you have to say. Bob

05-17-2010, 07:15 PM	#12
bubblehide Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 552	I use to have a Hobie. Due to the rude and malicious Hobie rep I dealt with, I will never own one again. I'm aware that some people have had good experiences dealing with Hobie after the sale, but my experience was horrid. They state that you have hands free (as in plural); frankly you don't due to the need to constantly keep a hand on the rudder control; so it's only one hand free. I had a lengthy email exchange with the Hobie rep. Franky if anyone ever gets hurt on one of their pedal drive kayaks and they decide to sue Hobie, the emails I have from Hobie will sink them. I simply still can't believe the Hobie rep actually put what he did in writing. I got rid of the Hobie yak I had, and haven't regretted it.