Question from a prospective newb - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Streak · 01-23-2012, 11:05 AM

Hi all,
I have lived inland all my life and recently moved to the coast.
I have been loving the fly fishing here both off the beach and in the SD bay.

My float tube has seen better days and its time to get something new. I figured why not look at all of the options including a kayak which is what brought me here.

For me, the pros of the tube are comfort, hands free to fish while the legs do the work, portability, easy storage etc.
The main con is not being able to travel great distances due to the drag of the tube and often battling against wind and current. Despite this I have been very fortunate in the places I have fished and have caught hundreds of fish in the 7 months I have been fishing here.

I have always dreamed about one day owning a fishing kayak and heading out to sea. However I really do get sea sick. I borrowed a friends kayak, launched from Fletcher's cove and did a couple of miles towards LJ. I really started feeling ill and had to beach in a hurry!!

So, if I were to get a kayak its only use would be to fish in the bay.
My sessions in the tube last 3 to 4 hours (held to ransom by my bladder!).
I am also concerned about lower back pain with ones legs stretched forward for so long. I am 6'1" 210lbs and at 52 my body is not as supple as it once was!

Given the above would I still be a candidate for a kayak (inflatable or rigid) and if so what kind?

I will be fishing the bay on Thursday in a kayak as a guest of someone who is using a guide service after which I will have a better idea.

Thanks in advance!

fishsouthcounty · 01-23-2012, 11:14 AM

couple words for ya.... Hobie Pro Angler. do it.

xpresso2am · 03-25-2012, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishsouthcounty

couple words for ya.... Hobie Pro Angler. do it.

Exactly!

seriola_killer · 03-25-2012, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xpresso2am

Exactly!

With the Pro Angler you can stand and cast if your getting cramped up sitting as well.

kobra · 01-23-2012, 11:18 AM

52 came and went a while ago for me. That being said, demo a Hobie with the mirage drive. Those are the peddle powered kayaks. You can check them out at http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/. OEX Oceanside will be glad to let you demo them.

Iceman · 01-23-2012, 11:22 AM

Quote:

couple words for ya.... Hobie Pro Angler. do it.

Hell of an upgrade from a tube, a Outback may work better for ya.

jorluivil · 01-23-2012, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streak

Hi all,
I have lived inland all my life and recently moved to the coast.
I have been loving the fly fishing here both off the beach and in the SD bay.

My float tube has seen better days and its time to get something new. I figured why not look at all of the options including a kayak which is what brought me here.

First of all....welcome to BWE

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streak

For me, the pros of the tube are comfort, hands free to fish while the legs do the work, portability, easy storage etc.
The main con is not being able to travel great distances due to the drag of the tube and often battling against wind and current. Despite this I have been very fortunate in the places I have fished and have caught hundreds of fish in the 7 months I have been fishing here.

There are many things to consider on your first yak purchase
money
money
money
& you guessed it, money

All kidding aside. Unless you live in an apartment and have no place to securely store your kayak there are several storage solutions out there for you. If you want to stick to the 'hands free' style of fishing my suggestion would be a Hobie. I'm not promoting it because I own one but because I've owned both paddle and peddle types. Ask most most people that have owned both style of kayaks and 9 out of 10 of them will say they regret not buying a Hobie sooner.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streak

I have always dreamed about one day owning a fishing kayak and heading out to sea. However I really do get sea sick. I borrowed a friends kayak, launched from Fletcher's cove and did a couple of miles towards LJ. I really started feeling ill and had to beach in a hurry!!

I've only had the urge to toss my cookies once and I held it in, I didn't peddle back to the beach, I held my ground. That's the day I landed two WSB in under an hour. If you have to toss your cookies just do it. It will make you feel a lot better and you'll be providing free chum. Perhaps, you can try some sea sick pills like dramamine or the medicated patch until you get the hang of it. I've heard of some herbal, legal herbal, solutions but have never tried them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streak

So, if I were to get a kayak its only use would be to fish in the bay.
My sessions in the tube last 3 to 4 hours (held to ransom by my bladder!).
I am also concerned about lower back pain with ones legs stretched forward for so long. I am 6'1" 210lbs and at 52 my body is not as supple as it once was!

I'm a sexy 5'10' and 230lbs and 41yrs old. On average I'm on the water once a week and usually spend about 8hrs on the water. Yes, it does get uncomfortable after about the 6th hour but once you catch that big fish you forget all about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streak

Given the above would I still be a candidate for a kayak (inflatable or rigid) and if so what kind?

You will be carrying to many sharp objects on your kayak so I would recommend you stay away from the inflatables.

Streak · 01-23-2012, 12:08 PM

Wow. Many thanks for all of the replies.
Yes I have had my eyes on the mirage drive Hobies and have seen them in use. Really good stuff but at a huge price!

Assuming bay only usage, what's the smallest I could go that would still give enough stability and tracking. I would have to load it onto roof racks on the car, offload the other side and carry it down to the water.

From the Revolution at 11' 6" to the Pro at 13'8".

jorluivil · 01-23-2012, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streak

Wow. Many thanks for all of the replies.
Yes I have had my eyes on the mirage drive Hobies and have seen them in use. Really good stuff but at a huge price!

Assuming bay only usage, what's the smallest I could go that would still give enough stability and tracking. I would have to load it onto roof racks on the car, offload the other side and carry it down to the water.

From the Revolution at 11' 6" to the Pro at 13'8".

There's no way you're putting a PA on a roofrack

I carry my outback in one of three places: my truck bed, my truck rack or my yakima rack on my accord. I DO NOT use the J-hook because the outback does not sit well in them, I carry it upside down.

blitzburgh · 01-23-2012, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorluivil

There's no way you're putting a PA on a roofrack

Well, I would'nt exactly say no way.........

jorluivil · 01-23-2012, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blitzburgh

Well, I would'nt exactly say no way.........

Is that safe? I was basing this on the amount of weight that the racks state they should carry and the fact that he has a bad back.

mtnbykr2 · 01-23-2012, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blitzburgh

Well, I would'nt exactly say no way.........

I was wonderin' does the air deflector help?...lol kiddin...great picture

battleborn · 01-24-2012, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streak

Wow. Many thanks for all of the replies.
Yes I have had my eyes on the mirage drive Hobies and have seen them in use. Really good stuff but at a huge price!

Assuming bay only usage, what's the smallest I could go that would still give enough stability and tracking. I would have to load it onto roof racks on the car, offload the other side and carry it down to the water.

From the Revolution at 11' 6" to the Pro at 13'8".

No need to carry when you have the wheels to roll it down to the water.

Streak · 01-25-2012, 08:22 AM

Again, thanks all for your useful input.
I hear what you are saying about conquering my issues with motion sickness but I know me! With the type fishing and fun I have been having in the bay (virtually on my doorstep) and off the beach I really do not see myself heading out sea.

Given this I dont want to go over the top as far as a kayak is concerned.

I have my half day on the water tomorrow in a yak and will be a whole lot better informed after that (Jim does know his stuff!!)

Streak · 03-25-2012, 11:59 AM

I had a great day on the water with Jim and found the OK very comfortable. Ihad the fly rod with me but fished mostly conventional gear.

I visited the FHS on Friday and had a long chat to the OEX folks who were very helpful.
They showed me a Wilderness Ride 115 which seemed nice and stable allowing you to stand up if desired.

Remember I really do get sea sick and will probably never head out to sea so I can size my yak according to bay conditions.

Many of the folks here really do punt the mirage drive hobies over any of the other kayaks but almost all of them are conventional gear anglers. In my tube I am fishing straight out in front of me. Many of the other fly fishing kayakers sit side ways with fins on to control the position of the yak they fish out in front of them. Given this it would seem a waste to have the mirage drive as it would be tough fishing out the front of a yak with all that yak in front of you.

Would the mirage drive be a waste of money given the type of fishing I will be doing?

I will be heading to OEX in Mission bay soon to do some test runs.

01-23-2012, 11:05 AM	#1
Streak Junior Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 15	Question from a prospective newb Hi all, I have lived inland all my life and recently moved to the coast. I have been loving the fly fishing here both off the beach and in the SD bay. My float tube has seen better days and its time to get something new. I figured why not look at all of the options including a kayak which is what brought me here. For me, the pros of the tube are comfort, hands free to fish while the legs do the work, portability, easy storage etc. The main con is not being able to travel great distances due to the drag of the tube and often battling against wind and current. Despite this I have been very fortunate in the places I have fished and have caught hundreds of fish in the 7 months I have been fishing here. I have always dreamed about one day owning a fishing kayak and heading out to sea. However I really do get sea sick. I borrowed a friends kayak, launched from Fletcher's cove and did a couple of miles towards LJ. I really started feeling ill and had to beach in a hurry!! So, if I were to get a kayak its only use would be to fish in the bay. My sessions in the tube last 3 to 4 hours (held to ransom by my bladder!). I am also concerned about lower back pain with ones legs stretched forward for so long. I am 6'1" 210lbs and at 52 my body is not as supple as it once was! Given the above would I still be a candidate for a kayak (inflatable or rigid) and if so what kind? I will be fishing the bay on Thursday in a kayak as a guest of someone who is using a guide service after which I will have a better idea. Thanks in advance!

01-23-2012, 11:14 AM	#2
fishsouthcounty Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Juan Capistrano, Ca Posts: 518	couple words for ya.... Hobie Pro Angler. do it.

01-23-2012, 11:18 AM	#5
kobra Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: oceanside Posts: 880	52 came and went a while ago for me. That being said, demo a Hobie with the mirage drive. Those are the peddle powered kayaks. You can check them out at http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/. OEX Oceanside will be glad to let you demo them.

01-23-2012, 12:08 PM	#8
Streak Junior Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 15	Wow. Many thanks for all of the replies. Yes I have had my eyes on the mirage drive Hobies and have seen them in use. Really good stuff but at a huge price! Assuming bay only usage, what's the smallest I could go that would still give enough stability and tracking. I would have to load it onto roof racks on the car, offload the other side and carry it down to the water. From the Revolution at 11' 6" to the Pro at 13'8".

01-25-2012, 08:22 AM	#14
Streak Junior Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 15	Again, thanks all for your useful input. I hear what you are saying about conquering my issues with motion sickness but I know me! With the type fishing and fun I have been having in the bay (virtually on my doorstep) and off the beach I really do not see myself heading out sea. Given this I dont want to go over the top as far as a kayak is concerned. I have my half day on the water tomorrow in a yak and will be a whole lot better informed after that (Jim does know his stuff!!)

03-25-2012, 11:59 AM	#15
Streak Junior Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 15	I had a great day on the water with Jim and found the OK very comfortable. Ihad the fly rod with me but fished mostly conventional gear. I visited the FHS on Friday and had a long chat to the OEX folks who were very helpful. They showed me a Wilderness Ride 115 which seemed nice and stable allowing you to stand up if desired. Remember I really do get sea sick and will probably never head out to sea so I can size my yak according to bay conditions. Many of the folks here really do punt the mirage drive hobies over any of the other kayaks but almost all of them are conventional gear anglers. In my tube I am fishing straight out in front of me. Many of the other fly fishing kayakers sit side ways with fins on to control the position of the yak they fish out in front of them. Given this it would seem a waste to have the mirage drive as it would be tough fishing out the front of a yak with all that yak in front of you. Would the mirage drive be a waste of money given the type of fishing I will be doing? I will be heading to OEX in Mission bay soon to do some test runs.