[Stalker]

Hi all,

Great forum - I've been engrossed for a few hours and I now know a hell of a lot more about kayak fishing than i did at the same time yesterday - but I'm still a bit confused as to which yak to go for.
I want to get one this week...I've missed out on enough of the snapper season already this year. So what else do i want to do with it beside snapper fishing in Port Phillip and Western Port bays?
1. A lot of offshore 'game' fishing stuff in Bass Strait - out of Phillip Island - as well as a couple of times a year on the South Coast of NSW - off Green Cape etc
2. Quite a bit of spearfishing - same locations
3. a small amount of river/lakes stuff - the Goulbourn river and Eildon etc
4. Take the kids (small) out for spin off the local beach every now and again.

I must admit that I do like the thought of covering as much distance as possible as quickly as possible - so speed is important.

At the moment I'm leaning strongly towards a Hobie Adventure Fish - with Turbo Fins - seems like the fasted thing on the water at the moment - and I guess you can take the Mirage Drive out if you want an upper body work-out for a change.

I'm 6'4", 90kg's and quite fit.

Any comments/help greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

 

[SharkNett]

Stalker,

I developed an interest in getting a yak and found this site about a year ago with pretty much the same guidelines as you. I originally just wanted something to exercise outside the gym, but then the idea of taking a couple of troll lines along got me thinking.

Unfortunately I am still waiting till I can move to a house that has the neccessary storage. Shouldn't be long now though.

The kayaks of most interest so far have been the OK Prowler 15 and Elite, Viking Predator and most recently the Hobie Adventure. My only doubt with the Hobie is that if you decide to leave the mirage drive at home and want to use of the rudder it still has to be operated by hand.

By the time I get moved the new fiberglass unit being produced by Fishmatic may also be a contender.

Good luck with your search.

Rob.

 

[SharkNett]

Nearly forgot. These 2 threads are probably also of interest to you.

http://www.akff.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3861

http://www.akff.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3966

Rob.

 

[Phoenix]

Possible the Malibau X-Factor is more suitable for spear fishing because it has a hatch just behind the seat - you don't want loose spear guns whilst trying to do a bar crossing or surf launch.

Gavin would know better than I as he has an X-Factor.

 

[RedPhoenix]

Unfortunately, due to the change in ownership of this web site and the lack of response by the owners to my requests to remove my email address from all administrative-level notifications and functionality, I have decided to remove my posts on AKFF. Thank you for the great times, the fantastic learning experiences and the many many fish. If you are desperate for the old content of this particular post, it is available below base64 encoded and bzip2 compressed.

Red.

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[Stalker]

Thanks very much for the help - much appreciated . I'm Leaning strongly towards the Adventure...until the wife has asked me this morning why i don't get a mirage tandem - that way she can come along occassionally.

Is there anyone on the forum that knows the difference in Hull speed between the Mirage Tandem and the Adventure - with the Tandem having just one person pedaling?

Would the Tandem, with two fit people, be faster than one fit person on the Adventure?

Cheers

 

[RedPhoenix]

Unfortunately, due to the change in ownership of this web site and the lack of response by the owners to my requests to remove my email address from all administrative-level notifications and functionality, I have decided to remove my posts on AKFF. Thank you for the great times, the fantastic learning experiences and the many many fish. If you are desperate for the old content of this particular post, it is available below base64 encoded and bzip2 compressed.

Red.

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[paffoh]

Its a speedy beast when both drives are blazing hard but the hull design is a lot wider than other Kayaks mentioned, meaning a slower tracking.
Using solo with your gear in the front will help reduce hull slap but in windy or swelled conditions you could take up to a couple of litres on through the rudder cord holes.

Not sure how it would handle swell but i dont think its the best choice for offshore work of any kind ( Just my opinion mate :wink: ), Its a great tandem kayak but im already thinking of buying a solo yak too.

Hope that helps, id go a Revolution or Adventure mate if budget permits!

 

[Stalker]

OK - It's down to these two. Is the Revolution available in Australia yet?

I'm leaning towards the adventure due to it being a bit quicker (presumably)...any reason i'd go the Revolution over the Adventure?

Cheers

 

[RedPhoenix]

Unfortunately, due to the change in ownership of this web site and the lack of response by the owners to my requests to remove my email address from all administrative-level notifications and functionality, I have decided to remove my posts on AKFF. Thank you for the great times, the fantastic learning experiences and the many many fish. If you are desperate for the old content of this particular post, it is available below base64 encoded and bzip2 compressed.

Red.

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

 

[Shoey]

Another kayak to look at could be the Perception 'Napoli'. I had a look at these recently and was very impressed with them. A slightly longer and narrower version of the Swing and from memory had better storage too. Im surprised these havent been more popular as a fishing yak.

 

[Dodge]

Another kayak to look at could be the Perception 'Napoli'. I had a look at these recently and was very impressed with them.

Gerard one of the WA members bought one a few months ago and gave it a big wrap for fishing

 

[Stalker]

Thanks all for your help. I'm officially joining the kayak fishing fraternity having just placed an order with Scott (Lovig Hobie - also a member of this forum i've just realised..duh) for two Hobie Adventures - one for me and one for my fishing and diving buddy. Picking them up later this week and will hit the water for some shake down cruising and fishing almost immediately i reckon.

I've owned numerous boats (stink boats i think you call them??) over the past 20 years - ranging from 12 foot tinnies to a 42 foot displacement cruiser - and fished and dived out of all of them. It is very weird that this Yak has me more excited and anxious to get back on the water than any of them....I just love the concept - and the 100% reliance on the pedal and arm power. ahhhh...no more diesel bills, engine maintenance, anti fowling, marina fees, boat ramp fees, trailer maintenance, outboard or diesel fumes...oh..perhaps that's why you call them stink boats.

As i said...bring it on.

will hopefully be getting back to you all with some positive trip and catch reports

 

[paffoh]

Congratulations on your purchases!

 

[RedPhoenix]

Unfortunately, due to the change in ownership of this web site and the lack of response by the owners to my requests to remove my email address from all administrative-level notifications and functionality, I have decided to remove my posts on AKFF. Thank you for the great times, the fantastic learning experiences and the many many fish. If you are desperate for the old content of this particular post, it is available below base64 encoded and bzip2 compressed.

Red.

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[Dodge]

It is very weird that this Yak has me more excited and anxious to get back on the water than any of them....I just love the concept - and the 100% reliance on the pedal and arm power.

Mate many here have come to the same pleasurable conclusion :wink: congrats on the new yaks

 

[Guest]

Well done with the new yaks Stalker.....

Looking forward to hearing some reports once they arrive.

Spearfishing is certainly a ballsy way to fish mate, and doing it from a kayak even more so IMO, your a braver man than me mate

Again, congrats on the purchase