[ignoblis]

Hi all, recently found this forum and its fantastic!!!

I'm shortly heading up exmouth way for a years work and while I initially was going to get a tinny, the more I think about a kayak, the better it sounds.

I'm totally new to the kayaking game so would appreciate some advice. I am 85kg's, 195cm and will mostly be using the kayak (inside ningaloo reef) for casting poppers at GT's, lures and soft plastics for demersals (emperors, goldens etc.), and the odd bit of trolling (to and from locations?).

I would also occasionally use it as a spearfishing or scuba platform but this is not as important.

Given that I really want to be casting non stop (rather than trolling) I am really interested in the Hobie mirage drives. From what I've read they seem the popular choice. So far I think the outback has me sold but then I've not looked into the others as much. My only concern at the mo is the price? What accessories do you think are vital?

I'm also looking at a second perception synchro (two person) kayak on the weekend as the price is right, and I don't mind the idea of occassionally going out with my girlfriend, otherwise I may be banned from kayaking full stop. Does anyone have any experience with these? what do they retail for new? What are they like with just one person?

My one concern with the synchro is the weight. How would I go getting a kayak on and off a landcruiser roof rack, I imagine it shouldn't be too hard???

Any advice would be hugely appreciated, I have a bad feeling I'm going to become a yak modding junkie! :lol: :lol:

 

[Scott]

Mate, there are three Hobie dealers/distributors on the forum. They are SunHobie, Hobie Vic and HobieAus. A pm to either or all of them would result in you having a better idea between which Hobie would suit your needs best.

Catch ya Scott

 

[Polar]

Don't forget Outerlimits - located @ ? Sunshine coast - he is also a Hobie dealer

 

[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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[ignoblis]

Cheers redphoenix, I thought that may be the case. There is certainly a lot of variety out there that is for sure.

Has anyone else had a play with the viking nemo's??

 

[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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[eFishent]

G'day mate, I picked up an 07 Outback a couple of weeks ago and I've got to say "it's fantastic". It's as stable as a ship, has good pace and an excellent layout for fishing. On sunday I was out in Port Phillip Bay and tried out the sail kit in about 10 knot winds - wow, I was doing 8 maybe 10 kms an hour with a combination of "easy" peddle power and sail. I like to flick plastics too; it's so handy to not have to worry about a paddle. When you troll you can have your rod in your hand so you can impart some action into the lure ( I couldn't think of an unambiguous way to say that so no "cracks" all right) :lol:. It sounds like you like diversity, from my brief experience with the Outback so far , I think you'd never regret buying one. Hope it fits into your budget. Oh! don't let your girlfriend use it; she may force you to buy a second. Although that could be a good ploy. Best of luck deciding.

Cheers, Robbo

 

[jdbb]

The Outback is a great fishing platform. The 07 model is very stable, has heaps of storage, plenty of options to place all the gear you would want. The centre hatch is great - easy access to anything you want to put in the hull. Tackle trays on the side, stubbie holders, forget about the paddle - just peddle away leaving hands free for fishing, option to sail - couldn't ask for more.

 

[ignoblis]

Cheers everyone for your replies!!!

I think you have persuaded me with your post efishent,

I like to flick plastics too; it's so handy to not have to worry about a paddle. When you troll you can have your rod in your hand so you can impart some action into the lure

If I've got to troll I at least need to be imparting my own action, otherwise its cast and retrieve all the way.

What price are the outback 07's going for? and do you reccomend any add ons/optional extra's?

 

[PhilipL]

Geez Exmouth...theres some pretty big fish out that way, some toothy critters amongst them too. I'm all for the hobies (surprise surprise) and probably in the larger models - outback and adventure. The 'fish' models are completely setup too so all you need is a pfd and rods and you're on your way. A good item to add on the mirage drive hobies is the Ram rod tube - clears the rod from the deck (peddle + legs get in the way) and keeps them at easy reach.

Mate... spaniards, GT's, goldens, mangrove jacks, tuna, billfish, nor-west snapper, coral trout, barracuda, jumbo size tailor, lots a sharks, red emperor, wahoo, samson fish, queenies...can't wait to read your reports...oh, and forgot the nor-west blowie

 

[Cuda]

Hi Iggy and welcome to the site. I'm another Hobie Outback owner since late October and I'm very happy with my yak so far. I had a good look at the Adventure when I was making my purchase and they are probably a better pick for getting out offshore in good time - 16 foot and slightly less wide than the Outback at 12 foot and 0.86 metres wide.
I have been out off Geraldton the last two weeks in a reasonable 2 metre swell and have found my Outback very stable. There is bugger all diff in the weight of each yak - bout 2 kilos with the Outback being surprisingly slightly heavier.
If you are thinking of buying a Hobie, you could talk to Grant at Sailpower in Nedlands. He will give you the lowdown on the models. Outbacks go for around $2.5k and the Adventure is around $2.7k.
Not cheap, but fancy :lol:
All the best with your fishing at Exmouth too :wink:
Cheers

Cuda.

 

[polylureosis]

Ignoblis,

Try out the Outback (super stable) or the Revolution (Balanced) or the Adventure (Fast).

I gaurantee one of them will tickle your fancy.

I tried the Hobies and knew immediatley it was the one one for me.
Fisherman first - Kayaker (although I here the purists screaming already) second.
And while a fish is a fish is a fish. A fish caught on a cast and retrieve (preferablly on a surface lure) is what does it for me.
And the Hobie lets me do this more than if I was busy with a paddle.

Ash

 

[Davey G]

I've got nothing to add to your yak search, although do suggest that you take whatever type you're thinking about for a test paddle/peddle. it seems that whatever first yak you get you'll no doubt want to 'upgrade' after a while, after you find out what your limits are and when you get seriously hooked on this sport!.

I did just want to add however that I saw the biggest shark I've ever seen off the beach at Exmouth -I was beach fishing there with my old man back in about 1980 and saw a fin about 3 foot high cruising past the beach 30 feet off the shore. scary stuff. :shock:

good luck with your search and hope to see your reports of monster GTs soon!

 

[ignoblis]

And while a fish is a fish is a fish. A fish caught on a cast and retrieve (preferablly on a surface lure) is what does it for me.
And the Hobie lets me do this more than if I was busy with a paddle.

I here ya poly!

I did just want to add however that I saw the biggest shark I've ever seen off the beach at Exmouth -I was beach fishing there with my old man back in about 1980 and saw a fin about 3 foot high cruising past the beach 30 feet off the shore. scary stuff.

yeah thanks for that :wink:
I've seen many a big shark up that way, in and out of the water. Only one way to tackle your fears though...... gulp..... :shock:

 

[ignoblis]

Thanks everyone, I decided on the mirage outback and was very happy with it after the first run. Now its time to check out what mods I can do!