[SurfaceStrike]

I like what I see and read about the Cobra Fish and dive, but today on eBay I saw "The Ride" Yak for $ 849.00 with fishing setup and the Hobie Outback w/ a fishing package for $ 1,345. I know don't buy until you paddle. But do any of you guys have opinions on these two yaks? Also, can anyone recommend a good web site for used Yaks. Sorry if these questions have been in this forum before, I do not usually post or look here...Surf Guy. Thanks.

 

[621177]

I learned something from JonSS that particularly aplies to me. I researched the kayaks for a couple of month and made a list of four possible choices based on their populasrity among fishermen, stability, speed, and price. My list came down to the following options: Cobra Fish and Dive, Cobra Navigator, Cobra Explorer, and Cobra Tourer. All these kayaks are known and used by fishermen out here and I knew that if did not like the kayak I could always sell it and recover my money. I came across a Cobra kayak offered for sale in lake George for $450.00 The price was exelent and I took advantage of it. As it turned out it was the best buy I made. The Tourer is an exelent kayak, is fast, stable and have lots of space. In adition, it can carry up to 500 lbs. I did not appreciated all these things until I bought the kayak and began to use it. So, my recomendation for you is to find a used kayak popular for its use among fishermen buy it, try it and if you like it keep it and rig it. If you don't like it sell it and get your money back.

 

[618563]

that hobie model comes with a pedal system to you can run the kayak by pedaling..as if you were on a reclining bicycle at the gym..seems hard to launch in the surf with that system sticking out of the bottom of the yak.

the ride is a great kayak! many MANY guys i know fish off of them and like them. i want to try out the new model at a demo day that is going to happen next weekend. email me and ill give you more info.

 

[616271]

SS, I don't reccomend the Hobie as a first kayak. Its very specialized, expensive and very heavy and not laid out properly. I caution guys from buying an "angler" package, as they are often simply marketing and not set up by fisherman. What your needs are and those of a guy in an office is different. No two kayak fisherman have exactly the same needs or are the same size. Its best to customize a kayak.

The Ride is a good kayak for fishing although a dated design. There are at least a dozen kayaks that the guys in this region are using for fishing and there's a good reason. They work.

There are several factors that you need to consider. Also going to a demo day can be invaluable. Not only will you get to try out several models but you'll get to see rigged kayaks and meet others who kayak fish and see how they do things. I know that when I do a demo day lots of the guys show up and its very interactive.

If you email me at [email protected] I can direct you to more info and articles that will help to educate you.

 

[624424]

I just purchased the RIDE from Glacier Bay Sports in Brookhaven/Northport. Talk to Chris in the Brookhaven store, he'll at least match that price for you. He did for me.

 

[616271]

In addition, the Ride is a nice kayak to fish from. I've used one a bunch. The storage isn't great and though stable it doesn't like choppy water as its catamaran hull can't cut through.

 

[TomKat]

Hobie

I recently got the Hobie online for $1,295. It is a little heavy but very stable. launching from the beach is no problem. You just put in the pedal sytem after you get out. I cannot tell you how easy it handles and how nice it is to have your hands free. I took it to Hatteras last month and fished around the point. Birds working off the beach. The boys with the heavey 11ft bait slingers watched me catch and release 30+ blues a day using light spinning gear. The amount of distance I coverted and at the speed I was moving was superior to paddling. I have had two other yaks and am very pleased with this one. The setup is OK, but the peddling sytem makes up for it.

 

[619731]

SurfaceStrike

I have a WS Ride for sale. It is a great first yak...super stable and decent speed. It is listed on the For Sale forum.