Last week we received a rather large shipment of Hobie Kayaks, over 65 to be exact. Being only the second season of carrying Hobie kayaks those numbers should tell you something about how popular these boats were last season. Largely Hobie’s popularity is because of two things. The first, kayak fishing. This new phenomenon for the North West is gaining unbelievable momentum. Secondly, Hobie’s patented Mirage Drive pedal system is amazing. This propulsion system is somewhere between 2 and 3 times as efficient as a traditional paddle, and possibly best of all it's hands free. Hands free, and kayak fishing just seems to be no brainer.
Before I go any further I should probably bring you up to speed on my fishing career, or more accurately lack there of. Most of my fishing occurred 10+ years ago while on family canoeing trips. Most of my fishing was done for Rainbow Trout on remote northern rivers using a fly rod. So going out with a spinning rod in the local jet boat infested waters with aspirations of landing a salmon in a kayak were a little overwhelming at first.
Now, back to the boat. The Pro Angler is a fishing masterpiece that even a novice like myself can appreciate. The boat at first glance can be intimidating, it's packed with so many features that every time I get back on it I find something new and useful. With 8+ rod holders, several tackle boxes, a rudder, and several storage compartments this things is laid out with one objective in mind, catching fish.
Aside from the unbelievable efficiency of the Mirage drive the other thing that sets the Pro Angler aside from other fishing kayaks is the amazing stability. Unlike other fishing kayaks, that claim you can stand in them the Pro Angler really delivers on that. On more than one occasion while out on the Harrison River I had jet boaters go out of their way to make a little extra wake for me, even with a 2 foot rolling wave I was able to stay standing, much to the dismay of the red necks piloting the jet boats.
Aside from not actually catching anything yet I have had an amazing time on the water, in fact kayak fishing may have turned me back into a fisherman, all be it a non successful one yet.
If you haven’t yet tried fishing from a kayak I highly recommend you do, even when you don’t catch anything you get a lot more exercise than you do sitting at home watching the fishing channel or sitting shotgun in your buddy's noisy aluminum boat.
Ryan Bayes
Stay tuned for some kayak fishing specific events coming to the Fraser Valley next year. We are planning to host a kayak fishing seminar and possibly even a kayak fishing derby. Sign up for our email news letter to stay in the loop on upcoming events.
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