First trip in the books. Initial thoughts/observations

1. The Pro Angler and Mirage Drive aren't any easier than just paddling around - they're just better. I got just as much of a workout from peddling as I did paddling. That may simply be because I'm used to the paddle more than the pedal, but it's just the truth as I see/felt it. But, it was MUCH better. A lot easier to steer/track/set up for a cast.

2. It takes a lot of time to get comfortable. There are so many adjustments, angles and settings, it's going to take a while to get it all the way I like it. Love the seat, but I can tell I'm gonna have to play with it and the pedal adjustment a while to get it just right.

3. The mirage drive fin occasionally boinks the bottom of the yak. Every time it happened (because I peddled all the way to the end and caused it to do so) it scared the hell out of me. Just something to note. As I got more and more used to it that stopped happening.

4. It's not a magic boat. You'll still hate the wind, and you'll still curse having to re-adjust every so often when the waves or current move you out of the way. It's not going to just sit in one spot because it's a great, expensive boat - it's still work to get it just right. But it's a lot better than it used to be!

5. Don't forget your rudder. It's easy to remember the mirage drive when you're coming up to shallow water, but don't forget the rudder. It's a simple pull of the rope there, so just do it.

You've stated all the main areas to adjust and get used to in the PA...lol. At least the rudder is spring loaded so if you drag the bottom, it will lift up towards the hull. It took me a few trips to get the seat where I wanted it. Never used the lumbar until I had about 12 trips in the seat. I was so used to the old style seat in the 2012 PA.

If I have everything adjusted I usually do not tap the hull with the fins unless I happen to sit a little forward on after doing something in the forward area. Being a freshwater fisherman...being quiet is a key.

I know what you mean about the wind. It has a lot of hull surface. When I do fish the saltwater creeks in the Jax area, I have to work the rudder and a few pedal strokes when I'm going with the current to keep the tracking where I want it. Glad the initial outing went well for you.

Tight lines!

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Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

A big redeeming feature of the rudder on the PA is it's spring loaded to hold it down when the line has been released....so if you happen to encounter a foreign object under water, it will move upwards until it clears the object.
In the case of running aground, the rudder will still "give upwards against the spring tension" and you still need to raise it to the full up and locked position before trying to move backwards/reverse.

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

I discovered last year that with a cooler and a landing net behind me, there was no way to keep on track in a brisk wind - too much "sail area" back there. The stern would blow downwind in a gust unless I was really trucking along. Slow trolling was out.

I have my pedals adjusted so that I can just hit full travel with my knees straight. Then I make sure to always have a slight bend in them when I pedal. That keeps the fins from slapping the hull. I also found that raising the seat a bit greatly improved the angle of my legs to the pedals. With the seat at factory position (mine is the pre-Vantage seat) it felt as though my feet were above my butt - a very uncomfortable position. I raised the seat 3" with wooden risers and it is MUCH more comfortable. I can now pedal for hours with no fatigue. It also added to the under-seat storage room, a real bonus.

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Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult
Pro Angler-14 owner

yeah, yeah... but did you CATCH anything??? LOL

It took me about an hour to get adjusted and then a couple of trips to keep from slapping the hull. You'll get there.
I got out yesterday for about 4.5 hours. The wind was 8 - 10 so I had to peddle the entire time I was out there. I don't peddle hard most of the time. I'd say one stroke per second. When I first put in and when I move from one spot to another I pick it up to save time. On the way in, I gave it all I had and only got up to about 5.2 mph and I was spent after about 200 yards.


Oh, fished some 1 - 2' water for about an hour. Got some "flutter kick" practice in. I can get decent speed fluttering, btw.

Most importantly, I caught a couple of keepers (15" min on Guntersville). Tough day. I did have some fun chasing a drum... never got a good look but I was throwing a rattlebait on braid so I wasn't taking it easy on her. She just pulled off before I got her close enough determine size. If I had to guess, I'd say between 10 and 12 lbs. Even trash fish are fun in a Hobie. But that was all the bites I got... A bad day fishing is still better than a great day at work.

BTW - your old paddle-grounds are flood stage right now.

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Tight Lines and Slime!
Jiggy

A bad day fishing beats a good day at work every time!

It's dang near impossible to fish the Banana River and NOT catch fish. If I wanted to I bet I could catch close to 100 trout in a day - some small, some decent, and a few really nice ones.
Redfish and snook are the ones I'm chasing now. And, soon, I will be going after tarpon.
Before all that, though, I will be going after some bucket-mouths in Lake Washington. But that's next trip...

Are you glad you got it?

Im in Broward maybe Ill drive up with mine and do some fishing

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2014 Pro Angler 14 Dune
2013 Outback Papaya

Military Police, USAR SFC

Broward County Florida

Sarge, I'm lovin it!
Looking forward to getting it in the water a few more times to get everything worked out right.

Glad to hear the PA is working out well for you!

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Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

Whew
Thats great Im getting mine wet this weekend hopefully both days

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2014 Pro Angler 14 Dune
2013 Outback Papaya

Military Police, USAR SFC

Broward County Florida

I fished Saturday. The weather was awesome! Barefoot and shorts weather. Didn't look at the Sunday forecast. Got up early Sunday morning and went out on the lake. It was foggy and just a little cool. Then I started hearing the thunder and it was getting closer. Got in before the bad stuff hit. Same weather that delayed the Daytona 500...lol.

I'll be out this weekend as long as the weather allows!

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Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

Steve I can't wait
Are you by chance doing the DOA tourney in Jenson Beach in April


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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2014 Pro Angler 14 Dune
2013 Outback Papaya

Military Police, USAR SFC

Broward County Florida

About the only saltwater tournament I enter is the Jax Classic in May. I do that because it's for a great cause and not expecting to win anything. Jensen beach is a long way to go for me. I'm primarily a freshwater guy at heart. I have saltwater fished about a dozen times since getting into kayak fishing. After decades of bass tournaments under my belt, I fish mostly for the relaxation, so I keep my tournament days limited.

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Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

Man understand That now I remember you up a ways when in JAX tourney might join ya

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2014 Pro Angler 14 Dune
2013 Outback Papaya

Military Police, USAR SFC

Broward County Florida

The Classic is May 10th. The Captains Meeting is Friday evening the 9th. You always get your entry fee back in the Captains Bag, food, etc. Great event. Here's the link to the registration page. If you pay before the March timeline, you will save $15.

http://www.jacksonvillekayakfishingclas ... rmdsaj.php

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Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass