Return to Hobie.com
Hobie Forums
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 3:37 pm

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 4:51 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 9:26 am
Posts: 11
HI all,
the time finally came with low March wind and water temps that indicate the crappie are ready to spawn so I took my new PA out for a spin. I was utterly amazed at how well this yak/boat moves along with the Mirage drive. This thing beats the hell out of paddling for me. I caught up easily with a Necky and Tarpon sit-in and I think they were amazed as well. Does it catch fish? I got my answer in the first 10 minutes. All day long other fisherman were going "where do you get that"...."that is cool"......."how much did that cost"...."did you catch fish in that thing". I learned a lot on my first time out in a yak. You have know your space or you will snag your stringer, your anchor line, or other poles as I did. I think I was concentrating too much on my depth and keeping the fin masts healthy during the breeze as I was close to a rocky shore. Although trolling with one pole and casting with the other produced fish....I had to use some "line" management when not pedaling. I've never used an anchor before and managing 70 feet of nylon rope in the boat when the anchor is up is a pain (any suggestions out there?). I have a trolley coming which should help my direction and a heavier anchor than 1.5lbs is probably needed too. My little anchor kept the PA down to a slow troll in the breeze, never really stopped the drift. Also I should use the cooler for the fish. The stringer of fish seemed to slow me down heading home. Anyhow I had a blast....I put 6 hours on the boat and never felt that I was too far away to return. What a ride......now it time for a fish finder.
Jack


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 5:48 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2010 12:36 pm
Posts: 164
Location: Michigan
Hello Jack, welcome to the forum!
It sounds like you had a good maiden voyage and have no regrets with your PA purchase. You'll develop a line and space management system that will become second nature in no time. Congrats!

GR8 Laker


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 6:03 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Thu Jan 28, 2010 9:43 am
Posts: 168
Congratulations on a successful first trip in your Pro Angler.

One of the better anchors for kayaks is a Bruce Claw anchor. I believe mine is 2.5 lbs but it holds me in water up to 30 feet.
I carry the Bruce Claw in one of those rod holders behind the seat and coil the anchor rope up and place it behind the seat. I, also, us an anchor trolley that allows me to position my yak pretty much were I want to.

Here is a pic of a Bruce Claw anchor and how to rig it.

Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 6:37 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2010 7:10 am
Posts: 90
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Hmmm, interesting info. I had planned on using my little folding one left over from my Outback, didn't think it would do much holding. Might have to get a new anchor.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 5:13 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:49 am
Posts: 176
Do some checking about proper anchoring and you'd be surprised how good a smaller anchor will hold you in place. All things taken into consideration of course. I find myself anchoring less anyways so I've made many trips without the anchor. I do use a stake out pole. Anchoring in 15 to 20 foot of water requires more anchor "rode" than I want to carry with me. My anchoring is usually in less than 6-8 foot of water. Bow into the current, an occasional flip of the pedals and I can stay still in almost anything. Drifting along a "light line" or across the current is another maneuver that you'll enjoy. Slight rudder, little pedal, and side-slip across a current, with or without anchoring. Damn I love these Hobies..... where else do you find a forum based solely on the performance, in's and outs, tricks and habits of a kayak? Looking at my wx forecast, I'll be out this week enjoying it some more. :)

_________________
Yakkingaway
Portsmouth, VA


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:12 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2010 7:10 am
Posts: 90
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Cool, Opening Day here April 1st so hopefully I'll get out to test the PA a bit more.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 8:06 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:29 am
Posts: 421
I throw a bag of ice in the front compartment and my food and water go in there. any fish I catch get thrown on the ice as well, if it is not too hot it works ok.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 6:24 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2010 12:33 pm
Posts: 252
Location: Virginia - Pro Angler 14 owner since Feb 2010
There was discussion in another post about lining the cover of the front hatch with closed cell foam as a way to obtain a better hatch seal as well as to insulate the compartment.

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=78&t=16360&hilit=hatch+leak

TDK

_________________
Anonymous - "The gods do not subtract from the alloted span of men's lives the hours spent fishing."


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Jump to:  
© Hobie Cat Company. All rights reserved.
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group