Hobie Pro Angler

[gramps50]

I have been thinking for a while that I want/need a kayak. I have a 16' jon boat with a 20 hp prop on it, trolling motor and all. Used the heck out of it the 1st year I had it, the next year not so much and last year I don't think I had it out at all. It's a nice boat and I enjoy it but needs to be a jet for around here especially as low as the water have been lately. I'm about 10 minutes from the lower meramec.

Back to the kayak, while looking at different kayaks for fishing I came across the Hobie Pro Angler with the Mirage drive. This seems like a really cool way to power a kayak especially when you want to fish from it. I am also a big boy at 6' and 275 lbs, plus 68 yrs old.

Does anyone have any experience with the Hobie Pro Angler?

Do you think that getting a kayak I would be biting off more that I can chew? I have no idea how hard on it would be to paddle and I also realize that the answer would also depend on the water. I could go to Simpson lake and get use to handling one before hitting the river.

The other thing is just how practical is a kayak for someone who normally fishes by themselves? I know in a lake it's not a big deal just paddle back to the insertion point. On a river it's a different story. from reading the post here it appears that you yak guys put in at one place then float to another. This doesn't seem like it would work for a loner.

Thanks

[Ham]

The Pro drive would be cool for lakes and ponds, but it would be of little value on the creeks and rivers I fish.

[moguy1973]

They are very heavy too. Upwards of 120lbs. I don't think the mirage drive would work well on the river unless you stick to the extreme lower Meramec like below Fenton where it's mostly deep. They are nice boats from what I've seen for lakes though.

[fishinwrench]

What's the problem with the Jon/20 prop ?

If it's too shallow to run (less than calf deep) just step out and walk the boat over the shoal. To hell with a kayak unless you have to portage over dry land !

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Contact the Alpine Shop, they usually have demo days on Creve Cours lake. You can try it, and speak to others who may have experience with them. I would be afraid of the one you mentioned would break the "fins" on some shallow rock. Just my thoughts.

[gramps50]

Contact the Alpine Shop, they usually have demo days on Creve Cours lake. You can try it, and speak to others who may have experience with them. I would be afraid of the one you mentioned would break the "fins" on some shallow rock. Just my thoughts.

From the videos it looks like the paddles might be some kind of rubber. You can also get both paddles to go flush to the bottom of the yak. The Mirage drive come out real easy so in shallow water you could pop it out of it's hole and paddle too.

I saw a video a while ago where they took a Watersnake trolling motor and mounted it through the Mirage drive plug. You steered the yak with the rudder.

[Ham]

Everyone is different, but to me, I love having the boat and a paddle. I love the simplicity of that. I don't want a drive system and I sure as heck don't want a TM and a battery complicating things. But that's just me.

[moguy1973]

Everyone is different, but to me, I love having the boat and a paddle. I love the simplicity of that. I don't want a drive system and I sure as heck don't want a TM and a battery complicating things. But that's just me.

And I believe the moment you add a trolling motor to a kayak it has to be registered...No thanks.

[gramps50]

And I believe the moment you add a trolling motor to a kayak it has to be registered...No thanks.

I know that trolling motors aaren't registered any more in Mo. Is something to think about.

[moguy1973]

I think all motorized vessels regardless of length that aren't soley propelled by oars or paddles are required to register (the boat itself, not the trolling motor though)