I'm starting to think about Dungeness season, assuming that isn't cancelled, too. Have any of you used the lie-flat hoop nets, and would you recommend them? They sure seem lighter and easier to manage than the promar ambush (volcano-shaped) traps.

If you recommend the lie-flat hoop nets, what size should I buy?

Thanks.

Question for all you Compass owners out there. I have a 2021 Compass with the stock circular hatch between the kayaker's legs. Like many Compass owners, I want to replace the circular hatch with a rectangular hatch, so I purchased the "vertically-oriented" rectangle hatch. It is supposed to be installed such that the long sides of the rectangle run "north-south" (bow to stern). The hatch door hinges at the "top" (the side closest to the pedal drive). I think this is the way the Outback's included rectangle hatch is situated.

I took the new rectangle hatch out of the box and, just eyeballing it, I am questioning whether it will fit in my Compass. It is not so much the space above deck, but the space below deck that concerns me.  There are two scuppers near the front edge of the seat, with below-deck posts.  Then the pedal drive well has below-deck walls too. I question whether the below-deck hardware for the vertically-oriented hatch will fit between the below-deck architecture of the aforementioned scuppers and drive well. The below-deck hardware might be too long.

If you browse the Hobie aftermarket installation videos, they install the rectangle hatch in a horizontal orientation, which is a different product than the one I have (the hinges for the hatch door would be on the "long" side of the rectangle). 

Any thoughts? Has anyone successfully installed the vertically-oriented rectangle hatch on the Compass? Do I need to exchange the vertically-oriented rectangle hatch for the horizontally-oriented one? The Compass is a bit shorter than the Outback so it is not a given that the hatch will fit. Obviously, I would like to know if this works before I start cutting a big old rectangle in my deck.

Many thanks, team.

So I did it... bought my first fishing kayak. I got a really good deal on a Hobie Compass.  And I'm looking to all you awesome experts for advice on accessories.  First, a cart.  The salesperson sold me a Trax 2-30, could not believe how expensive it was, and thinking of returning it. I'm thinking the Hobie Trax 2 is plenty of cart and would work on both the beach, dirt, grass, and pavement at $50 less. Or maybe an off-brand scupper cart off of amazon for hundreds less.  So, I guess the first question is: for the money, trax 2-30, trax 2 or off-brand?

Second question - what brand crate?  The Hobie H crate looks pretty awesome but it's $160. The Yak Attack blakpak pro also looks awesome for about $150. Yak Attack also makes a milk crate with two rod holders and the option to add a livewell for $40.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

I love fishing and I love the idea of fishing from an ocean-going kayak.  But I've never done it before, and before I start plunking down thousands of dollars on this hobby of yours, I'm looking for a reality check.  What are the pros and cons of purchasing a kayak (and related gear) versus a small boat and trailer (and related gear)? Storage, related gear, launch locations, and even cost are all different, I'm sure.

For context, I am a 55 y.o. male in reasonably good physical condition. Up to this point in life, I have been strictly a shore and charter boat fisherman. I owned a canoe for years so I am not terribly afraid of kayaking but I've never owned any water vessel other than the canoe. I would like to use my vessel to fish for everything - salmon and groundfish in the ocean, halibut and stripers in SF bay, maybe even sturgeon. Also: salmon in the Sac River and trout or bass fishing in FW lakes.

If this is the wrong board for this thread, perhaps the mods can move it to the correct board. I'm new here. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.