Old cyclist, new kayak fisherman...

Hey all, PelagicPredator, AKA Noah. I'm a long time cyclist and fisherman (way more biking than fishing), looking to get into kayak fishing. Since a kid I've wanted a pedal powered boat, and it's about time I get one, but don't have one yet.

I've been kayaking a bunch, and kayak fished once with Allen Bushnell out of Capitola.

I'm demoing a Hobie Adventure Island this week -- I like the idea of being able to sail if necessary, and the extra stability of the amas. 

The main reason I haven't bought a kayak yet is I'm not sure where I'd be able to store it, and want to be sure I can transport it with my car.

Looking forward to meeting you all. I live in Mountain View, if anyone is interested in meeting up / sharing a ride to the coast, let me know.

Noah

Welcome Pelagic! A former cyclist myself...definitely get a pedal drive yak, whatever Hobie, etc. that may be. It's a nice transition from a bike as you still get to use your legs. Personally, I find kayak fishing WAY more exciting that cycling!  Hope to see you on the water!

Welcome to NCKA, Noah.   

Welcome, Noah. I am a former cyclist myself. Pedal drive kayaks are amazing for fishing, though I sometimes admire the simplicity of a paddle kayak. I have an Adventure Island, but I only use it occasionally because setting it up and hauling it around is a chore. It transports fine on any vehicle with 48 inch roof rack bars and some way to tie down the bow. I am just up the road from you in San Mateo; hope to see you on the water.

Hi Noah
Go to the north side of your house where the sun shines very little. Hopefully you have some amount of roof overhanging the house exterior wall there. Hang your kayak from beneath that overhang.
Kris

Welcome, PP. I have an AI and use it all the time. If you like to troll, there is no better way...

Welcome to another madness  . Did 1 century ride at Subaru Classic in 2017 n lots of half century rides. Very few rides for 2019.
Hv a 2008 AI n still very functional.
I transport it in my 2008 Prius. Later on, I'll show you how I roll.
The most difficult part for me is toploading it at 5 am just by myself but figured our a way. Also made me a rack extender so I can offload it by myself but seldom use it coz of the brotherhood
I live just south of you in Santa Clara.
C u otw soon.
Danny

Welcome to another madness  . Did 1 century ride at Subaru Classic in 2017 n lots of half century rides. Very few rides for 2019.
Hv a 2008 AI n still very functional.
I transport it in my 2008 Prius. Later on, I'll show you how I roll.
The most difficult part for me is toploading it at 5 am just by myself but figured our a way. Also made me a rack extender so I can offload it by myself but seldom use it coz of the brotherhood
I live just south of you in Santa Clara.
C u otw soon.
Danny

I cartopped my AI for a year, but got a trailer a couple years ago and now use that whenever possible. With a trailer, it's so easy to get on (and off) the water that it's ridiculous. Of course, the downside is that a trailer limits the places where you can launch...

You might consider starting with an older Adventure hull which has the set up for out riggers and mast if you later go that route. I have a 2012 Adventure and have never added pontoons. Adventures are quite stable. I use mine offshore mainly. They are not hard to put on a vehicle solo if you figure out a system that suits your vehicle. I have a van that I built removable racks for and load it from the back by resting the prow on the bumper then lift from the middle and place the front of the yak on the van roof then go to the back of the kayak and lift and slide it into the rack cradles. One reduces the total lift weight at any one time this way. I've also had a biking background but the Hobie pedal system isn't the same as turning bike pedals full revolution. Trying to really crank on them exhausts muscles in a hurry. Kind of like climbing a 20 percent grade on a road bike. Perfect yaks for hand free fishing. Really good at maintaining position when the wind or tide wants to move you from a spot.

Current cyclist and still new kayak fisherman welcome you to NCKA.

I enjoy riding my road bike along American River Park trail but enjoys fishing off my Hobie kayaks much more.
My wife and I take our Hobie Oasis as much as we can and also enjoys sharing our catch to friends.

Paul

You might consider starting with an older Adventure hull ...

+1

I pedaled a Hobie Adventure for a couple of years before upgrading to a full Adventure Island (AI). The Adventure model is essentially the pre-2015 equivalent of the Revolution 16, but setup so that you can pretty easily build it out to a full trimaran sailboat/AI. Unfortunately, Hobie doesn't sell the upgrade kit anymore, and it's virtually impossible to find all of the necessary parts at a reasonable price (better off just buying a used AI).

Another thing... If you're looking to save some money, good deals can usually be had on pre-2015 Hobies, as that's when they changed to the lawn chair style seat on most models.

Welcome! 

Took you long enough!!

Always good to test drive a few models before shelling out the big bucks.  I'm using an Old Town PDL these days and for trolling  on the ocean, it's great.  AI's get you further faster and safer despite the add'l hassle of storage and deployment.

Check out the fishing reports you see the Monster Kayak fishermen that use the AI.

(And, this from an OK, OT Pro-staffer)

Bushy

Welcome aboard Noah 

Welcome, Noah.