PRO vs OUTBACK - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

tsugg · 05-18-2014, 08:34 AM

Can anyone shed some light on the differences between fishing in a pro angler vs fishing in a outback? I was just wondering about the feel(stability) if someone has fished both of them. I have my PA14 BUT I was thinking about how much lighter the OB would be to haul around.
We were at fastlane yesterday looking at yaks for the wife and my two boys and the sales guy was talking about what a work horse the OB is and it got me thinking about all the weight I'm hauling around(me as well)in the PA. I bought the PA because I'm an overweight 61 yr. old and I thought the PA would be like a big boat as far as stability goes, but I've found I keep the seat in the low pos. and when I crawl around front to back it can be pretty unstable,not what I had hoped for.So with that in my mind I thought maybe the OB would be about the same as the PA stability wise, but a lot lighter to haul around.
Any thoughts from those who has fished both?

momo fish · 05-18-2014, 08:49 AM

If you feel unstable in a PA you will be feel more unable in a OB. I don't have a PA but this is just from testing it. Outbacks are plenty stable when sitting. Best part is ability to throw on your back and carry it to launch.

FISH11 · 05-18-2014, 11:53 AM

If the PA feels unstable if moving around the deck the Outback is going to be worse. There is a lot less deck area to need to access, so you shouldn't need to move around as much. The Outback is a lot lighter but all Hobies weigh a lot more than other brands in the same size catagory. You just have to decide if peddaling is better for you then Paddling. If you want to have an easier time with the hauling around weight than get an Outback or other brand (wide 31" to 33") for stability and simply add the outriggers that can be added to them to make them supper stable. There are aftermarket outrigger (small side pontoons) like Scotty and Hobie even has them. They are detachable, some use Scotty mounts, so when you don't want then on there isn't a thing to get in the way. The add ons sound more like what you need and hardly weigh anything and you could even add them to your PA. Hobie sells the add on as a Sidekick AMA kit.

tsugg · 05-18-2014, 04:36 PM

muchos grasseass!

CKallday71 · 05-18-2014, 04:52 PM

I love my Outback. Takes a licking and keeps on hauling my fat arse out! I've found it to be VERY stable although for some reason I feel like it lists to the right some times. Could be my ear problem though.

tsugg · 05-18-2014, 06:27 PM

I love it (PA)on the water, it's the haulin that can be a little difficult at times

05-18-2014, 08:34 AM	#1
tsugg LOWSPARK Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: CARLSBAD Posts: 251	PRO vs OUTBACK Can anyone shed some light on the differences between fishing in a pro angler vs fishing in a outback? I was just wondering about the feel(stability) if someone has fished both of them. I have my PA14 BUT I was thinking about how much lighter the OB would be to haul around. We were at fastlane yesterday looking at yaks for the wife and my two boys and the sales guy was talking about what a work horse the OB is and it got me thinking about all the weight I'm hauling around(me as well)in the PA. I bought the PA because I'm an overweight 61 yr. old and I thought the PA would be like a big boat as far as stability goes, but I've found I keep the seat in the low pos. and when I crawl around front to back it can be pretty unstable,not what I had hoped for.So with that in my mind I thought maybe the OB would be about the same as the PA stability wise, but a lot lighter to haul around. Any thoughts from those who has fished both?

05-18-2014, 11:53 AM	#3
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	If the PA feels unstable if moving around the deck the Outback is going to be worse. There is a lot less deck area to need to access, so you shouldn't need to move around as much. The Outback is a lot lighter but all Hobies weigh a lot more than other brands in the same size catagory. You just have to decide if peddaling is better for you then Paddling. If you want to have an easier time with the hauling around weight than get an Outback or other brand (wide 31" to 33") for stability and simply add the outriggers that can be added to them to make them supper stable. There are aftermarket outrigger (small side pontoons) like Scotty and Hobie even has them. They are detachable, some use Scotty mounts, so when you don't want then on there isn't a thing to get in the way. The add ons sound more like what you need and hardly weigh anything and you could even add them to your PA. Hobie sells the add on as a Sidekick AMA kit. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids ) Last edited by FISH11; 05-18-2014 at 12:02 PM. Reason: added more info

05-18-2014, 04:52 PM	#5
CKallday71 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: The 951 Posts: 430	I love my Outback. Takes a licking and keeps on hauling my fat arse out! I've found it to be VERY stable although for some reason I feel like it lists to the right some times. Could be my ear problem though. __________________ I fish therefore I am. Selling cars since 2006. If you love what you do you never WORK a day in your life.

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05-18-2014, 08:49 AM	#2
momo fish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Camarillo Posts: 1,491	If you feel unstable in a PA you will be feel more unable in a OB. I don't have a PA but this is just from testing it. Outbacks are plenty stable when sitting. Best part is ability to throw on your back and carry it to launch.

05-18-2014, 04:36 PM	#4
tsugg LOWSPARK Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: CARLSBAD Posts: 251	muchos grasseass!

05-18-2014, 06:27 PM	#6
tsugg LOWSPARK Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: CARLSBAD Posts: 251	I love it (PA)on the water, it's the haulin that can be a little difficult at times