New member, first report: nph 1/2/17 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

DanaPT · 01-11-2017, 06:31 PM

Buy a hobie peddle kayak and another paddle kayak on the cheap.

Buying a tandem means you have to rely on others to get full use. I think kayak fishing is best on your own. You on a hobie can easily tow your fishing buddy around.

Dave Legacy · 01-11-2017, 07:35 PM

I have a Malibu Pro 2 Tandem that I use both alone or with one of my boys (I have 4 under 11). Rigging a tandem is a challenge, especially if you plan to use it in a solo configuration as well, but it's possible and not a terrible experience. The biggest shortcoming is lacking a spot for a livewell, but I have rigged a bait tube in case I want to catch a few macks. I also rigged a fish finder that can be used in the solo or tandem layout. I'm not overly thrilled with the build quality of the Malibu though and will probably buy a Jackson Big Tuna for my next tandem kayak.

My father-in-law has a Hobie Oasis and it's lightning fast in comparison; A truly great boat, but not a good solo kayak. I had seriously considered the Hobie Odyssey, which can accommodate a Hobie Livewell and a solo configuration.

Sometimes if it's just me and my 4-year-old anchoring up in the bay and soaking baits near the eel grass I'll face his seat toward me, which works pretty well. It wouldn't work for a bigger kid though.

King Saba · 01-11-2017, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaPT

Buy a hobie peddle kayak and another paddle kayak on the cheap.

Buying a tandem means you have to rely on others to get full use. I think kayak fishing is best on your own. You on a hobie can easily tow your fishing buddy around.

It's actually pretty hard to tow another kayak with a hobie. The tow line gets caught up in the rudder quite frequently. Did this once with my buddy, and it was a challenge.

PapaDave · 01-12-2017, 06:59 AM

Get a used PA14, I made a seat that fit on the back for the grand kids, worked pretty good until they got bigger.

Also put a low beach chair on the back of an Outback, which worked pretty well.

Or get a PA17, works good solo or with a passenger. A bit pricey but if you take your kids out a lot over the years it will be a good investment long term.

Harry Hill · 01-12-2017, 07:23 AM

I have the Malibu Pro2 Tandem. I have it mostly set up to fish solo from and I'm using a seat from an Ascend kayak over the hatch. The problem with that is I can't use the big hatch. But I have my rails and rod holders set up to fish either solo or in tandem if the wife is along. I'm not sure the weight of a child though would be enough to balance it as a tandem. I do have a live bait tank that I either set behind the back seat or behind the middle seat. It is okay for what I purchased it for but in reality I will buy myself a single place kayak for fishing alone. I don't like fishing with a wet butt all day and the back seat on the P2T is always wet, it doesn't drain. The good thing about the kayak is it was cheap because I bought a blem on sale from OEX so I'm not out a ton of money and I can park it and not feel bad because I'm not using it. If money is an issue I would say it is a good kayak for the money but there are better rigs out there if you have the money to spend.

01-12-2017, 06:59 AM	#4
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,480	Get a used PA14, I made a seat that fit on the back for the grand kids, worked pretty good until they got bigger. Also put a low beach chair on the back of an Outback, which worked pretty well. Or get a PA17, works good solo or with a passenger. A bit pricey but if you take your kids out a lot over the years it will be a good investment long term. Attached Images __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish...

01-12-2017, 07:23 AM	#5
Harry Hill Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,136	I have the Malibu Pro2 Tandem. I have it mostly set up to fish solo from and I'm using a seat from an Ascend kayak over the hatch. The problem with that is I can't use the big hatch. But I have my rails and rod holders set up to fish either solo or in tandem if the wife is along. I'm not sure the weight of a child though would be enough to balance it as a tandem. I do have a live bait tank that I either set behind the back seat or behind the middle seat. It is okay for what I purchased it for but in reality I will buy myself a single place kayak for fishing alone. I don't like fishing with a wet butt all day and the back seat on the P2T is always wet, it doesn't drain. The good thing about the kayak is it was cheap because I bought a blem on sale from OEX so I'm not out a ton of money and I can park it and not feel bad because I'm not using it. If money is an issue I would say it is a good kayak for the money but there are better rigs out there if you have the money to spend. __________________ you can't eat it if you release it

01-11-2017, 06:31 PM	#1
DanaPT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South OC Posts: 1,606	Buy a hobie peddle kayak and another paddle kayak on the cheap. Buying a tandem means you have to rely on others to get full use. I think kayak fishing is best on your own. You on a hobie can easily tow your fishing buddy around.

01-11-2017, 07:35 PM	#2
Dave Legacy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Hacienda Heights, CA Posts: 427	I have a Malibu Pro 2 Tandem that I use both alone or with one of my boys (I have 4 under 11). Rigging a tandem is a challenge, especially if you plan to use it in a solo configuration as well, but it's possible and not a terrible experience. The biggest shortcoming is lacking a spot for a livewell, but I have rigged a bait tube in case I want to catch a few macks. I also rigged a fish finder that can be used in the solo or tandem layout. I'm not overly thrilled with the build quality of the Malibu though and will probably buy a Jackson Big Tuna for my next tandem kayak. My father-in-law has a Hobie Oasis and it's lightning fast in comparison; A truly great boat, but not a good solo kayak. I had seriously considered the Hobie Odyssey, which can accommodate a Hobie Livewell and a solo configuration. Sometimes if it's just me and my 4-year-old anchoring up in the bay and soaking baits near the eel grass I'll face his seat toward me, which works pretty well. It wouldn't work for a bigger kid though.