pro explorer or extreme? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

William Novotny · 10-20-2011, 08:39 PM

I just got offered a really good deal on my choice between a malibu pro explorer or an extreme. What are your thought and opinions on the 2. I know the pro explorer is shorter and wider and the extreme is longer and not as wide. Which is more fishable for a larger taller guy?

bigyearn · 10-20-2011, 08:48 PM

where do you plan on using the kayak? i like the stability of my outback and can even stand up on it. however i don't have to paddle unless i want to. paddling the outback is not so bad though but if you have to paddle a wide kayak for long distance i could see how that could be a pain in the butt.

William Novotny · 10-20-2011, 08:58 PM

I wanna use it everywhere. The kayak I'm currently in I take offshore and I'm trolling a lot. Its my choice of either of those two malibus though. I know hobies are the big fan fav around here but ill continue to use my arms while I'm young, Ha!

bigyearn · 10-20-2011, 09:17 PM

well i took a look at both those kayaks on the malibu website and they are damn near the same. either would be great. the pro explorer looks a little bit better as far as transporting. that would be my only concern because my truck has a 6ft bed on it.

William Novotny · 10-20-2011, 10:00 PM

I'm not too concerned with the transport. I'm moving around a 16' yak right now.

YakMedic · 10-20-2011, 10:09 PM

William keep that paddle in your hands as long as possible. Some of us still fish from real kayaks.

I'd lean towards the extreme, when you get a longer yak you will get better tracking and more speed.

Another big factor is the extreme has foot braces on the track and you will get support on the balls of your feet instead of only your heels. This will translate into a more effective stroke

Iceman · 10-20-2011, 10:15 PM

I am not a big guy and I would pick the Extreme, being a big guy definitely take the Extreme.

Amish Ed · 10-20-2011, 10:56 PM

Extreme for sure, especially if you're already used to a longer yak.

William Novotny · 10-20-2011, 11:27 PM

The extreme is what I was leaning towards. Plus I was looking at the x wing console accessory to mount stuff to. Way cool. Thanks for your input. I'm gonna take the manta out for one last run in the morning then hopefully I'm in a 'boo by tomorrow evening

Chuck D · 10-21-2011, 07:09 AM

I paddled an Extreme for many years. I am 6' 1 and 200 lbs. and I loved it. It is very stable, quick but not fast and can hold a lot of gear. To me the xwing thing seems a bit excessive for any yak but if you like all the extras it may not be too bad. I would try it without first, the more gear the less space. Get the Extreme!

10-20-2011, 08:39 PM	#1
William Novotny The carpetbagger Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: tha newps Posts: 1,474	pro explorer or extreme? I just got offered a really good deal on my choice between a malibu pro explorer or an extreme. What are your thought and opinions on the 2. I know the pro explorer is shorter and wider and the extreme is longer and not as wide. Which is more fishable for a larger taller guy?

10-20-2011, 10:15 PM	#7
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	I am not a big guy and I would pick the Extreme, being a big guy definitely take the Extreme. __________________

10-20-2011, 10:56 PM	#8
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,906	Extreme for sure, especially if you're already used to a longer yak. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

10-20-2011, 11:27 PM	#9
William Novotny The carpetbagger Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: tha newps Posts: 1,474	thanks guys The extreme is what I was leaning towards. Plus I was looking at the x wing console accessory to mount stuff to. Way cool. Thanks for your input. I'm gonna take the manta out for one last run in the morning then hopefully I'm in a 'boo by tomorrow evening

10-20-2011, 08:48 PM	#2
bigyearn Junior Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 7	where do you plan on using the kayak? i like the stability of my outback and can even stand up on it. however i don't have to paddle unless i want to. paddling the outback is not so bad though but if you have to paddle a wide kayak for long distance i could see how that could be a pain in the butt.

10-20-2011, 08:58 PM	#3
William Novotny The carpetbagger Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: tha newps Posts: 1,474	I wanna use it everywhere. The kayak I'm currently in I take offshore and I'm trolling a lot. Its my choice of either of those two malibus though. I know hobies are the big fan fav around here but ill continue to use my arms while I'm young, Ha!

10-20-2011, 09:17 PM	#4
bigyearn Junior Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 7	well i took a look at both those kayaks on the malibu website and they are damn near the same. either would be great. the pro explorer looks a little bit better as far as transporting. that would be my only concern because my truck has a 6ft bed on it.

10-20-2011, 10:00 PM	#5
William Novotny The carpetbagger Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: tha newps Posts: 1,474	I'm not too concerned with the transport. I'm moving around a 16' yak right now.

10-20-2011, 10:09 PM	#6
YakMedic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wrightwood Posts: 623	William keep that paddle in your hands as long as possible. Some of us still fish from real kayaks. I'd lean towards the extreme, when you get a longer yak you will get better tracking and more speed. Another big factor is the extreme has foot braces on the track and you will get support on the balls of your feet instead of only your heels. This will translate into a more effective stroke

10-21-2011, 07:09 AM	#10
Chuck D Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bay Park Posts: 559	I paddled an Extreme for many years. I am 6' 1 and 200 lbs. and I loved it. It is very stable, quick but not fast and can hold a lot of gear. To me the xwing thing seems a bit excessive for any yak but if you like all the extras it may not be too bad. I would try it without first, the more gear the less space. Get the Extreme!