re: The Official Kayak Thread

How’s everyone’s year going? This is the worst year for catching reds I’ve ever had. I usually skunk once or twice a year but my last 4 trips have been skunks. Last weekend was perfect conditions, great water movement, reds were in the area I was fishing, I just can’t get shite to bite. In-line spinner, gold spoon, vudu shrimp, she-dog…not even a strike. I need some fish in the freezer.

Well I joined the club today with a Hobie passport 12. I put her in the neighborhood pond and did some laps and I like it. I am wanting to get it wet tomorrow morning. I’m in Broussard is the fishing in Cypremort point any good right now … looking to stay closer to the house

you talking about Rigolets Marina? if so, that area has never really produced for me so i haven't been in over 10 years. who knows maybe its better now, but i occasionally see people posting reports on the local kayak facebook groups of going out there and not getting much if anything. drive a little further to reggio, sweetwater marina, hopedale marina, campos, etc. as for tides, i use tidespro dot com. but take it with a grain of salt as there are other factors like the wind that play into depth in the shallow marshes. for wind im not fishing above 15mph in the kayak, usually i dont like to go above ~10mph especially if im planning on bringing the fly rod. but the wind forecast is usually wrong so take that with a grain of salt as well. on windy days you can find protection from the wind in the marsh or fishing the bank that the wind isn't blowing into.

looks like there is a couple launches where chef pass crosses the highway if you can get under that bridge at marques rd. still a pretty good little trek though. if you are just looking for a spot to go to and aren't married to this one, there are plenty of proven areas that produce on the reg where you can be fishing without having to paddle 2 miles or trespass not all that far from your pin. for instance, the marsh next to any of the spots i posted above.

gulp 4" swimming mullet (chartreuse, white, chrome) on a 1/4oz or 1/8oz jig head, gulp shrimp (new penny) under a popping cork, paddle tails, underspinners with paddle tail, Heddon spook topwaters early in the AM or when its overcast, plastic shrimp under a popping cork, wake baits, weedless gold spoon. and of course, live shrimp under a popping cork or dead if you cant get live or dont want to babysit them. if i had to choose one artificial right now it'd be the gulp swimming mullet. I catch everything on 'em reds, trout, flounder, big nasty drum.

launch fees at marinas are typically $5-$10 for kayaks. if you can find a place to park on the side of the road you can combat launch for free.

also checkout bayoucoast kayak fishing club, lafayette kayak fishing club, southeast louisiana kayak fishing club. they all have events and gatherings in south louisiana all down the coast.

theres a good chance ill be hitting reggio this weekend if i can finish getting this little motor on my kayak.

This is awesome. Thanks a ton. Hopefully we’ll be able to get out there soon. Drop in here if you make it out this weekend and let us know how it went!

I’m still paddling around in my old Slayer 14.5’. In fact I took it out a couple of weeks ago to Two O’clock Bayou. Hadn’t been out there in a long time. Let’s just say it was challenging.


My son keeps saying he wishes he could go with me in the kayak. He’s 11. I think he’ll be ready to start paddling this thing in a couple years and I’ll finally have an excuse to upgrade to a peddler.

I haven’t really paid too much attention to what’s currently on the market. I’m sure Hobie is probably still the preferred salt water yak. The new Slayer Propels look great. And the Bonafide now has a propel drive kayak. I’ll definitely have to revisit my options when the time comes.

For those that fish inshore, what pedal kayaks do you use to get into shallow water? I can’t find what they draw when weighed down with a dude and some gear.

Im outchea, went on family of 4 kayak trip to GI two weekends ago.

Im still pedaling around in 2016 Hobie Outbacks (2 of them). I still think they are great and they can be had for $900-$1200 in the 2015-2018 era. You would want to look for the Advatnage/lawn chair style and newer. The Hobie quality is unmatched 2016-ish and before so they are good even nearing 10 years old. I dont know about Native and others after that time.

I go absolutely loaded with weight sometimes because Im carrying mine+kids ice, drinks, sunscreen, fishing tackle, etc. I have no problem with weight and can easily go 7+ miles a trip. In fact I often just tow my kids behind me. Weight isnt really a factor but wind can be if stuff is piled high like Sanford and Son which we do sometimes for beach trips.

"Draft" wise, the Hobie requires some depth to put in and pull up the pedals. Id say about 12"-18". However it can flutter kick as shallow as 6"-8" you just cant pull uo pedals till deeper. So you would need to pull up pedals prior to getting near shore, something my wife forgets all the time. Also to note, we run upgraded (deeper running) rudders so we also have to pull rudders up even before the pedals.

The only thing that would be negative is the Outback is pretty hefty at like 70lbs just hull. So you to car/SUV top it takes some muscle.

Also if you are starting off, electronics are highly overrated. I would negotiate them out completely if buying used.

I would think you could get into 2015+ Hobie, maybe not 180 drive, for around $1000. You would need life jacket, stake out pole, etc that might come included.

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but is a pedal drive that much more worth it?

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If it were me pedal would be a no brainer. Increased range and hands free to fish.