I have a Hobie Revolution and my dad has a Hobie Outback. The pic below was from last year at high point lake. The orange one is mine, ive taken it on the mon the yough and countless lakes....the foot pedal system is great, i can probably go around 6-7 mph easy. Never even been close to flipping over. easy to fish out of...ive caught pike musky bass walleye with no problem. it weighs around 70lbs....im only 25 and i can lift it up and carry it on my shoulder. but they also make a cart with wheels to move it around. any more questions, just ask me.

Nice Ride TransAm!

trans - do you mind telling me how much you paid and where?  looking into one, very interested in the three kayaks i posted links to above.  pm if private.

From PFBC:

Unpowered boats used at Commission lakes or access areas, PA state parks or PA state forests must be:

properly registered, or
display an official and valid Commission use permit, or
display an official and valid watercraft launch or mooring permit issued by DCNR.
$20 for 2 years.

musky punch, I bought the Revolution from kayakfishingstuff.com. It was the previous years demo model....i paid $1349 (retail is $1800) for it. i added the fishfinder for around 100 bucks and some other custom items. it had a few scratches that was it. My dad bought the outback for around $1000 off ebay.

I'd say they are very easy to navigate. But it is a work out. I would try taking one out on the water before you drag your gear out just to get used to turns, stopping, etc.

They are fun, and you can get in spots you otherwise wouldn't be able to access.

I've been sitting here biting my tongue about this canoe vs. kayak debate and I just can't hold it any longer. First of all, to Bubles: You said that you lead ten or twelve canoe trips at some point and it never made you want to have one. Then, in another thread you talk about how you can't paddle up the French Creek without getting yourself wet in the fast water from switching side to side. I'm a little confused about where and how long your canoe trips where. Anyone who has paddled in a boat more than two miles can quickly pick up the pry, not to mention the j-stroke, and northwoods stroke to name a few. None of these strokes involve switching sides until your arms get tired (some of us faster than others). Needless to say, your tripping experience is suspect!

As far as going down rapids, unless you are in a whitewater kayak (which would be impossible to fish from), a canoe is much more suitable. Sea kayaks are too long to quickly maneuver in whitewater unless it's a straight shot and play boat ARE NOT AS STABLE as your standard 16'-18' tripping canoe.

A canoe might be a little heavier than your standard fishing kayak, but I bet most will carry a lot easier. Most portages I've been on are not as flat and smooth as I-70. They wash out, get covered with trees, and can be riddled with tight curves. A canoe is designed to be carried, and depending on your personal strength and personal organization, often times in tandem with your fishing gear. A kayak, which you carry over one shoulder isn't comfortable to carry, in this critics view, any farther than from your truck to the dumpster. If your kayak had the space of a canoe, maybe you could pack one of those manly two wheeled carts, but with your small tackle box taking up all of your boat space that is probably out of the question.

In reference to the Cowboy's comments about standing and casting I must say I agree. I don't understand how anyone who has held a cane pole for more than five minutes thinks they can be just as effective at covering, and more importantly reading, the water from a sitting potion at water level. Even from a sitting position you are much better off from a canoe.

Lastly, I will address the issue of trolling. I usually stick to rivers and lakes. If I can get to a place where the motorboats can't I'm at peace. I've fished the dark waters of Southern Florida for the large mouth bass and the gator gar, to the some of the most northern waters of Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan for giant pike and big lakers. Now, I will admit that it has only been on rare occasion I've flown my Old Town to Central America, I will say I've often thought while trolling for the giant Marlin of the Pacific in my canoe, "I wish I had a kayak." Seriously? How often is trolling the best or most fun way to fish fresh water, and on the occasion that it is, who chooses a boat you need to paddle? Bublegum man, you are stretching here my friend. That buble is going to pop, and you are going to have gum stuck in your hair.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I will concede that kayaks are much cooler these days, and to have a canoe strapped to the roof of your Prius just isn't the same. Just do me one favor: the next time you're in your favorite Orvis shop to purchase a new pair of casting gloves because the leather is faded on your last pair, ask the guy behind the counter to order you a book on canoe strokes, leave the kayak in the parking lot and rent a canoe for the day and try out some of those things you've never tried before. You might find out that you've been doing it all wrong.

i love sipping a frappucino whilst drifting in my kayak.

Wow, a lot opinions here. How about one more! My fleet presently includes three canoes, a couple kayaks (sit in and SOT), a Dave Scadden float boat, and I have one of those 12' plastic small lake/pond boats. Formerly the fleet included a Wooldridge jet. That said I think I can speak with a little knowledge of these boats.

If I had to choose only one craft to fish from it would be the Dave Scadden float boat. It's the easiest to maneuver & I can rig a floor to stand on. I can put a trolling motor on if I wish and with it's aluminum frame I can carry it on my back.

My second choice would be my Hobie Outback. Rigged with a depth finder, rod holders and turbo fins, I can fish while I travel and if I add the stabilizers I made I can stop stand although it's just as easy to move to the shallows and step out of the boat. I sit high enough to fly fish or I can troll with ease at the speed I desire, with my hands free from paddling. It's an awesome boat. Very stable even without stabilizers. I can carry all the gear I need along with small cooler. I have a seat that allows me a full day on the water in comfort.

Last choice would be a canoe. While I love them too, best used when fishing with a friend or wanting to haul tons more than I'd probably ever use on a day trip. Hard to cast while paddling, not as easy to maneuver but a canoe has it's uses. However using my Hobie I have literally run circles around friends on the river.

The OP asked about kayaks. Yes, they are very stable and a great craft to own. Get the best you can afford and it will last a very long time. Test a couple if you are able. You can modify a yak to suit you and the resale value is decent if you take care of it. You'll enjoy fishing from it!

And I have fished both as well and prefer the SOT kayak. Different strokes for different folks. Fishing by yourself, a SOT kayak is easier to handle and fish from, IMO. It is sure a heck of a lot easier to get back into if you happen to fall out, as well. And many of the newer kayaks are stable enough to stand and fish from as well.

Cobra Fish and Dive is a nice one to fish from.

http://www.cobrakayaks.com/fishndive.html

ORIGINAL: RhnstnCowboy

I'm aware that the questioner asked about kayaks, but as one angler to another, I just don't want the guy to make a huge mistake and actually buy a kayak for fishing. Buy a canoe, learn how to paddle it correctly, learn how to balance in it when standing, learn how to fish from it. Whether you are by yourself or fishing with another person, when you reach an intermediate paddler level and beyond, you will be much happier that you bought a canoe. Beyond just fishing from the canoe, once you are an adequate paddler, it opens up a whole world of other options to you.


http://flaflyfish.com/ed-wading-in/595-fly-casting-and-the-wood-canoe.html

If you're recommending he buy a canoe to fish from over a kayak you ARE wanting him to make a mistake. Unless you're fishing with a friend, for the single fisherman kayaks have huge advantages over canoe fishing, most of which are described in this thread. As far as standing, how often in moving water does one stand?

Why do you think the sport of kayak fishing has been growing so much? No, it's not some sort of cool yuppie explosion, it's because it's great!

I'm curious, have you ever even fished from a kayak?

The OP should try both and see what he likes best. I'd bet he chooses a kayak!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt4Qm6HPVTY

If you're recommending he buy a canoe to fish from over a kayak you ARE wanting him to make a mistake. Unless you're fishing with a friend, for the single fisherman kayaks have huge advantages over canoe fishing, most of which are described in this thread. As far as standing, how often in moving water does one stand?

Why do you think the sport of kayak fishing has been growing so much? No, it's not some sort of cool yuppie explosion, it's because it's great!

I'm curious, have you ever even fished from a kayak?

The OP should try both and see what he likes best. I'd bet he chooses a kayak!

You obviously didn't read my posts, champ. I have a canoe and a kayak. I've run dozens of rivers all over the country, including a lot of upper-limit stuff in an open canoe or kayak. I stand all the time in moving water. In fact, I rarely sit down. If you took the time to progress past paddling for little tots, you might understand why a canoe would be chosen by 99% of advanced paddlers for fishing and most other applications. The reason you see an increasing number of kayaks is because they cost $200 at D.ic.ks and any post-Outward Bound eco-schmoe can strap it to the top of their Prius and paddle around a little duck pond with their fly rod. But hey, if you want to jazzercize your way around a little frog pond, be my guest.

Bubblegum, first of all, when you pay a burned out hippie to paddle you around so he can pay for his next acid trip, at the local state park reservoir with you and your other O R V I S good time buddies, the only thing you've assisted with is the nation's unemployment problem. Secondly, I know of a couple explosions myself: the place with a drive though and $1 cheeseburgers, the place that sells Chinese crap, ruins small towns, and typically sends most of their employees to the state benefit line to subsidize their sub-poverty level wages, and that other one- kayak fishing. The thing they all have in common is a nation of people who refuse to spend the time to do things the right way. If instant gratification is indeed your motto you can probably get a fishing game for your Nofriendo game system. I doubt I can convince you to make yourself a wholesome lunch before you walk out of the house tomorrow. I probably can't talk you into going to your local lumber yard and learn how to make a solid bookshelf (or dvd shelf as the case may be). So let's make a compromise: find a mediocre how-to CD-Rom on how to paddle a canoe and give it another try. I'm glad we've found some common ground. To answer your question: I switch sides when I get tired (rarely), but I favor my left. Incidentally this is the only thing I favor on the left, because I'm always right.

Cowboy, I'd love to go fishing with you some time. You bring your boat, I'll bring mine and we'll catch some fish like cabinet makers, not like "assemblers".

For those of you with real 'open minds', and a willingness to learn and work at something for a better outcome check out this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBQG0gV8PzM

This guy is a legend, and if you can get past the poor video quality, you can understand how graceful a canoe can be, how much more adequate it is at getting into tough put-ins, and how you can get past your kayaking cousins back in the parking lot. How does he do all of that without outriggers?

O boy
 
you are very condensinding and because of that will not be taken seriously.  a liitle less attitude may get some people to finish reading what you write.  for me i shut you out after the 1st sentence or 2.  just because it's your way, means its the only way.