I called up one of my fishing buddies the next day as he used to give me hell about my Yellow Banana (Kayak) as he termed it. If nothing else the Yellow Banana got me to some inaccessible spots to fish. It was something that I could just throw on the truck and take off fishing for the day all by myself. I could paddle upstream on  the rivers for miles. I once paddled upriver on the South Branch seven miles and turned around, came home the same day, you could not do that with a canoe. I was already convinced that kayaks were the way to go for fishing rivers the way I liked. Funny thing when I finally got my Buddie on the phone, he had seen that same episode with Hank Parker and seeing the success I had with my Yellow Banana he had already been on the phone tracking down prices on the Hobie Outback Fisherman Yaks. He was soon the proud owner of one of the Outback Yaks and I was just super envious after trying it out.

I started planning to get one of these fishing machines, I simply had to, this was a must, they are just too cool and too utilitarian not to have if you are a fisherman. At any rate I started looking online at some of the few Kayak Fishing Sites that were on the web. At that time there were not that many. In recent years the "Kayak Fishing Craze" has taken off and there are plenty of contributors to the world of Yak Fishing. Guys are out in the Ocean catching Dolphin, Tuna, Macco Sharks the sport has really taken off.  Fisherman having a natural inventive streak in them have added myriads of improvements to their Yaks. Fish Finders, Rod Holders, Sails, Sponsons, Live Wells, Motors, Anchor Trolleys, Drift Chutes, Sea Anchors.  It is amazing to surf some of the Forums, like www.kayakfishingstuff.com, and see what these enterprising fishermen have done to personalize their yaks to  their fishing style.

That said, I am no different; the Hobie Fin Peddle Yaks are about the most I can ask out of being a platform to do all types of Fishing. Since I am not near the ocean, most of my fishing is river based and these yaks will get the job done even in skinny rock laden swift water. The interesting innovation of these yaks is a removable drive. The drive  has the ability to fold close to flat along the hull. In rivers this is particularly suitable as you can just push one of the peddles forward all the way and the drive system merely extends a few inches under the yak. You can pump the peddles slightly and still provide propulsion by flapping the fins ever so slightly. This propulsion system is, as far as I am concerned, just about the greatest invention since sliced bread. Most energy in paddling a conventional Yak is inefficiently used, the fins modeled on nature itself are super efficient and, as used in the Hobie design, allow humans to use their leg muscles to power the Yak. Leg muscles have more endurance and power than your arms. I'd say I can go at least twice as far twice as fast in half the time as compared to my using a conventional Yak. No joke. These things are comfortable and make for a relaxing day of fishing on the river, lake, ocean, or whatever.

I've "tricked" my 2005 Hobie Outback out a little and can load and carry plenty of tackle and equipment. I have provisions for outriggers/sponsons, a milk crate system that I can just drop in with all rods and tackle, depth/fish finder, GPS mount, etc... No matter where I go I have constantly gotten some stares or questions about my Hobie. It's just unusual, nobody has seen these things, and I don't see too many people on the Shenandoah using them either. I met one couple a few times on the River and they were as sold as I on the Hobies. I am probably guilty of the most bastardized version of the Hobie Kayak and Kayak purists would freak out on my Bass Boat Conversion for fishing my buddie's pond, but boys will be boys and I have always been stricken with the disease of more. Even so, my Bass Boat conversion, complete with trolling motor mounted through the drive well, rocked as far as fishing a pond. Hey the proof is in the Catching!

CHIEF REASONS HOBIES ROCK
Drive System -  Efficient, Flexible, Fast, Comfortable.
No Fatigue - You use your Legs, the most powerful muscles in your body, more efficient than your arms.
Accessibility - Kayaks can get you places that other craft can't go.
Comfort - A comfortable place to sit and fish all day - Air Seats available.
Free Casting Arms - You peddle with your legs so your arms are free to fish.
Speed - The fin system provides cruising speeds of 3-5 mph - Turbo Fin options Faster
Configuration - These yaks are customizable, from river fishing to ocean cruising - you can mount just about anything.
Solo - You can throw this Yak on your truck and fish all day by yourself, cruise upstream...float relaxed downstream!
Storage - Several dry compartments and bungies to store gear (I haven't tried a overnight with it Yet...but I will)
Stability/Rough Water - These yaks will get you through rough water, if your prepare for it - pull the drive out, have things on leashes, etc...
Durability - Hobie makes a good product, stands behind it and takes suggestions from its user base.
Innovation - Their latest yak, the Mirage Revolution, was designed taking into account input from Yak Fisherman and others. Damn, I like a company that listens and takes suggestions!

My Advice: If you live near a flowing body of water, Get One! Hell, drop me a line, we'll take 'em fishing. 

HOBIE'S NEW OUTBACK REVOLUTION YAK
(A more streamlined, faster yak than the Outbacks) 

Disclaimer: Hobie didn't even pay me to say these things, but Hobie if you ever drop by this website, I will be happy to act as a product evaluator for any of your Yaks!!!

LongJohns Decked out Hobie Ready for Standing Site Casting on the Shenandoah River. 

 (Note: Hobie makes some sidekick Ama's so the do it yourself outriggers are no longer necessary, This yak caught its weight in smallmouth plus some the first season I had it.)