hobbie outback?

Post Reply
c-los
Posts: 107
Joined: Wed May 25, 2011 8:50 pm
Location: sa tx

hobbie outback?

Post by c-los »

thinking about getting a hobbie outback. anyone have one? i tested one out the other day but kinda worried about the mirage drive.. im planning to fish estes flats alot this year.. is mirage drive going to be a problem? want something i can stand on also to fly fish
Kayak Kid
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 35369
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 12:01 am
Location: Houston,

Re: hobbie outback?

Post by Kayak Kid »

I have yet to meet an outback owner that didn't heap praise upon his boat. Hobie is an excellent company and stands behind it's products and it's customers better than most.

The drive system has it's pros and cons as do most kayak drive systems (as do most kayak paddlers). There is nothing about the system that should restrict you from fishing where ever you want. Estes on all but very rare occasions has plenty of water in which to use the fins to their fullest advantage.

I don't know about the standing up. I am tippy standing in my living room, so, I fly fish sitting down.

I am not, nor have I ever been an outback owner. I did race their catamarans for a number of years.
bigtrout
Posts: 205
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:35 pm

Re: hobbie outback?

Post by bigtrout »

The outback is a beast you can take it any where. If you don't know the area take your time. Find out where the shallow areas are and where the deep water is.
One thing about kayaks that you peddle is you have to know when to kick the fins up and keep them up. At this point you can either use your paddle or flutter your fins. Practice Practice Practice then it will become second nature .
One of the best features is that you can troll very easy with your hand on a rod or using the rod holders.
User avatar
Endo
Posts: 234
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 5:00 pm
Location: Austin

Re: hobbie outback?

Post by Endo »

If the ability to stand up and fly fish is one of your pre-requisites then an outback is probably not a good choice, as well as most other traditional yaks.

Yes, there are times when you can stand up on an Outback (and other yaks) and fish, but it can be wobbly and the water has to be right (relatively still).

You need something with more stability I would expect. You could try a Hobie Pro Angler, but that will cost you more $$ and you'll lose some portability.

There are other yak options out there that might be better suited for standing up, especially fly fishing which has more repetitive motion than regular casting fishing.

Other than that Outbacks are great. Many many people use them around here.

.
User avatar
Lat22
Posts: 998
Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2004 11:25 am
Location: Tiki Island/Falfurrias

Re: hobbie outback?

Post by Lat22 »

You'll wonder why you waited so long.
Forever Fishing
TKF 3000 Club
TKF 3000 Club
Posts: 3030
Joined: Wed May 02, 2007 8:19 pm
Location: Solo Skiff Pro Staff - Houston

Re: hobbie outback?

Post by Forever Fishing »

I've fished Estes flats in an Outback , Revo, Adventure and a Solo Skiff.

The skiff is by far the most comfortable, effective way to fish/drift those huge flats. Found the hull slap of the Outback to be it's biggest drawback. Revo and Adventures are not effective standup yaks.

Hope this helps.
User avatar
bigeddie58
Posts: 70
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2011 1:36 pm
Location: bellaire

Re: hobbie outback?

Post by bigeddie58 »

Have had outback since 2015 when new seat came out. This thing is a fishing machine. Fished Estes flats no problem. It does have hull slap but everything else is so killer about this boat that i kind of accept it. It is a pig on land but it is super fishable. Had a tarpon 140 before I get the Hobie. Do not miss the paddle at all and that was a really nice boat.
c-los
Posts: 107
Joined: Wed May 25, 2011 8:50 pm
Location: sa tx

Re: hobbie outback?

Post by c-los »

ive looked really hard at those solo skiffs.. i have a power boat a 21ft dlv carolina skiff but i think im going to do more kayaking this year i live in san antonio and towing the boat gets expensive. plus most of the time i fish by myself and thats why im looking into getting the outback some thing i could just take on a seconds notice vs taking the boat.. i have a redfish14 and can stand on that pretty good. i like the redfish but i guess im just tired of paddling and need something more stable and hands free i guess i may have to swing by akc and maybe get one..
ZLM81
Posts: 101
Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2013 9:36 pm

Re: hobbie outback?

Post by ZLM81 »

You can't go wrong with a Hobie mirage drive.
User avatar
Mulligan
Posts: 114
Joined: Wed May 15, 2013 8:20 am
Location: Houston, TX

Re: hobbie outback?

Post by Mulligan »

I switched from a Jackson Big Tuna and Native 14' Manta Ray to the 2015 Outback. What a game changer!

I can cover so much more ground with the Outback. When I did the round-trip trek across Christmas Bay from the south shore to the north shore area, that trip just killed my shoulders and arms. Especially with the wind!

With the outback I can cover 4-5 miles easy. Fish while you are on the move to your spot, get your rigs ready while moving and etc. I've taken it out both 3+ miles offshore and fished the shallow flats. Like I said, a game changer! When you are in shallow, just pop out the mirage drive and it paddles pretty easy. Usually when it's shallow, I just push the paddle all the way in and the fins hug pretty flat against the hull.

I couldn't afford the PA, but came across these two Outbacks on this site at a great deal. I will never go back to regular paddles. Feet power is where it's at!
User avatar
Drifting Yak
TKF 1000 Club
TKF 1000 Club
Posts: 1343
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2015 11:02 am
Location: Tomball
Contact:

Re: hobbie outback?

Post by Drifting Yak »

Mirage drive is your friend....Outback is your beast....Ride Captain Ride!

Ok....A little throw back!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAnGe40-o9Q
Sideler
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2013 2:37 pm

Re: hobbie outback?

Post by Sideler »

I'm going to buy either the outback or the angler. I'll be trying them out tomorrow at the demo day.
User avatar
Priority Four
TKF 1000 Club
TKF 1000 Club
Posts: 1397
Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:37 am
Location: Cibolo, TX

Re: hobbie outback?

Post by Priority Four »

We have a mirage tandem we bought in 2003. Still works like a champ (both )
Post Reply