New to forum

[4hdriver]

Hello All, I’m new to this forum and I want to get into kayak fishing. I live in So.Cal and have fished the Pacific since about 1959. I’ve fished the Cortez for many years and I got my first taste of kayaking @ Rancho Leonero a few years back. I’m a retired commercial pilot and still in good health but not real confident in my paddling duration. A buddy of mine got a WaveWalk Cat. style hull and rigged it with a Minn Kota 40 Riptide trolling motor, HB fishfinder/GPS and loves it. I’m mainly interested in “close in” fishing and was wondering if anyone might have a suggestion in hull designs, equipment, etc. I like the idea of power backup re; trolling motor and the new Native Watercraft Mariner 12-V seems like a natural. Any ideas and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and a happy 4th to everyone.
gregg

[dgoff]

I'm a 60 year old who absolutely loves my Hobie Outback. Really big advantage for fishing is the Mirage Drive system, allowing you pedal while holding a rod in your hands. Legs take a lot less beating than arms. It's also really good while fighting a wind. Traversing the surf zone, launching and landing, still requires the use of a paddle. Many other's like the Hobie Adventure better, but I like the deck space on the Outback. Hobie's are more expensive but, in my opinion, well worth the extra.

[Spike]

Thanks Driver and sorry it took so long to get your registration going.  What's your height and weight?  I'm looking hard at the Propel kayaks from Native over the Hobies for propulsion choices.

[4hdriver]

Thanks Spike. My weight is 170 and I'm 5'9". I talked with Mike at Southwind a couple days ago and he has a few Native hulls in stock. They offer demos on saturdays so I think I'll be heading down to Newport next weekend to try out the Mariner. One thing that does come to mind: there doesn't seem to be much free board available on this design and probably fishes wet??