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Snapper
 
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Hey guys, I just sold my cape horn and was thinking about giving the kayak thing a try. I'm pretty big, about 6'1" and 260 or so. From the stuff I've seen on the internet, a lot of bigger guys like the ocean kayak drifter. anyone here have one or can recommend something similar? im not looking to spend a whole lot, I've found the drifter online at under 600 and thought i might be able to find a used one cheaper than that.
also, where do yall normally fish? Do you stay inshore in the bays or go offshore? if you go offshore, how far do you go?
whats the biggest fish you have caught? you ever feel like the bigger fish will tip the kayak over?
thanks
Team Gettin' Rowdy Nick Eldridge Roll Tide!!!
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White Marlin
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| I fish out of gulf shores and Orange Beach mostly. I fish both back bay and offshore and have been about 7 miles offshore in my yak fishing the rigs. I fish out of a O.K. prowler big game. I have caught some pretty large fish from my yak including sharks upward of 150lbs. and have never felt like i would be tipped over. Fish tackle that is appropriate for kayak fishing and you should never have a problem. I like rods from 6 1/2 to 8 feet long to help get around the bow or stern when fighting a fish. Keep your setup simple and try not to put too much stuff onboard in the case that you do flip. I have 2 flush mount holders, 1 on each side to the side of my seat and a single scotty power lock centered in front of me. In addition i can hold 2 more rods in the rear scuppers located in the bottom of the large storage well behind me. I could put more rod holders on but then i would be overloaded. I currently do not have a depth finder but am planning on installing a GPS/depthfinder soon. If you do get one and want to go fish with someone give me a shout. Chris
 
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Snapper
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thanks for the info Chris, when I get mine I'm gonna have to take you up on that, I fish mostly out of Orange Beach too.
Team Gettin' Rowdy Nick Eldridge Roll Tide!!!
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Grouper
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| OK kayaks are a very nice choice but i think you would LOVE a hobie outback or revo here the biggest fish ive caught out of my outback a 50 in bull red by navarre pier 
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hobie outback-gas bill-nada 09 23' seafox cc 200hp suz-gas bill-well thats another story
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Sailfish
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I've also got a prowler big game. Very stable and has a lot of load capacity. You guys are killing me, making me think of spring kayak fishing!
Wade B. Mako 284 w/ twin 250 verados
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Snapper
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those outbacks look nice, but they also look like they are about a grand more than the drifter angler edition. but thats an awesome looking red!
Team Gettin' Rowdy Nick Eldridge Roll Tide!!!
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Grouper
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shoot the peddles are deff worth it...it dosent matter if your in flat calm seas or in 3-4 with 40mph head winds you go a certain speed, also the hands free is soooooooo nice....just saying you sould just test one at least....im only 16 and waited and saved till i had the money to get mine and its worth every penny
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hobie outback-gas bill-nada 09 23' seafox cc 200hp suz-gas bill-well thats another story
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Mingo
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| Biggest fish, 35 lb Cobia, 39 inch Mahi, 40 Inch Red, 42 inch King plus several sharks that did not get measured. I regularly go out in the Gulf but there were days that I honestly feel I may not have gotten back without Hobie technology due to the wind and current shifting and turning against me. Drifter and Prowler Big Game are both excellent boats. Test drive them before you buy because they are wide boats and can be difficult to ppaddle for some people. Good luck. Ted
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White Marlin
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| I agree with testing several boats before committing as one model may be alright for some but not for others. I've been in several models and my favorites so far for the type of fishing I do are the prowler big game and malibu X-factor. Both are extremely stable, offer plenty of storage without having to add hatches and such, and are very maneuverable for big yaks. I'm 5' 8" and weigh around 175lbs. so I'm not a very big guy but I can easily handle these 2 models. I've been in a couple hobies and they were nice but didn't quite have the feel or arrangement I preferred. I would still look at them though as you may find them just right for you. It also depends of course on how much you are wanting to spend.
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White Marlin
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I've never been in the drifter but I hear they are great. You should PM Razzorduck and ask him, I believe thats what he has.
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Grouper
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check with Pensacola Kayak & sail, they should be having a demo day sometime in march . that way, you can test several different yaks . that's how i picked my Ride 135 .
DISCLAIMER - The preceeding post does not necessarily reflect the views or the opinion of the poster or of this fourm . For entertainment purposes only . 
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Trigger
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| In addition to Pensacola Kayak and Sail, go to Key Sailing on Pensacola Beach. Located on the sound side (Quietwater Beach) just after you go through the toll booth. They rent and sell Hobie 'yaks, and you can take one for a test drive. Ask them if they have any used or demo models that they want to sell. You can save some $$$ going that route. IMHO, the Hobie with the Mirage Drive pedal system can't be beat. But as has been mentioned previously, you should test drive a few different models and find the one that you like and you are comfortable in. Good Luck!
TimmanSeaHunt Escape 200/Yamaha 150 ~ "Time On The Water" Hobie Mirage Sport ~ Hobie Mirage Outfitter
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Mingo
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At 260 lbs the Drifter will be a wet ride..meaning you will have water in the boat and under your butt. I am 220 and always have some water sloshing around. I elavated my seat with a 1" pad to keep my backside drier. You may want to look into the Cobra fish/dive and some of their other models. Better payload capacity ie drier ride. That being said.. I love my Drifter..very stable and handles rough water very well...I still need to learn getting back in with big waves.
Better tighten that drag boy, he's gonna spool ya
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Trigger
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| Got my OK Prowler 1.5 years ago a love it. Spend most of my time fishing at Navarre Beach in the Gulf within a 2-mile radius of the old pier where my top catches have been 61lb 5.5ft blacktip shark, 40lb 59in king and a 21lb 39in redfish. Had a 125-140lb 7ft tarpon split the hook, and I popped the line when a 7ft mako ate my 17-20lb king, but I never felt any fear of it tipping due to the fish pulling me over. The Gulf is where the big fish are so I have always fished there, but I did try inshore fishing last year and the 1st speck I ever caught was a 23-incher. It is a nice change of pace and much less work in the sound. I tried out quite a few different kayaks. I really liked the stability of the big game prowler, but sacrificed a little speed and I am a small guy so I didn't need feel it was a fit for me.
15' Ocean Kayak Prowler - Navarre, FL - 2009 Kayak Wars Eastern Division Team Champions - 2009 Kayak Wars Most King Macks for Either Division Award (Included the Largest King) - 2009 King of Crab Island Kayak Tournament Champion - 2009 First Navarre Beach King Mack/Tarpon Kayak Tournament Champion - 2009 PRFA Fishing Rodeo Kayak Division 2nd Place King Mack - 2009 Gulf Breeze Sertoma Fishing Rodeo Spanish Mack Winner (Via my kayak!)
- 2008 Pirates on the Gulf Tournament Spanish Mack Winner (Via my kayak!) - 2008 Bill Hargreaves Fishing Rodeo Largest Fish in a Kayak Winner (60.9lb Blacktip Shark) - 2008 Outcast Fishing Rodeo King Mack Winner (Via my kayak!) - 2008 Outcast Fishing Rodeo Spanish Mack Winner (Via my kayak!) Sponsored by Dale Cecil's Custom Built Fishing Rods - (850) 505-9549 (850) 505-9549 Member of: 
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Mingo
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| The Drifter was designed for big guys - it would work for you and the price is right. However, it is an older design and Ocean Kayak has come out with better models that also are designed for big guys. Malibu and Cobra are other good brands to check out. Testing them out in person is really the only way to go. I have an OK Prowler and then bought a Hobie Revolution. The Revo always goes in the truck first... If you fish a lot out of Orange Beach, go to Gulf Shores Kayaks- 3865 Gulf Shores Pkwy. Chris will hook you up. www.gulfshoreskayaks.com (251) 948-9257.
www.GulfCoastKayakFishing.com
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Mingo
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| get on it man. yak fishing is great, you'll love it. i fish out of a liquid logic manta ray 12'. buddy i bought it off of was about you're size exactly. my next yak will be an ok prowler trident 13 or a big game. i do a lot of river fishing too, so i don't want to go bigger than that, but if you're considering offshore i would go big and possibly consider a hobie. peddling out there is easier than paddling.
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Mingo
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Thanks for the plug Ferd, I recommend the Malibu x Factor and nobody will touch their lifetime hull warranty. I'D shy away from the hobie for multiple reasons. Youll also find the xfactor will paddle easier than the Big game. Big Game is a fine platform just very slow. Come see me and we can demo one just about any time
Get to be one with nature "then Marinate it"
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Grouper
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What are the multiple reasons you would shy away from the hobie? Because you like to have a padlle in your lap while you fish? Or because you like to paddle agaisnt wind and never ending current...do you know how impossible it is to fish a piece of structure with a paddle kayak in current??? I bet I know the number one reason you would shy away from hobie...because you dont sell them. Get a hobie or wish you had one!
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Trigger
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Tex@OIP (1/31/2009)
I bet I know the number one reason you would shy away from hobie...because you dont sell them. Get a hobie or wish you had one!
wow what a totally lame comment.
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Grouper
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Yea I guess I was a little defensive about the hobie...I just want everyone getting into the sport to have the best experience possible! Im pretty passionate about the peddle yaks and fishing....I seriously dont know anyone who has tried one and bought a paddle yak instead.
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Grouper
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| Hello, you can call me Ashley. tell you what, I'll put my Ride up against your Hobie in a little race . the one stipulation- we'll be racing backwards ! 
DISCLAIMER - The preceeding post does not necessarily reflect the views or the opinion of the poster or of this fourm . For entertainment purposes only .
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Mingo
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Play nice people. We all know that Hobie makes a fine kayak, but so does Malibu, OK , WS, etc. I have an OK Prowler and a Hobie Revo in the garage, there are things about the Prowler that are superior to the Revo. The point is that if you are interested in getting into the sport, it is best to do some research, go check them out and get the best boat that fits your budget. Hit your local dealers and make an informed decision.
www.GulfCoastKayakFishing.com
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Grouper
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I will probably beat you going backwards...I have a paddle dude! I would alsol ike to challenge you to a race going forward...but you have to hold a fishing pole!
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Mingo
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White Marlin
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| I have a big game and the last adjective I'd give it is slow. I can cruise just as fast as anyone else who fishes with me in everything from Hobie's, Malibus, etc. It also maneuvers very easily for a big yak and I wouldn't trade mine for anything. There are a lot of great kayak manufacturers and until you try out several models you won't know which one is right for you. The best thing you can do is go try them out yourself and take everything you read here with a grain of salt; except those who want to argue over which is better, I'd ignore those altogether.
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Grouper
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I doubt hobie is the best kayak out there...I just think it is the best for "FISHING". Good points though...this person definetly has some input for what kayak to buy but as you guys said its personal prefrence. Even with all the faults listed (none of which I have had a problem with), I think it would still be better to go with hobie just because of the hands free ability. When other kayaks start making this feature I will take a look. I cant wait to be able to chase after that turtle or ray this spring and be able to fire my jig at the same time!
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Mingo
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The perfect fishing kayak has not been designed yet. Every design is a compromise - and quite honestly, you can fish out of just about any kayak...
www.GulfCoastKayakFishing.com
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Mingo
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Ocean Big Game Specs LENGTH | As you can see below the two kayaks are very close in both size and ability their prices are about Identical The warranties not even close! and there are many more options for the xfactor verses the PBG. But as suggested you should paddle several I find the fit thats best for you. 12' 9" / 3.9 m |
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| WIDTH | 34" / 86.4 cm |
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| WEIGHT | 69 lbs / 31.3 kg |
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| MAX CAPACITY | 550-600 lbs / Warranty 3 yrs
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| X-Factor specs | Length: | 14' 4" | | Weight: | 62 lbs | Width:
(at beam) | 33" | Depth:
(from waterline) | 4.75" | | Footrests: | Deluxe Adjustable
Track System | | Max. load: | 625 lbs. Warranty Lifetime |
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Get to be one with nature "then Marinate it"
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Mingo
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I think there is so many problems listed because it is such a popular kayak. I don't think there is a better fishing kayak on the market.
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Mingo
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FLSalomon (2/1/2009)
The perfect fishing kayak has not been designed yet. Every design is a compromise - and quite honestly, you can fish out of just about any kayak... Very true Sir!
Get to be one with nature "then Marinate it"
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