I count prep time as fishing time. That mindset helps me cope with the world of family, work, and east coast traffic until I hit the water again. I’ve set up my Hobie® MirageDrive® kayaks for different styles of fishing. You might too.
If you’re just getting started I recommend you fish your kayak with just the bare basics until you learn what you like. Then drill holes and make changes. You don’t need much and time on the water will dictate what you really want installed.
Here are a few rigs that have worked for me. I hope it helps save you time, money, frustration and unnecessary holes in your battlewagon.
The Tournament Boat
The Hobie Pro Angler 14 shown at top is set up for bass tournaments, which I’ve come to enjoy in the past few years. I am a superstitious angler. This kayak has great mojo so I’ve opted to stay with the 2014 model for now instead of upgrading to a new H-Rail model.
The electronics are top notch. I’ve set a Lowrance Elite 5 HDI fishfinder with the transducer in the scupper mount. It offers chartplotting functions, 83 and 50kHz conventional sonar and DownScan Imaging in one unit. A Power-Pole Micro Anchor is installed on the stern. It’s a great advantage for anchoring quickly and quietly. I use it often during freshwater bass tournaments. It holds me in a steady spot so I can thoroughly fish a break point, a piece of structure or dock. I control the Micro Anchor using a remote. It deploys or retracts in seconds, so I can start casting quickly or pick and move to a new spot.
I use the Scotty mount on the aft left for a light pole or camera mount. I keep a full paddle on the Pro Angler on the left side and a stakeout pole on the right, held by a pair of Hobie paddle clips rather than the standard shock cord retainers.
I keep an H-Crate in the rear well. An H-Rail Tackle Tray clipped to the front holds my cents, loose items, pliers, scissors, etc. This setup keeps the cockpit clear for handling fish for CPR (catch, photo, and release).
I bungee off a Hawg Trough for measuring fish and tuck it right behind the seat for easy retrieval. I also added a cargo net behind the Pro Angler’s seat attached with wire ties that fits perfectly and holds my certain licenses, ramp passes, tournament items, and some rags. This keeps them from getting misplaced or blown out or knocked off—which they could if they were lying around.
I keep hooks and the hot lures of the day inside the large Twist and Seal cockpit hatch. I’ve replaced the factory standard tackle management system with a removable hatch liner. I lift it out of the way to access zipper top plastic bags of soft baits I store against the side walls of the hull. I keep a water proof Hobie bag for dry clothes, etc., stored toward the back.
It may seem like a lot but it suits me well. When I’m prepping for a fishing trip all I have to do is slide my rods into the horizontal rod tubes. This system makes it easy to run-and-gun between storage, trailer, my truck and bodies of water, with everything ready to go with moment’s notice. This especially holds true for tournament fishing, when you need to load and unload quickly to change locations or get back to tournament headquarters at weigh-in time. You want lines in the water as much possible.
The Live Bait Beach Launcher
The Hobie Mirage Outback in the photo above is set up with little more than the basics. I use it primarily for live bait fishing and beach launches. It’s a good, uncomplicated setup for new kayak anglers. It gives them a chance to get a feel for the kayak.
A fish finder/chart plotter is installed on the left side. The transducer is secured in the Lowrance Ready transducer mount under the hull, with the battery on a sailing mast holder inside the hull. I attach a paddle on the left side and a stakeout pole on right. A Hobie Livewell sits ready for bait in the rear cargo area. It’s a simple and basic set up.
The Saltwater Performer
The Outback in the foreground of the second photo is set up for saltwater fishing. Once again a fish finder/chart plotter is installed on the left side, keeping the right side free for casting. If you’re left handed, you might swap the sonar installation side. I installed an anchor trolley on the left side as well, to attach a drift chute or stakeout pole or anchor. Like before, a paddle is on left side and stake out pole is on the right side. I keep a waterproof tackle bag in the rear storage area. I’ve installed Scotty accessory mounts on either side of the storage area, with a third in the back. I use them for rod holders, camera mounts, light poles, or simply as a dockside tie-off.
