Pro Angler, Stealth 14, or Cuda

Ring King · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:22 pm

Anyone have a Hobie Pro Angler or at least spent a decent amount of time in one? What did you think? How did you like the Mirage Drive? Was the seat comfortable after sitting for a while?

Sold my War Eagle in March and don't plan on getting another big boat in the next year or so. I've been fishing out of my pirogues which is nothing new but was looking at getting a dedicated fishing kayak. The three I'm looking at are the Malibu Stealth 14, the Jackson Kayak Cuda, and the Hobie Pro Angler. I know the Pro Angler isn't in the same category as the other two but I had to include it bc it's such a fishing platform that it's hard to exclude it from the shopping list.

I fish everything from fresh water ponds, lakes, and rivers to saltwater marsh, ICW, and along the beaches. I like the ability to stand and site fish, which all three can accommodate, but also want to make decent speed. The only advantage to the Hobie is that it leaves me hands free to cast where as you have to paddle with the Cuda or the Stealth.

This boat will also be used for tournaments so things like comfort (all day fishing), storage, and battling the elements is also important. I'm planning on fishing the JKF classic this year and will be using one of my pirogues. The issue with them is one of safety as they do not shed water and once filled will go to the bottom. PFD is not optional!! I've been using them for years though and haven't had too many scares but now that I'm married with kids its time for an upgrade!

Just wanted some opinions from folks if you have experience with any of these boats. I'm 6'4" tall and weigh in at 240lbs so I need a big boat. The Ride 135, Tarpon 140, etc take on too much water through the scuppers when I'm aboard to keep me feeling comfortable.

GLyncker · **Joined:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 5:36 pm **Posts:** 132

I have never paddles the Malibu or Jackson kayaks, but they seem to have a very loyal following and seem to be very good choices.

I've had two Hobie Outbacks and now have a Hobie PA in the fleet. If I was going to spend all day in a kayak, the PA would be my choice. It's stable, able to handle some pretty rough water, and comfortable just because of its size. I would also recommend the Hobie H-bar which make standing and casting even more appealing.

For the most part, people seem to either love or hate Hobies and the peddle drive system. I think it's the greatest. I have an Emotion Grand Slam that I use with a carbon paddle, but the PA is more comfortable as the time spent in the kayak is increased. The PA is only good in water over about 6" deep as the hull design does draft more water than a kayak with a flat bottom. You can still peddle the PA by feathering the peddles in shallow water (i guess in 8-10"). Below that, I would suggest a push pole and you could stand and cover more water.

Good luck making your choice.

Jizzo · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2012 11:16 pm

I was gonna buy the Cuda... until I paddled it and tried to stand in it. It wasn't very easy for me. I'm 220#. I didn't really have any intention of buying the Ride 135 until I paddled it. Then I loved it and bought it. Its super roomy. I plug the scuppers. The sides are nice and high so when a boat wake hits it doesn't get me wet. Its a good boat for a big guy. You should definitely stop by BCO and give them a paddle. They have the pro angler the Cuda and the ride.

jaeforceone · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2012 11:26 pm

people will tell you cannot go wrong with the pro angler. The cuda looks promising. I would not purchase the stealth. I do not know why Malibu kayaks are so popular in NE FL but they are loud (hull slap), heavy, and very dirty boats (Lots of pores for mud to trap in). Then again the pro angler is expensive and heavy. The stealth's are pretty cheap if you look in the classifieds. The cuda is fairly new but looking at some youtube videos with the guy standing on the bow of the kayak says to me it should be a good yak. However like mentioned above, if you are a big guy then maybe it's not for you.

zuglet · **Joined:** Fri Mar 07, 2008 10:25 pm **Posts:** 357

For those of you who say the Malibu kayaks are for big guys only, I say you are wrong. My scrawny little 5'8" 155 lbs butt paddles a Malibu XFactor. It weighs about 64 lbs but I lift it on top of my car by myself at the end of a 6-8 hour fishing day.It moves well, turns well, and is stable as all get out.
Yes there is some hull slap on mine but I'm only drafting about 2" of water :smoke:

But I spent Saturday fishing the Indian river bucking 25 mph winds all day with gusts much higher. 7 guys in Malibus and one Native Ultimate and we never had a problem. Several of us were standing and fishing or standing and paddling looking for the fish.
As for being a dirty boat, w garden hose works just fine to clean up. The surface of the XFactor cleans off as easily as my Tarpon 120 did and it was as slick as glass.
Everyone has their own opinions about different types of kayaks, some are based on experience and some on hearsay. Test paddle the kayaks in question and see if you like them. That's the only way to tell what is best for you. Ring King PM me if you want to try out the XFactor.

Jizzo · **Posted:** Sun Apr 15, 2012 12:44 pm

Zero hull slap on the Ride 135 but its about 20 lbs heavier than the Xfactor. I thought the Xfactor was really nice but nobody locally had them in stock.

JohnYaksJax · **Posted:** Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:48 pm

Hey Ring King......Very nice to meet you and your neat family today at Black Creek Outfitters and I am happy that we could spend some good quality time on the lake behind the store!! I am pretty certain that your older son loved paddling there too!! LOL!! He was the youngest person that I have seen PEDAL a Hobie Pro Angler and he did it without any problems!!

Great that you could "test drive" the Pro Angler and the W/S Ride 135 and the Jackson Cuda and now you can made a decision that is BEST FOR YOU and for your neat family!!!

Please let me know how I can help you in any way....thanks again....JohnYaksJax

PS: I checked and we have those "white paddles" on order in the larger length and blade size, and if I see them this week I will grab and hide one for you!! :salute:

Ring King · **Posted:** Sun Apr 15, 2012 10:37 pm

It was great meeting you today as well. My wife thinks I should just go ahead and get the Pro Angler so that I have it for the Classic. She said we would worry about getting her a rig later. She liked the looks of the Cuda but she really likes the idea of the Revolution 13 so that she has the option of paddling or peddling. Maybe her mom will buy her the Revolution and I'll "have" to get the Cuda for my nine year old!!! LOL

We'll see what happens but I'll be back in for an olive PA this week or next. Thanks for keeping an eye out for the paddle. Let me know when they come in and I'll swing by.

mojofishin · **Joined:** Thu Dec 01, 2011 8:02 pm **Posts:** 57

Jizzo wrote:

Zero hull slap on the Ride 135 but its about 20 lbs heavier than the Xfactor. I thought the Xfactor was really nice but nobody locally had them in stock.

xfactor weighs a lot more than the stated 65lbs.

stuckndamud · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:34 am

You may also want to check out the NEW (as of yesterday) Mini Pro Angler. It is 12 foot and can support up to 500lbs. Hobie mirage drive is the way to go....hands free=more casts! The link below is for the new boat...hope it helps.

http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaks/mirage/pro-angler-12/

JohnYaksJax · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 10:42 am

Dealers could not talk about it until the "Announcement Date" since our management signed "non-disclosure statements".

Here is the actual Hobie website, which may be the one that "Stuck" provided above.

http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaks/mirage/pro-angler-12/

It also says: "Anticipated availability in June 2012" but it was first scheduled for May, so who knows....

Some really neat features (whether you want/need them or not!!) and some very useful ones too and a great looking seat!! Interesting that it only weighs 18# less than the P/A 14, and is "almost" two feet shorter....
Also, the List Price that I have seen is EXACTLY the same as the P/A 14, altho I am not positive of that yet.
JohnYaksJax

PS: Joe B. at BCO was going to contact Hobie directly to get some better info on shipping and pricing, so hopefully he will post a new thread today...

Weekend Warrior · **Posted:** Tue Apr 17, 2012 9:39 am

PA all the way baabay!

The new PA 12' is the ticket!

rollin904 · **Joined:** Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:35 am **Posts:** 336

zuglet wrote:

For those of you who say the Malibu kayaks are for big guys only, I say you are wrong. My scrawny little 5'8" 155 lbs butt paddles a Malibu XFactor. It weighs about 64 lbs but I lift it on top of my car by myself at the end of a 6-8 hour fishing day.It moves well, turns well, and is stable as all get out.
Yes there is some hull slap on mine but I'm only drafting about 2" of water :smoke:

But I spent Saturday fishing the Indian river bucking 25 mph winds all day with gusts much higher. 7 guys in Malibus and one Native Ultimate and we never had a problem. Several of us were standing and fishing or standing and paddling looking for the fish.
As for being a dirty boat, w garden hose works just fine to clean up. The surface of the XFactor cleans off as easily as my Tarpon 120 did and it was as slick as glass.
Everyone has their own opinions about different types of kayaks, some are based on experience and some on hearsay. Test paddle the kayaks in question and see if you like them. That's the only way to tell what is best for you. Ring King PM me if you want to try out the XFactor.

I'm with this guy, nothing wrong with the Malibu kayaks. I think the hull slap is created by the pontoon-style shape of the kayak, as well as how high it sits in the water (my Ride is the same way). On the plus side, the pontoons help with stability and carrying heavier loads.

Pro Angler, Stealth 14, or Cuda

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