The unmistakable deep southern voice of Jackie Smith, NFL Hall of Fame Tight End, on the other end of the phone said, “I’m going to be in the lake area next week and wondered if you wanted to ride in Hobie’s new Pro Angler kayak.”
Oh, yes! After having ridden in watercraft from an 8-foot Pram to the 1,000 foot-long Enterprise aircraft carrier, one might think a kayak would be uninspiring – but this was a whole new concept.
First, it would be a chance to fish without a motor for propulsion or boat positioning – total person power – ‘extreme green’ if you will and I hadn’t done that since belly boat fishing in the 1960s.
Neither a motor nor a paddle is required because of Hobie’s unique flipper drive system called MirageDrive. It propels the kayak with flippers actuated by pumping pedals front-to-back instead.
Angler amenities of the Pro Angler included ample storage and a layout that was designed for fishermen, with room for rods, tackle and even a bait box.
An advance trip to the Green Mill Campground on the Little Niangua River found an ideal launch site, scenic background, clearing water and the possibility of actually catching a fish. Unfortunately, we had significant rains before the test day arrived, discoloring the water and creating some current.
When Smith arrived, he was undaunted, smiled and said, “Wait till you ride in it.”
Launching was a snap, two wheels slipped into the kayak’s belly for rolling to the river and then easily dropped to the ground at the water’s edge.
Smith climbed aboard and began explaining the craft’s virtues as he maneuvered next to the shoreline, casting a plastic frog to laydowns. Any skepticism about the kayak’s fishability quickly dissipated – but when would it be my turn?
Climbing aboard was easy enough, even with my creaky bones. But, what about stability? It isn’t exactly a bass boat and my balance isn’t what it used to be.
No worries – within minutes the craft displayed its remarkable stability and maneuverability. And, the front-to-back pedal motion was far less tiring than the circular motion like that of a bicycle.
Another vehicle arrived and pro angler, Tom Murphy (basswishes.com), climbed out. Bummer, now I’ll have to share time in the kayak.
Within minutes, Murphy was at the helm, casting easily to flooded bushes and laydowns. “Hey, I want one,” he shouted back to us. I gave up on riding again and picked up the camera for photos, hoping he would catch a fish.
So, where can a person use a 138-pound, 13-foot, 8-inch kayak in the Ozarks? Because of its small size, crossing Lake of the Ozarks by the Glaize Arm Bridge on the Fourth of July wouldn’t be a good plan.
But, kayaks do inhabit the lake during summer – just not during prime time. Enthusiasts who take a ride in the cool hours of an early summer morning have found they almost have the lake to themselves, especially in the No-Wake coves.
And, nearby waters like rivers entering the Niangua and Glaize Arms, Niangua Lake or Fellows Lake near Springfield are ideal for these self-propelled crafts. Plus, Missouri is blessed with several small lakes, ponds and rivers where outboards are limited or not allowed.
“It’s a great craft for small lakes, bayous and moderate streams, plus it’s easy to transport on a car top carrier or a small trailer,” said Smith. Small-water angling enthusiasts already know a number of ponds, lakes and streams where this kind of craft would be ideal.
More are listed in the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) pamphlet, “Discover Outdoor Missouri”. Look for Conservation Area listings that mention city lakes or Community Lakes (CL) and have Recreational Opportunity Codes F, R, and possibly D.
Pamphlets are available at the MDC office, 783 Thunder Mountain Road, Camdenton.
Fishing ‘extreme green’ obviously isn’t limited to Hobie’s Pro Angler, canoes and rowboats fit this category too. However, each has its strengths and disadvantages.
A rowboat is roomy and very stable but it can be cumbersome to launch and load with one person. Canoes are a cinch to launch with one person but need tending with a paddle often while fishing. Traditional kayaks have no room for fishing gear since they are covered bow and aft.
Regular readers know I cover new products in my column once or twice a year, just to keep anglers informed about new or hot items in the tackle industry. In other publications, I regularly review fishing and pleasure boats, and often review pickups and sport utility vehicles. With every product I discuss, there are no financial ties.
This product, Hobie’s Pro Angler, was so unique and is such a remarkable example of making it easy to fish ‘extreme green’, that it deserved an entire column. Thanks to Hobie and Jackie Smith who made the product available for a few hours and to Tom Murphy for helping with the test – even though he didn’t catch a fish for photos.
Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. —
