Is the Pro Angler A Boat or Kayak

I know it's not listed on the Hobie site as a kayak, but there are other kayaks longer and about as wide that are called kayaks. The Pro Angler has appeared in many "kayak fishing" articles, events, etc. and even givien away at the Jax Kayak Fishing Classic as a 1st place prize.

Was there a reason that Hobie decided not to tag the Pro Angler as a kayak? When I mention the PA in kayak forums I sometimes get the response "it's a boat...not a kayak". That can be taken that you're not part of the kayak fishing community because you're in a "boat"...not a kayak.

I just wanted to throw this out to see what others thought. I treat the PA as a kayak...not a plastic boat...and I would not trade it for any other "kayak".

Tight lines!

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Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

The Pro Anglers are considered "PFC's" - Personal Fishing Crafts

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Jacques Bernier
http://www.hobie.com/
http://www.facebook.com/HobieCatCompany

Jacques,

Thanks for the reply! It's just humorous that when you read in different kayak forums and people ask about a stable fishing platform, the PA isn't mentioned sometimes...just all the competition. I will assume the PA12 is also considered a PFC.

I guess depending on the perspective or viewpoint of the community, not being referred to as a kayak could affect whether the PA12 or PA14 are recommended by folks in response to requests for a good fishing kayak to purchase. That might limit exposure to future kayakers looking to buy a stable fishing platform when the mindset is for a kayak.

It's an interesting area to think about. Hope your Friday is going great!

Steve

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Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

We found in our studies that people knew Hobie kayaks well, but when we introduced the PA 14 it was to target the bigger guys, who typically wouldn't consider a kayak. That was the reason that we never referred to the product as a kayak, it was a strategy to get Big guys, who were non-kayakers, onto our product and out fishing. (opening up their eyes to the world of kayak fishing)

The PA has become such a huge crossover success for us due in part to more smaller guys buying them alongside the larger Bubba-type users who we were after in the beginning with the PA. So it's considered a kayak by some... or a boat by others, whatever.... but we always refer to it as a boat or (in my case) a "PFC"!

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Jacques Bernier
http://www.hobie.com/
http://www.facebook.com/HobieCatCompany

Jacques,

Thanks for the great responses! I'm not one of the larger guys...lol! I guess I fit the mold of coming from a bass boat to a single person fishing craft scenario. When you're used to the stability and fishability of a regular bass boat, the PA14 was a no-brainer as the way to go.

Best of luck with the PA12! I'm sure it's going to just add to the great success of the Pro Angler and offer people two choices to choose from.

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Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

I'm average size (for a paunchy old phardt...) and I traded UP from a tiny inflatable pontoon hardly bigger than a float tube. So, to me, the PA 14 is a boat.

As near as I can tell, I have the only PA in the state of Utah. There isn't even a dealer in this state. Yesterday, I had three different groups of people come up and ask about it while I was unloading and later loading it - and two powerboats came up to me on the water to ask. It does gather attention.

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Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult
Pro Angler-14 owner

You'd have to decide on the definition of "kayak" before you can make that call.

Compared to the traditional Greenland style, few if any of what we term fishing "kayaks" would be considered true kayaks.

This is the problem that "kayak" fishing tournaments are going to have in the future as more and more specialized "personal fishing craft" are introduced. Exactly what constitutes a "kayak."

I call mine a kayak...but when I look at how much stuff I load on it, I think surely this must be a boat.

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Sonnybass
West Columbia, SC
2010 Hobie Pro Angler
2005 Hobie Outback (2)

Hey Jaques! Who you callin' "Bubba"? I resemble that remark!

Tight Lines!

Bob (aka Bubba)

I wish DVL allowed the PA. They have never returned my email inquiries.

http://www.dvlake.com/rules01.html

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Fresh: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE02E23641B7FE360

Salt: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeb5zOGDfoKlEPsMK5GBUOge_Qz5u2koH

hey SHRED56 that is so complete bull's**T I never heard of anything like that but I'm not into freshwater fishing that much especially fishing in reservoirs. you can have a gas motor. but not a sot yak.all I gots to say to that is WOW

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buy AMERICAN

There are a lot of odd municipal regulations. Around here, you can't put an "inflatable" on any reservoir. The thing is, the writers were thinking of pool toys, not bona fide high grade fishing pontoons or similar craft. Their goal was to prevent folks from sitting in the water in what is most often a raw water supply source. Still, that wording keeps boats that were never intended to be kept off, away.

There is no reason that I can understand. They must have their reasons but what they are remains a mystery.

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Fresh: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE02E23641B7FE360

Salt: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeb5zOGDfoKlEPsMK5GBUOge_Qz5u2koH