Sounds like a great tournament. I have never targeted papio before. So what would one have to do to go after the papio? And your invitation sounds tempting... not so much for the competition, but for the bonding with fellow anglers. Well worth the cost. I'll see what I can do to get a weekend off.

The mirage drive fits in the front hatch on the Hobie Revolution. So carrying a spare is possible. After my experience on Thursday, I really feel that I need to go to the next level and get a TI over the AI. I want the space if I solo to operate from the rear seat and have space in front of me. I like the added protection of the larger amas and the stability it brings to the water. I will be in Maui on June 29th and 30th. I would like to meet you if possible. I will be staying in Kihei. Let me know?

Same here. I carry and extra knife that's tethered in my fishing pocket in my PFD. I also carry an extra pair of fishing pliers that are tethered. I use a Stohlquist Fishing PFD and I would feel naked not wearing it. It's comfortable and worth the investment. My VHF radio is positioned on the left side of my chest secured to my vest that enables me to keep it in its place at all times.

That maybe the solution... to bring an extra mirage drive and carry it in the front hull. I would have never been able to fix it in those conditions. The rod broke as I was paddling out after I launched. I must have tweaked the rod by hitting the rocky surface as I started out. Does not take much to damage that rod. I'll take your advice, but really I'd rather make an investment into a TI. The sail in those conditions was useless as it made me lean and drive into the water which made the cavity flood. Bob... do you carry your mirage plugs with you when you sail?

TomTrike... I will get that done ASAP. Thanks for joining.

I don't think that the sail will step up my game, It just gives the opportunity to cover more ground when the fish are not biting or biting. It's so funny to see kayak fishermen land more fish sometimes than the charters here and there in Kona when coming back to the harbors, it's more likely to be at the right place and at the right time with some experience that will land you the fish. The sail just saves me body energy and gives a feeling like no other while being on the kayak. It makes a Hobie complete. I would probably never recommend purchasing a Revo at this time. I would go with an AI or TI.

I heard the navy was testing their mini subs in Maui at about the time you were fishing and at the same location. Maybe you hooked onto one of those! Just kidding. Sounds big to me. The first time I had that sensation and power on the other end of the line, I cut the line and took my loses w/o second thoughts. Be safe!

Not famous but ono...

C2Y and KayakingBob

Read all your posts as well as Kayaking Bob on the Hobie forum. Wow great info and the comparison side by side in Bobs backyard. Your photos were awesome JQ and I have already planted the seed to get my wife positioned for my next kayak purchase. I kind of stumbled into the Hobie Revolution. I was lucky to win the Yak Attack summer tournament in June, 2008. I won the OK Prowler. Had a sore shoulder at that time and asked Kelly if I could trade it in for a Hobie. Never thought about sailing at that time, just pedaling. I paid the difference and went with the Hobie. No regrets until I see what you have. Yes I invested into a comfortable ride, but the TI has all the answers... especially when going solo. The storing of your catch in front of you is the most important requirement I look for after purchasing 3 kayaks previously.

Looking forward to sailing with you even though I will be lagging you. My days off are Tuesday and Wednesday. My wife and kids are leaving this Sunday for a month leaving me all alone for kayak fishing and sailing. I plan on going to Maui one of my weeks on my day off to see Maui Mark and probably see the setup of how KayakingBob rides his Hobie Sail Fleet.

Still working on the best way to fish 2 rods without interference of the mainsheet w/o tangling my lines since I am so compacted on the Revo. I ordered my Magnum Rapala CD11 lures last week following an article that was posted on the YakAss website to troll artificial behind the sail at various speeds. I'll follow your posts.

Great Mark! I look forward to see all photos of a revised rig. I am always looking for ways of improvement. Hook placement is really a key to landing the fish. Forgot what it is like! Tight Lines!

I was also thinking of adding a separate "J" hook made from stainless steel and wrap to the double hook so it creates a treble hook and have the double hooks stick out instead on in the flesh. I have been having a tough time landing fish these last 2 months, So now I am trolling 2 lines and keeping one the same and experimenting with the other. I have to break out of my slump sometime here.

I did talk to Steve at a Teachers party once last September in Waikoloa Village. Those guys really know how to bring in fish with perfection as Steve brought a shibi to the party to sashimi it up. Very ono! They are the best I have seen. You might know more about their situation than me. Why don't you ask that question on your forum? They might give their side of the story and we all are curious on why they did not fish the Yak Attack??? I Read Kelly's summary on his website but that's about it Roc (oh... Captain Cook)!

Ram ball mounts and arms work great as well as the Xshot 2.0 and the kayak mount. The ram ball allows the bending and rotation of the camera. I am lucky as I mount it on my ama arms allowing me to grip my rod with my left and re position the base of the ram mount with my right. But always focus on bringing in the fish first and not worry about the camera so much and within time, you'll manage all. Look for a video on my setup in the next week or so when I get out there next time and I will showcase everything that I am using. Might be overkill, but it's what I like! Thanks for the post!

My wish list would be from the Hilo side, I fished there back in January and have not been back since... still waiting for the right conditions when I have the time off from work. But the best experience would be to fish with others and learn their areas of comfort so we could expand ours. This gives us the advantage of knowing the island better... plus gaining knowledge if others are willing to share what and how they do it. My sharing is limited as I have only fished with a handful of yakkers on this Island. In a couple of weeks, I am going to expand my Islands and fish with Maui Mark on his island. So Mark, expect my call coming soon. Wife is going to California for 4 weeks with the kids and leaving me behind. And I also would really would like to learn how to fish using a palu bag! Maybe one of these days,