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Picked up my Hobie Pro Angler 14 Saturday and was itchin to get it out on the water. Luckily my wife ok'd me heading out today. Today was mainly a test run, seeing how I need to place everything, working with the downrigger, fish finder etc, oh and trying out the Kekeda trolling flies in perch (I've read so many reports from the east side, I wanted to see if they would bring in bigger trout here on the west side). Due to weather, I got a late start. Arrived at the launch around 12:30 and was fishing by 1. Running the aforementioned Kekeda fly anout 2 feet behind a 4.4in Mack's Double D dodger, about 40 feet behind the clip. Water temp was just under 45, and I was marking fish either in the 15-20 foot ranger, or they were on the surface.

I wasn't expecting much other than to learn a few things. Moved the ball around between 7- 20 feet looking for any takers. Nothing for the first two hours. Maybe they don't like the Kekeda flies here? Decided to put a little Pro Cure Rainbow scent on. About 15 minutes later a real hard take down. Popped the line from the clip, and the fish immediately came up top and put on a fun surface aerial display. I could tell right away I didn't have on a recently planted fish. After a fun runs and jumps, got it netted and into the boat. I hadn't intended on keeping any, but this one was bleeding a bit. Beautiful bright 19 1/2 in rainbow. That would be it for the day. I packed it in about an hour later. Saw 2 other boats on the water. 1 boat left the same time as me and did not even get a take down.

Even though it was a slow day, 1 nice fish (check out how red the meat was) makes it all worth while.

Ian Horning

2/15/2016 10:33:00 AM

That's a sweet 'yak setup! Nice fish too.

JoshH

2/15/2016 12:27:00 PM

Thanks. Only 1 trip in it, but so far I love it. The pedal drive keeps my hands free to work everything. I wanted something I would be able to launch at smaller lakes as well as be able to take it out on the sound in the right conditions.

pcorazao

2/15/2016 3:22:00 PM

Got a PA 14 on layaway, can't wait, can't wait, very nice catch also!

JoshH

2/15/2016 3:38:00 PM

You are going to love it. Having your hands free is huge. Its easy to add accessories and move them around to where it works best for you.

cobrar543

2/15/2016 4:27:00 PM

biggest Trout from Goodwin I have seen in years. Grats!!

tyee4me

2/15/2016 5:12:00 PM

Awesome set up with the Shakespeare spinning rod with the level wind. Do what you have to to get out and fish right! Way to go.Nice fish!

JoshH

2/15/2016 5:35:00 PM

Thanks! I like the rod because its so mutli use. I just change out the reel.

G-PA

2/16/2016 5:39:00 AM

JoshH --Nice Fish! - I to have a 2014 Hobie 12 and love it !-- tell me about your Down rigger setup - I'm thinking that since I don't have the new style rails I may have to replace mine - thanks

fisherman92

2/16/2016 7:05:00 AM

I grew up on Goodwin and when some days were slow i would catch a nice 18-20 inch rainbow if i was lucky as well! well done. my PB on goodwin was a 8.5lb 21 inch largemouth when i was about 12 years old back in about 2004 or so. Nice Fish!

JoshH

2/16/2016 10:13:00 AM

Fish-On - Yeah they changed the length of the H-Rail from 2015 to 2015. Mine is a 2015, so the H-Rail extends farther down the length of the kayak. I just used the Hobie universal mounting plate on the H-rail, and attached a Scotty Quick Mount to it. I used pliers to make sure the h-rail mount was really tightened snugly. The downrigger is a Scotty 1050 Depthmaster. I replaced the cable with 200lb test Scotty braid (No vibration and less drag in the water) The Scotty mount fit perfect, just a couple of holes to drill. I can quickly take the downrigger on and off for transport. I did have to angle the mount upwards a bit so the hobie h-rail mount would get a better bite on the rail. I was actually running a 8 pound ball (going to drop down to a 6lb next time out) and it handled it with no problems. You just have to gently lower the ball into the water. I am going to shorten up the boom arm a bit, it's a little bit of a stretch to reach our and get the ball. I believe you can purchase the longer rail. I have seen some that use the longer plastic board that runs the down the length of the sides on the older Hobie's, but you have to do a bit of modification because it's not wide enough either mount the rigger directly to it or put on a quick mount. If you read the Hobie Cat forums, guys there get too complicated with it imo.

RL44

2/26/2016 3:36:00 PM

are you required a discovery pass on that lake to launch at the park or is just a fishing license ok

JoshH

2/26/2016 4:46:00 PM

It's a county park now, not a state park. No discovery pass needed, but there is a $10 fee for the park/launch.

ballardbrad

4/11/2016 8:23:00 AM

Nice report. I haven't fished Goodwin in a couple of years. Last time was 2013 on the 4th of July. I landed a couple of chunky hold overs from my Hobie Pro Angler https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.272085009596474.1073741834.247960055342303&type=3

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