Fishing the Forgotten Coast via Hobie Kayak

Triggerfish via Hobie Outback Kayak off of Panama City Beach

Humble blogger coming in for a perfect landing!

The fishing in late April along the 'Forgotten Coast' of Florida proved be to be a good fit for a flotilla of Hobie kayak anglers. An 8-hour trek from Charleston, crossing southern Georgia through Thomasville, then past Tallahassee and the Appilachicola National Forest, ending up at Port St. Joe. Experienced anglers used Hobie Outback kayaks and Pro Angler kayaks, propelled by the Hobie mirage drive, to target both inshore and offshore fish species. One grey, wet and windy weather day, like the kind that is defining the spring of 2013, really tested the limits of what one can do in a kayak in such conditions. Better weather allowed for kayaks to probe nearly the entire length of the coast line between Gulf County and Bay County, under the watchful eye of the Hobie pro staffers. Testing out tackle from Unfair Lures and Live Target, was easier with plenty of experience shared by veteran anglers so that even everyone could join in the fish catching fun. The small towns along this section of the panhandle are friendly, quaint and their white sands offer a reason to spend much time on the beach. One day we even launched the kayaks from the beach in order to fish over live bottom in 60-feet of water - and yes the weather was calm. Surfing a kayak loaded with fishing gear and an Icey-Tek cooler through the breakers is a good test of one's skills, and made for a wet and memorable trip ending for some. Lowcountry Outdoors gives a shout out to new friends at Bay County Outdoors, and to view their video with a Hobie staffer Keeton showing  the Pro Angler kayak click here. Watch the video until the end to see why Keeton is also known as the 'Fox whisperer.' Photos are by Hobie photographer Jeffrey Fortuna. The IFA kayak fishing tour comes to the Lowcountry Outdoors on June 9 at the Charleston Harbor Marina, and Hobie kayaks will be offering one of their kayaks as the first place prize!

To read my feature article on Fishing Florida via Hobie Kayak click Charleston Mercury.

To view past blog entries from the Hobie kayak writer's conference click here.