Bonafide SS127 or Hobie Outback vs Tarpon 120 - Which is Better?

Which is the better fishing platform for rivers, lakes and inshore saltwater? A quick review of the Bonafide SS127, the Hobie Mirage Outback and the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120. Check out more at va-outdoors.com
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The guys at Appomattox River Company (paddleva.com) are fantastic, we highly recommend them for your next purchase.
Bonafide SS127 - paddleva.com/collections/kaya...
12' 7" in length, 33.75" wide, 94 pounds with seat
Hobie Mirage Outback DLX - paddleva.com/collections/kaya...
12' 9" in length, 34" wide, 85 pounds with seat
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 - paddleva.com/collections/kaya...
12' 3" in length, 31" wide, 63 pounds with seat
VA Outdoors is not compensated by, or affiliated with Appomattox River Company

[@TxHornyToad]

I have a 2020 Tarpon 120 and a 2021 Hobie Outback. The 2020 Tarpon is much improved over your model. Solid handles front and back. Wider tank well perfectly fits milk crate. Seat is better but you still get a sore butt. Still tracks well and much easier to paddle than the Hobie due to hull shape and foot braces. Very good in very shallow water (less than 12”). Being older I don’t have the upper body strength to go long distances to fishing grounds paddling so I got the Outback. I can cruise at 2.75 to 3 mph in the Tarpon, and 3.5 to 4 mph in the Hobie. Except in really shallow water the Outback is more fishable. Casting while peddling. The rudder is wonderful for keeping the kayak oriented while drift fishing. Both are pretty stable but I don’t stand up (wish I could). The Tarpon at 63 pounds is manageable but the Hobie at 82 pounds without seat or drive is at my upper limit. The Hobie is a great fishing kayak but three times the price of a Tarpon.

[@dudewheresmycar8506]

I think you should invest in the hobie h bar so you can stand up and fish. It’ll help you. Sitting all day must be a pain.

[@parkerfortune8313]

How much do you weigh? Does water pool up in the cockpit footwell of the tarpon?

[@VAOutdoorsTV]

Im a solid 240, no pooling

[@edwardchoi3911]

Thanks for the observations. Was wondering if the plastic / hull of the Bonafide kayak was thicker/stronger than the Hobie? Is this why it is heavier, or is their another reason in your mind?

[@VAOutdoorsTV]

They feel comparable though some parts of the bow and stern seem stiffer in the Hobie. Im unsure of where the extra weight comes from.

[@captorfishin5311]

I'm 120 Nice kajak

[@flatheadfletch]

If you could only keep one ! Which one and why ?

[@VAOutdoorsTV]

Having spent a lot of time in all, I would keep the Bonafide. If the seat in the Hobie were higher, and not as cheaply made the decision would be different. The Bonafide seat height and quality makes an all day fish so much easier.

[@razdog76]

No Crescent Lite Tackle?

[@VAOutdoorsTV]

No sorry

[@andrue17]

Tarpon 120 = stable enough, fast and easy to paddle. Bonafide = heavy slow and a barge to paddle. Outback = quick with mirage drive, can be paddled In skinny water and not too heavy. Tarpon and outback is the way to go, bonafides are overrated in my opinion.