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Diablo Kayaks
The Diablo Paddlesports Adios and Chupacabra kayaks might not be the most productive way to fish the Missouri River, but they definitely are the funnest. These Texas made boats are a hybrid Sit-on-top (SOT) kayak and a Stand-up-paddleboard (SUP). Yes, you can stand up and paddle these extremely stable watercraft while you float down the river, but with the supplied “Larry Chair” you’ll find they about as comfortable as it gets when sitting. Here’s a short video of Sara trying out the Chupacabra while fishing the Missouri River.
Looks pretty fun, right? It is, but more importantly, it’s a very effective way to fish the Missouri River. “Stealth” is an understatement when describing how easily you can approach rising fish in these craft. You’ll find it easy to silently roll by a single riser in an out of the way spot, then pull in behind him and get him. He never heard you coming.
While fishing pout of these is possible (you’ll have no steerage), we recommend using them to get from wade spot to wade spot. Unlike a pontoon boat, they are much faster and more controllable. When the wind kicks up you won’t find yourself going back upstream.
If you were to attempt stand up fishing out of the Diablo’s, we would recommend throwing hopper downstream or fan casting a streamer. While you could rig a simple anchor system to post up on rising fish, we’ve opted not to on our rentals. If you would like an anchor system, there’s an easy solution. Buy your own boat and rig it up.
All of our Diablo rentals include the folding “Larry Chair”, a kayak paddle, PFD and have dry storage. We usually have a couple of SUP paddles around if you are committed to going that route. The Larry Chair easily folds up and fits inside the dry storage compartment.
Diablo Kayak rentals are $50/day, and you haul them. We can drop them off for the price of a shuttle fee.
Call the shop at 1.877.379.3597 or 406.235.3447 to reserve a rental or inquire about purchases.
One comments on “Diablo Kayaks”
Mark:
I love the Adios I purchased from HH. I get a good workout, and, as you state, I get to sneak up on the fish. I have drifted some of the straighter sections of the MO and had success both with dries and nymphs. Standing up and paddling gives you an unrestricted view of the fish. I would recommend sitting after you hook one. She is not as maneuverable as a standard kayak, as she is wide in the beam. You can add a keel, which can be retracted in shallows. As you state, with little freeboard, she does not not suffer in strong winds as do the Cataraft types.
I do, however, recommend either a small electric trolling motor or ending your day upstream of your take-out! Paddling upstream even a 1/4 mile at the end of the day is a challenge, winds notwithstanding.
The Diablo is awesome for getting to hitherto unreachable wade spots. You will never access these sites by SUV, only SUP. Also, the shallow draft allows me to disregard gravel bars, riffle, and other areas my Hyde cannot reach. If you do get stuck, you just step out and drag the boat a few feet, and jump back in.
Overall, the Diablo is an awesome SUP-Yak and I can transport it on my Subie, vice dragging my one ton truck on a 120-mile round-trip for a day of fun in your neighborhood.
I really appreciate the advice given by you and your staff, as well as the friendly atmosphere. I’m looking for a plot of land to plop a yurt on and go total fly hippie.
Thanks also to Sara and Julie for making a sweet deal on this craft.
Take care,
Terry