The Best Accessories For Hobie Lynx Kayaks

Kayak Cart 

Despite the ultra-light weight of the Lynx, a kayak cart is still an essential piece of kit for transporting it to and from the water. Hobie’s range of kayak carts slot directly into the twin scupper holes in the rear cargo deck for a strong and easy mounting solution.

If you’re generally transporting your kayak across paved or relatively firm surfaces, Hobie’s Standard Plug-In Kayak Cart is more than capable of handling the lightweight Lynx. For those who need to traverse sand or other soft surfaces, the large 24cm wide beach wheels of the Hobie Trax 2 Kayak Cart is the better option and our general recommendation.

Pro Tip: Cut a tennis ball in half, drill an appropriately sized hole in the centre of each of the half domes and slide them over the posts of your kayak cart. This will provide a little extra protection and cushioning for where the cart meets the hull – Carl Dubois

Hull Protection

The Lynx’s thermoformed plastic skin is prone to cosmetic scratch and gouge damage when launching, landing or navigating the shallows. BerleyPro’s Bumper Bro keel protectors for both bow and stern are highly recommended for all Hobie Lynx owners. These simple glue-on protectors are designed specifically for the Lynx. The bow protector fits over the bow and the front of the keel where damage is most likely while the twin stern protectors fit around the pivot pads and over the rear corners. Durable, cost-effective and easy to mount, this upgrade should be top of the list for any Lynx owner.

For extra protection along the Lynx’s chines and keel, a protective tape is a great option. KeelEazy Tape is a self-adhesive PVC strip that provides a durable abrasion-resistant surface that sticks solidly to your kayak’s hull. Just 1mm in thickness, this tape can be molded over compound curves with the use of a heat gun making full-length protection possible.

Fishing Rod Holder

The low freeboard ‘board-like’ design of the Lynx makes having a secure and accessible fishing rod holder in the cockpit for fish handling, rigging or transiting between fishing spots a must. We’ve created a detailed post on choosing the right rod holder for your fishing kayak, but our recommendation for a great all-rounder is the Railblaza Rod Holder II.

For mounting the rod holder, the Railblaza TracLoader StarPort Mount is compatible with the standard accessory tracks on the Lynx. If you have the Lynx H-Rail Kit installed (see below) you can mount your Rod Holder II with the Railblaza Starport HD Mount for Hobie H-Rail.

Hobie H-Rail Kit for Lynx

With the obvious necessities out of the way, one of the most impactful upgrades for the Lynx is the addition of the Hobie H-Rail Kit. These H-Rails provide a ton of utility for mounting accessories like rod holders, fishfinder head units, tackle and storage bins, camera mounts, lighting and more. These rails have plenty of length providing mounting options in front of and behind the seat and the ability to set your accessory anywhere in between. Accessories can be mounted using Hobie H-Rail mounts or utilising the accessory track built into the top of the rail.

The H-Rails also add a little bit of protection against losing your gear overboard, providing a nice bulwark for the flat deck of the Lynx and a solid tether point to lash to. The rails can also help the exposed deck feel a little more secure and make for a nice grab rail when transitioning to standing or back to seated. The raised rail also creates better ergonomics for whatever accessories you have installed compared to the stock tracks. 

At the time of writing, H-Rail kits for Lynx are frustratingly hard to come by, with no new stock received in a long time and no word on when we can expect to see more from Hobie. If you’re lucky enough to find a set, we highly recommend you grab them!

Storage Crate

The Lynx’s lack of internal storage means that unless you’re going for a leisure paddle, you need some form of storage crate onboard to stow your extra gear and tackle. Beyond gear storage, a kayak crate also provides the perfect opportunity to mount vertical rod holders which are otherwise missing on the Lynx. The spacious rear storage deck creates the perfect space to lash a crate of some form with options from Hobie, Railblaza and Yakattack to choose from.

We run the YakAttack BlackPak Pro 13×16 because they’re lidded, are the perfect size for the medium-sized Plano 3600 tackleboxes and they come with four vertical rod holders. If you want maximum capacity, the larger BlackPak 16 x 16 will fit larger tackle trays like the Plano 3700 or Plano Edge and provide an extra two vertical rod holders for six in total.

Seat Storage Upgrades

The Lynx’s seat is prime real estate for adding additional storage and organisation for your kit, that’s close at hand and convenient to access. The Hobie Vantage Seat Accessory Bag is a staple recommendation for just about every kayak we sell. Perfect for storing small items, the seat bag creates out-of-the-way storage that will resist spray and light rain to keep your gear dry and out of the elements.

The Lynx is lacking the side pockets and tool holders found in most Hobie kayak cockpits, simply because there’s nowhere for them to go. The Lynx Side Bro From BerleyPro solves this problem with tackle and tool organisers that mount to each side of the Vantage seat on Hobie Lynx kayaks.

The Lynx Side Bro enables you to store fishing lures, boxes, scents, pliers, fish grips, scissors and more right next to you for easy and convenient access and organisation. The mounting plates in the kit have the added advantage of creating a barrier for the space under the seat, making it much more secure for storing a tackle tray and other odds and ends. 

MirageDrive Turbo Fin Upgrade

The Lynx’s hull design and lightweight construction make it super responsive to the standard MD180 pedal drive, offering good speed and plenty of grunt to punch through chop and wake.

So why upgrade the fins? With the standard fins on the Lynx, it can sometimes feel like pedalling a mountain bike in first gear – there’s too much torque and not enough resistance to push against. This forces you to maintain a higher cadence to keep the lynx pushing along at a decent speed. I find this type of pedalling fatiguing and a little frustrating, but I may just be accustomed to the Turbo Fin lifestyle.

Both Andrew and I agree that upgrading to MD-180 Turbo Fins was a major improvement on the Lynx. The larger blades not only provide a higher top speed but also a more relaxed pedalling cadence for cruising. With Turbo Fins I can cover more distance with less effort and I’ve got that reserve to kick it up a notch if I need a burst of speed or to push into some adverse conditions.

Fish Finder

Hobie’s thoughtful design makes installing your fish finder’s transducer on the bottom of your Lynx a breeze, thanks to its plug-and-play compatibility – no drilling required! Note that the transducer well on the Lynx isn’t compatible with side scan-capable transducers. If you’re using this tech, we highly recommend the BerleyPro SideScan Transducer Mount to mount and protect the vulnerable and expensive transducer. 

For mounting the fish finder head unit, we typically recommend one of the RAM Mounts solutions for either the accessory track or H-Rail depending on your setup and which model fish finder you decide on. You will also need to consider a battery system to power your fish finder of choice – see more on batteries below. 

There is a large range of fish finders from brands like Lowrance, Humminbird and Garmin with options to suit your needs and budget. Because there are so many options and set-up routes, we won’t detail any specifics here. Please get in touch with us and we will happily get you set up with a fish finder and electrical system that suits your budget and intended fishing style. 

Battery

If you’re considering adding a fishfinder, lighting or charging for electronics like cameras and phones you will need some form of onboard battery system. The FPV-Power 17.5Ah 12v Lithium kayak battery kit is the ideal tool for the job and comes bundled with a charger and a waterproof pigtail connector to get you started.

You will also need to consider where the battery will go. While the FPV batteries and connectors are sealed, excessive exposure to salt water is not going to do any electrical components any favours. Consider storing your battery in your vantage seat bag, in your storage crate, in one of Hobie’s bow storage bags (below) or mount it to your seat using the tip below.

Pro Tip: Cut a length of 25mm PVC conduit in half (lengthways) and attach both sides to the lateral rail on the back of the Lynx’s Vantage seat – electrical tape works well for this. The addition of the tube will increase the diameter, allowing the use of the BerleyPro Mast Mount to clip the battery securely to the seat. This is a neat solution that keeps the battery up out of the water in an out-of-the-way location. – Carl Dubois

Bow Storage Bag

Hobie have thoughtfully included a bow storage area on the Lynx which is the perfect location for an extra storage bag. While you can theoretically strap any bag up here, keep in mind that the bow on the Lynx can take quite a bit of water across the deck. Hobie has two bag options in their accessory catalogue that are perfectly suited to the job.

The Hobie Kayak Soft Cooler Bag is an insulated bag with a tapered design that’s ideal for the bow on a Lynx. While not strictly waterproof, it is consistently water resistant and will keep your gear dry in the majority of situations. With a 30-litre capacity and bonus mesh pockets, this bag is a great value upgrade.

For a proper waterproof bag that maintains the tapered design, you can pick up one of Hobie’s Kayak Fish Bags. Available in four sizes, the small (19L) is perfect for the Lynx but you can also get the medium (24.5L) if you want more capacity. Made from high-quality materials, these bags feature 13mm closed-cell foam insulation and a vinyl-coated polyester outer layer. 

Lynx Deck Pad Extension Kit

The Hobie Lynx is one of the best kayaks around for standing when fishing thanks to its ample stability and wide flat deck. Adding a closed-cell EVA foam deck pad kit takes it to the next level by providing enhanced comfort, superior traction, and effective sound dampening when you’re on the water. While the added comfort is a big plus, the sound dampening is particularly beneficial given the Lynx’s naturally noisy hull. By reducing noise, you can avoid spooking fish, making your time on the water both more productive and enjoyable.

Custom-cut to fit Hobie Lynx kayaks, this deck pad kit is easy to install using its strong peel-and-stick adhesive backing. Available in a stylish light grey with dark grey accents that perfectly complement the Lynx’s standard central standing pad, this kit not only improves the look of your kayak but also significantly boosts its comfort and functionality.

PowerPole Micro Anchor

The PowerPole shallow water anchor is a fantastic addition for fishing the flats on a Lynx. Due to its lightweight and flat bottom, the Lynx is much more susceptible to the slightest wind or current, making it impossible to hold your position and orientation in anything but perfect conditions. Once you stop pedalling, the Lynx goes where it wants!

With a PowerPole you can instantly pin yourself in place in water up to 2.5 meters in depth at the touch of a button. Essentially hands-free, it will save you a ton of time and hassle compared to traditional stake-out poles, with superior holding power and positioning control.  

The Lynx is designed for PowerPole with threaded inserts for the PowerPole mounting bracket on the rear deck. Hobie has cleverly designed it so the spike travels through a moulded scupper slot in the hull rather than hanging off the stern for a cleaner and less exposed mounting solution. Installation couldn’t be simpler, catch Hobie’s PowerPole installation walkthrough video here.

You can power your PowerPole via your kayak’s battery system or pick up a dedicated PowerPole Battery Pack for a neat option that makes the PowerPole a self-contained unit. 

Protective Covers

If you’re planning on storing your Lynx outdoors a cover is a must. Not only will it protect your kayak from the extreme degradation caused by UV, it will also help minimise stains, debris and corrosion from the build-up of dirt, leaves and bird droppings.

The best kayak cover for Hobie Lynx is the Lovig Hobie Lynx Kayak Cover. This cover is custom-designed to protect the Lynx and offer great value. Lovig covers are easy to fit and made from durable water & UV proof 600 denier polyester canvas fabric.

The Hobie MirageDrive Storage & Carry Bag is designed to protect your valuable and important pedal drive from damage during transport or storage. In practice, I find it’s also incredibly useful for protecting your car’s fabrics and carpets from damage by the drive’s sharp edges while also going a long way to keeping your car’s interior or boot dry and clean.

Pro Tip: Keep you kayak cover on the Lynx when loading, unloading and during transport to protect the outer shell from cosmetic damage

Safety and Visibility

As kayak anglers, we’re vulnerable to collision with larger craft and this is particularly apparent in low-light or nighttime sessions. The YakAttack VISICarbon Pro is a kayak visibility flag with 360-degree white light to help increase your kayak’s visibility to other boaters. This unit will mount directly to your accessory tracks or dropped into a spare vertical rod holder on your storage crate thanks to its foam-covered base

A quality PFD or lifejacket is not just common sense, it’s a legal requirement that anyone aboard a single-person kayak wear a PFD at all times in all NSW waterways. I typically run an inflatable like the Hobie Yoke Manual Inflating PFD  to minimise bulk. Alternatively, a traditional jacket style like the Hobie Outback PFD can provide an extra level of protection in the event you enter the water unconscious. 

Utility Upgrades

Hobie has an excellent range of utility accessories that can augment the Lynx’s capabilities;

The Hobie Kayak Bimini Sunshade provides ultra-lightweight protection from the sun with a UPF 50+ rating. Perfect for summer days out on the water where fishing isn’t your primary concern.

The Hobie Mirage Kayak Sail Kit allows you to rest your legs and utilise the power of the wind. Convenient and easy to set up and deploy, this sail kit is perfect for beginner and experienced sailors alike.  

The Hobie H-Bar Kayak Standing Bar is designed to provide something to hold on to when standing and to assist in raising and lowering yourself into your seat. In practice, I find it gets in the way when fishing, creating more hassle than help. I’ve also seen it provide a false sense of security for standing use. The H-Bar doesn’t make the kayak any more stable, it just means you have something to hold on to if things get rocky. The H-Bar can be a nice upgrade if you struggle with mobility.