Jonny Rego - Rhode Island

One of the most defining moments in my life came at the young age of seven, the first time I ever held a fishing rod. My grandfather took me and my brother out scup fishing on his boat with nothing but a pack of hotdogs and a few hooks. An interesting choice of bait for sure, but the second my first scup hit the deck, a lifelong passion for angling was ignited! Once I finally got my drivers license, the floodgates opened up. I became obsessed with finding productive fishing grounds, crazy feeding frenzies, and more specifically, catching big striped bass. Through years of trial and error and a lot of hard lessons learned, I transformed from a kid who didn’t really know what he was doing, into a surfcaster with a lot of valuable local knowledge under my belt. I also began to delve into the art of ocean kayak angling, fishing from high end kayaks like Hobie and Old Town and later becoming a member of the Old Town and The Kayak Centre RI fishing team. This has allowed me to explore new waters and fish in ways I did not think possible.

Kayaks: Old Town Bigwater 132 ePDL+,  AutoPilot 120, Salty PDL 120

Dustin Stevens - Rhode Island

I’m the founder of Rhode Island Kayak Fishing Adventures, a kayak charter company that specializes in offering clients fully-equipped Old Town kayaks (even motorized!) for memorable outings. My charters cater to both saltwater and freshwater enthusiasts. In the saltwater domain, I primarily target a range of species, including Striped Bass, Bluefish, False Albacore, Summer Flounder, and Black Sea Bass. On the other hand, in the tranquil freshwater settings, my typical pursuits include Largemouth Bass, Trout, Crappie, Smallmouth Bass, and Pike.

Kayaks: Old Town Autopilot 136 and Autopilot 120, EPDL+ 120 Pro

Todd Treonze - Rhode Island

I’m a Rhode Island based angler who lives two blocks from the Narragansett Bay and live to fish every chance I get. I have been fishing Hobie Kayaks for over 7 years and have enjoyed fishing both salt and fresh water throughout New England during that time.  While my favorite fish to target are Striped Bass in the summer, I can often be found in a dry suit fishing the edge seasons in April and December for Blackfish and Tautog. When not fishing I am on the board of a local non-profit that supports public waterfront access rights for all Rhode Island residents and our state's visitors.

Kayaks: Hobie Lynx, Outback, Pro Angler 12

Tom Houde - Rhode Island

I started kayak fishing in 2010 and finally got into a Hobie Revolution back in 2015. The Hobie Mirage Drive technology allowed my catch rate to increase dramatically. I fish competitively in a few regional tournaments and the RI Tog Classic. I am at my best sharing my knowledge and experience with new anglers to kayak fishing. I am also furthering my angling skills in freshwater fishing, and have fun discovering new water to fish. I enjoy representing the Hobie brand for The Kayak Centre of RI and feel the best is yet to come. I hope to see you on the water!

Kayaks: Hobie Outback

Chappy Nem - Rhode Island

I’ve been kayak fishing since 2010, and what began as a passion has grown into a true lifestyle. I've always been passionate about freshwater fishing since I was young. After years of catching largemouth bass I wanted to challenge myself in saltwater and buying a boat was not an option for me. To enjoy the open water without a boat my Hobie PA 12 was the best choice. I have been fishing in a Hobie kayak for 3 years now and I do not regret it. Kayak fishing allowed me to access spots impossible for boats and fishermen from shore. Over the years in Rhode Island, I’ve been fortunate enough to participate in Freshwater and Saltwater Kayak Tournaments. I’m also a member of the Rhode Island Saltwater Angler’s Association - Kayak Division. I’ve had the privilege of meeting incredible people and forming amazing friendships with fellow anglers. The kayak fishing community has been an integral part of my growth, both on and off the water.

Kayaks: Hobie Pro Angler 12

Josh Rayner - Connecticut

I'm addicted to fishing, specifically kayak fishing. I have been fishing for as long as I can remember, learning how to catch bass, bluegill, and crappie from my father, my uncle, and my grandfather. My grandfather's stories about fishing for striped bass as a young man with his father in Jamaica Bay, NY were what ignited and fueled the fire inside me to pursue stripers as avidly as I do. After years of paddling, I finally moved up to a Hobie Outback in 2017, and barriers were broken. Rougher conditions were conquered, more water was covered, and more fish were caught on any given trip. The Hobie fleet for my kayak-fishing business, “CT Fish Nerd”, now consists of 4 well-equipped and extremely stable Hobie Outbacks providing the perfect fishing platforms for up to 3 clients. These kayaks provide the comfort, storage space, and maneuverability to spend a full day on the water.

Kayaks: Hobie Outback

Corey Pelletier - Connecticut

I’m a passionate kayak angler who dedicates much of the warm season to paddling my Hobie along the shorelines of Connecticut and Rhode Island in New England. During the summer, I often find myself on the water after sunset, chasing large striped bass. While targeting striped bass is my top choice, I also enjoy bottom fishing for various species like fluke and sea bass using my Hobie in saltwater. Over the past decade of kayak fishing, I’ve developed a strong preference for Hobie kayaks due to their numerous advantages, especially for the types of fishing I enjoy. Participating in saltwater kayak fishing tournaments is another aspect of my angling passion, and I’ve achieved a few podium finishes. Each year, I continue to learn how the versatility of a kayak can enhance fishing success and improve my skills as an angler. I take great pleasure in sharing my passion and the knowledge I’ve gained along the way with others.

Kayaks: Hobie Pro Angler 12, Outback