FishRook
Hobie BOS to Allow Motors in ’24: Is This Good for the Sport? by Justin Largen
Hobie has announced that the Bass Open Series will allow motors for most of its tournaments in the 2024 season. Hobie will host two no-motor events, but all others will allow anglers to use a motor during competition. This represents a significant change for Hobie, which previously only allowed motors to be utilized during the pre-tournament practice period. For much of the kayak community, this is a welcome change, but I have to admit that I’m feeling ambivalent.
First, I’m not surprised that Hobie implemented this rule change. Many anglers have been asking for it for a long time. As recently as the ’23 TOC, use of motors was a hot topic of discussion among the anglers. There was chatter that a move like this could be on the horizon, and I understand the reasons for it. Turnout was down from the ’22 season and Hobie wants to maximize participation. Full fields benefit everyone,…
