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If there’s one gamefish that requires anglers to get in the shallow stuff in the back to find the big ones, it has to be summer flounder, also known as fluke to Mid-Atlantic fishermen.

Granted, there are some big flatties in the surf, and in the deeper areas of the bay. But there are also doormats in the shallows back there.

Now, there are lots of great fishing kayaks in our inventory that make good fluking rigs. But one that’s built for skinny, shallow water is the Hobie Lynx. Here are all the reasons the Lynx is a bonafide, tried-and-true fluking machine.

Hands-Free Control

Fishing a drift, or even in one location (especially if you are working a bucktail rather than a bait rig) will require the use of both hands.

The Hobie Lynx is not a paddle-powered craft, which means you can keep both hands on the rod (or one on the rod and one on the net) rather than having to wrangle a paddle out of the way at the last second.

And that makes it great for fishing in general, not just for fluke, despite the fact that it is surprisingly minimalistic.

No More Than You Need

As with any sporting pursuit, fluking can be as involved as you want it to be. But unlike casting dry flies for trout in skinny water, whereat you’ll need a mind-boggling array of fly patterns, a vest, a net, pliers, hemostats, debarbing tools, floatant, a fly patch, a retractable line tool and knot assisting tool, and 150 million other things, fluking can be quite simple.

They’ll hit a variety of lures and bait, but your trip can be as simple as a box full of .5 to 1 ounce bucktails and one of those little plastic cups of gulp. That, a good baitcasting outfit, and a landing net is basically all you need (plus a cooler if you’re there for keeps).

The Hobie Lynx is perfect for this because it allows you to get back to basics. It’s not that involved and while there is room for accessorization, you can also pare down so you can spend more time on the water doing what you went there to do in the first place.

Excellent Stability

Alright, so your average fluke fights like a wet shopping bag. We don’t catch these things for the thrill. They are food.

And so maybe you don’t need the same stability you’d need if you were dredging up tuna or marlin or even musky. But you still need a solid boat and the Hobie Lynx is that and a whole lot more, especially considering the size.

You’re Low to the Water

Have you ever lost a fluke boatside? So have all of us. They’re notoriously good at getting away until you have them in the net or the hand, and they can be pretty net shy, too.

But one thing that makes it easier to land fluke here is that the Lynx is really low to the water. There’s no raised gunwale, and the whole thing is like a SUP with a seat and a pedal drive. That means from a seated position you can get a hand on any fish you pull in if you play it right.

For you, that means fewer lost fish and potentially less frustration.

A Pedal-Drive That’s Engineered for Work in the Shallows

One more thing that makes the Hobie Lynx a dead-ringer for shallow water fluke is the fact that this pedal drive is engineered for shallow water navigation.

We hear you, we hear you. Pedal drives are categorically inferior to paddles in the shallow stuff. But it’s not like you’re frog gigging here. You’re still going for fluke and you’ll be in a couple feet of water, at least.

But all the same, pedal drives that power a prop are no good where there is either mud or weeds. The Lynx is outfitted with Hobie’s MirageDrive 180 with kick-up fins that automatically retract if you encounter an obstacle - and that means you can venture into the shallows with no worries.

It also means you can land the kayak easily without worrying about damaging the pedal drive - simply push one pedal forward to retract the fins and you’re working with a smooth hull.

You’ll Stay Dry and Comfortable in the Heat

Whether you fluke it up in Massachusetts, New Jersey, or North Carolina, one thing remains true: this is a purely summer-driven pursuit. The fish show up when the water gets warm and peace out when it dips. Besides, game regs will not allow you to keep any fluke caught incidentally outside of the summer season, anyway.

We digress. This means it will be hot when you’re on the water fluking. The good news about the Hobie Lynx is that it’s made with comfortable, supportive elevated seating made with “mono-mesh” that is quick drying, ventilated, and which will keep you cool and dry even in the hottest temperatures.

It might not make for the best winter striper rig, but it’s definitely great for fluke.

It’s Lightweight

Lastly, let’s talk about the convenience factor. It’s rough enough gearing up for a solo trip on the salt. At least the Lynx makes it easier.

It is only 47 pounds - an absolute featherweight among fishing kayaks - which means it doesn’t even need to be trailered. You could throw this thing in the back of a truck or even go by cartop transport. That’s how light it is.