Hi JFranco,
I hope I can add some insight to this topic. Little bit of intro, I'm a kayak tournament angler in what is arguably the leading edge of kayak tournament bass fishing. KATS (kayak anglers tournament series). It is sponsored by Austin Canoe and Kayak out of Austin, Texas. Check out the website fishkats. com. This series has been going on for about ten years more or less. This is my fourth season competing. last year we averaged about a hundred boats per event. First event this year was 166 boats. The next one this Saturday has the potential to be even higher.
To shed some light on the debate about pedal vs paddle. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Start with the pedal. Advantages are, hands free able to fish and pedal at the same time, serious advantage in the wind by being able to hold position on say a windy point or over structure. Some speed advantage not always though. One of our members using a old racing kayak and he blows everyone away off of the start. Hobie now has the reverse on the mirage drive, Native watercraft has had reverse for years. It is a true bicycle like pedal drive propeller driven. Pedal forwards or backwards for forward or reverse nothing to pull or switch. Really good if your trying to horse a big'un out of cover and your hands are full of rod and reel. I could go on but that hits the high spots.
Disadvantages to pedal, You have a deeper draft. You can hit a unseen stump or stick up at speed and bust your drive or bend/break the rods on your fins, tear your fins, shear your pin or snap your prop. Weeds will clog up the propeller type drive pretty easy requiring you to pull the drive and clear. The Mirage drive goes through weeds better but still hinders. You can push or pole your way over obstacles (downed trees and limbs, weed mats) in a paddle boat much more so then in a pedal driven. Weight is another disadvantage. A Hobie PA 12 is 130lbs. The PA 14 is 145lbs/ This I believe is without the drive and seat much less adding gear battery, fish finder, etc etc. Native Watercraft Slayer Propel is 120 lbs. They pretty much require trailers to haul. Yes they can be car topped but not easily.
I will try to add more to the discussion when I can find the time. But short answer is we have both paddle and pedal winning tournaments and placing in the money. It is really more about prep, pre-fishing, laying down a good game plan and how good your knowledge of bass and how good of a angler you really are. Pedal can be a huge advantage but it isn't a be all, win it all. So says our tournament results. Trolling motors for the ones that are not able to pedal or paddle so that they too can enjoy our favorite sport.
Sincerely,
Fishingmickey
