Pedal drive kayaks

[flyfisher]

On September 21, 2016 at 7:31 PM, Darren. said:

Wow, I did not know Hobie intro'd REVERSE!

That is awesome!! Wonder if this requires a new form for the
drive to fit into, or if it is compatible with today's models?

that reverse seems gimmicky to me though....while i have yet to fish in a pedal drive kayak i can imagine that the times you want reverse would be when fighting a fish.  so i am supposed to take a hand off the rod and pull a cord and get it to flip around, use it in reverse and then land the fish.  Seems more like something to say they now have reverse more than anything 

 

[Darren.]

8 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

that reverse seems gimmicky to me though....while i have yet to fish in a pedal drive kayak i can imagine that the times you want reverse would be when fighting a fish.  so i am supposed to take a hand off the rod and pull a cord and get it to flip around, use it in reverse and then land the fish.  Seems more like something to say they now have reverse more than anything 

Agree- I've watched other videos and while an "about time" thing
it is still going to require leaning forward and pulling the proverbial
plug. 

When I'm fighting a fish I just reach down to my left and turn the 
dial box into reverse or whereever, using my feet to steer with my
hand(s) still on the rod/reel fighting the fish.

Sometimes I've had to change between FW and REV quickly and
that's really easy for me with an e-yak, easier with a pedal drive, 
likely.

Surely Hobie will eventually create something easier to switch  

Reviews by the unsponsored Hobie owners will tell a lot when it is
released.

[GetBent]

I love my Hobie outback. Hurt my shoulder and sold my wilderness Tarpon 160 which I enjoyed. My outback won't go as shallow but most of the fish I catch aren't in 6" of water so I am ok with that. I find it funny when people say kayaks are expensive. I think boat insurance, fuel, maintenance, financing charges, and everything else is just as expensive. I have owned a couple of boats and I am looking to buy my first bass boat, but I will always appreciate kayaks. I have had some of my best fishing trips in kayaks. Lots of good options out there. Try before you buy and have ideas about the layout you want. 

[Caliyak]

No pedal drive for me. I actually think it defeats the purpose. I bought a kayak, not a boat or bike. 

[Tracker22]

35 minutes ago, Caliyak said:

No pedal drive for me. I actually think it defeats the purpose. I bought a kayak, not a boat or bike. 

You can't go anywhere without the "purest" chiming in.?

[flyfisher]

nobody in a plastic sit on top boat is that much of a purist anyways...reminds me of the dry fly only guys that used to frequent the fly shop i used to guide and work out of....they would always be upset when i asked if they knew that the first fly was most likely a streamer or a wetly, not a dry fly

[MassYak85]

I like to take my kayak into some really nasty places that a peddle drive would just not be able to take me. I'm sure for open water it's amazing, especially in the wind. 

[flyfisher]

19 minutes ago, MassYak85 said:

I like to take my kayak into some really nasty places that a peddle drive would just not be able to take me. I'm sure for open water it's amazing, especially in the wind. 

I have a few lakes i fish with limited access points and long paddles (4+miles) to get to the water i like to fish and having a pedal drive would be nice to be able to make those trips a little faster but i have yet to break down and get one.

[Tracker22]

Just because you have a peddle drive it doesn't mean you have to use it...just like my e-yak, when I get to the thick or shallows, I pull it out of the water and paddle. Best of both worlds.

[dwh4784]

My best kayak fishing has come when sitting on top of a patch of dollar pads, basically beaching myself to defeat the wind. The pedal systems wouldn't allow that. And out on open water when hooked into a big fish I've just let them pull me around, slamming into the rocks/shore, etc, not sure I would have the wherewithal to keep that from happening even if I had the option though.

[Darren.]

I do the same with my setup. In heavy grasses and weeds
I always have to lift my TM up. I tried to get through it once
and had to beach my yak to clean out the wrapped grass.

[Caliyak]

On 9/23/2016 at 2:04 PM, Tracker22 said:

You can't go anywhere without the "purest" chiming in.?

Nice emoji. They asked for opinions so I gave it. You don't want to hear it, too bad. 

[Tracker22]

1 hour ago, Caliyak said:

Nice emoji. They asked for opinions so I gave it. You don't want to hear it, too bad. 

Nanah nanah boo boo I can't hear you! ?

Lighten up cali dude, just picking at ya...?

 

[T-Rick]

I love my Hobie Pro Angler and can't imagine not having pedal drive.  Like others, if I'm in really shallow water (<18"), I just take the pedals out (10 seconds) and paddle.  However, that is pretty rare as the Hobie's will fold up against the hull and allow you to flutter them to move the yak.

[clayton86]

after fishing our state championship this past weekend ononeida lake my mind is more then made up on pedal drives. Conditions were crap with high north winds Saturday, federation guys pre fishing and a chicken wing run so speed boats flying by from 1130-3 when we got off the water. Guys with the pedal drives did fine saying in position and fishing where I could cast a few times  then spend 5 minutes paddling back some guys barely got a cast in though. 

 

The guy who won it though and the guy I fished with mostly flat out did better because it's hands free you can pedal and cover water fishing the entire time find active fish then stay and fish it. Me I was paddling till I seen something I liked or seen on the map and liked and fished it. Almost as if they were in bass boats you just use the trolling motor using your foot fishing till you find fish then use it to stay and position. 

The guy I fished with mostly though got his slot for nationals on Saturday when they added the AOY points so on Sunday we fished together on the last half the day when I was looking for one kicker fish  I stayed with the bass boats trying to cull and he trolled around looking for active schools then when he found one he texted me I rushed over to him he left and I fished that school and got the fish I needed to put me in the top three qualifying me for nationals . 

For me fishing tournaments I've done 13 so far this season pedal drive is a must have more time fishing less time paddling. 

[Darren.]

Well I just stumbled upon FeelFree's new system that
will fit any 2015 Lure. Is a prototype, but the potential 
is pretty awesome:

@J Francho, you'll like this.

[Dogmatic]

On 9/21/2016 at 7:31 PM, Darren. said:

Wow, I did not know Hobie intro'd REVERSE!

That is awesome!! Wonder if this requires a new form for the
drive to fit into, or if it is compatible with today's models?

They can be fitted into old mirage drive boats, cost around $800 I believe was quoted to me by a rep.

 

On 9/22/2016 at 11:06 AM, Preytorien said:

Most of the time I'm fishing in my kayak I'm purposely trying to get places other boats can't go - including a kayak with fins underneath it. I would hit the bottom pretty often with one. Besides, I don't fish anywhere big enough to need a propulsion system. If I were on bigger waters I could see the benefit though. 

The Hobie can get into some really skinny water,  just ask any "Hobiehead". ? ( they use short flutter strokes to keep fins close to boat)

[kayl.]

A Native Slayer Propel (or Slayer Propel LT) will be my next kayak. Can't beat Native's pedal drive system IMO. Instant reverse and unbeatable customer service in my experience.

 

I love my current Native Ultimate FX Tandem, but a pedal drive yak will open up some more trolling possibilities for me.

[odell015]

I agree with the argument about the purpose of pedal vs non pedal, but until you have fished a tournament in a non-pedal vs pedal you will not truly understand. Pedal yaks have a clear advantage over non-pedal yaks, you cover more water, have hands on your rod longer, and can make more casts. Simple as that. If your going to spend a lot of time on the water and plan on fishing tournaments, get a pedal drive. The extra money sucks but they hold value and can fetch good money on the used boat market. You will not be disappointed.

[fishwizzard]

For my "fancy" yak I went with a Slayer Propel 10.  My reasons were weight (60lb hull weight), small size (I like being able to maneuver in tight areas), and the reverse.  

I use the reverse all the time, to help fighting a fish out of cover, to maintain position in the wind, and to maneuver around docks.  I keep a 4-part paddle stowed in the hull and have found that between the pedal drive and a small hand paddle, I never need to get it out.  

I have a had a few low speed collisions with rocks, branches, and rebar, and so far no damage.  I do miss being able to beach myself without pulling the drive, but the benefits have outweighed the downsides so far.  

It is more or less a bathtub with rodholders and I suspect as I get more comfortable with kayaking in general I will get a second boat more suited to bigger water, but for now it works for me.  

This is from it's maiden voyage, on a weird 60f day last January:

 

 

[fishwizzard]

I do want to add that I am always envious of the Hobie guys and their ability to hold the fins tight to the hull and glide through skinny water.  I am not sold on their reverse yet, but I can see the argument for them over the Native for a skinny water boat.   

[Darren.]

6 minutes ago, Bunnielab said:

I do want to add that I am always envious of the Hobie guys and their ability to hold the fins tight to the hull and glide through skinny water.  I am not sold on their reverse yet, but I can see the argument for them over the Native for a skinny water boat.   

Agree with the Hobie thoughts. Personally, reverse is a MUST have for me.

I can't imagine not being able to do a hurry-up reverse in the wind when 
fighting a fish. Of course I'm using a trolling motor, but to have to reach for
a paddle in those windy conditions is a pain. At least for me it has been.

[clayton86]

So if you could create a perfect pedal kayak what would the features be what would your dream pedal kayak be? Instant reverse? Speed? Able to go into skinny water easily? What would make the dream pedal drive kayak in a perfect world. 

[Turtle135]

2 hours ago, clayton86 said:

So if you could create a perfect pedal kayak what would the features be what would your dream pedal kayak be? Instant reverse? Speed? Able to go into skinny water easily? What would make the dream pedal drive kayak in a perfect world. 

If the Wilderness Systems Radar Kayaks live up to what has been written about them then those might be close to the perfect pedal drive kayak. Forward and reverse and can also add the electric motor in the other pod. The pedal assembly automatically deploys up at the press of that button. All that and a kayak that supposedly still paddles really well. I guess we will see when those hit the market.

A kayak that still paddled really well on the river and did not have to have anything like a prop or fins below the hull (that would get destroyed by ledge rock). Then having the pedal option for reservoir fishing on those windy days. I could see my wallet getting lighter quickly! 

[fishwizzard]

I would love a drive that kicks up when you hit an obstruction, a reversible rudder control (I want to swap the one on my Slayer, but I have yet to meet someone with long and slim enough arms to help), instant reverse, and some kind of horizontal rod storage without making the boat a huge pig.  

I also want a pony.  

The pony will also poop green pumpkin w/ red flake senkos.