Bonafide EX123 or something else

[FishinDinks]

I currently have a cheap pretty unstable sit on top kayak. I am thinking about upgrading and have been having a tough time deciding between a pedal of paddle kayak. I fish a lot of small ponds and maximum size lake of about 700 acres. I am reluctant to go pedal drive because of cost(I can afford them but not sure I want to) and most of the waters I fish can get weedy and I don’t know if I want to be picking weeds out of a propeller every 15 minutes. There are also select ponds that are really shallow and weedy that I like to fish. 

 

My current kayak is a is a tank and super slow. I saw the ex123 and it looks appealing because it is stable and really quick. I was curious what everyone’s opinion is on this kayak or if anyone has any better ideas of what I should look for. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

[Choporoz]

I paddled for four years and said the same stuff you did above.

 

In January I bought a Hobie Compass....and now, for the life of me I have to admit that I had no clue what the heck I was talking about back then.   I still fish shallow and weedy ponds and bays....no less than I did before.  But there is no way I'd go back to just paddling.  The amount of time spent actually fishing jumped at least 50%....no exaggeration. 

I'm not familiar with that kayak....last I looked at Bonafides, they only had two...I think 107 and 117.  If that 123 is easily adaptable to a torqueedo, then I'd consider it.  Even if you don't get pedals now, I highly recommend something ready made to drop them in....or nearly trolling motor ready.

[Bird]

I have the Jonny boats bass 100 with motor pod, check it out.

 

My favorite boat to date for fishing smaller lakes like I do.

Just throw it on back of truck and go fishing. 

 

 

[fishwizzard]

I have a Native Slayer 10 that I really like but I will admit that the flipper drives are far far better for weeds and shallow fishing then the prop ones.  I prefer the prop for fishing in current as I find being able to reverse at will really helps keep position in moving water and wind.  

 

I am going to replace my Slayer at some point soon, it's a great yak but more current ones blow it away in terms of QOL features.  My next yak is going to be which ever one has a peddle drive, a RH rudder control, and a protected transducer mount/pre-routed wiring holes.  

[CountryboyinDC]

I think the EX123 is a SINK, but I haven't seen it in person.  I think that what @Choporozsaid hits it on the head.  Once you stop fighting the notion that pedal drives are heavy, delicate, or whatever, to say nothing of what they cost.  That said, when I'm not on the river, I'm in a pedal drive (OT Predator PDL).  If you're fishing a 800 acre lake, you could get a kayak that paddles really well (Jackson Kraken, WS Thresher), but once you get there they won't be super stable so you can stand and fish.  I'm a simple guy, but pedal drives really are all that.

[Brad Reid]

For waters you describe fishing, take a look at the new Hobie Passport. A pedaler using the great Hobie system, it'll handle shallow water very well, and less in price than some of the most popular and better paddlers.

[TBAG]

Just me but I prefer a sit on top over a sit inside (Bonafide EX123).

 

On paddle/pedal I've had two kayaks, Feel Free Lure 10 and currently a NuCanoe Flint. I fish lots of shallow creeks/rivers and the Flint is perfect for those applications. But, for lakes and bigger ponds I wish I had a pedal drive. So, that said if you can afford a pedal drive yak I'd go with that and not look back.

[FishinDinks]

Thanks for all the input.  Do you guys consider not having reverse to be a big deal on the pedal kayaks?

[Choporoz]

1 hour ago, FishinDinks said:

Thanks for all the input.  Do you guys consider not having reverse to be a big deal on the pedal kayaks?

I'd guess that ....it depends. 

I have Hobie 180.  You have to pull a cable.  Takes about 2 seconds.  I don't use it often....most of the time is for close in combat snags.  But some windy days it can help with boat positioning.  But precise control isn't possible because rudder effectiveness is lousy in reverse.   Definitely worth the upgrade cost to me.  But if I didnt have it, I'd probably just use hand paddle a little and not miss it much.

[CountryboyinDC]

I think that reverse, particularly if there's no shifting required, is a huge help.  If a fish gets in front of you, even a relatively small one, your kayak goes where it goes rather than vice versa.  When I go from my pedal drive to my paddle kayak, I'll forget and throw a crankbait in to the front rather than to the side before I remember that I don't have that reverse to hold me.  Being able to back up hands free really makes your time fishing more enjoyable.  The Hobie kayakers don't have that yet, but there are advantages to the Hobies too, for sure.

[Skunkd]

My only regret with my Hobie Outback is that I didn’t buy it sooner. I agree with Choporoz, having the peddle drive and rudder allows you to fish more since you won’t need the paddle to maintain position in wind, current etc. My OB has the 180 drive which I use a ton in freshwater. Not as much in salt. I think reverse is a big plus. I take my kayak into some very weedy areas and the mirage drive handles it well. If I’m fishing the heavy slop I’ll pull the drive and rudder and go to the paddle. Small price to pay for being a hollow body frog lover. Peddle drive is huge when moving from spot to spot. The Old Town boats are really giving Hobie a run for their money and with a lifetime warranty on the hull,5 years on the PDL drive. They’re worth a look. Most dealers have demo days. See if you can take one out otw. If you have the $$ for a peddle drive, my advice would be to buy one. The pros outweigh the cons and you won’t regret it.

[FishinDinks]

Well I said screw it for now because I don’t see anything out there that I like under $2500 and went with a sun dolphin sportsman plastic bass boat. This also gives me the opportunity to try to take my 3 y/o son out. 

[marcodant]

I had a OT predator and it was so heavy for me to move etc.  I got a used but like new ex123 and love it.   I never looked back.  It is light enough to take anyplace and load and unload myself.   It is super stable, fast tracks well and yes a crate even fits on and even inside the read hatch.  The EX 123 even though a sit in works perfect for me and I did only fish sit on before.     If you get one you will not go wrong. If you can find a demo or used one jump on it.  Even though the price point is still good on a new one.