Is the misery of kayak fishing worth it?

[HaydenS]

11 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

If you're looking to eventually upgrade, getting into as many different types of kayaks is the best way to help decide which one you want. I didn't get the opportunity but did a lot of research and am really happy with my purchase but the first one I bought was not for me and about turned me away from them entirely. 

The yak I use(cheap lifetime kayak) is borrowed when I want to fish in it, someday I'll buy my own nice yak. Thanks for the advice!  

[schplurg]

Going to give yakking another chance.

 

I keep saying I'd rather have a boat, but storage space is limited for me. The creeks here are totally dry now, the lakes are depressingly low. So I am going to park my kayak on my Dad's dock at Tulloch and use it there. No loading onto the roof of the van (never tried), no carrying it around (tendinitis). No empty lakes (Tulloch is full, don't tell anyone)

 

Paddling back to the ramp was always one big problem, and in the Bay Area you're always going against the wind at the end of the day. Now I won't have to.

 

The cove his house is in is awesome, tons of bass. I can't wait!!!

[Retiredguns]

Went out yesterday with Bro-in-Law for about 5 1/2 hours. I did great and we caught some nice Bass. Winds were no more than 2-4mph.  I started this thread after a pretty bad outing where I cramped up and was just miserable. This time I hydrated the night before and drank a lot of water while fishing.  Today the Wife and I did an 8 mile river float in the tandem and aside from butt palsy, we did great! 

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, Retiredguns said:

Went out yesterday with Bro-in-Law for about 5 1/2 hours. I did great and we caught some nice Bass. Winds were no more than 2-4mph.  I started this thread after a pretty bad outing where I cramped up and was just miserable. This time I hydrated the night before and drank a lot of water while fishing.  Today the Wife and I did an 8 mile river float in the tandem and aside from butt palsy, we did great! 

Hahahahhah. The butt palsy struggle is real. I have to remember to walk around, I think some members even suggested it in this thread.

[schplurg]

On 7/17/2021 at 5:53 PM, schplurg said:

Going to give yakking another chance.

 

I keep saying I'd rather have a boat, but storage space is limited for me. The creeks here are totally dry now, the lakes are depressingly low. So I am going to park my kayak on my Dad's dock at Tulloch and use it there. No loading onto the roof of the van (never tried), no carrying it around (tendinitis). No empty lakes (Tulloch is full, don't tell anyone)

 

Paddling back to the ramp was always one big problem, and in the Bay Area you're always going against the wind at the end of the day. Now I won't have to.

 

The cove his house is in is awesome, tons of bass. I can't wait!!!

 

I finally used the yak. I could like it, buuuut....

 

I need pedals. For example, my Dad's cove is narrow as you go into it. Lot of houses with their own docks. Having to grab an 8 foot paddle all the time as I drift around is a pain.

 

And for me, paddling is a literal pain in my arms. I have a very small oar that I made but forgot to bring. I can whip it out one-handed and make quick corrections. 

 

But the hands free approach of pedals is the way for me to go. No doubt. It's worth the expense.

 

I'm gonna use my yak a few more times and make sure, but I'm thinking I will probably give it another chance with a pedal kayak. In the right setting it is frickin awesome. Quiet cove, not far to some prime fishing areas.

 

It was great just relaxing as the sun went down, hearing chatter from families hanging out on the docks, sippin drinks, enjoying the cooler evening after a 100 degree day. Little kid asked me if I caught anything and told me what he'd caught. Right on. This is nice!

 

A motor for me will be overkill. Won't really need it. If I do one day then I will get the boat. Right now I can't store one, and I can borrow a 14 footer if I want to.

 

So looks like round 2 with the kayak thing  

[Krux5506]

After finally getting my Predator pdl I can say for sure kayaking is worth it. 

[David 7]

I think it’s all about perspective. When I think about how much I would have to invest (truck, boat, motor, DMV, maintenance fees etc) and learn just to own and maintain a boat, I’m not sure that’s worth it. It’s obviously the superior way to cover the most water, don’t think anyone disputes that. But the simplicity of kayak fishing has its own value. Most importantly it gets so many of us off the bank. 

[GTN-NY]

3 hours ago, David 7 said:

I think it’s all about perspective. When I think about how much I would have to invest (truck, boat, motor, DMV, maintenance fees etc) and learn just to own and maintain a boat, I’m not sure that’s worth it. It’s obviously the superior way to cover the most water, don’t think anyone disputes that. But the simplicity of kayak fishing has its own value. Most importantly it gets so many of us off the bank. 

Exactly!

i’ve done the Ranger bass boat in tournaments all around western New York. I would spend more money pre-fishing than I could’ve won. 
I have a big kayak and trolling motor and I need a trailer to haul both kayaks but I’m way below the costs involved in a tow vehicle and boat. I have a total of $4000 invested for everything 

[flyfisher]

On 8/5/2021 at 2:57 AM, schplurg said:

 

I finally used the yak. I could like it, buuuut....

 

I need pedals. For example, my Dad's cove is narrow as you go into it. Lot of houses with their own docks. Having to grab an 8 foot paddle all the time as I drift around is a pain.

 

And for me, paddling is a literal pain in my arms. I have a very small oar that I made but forgot to bring. I can whip it out one-handed and make quick corrections. 

 

But the hands free approach of pedals is the way for me to go. No doubt. It's worth the expense.

 

I'm gonna use my yak a few more times and make sure, but I'm thinking I will probably give it another chance with a pedal kayak. In the right setting it is frickin awesome. Quiet cove, not far to some prime fishing areas.

 

It was great just relaxing as the sun went down, hearing chatter from families hanging out on the docks, sippin drinks, enjoying the cooler evening after a 100 degree day. Little kid asked me if I caught anything and told me what he'd caught. Right on. This is nice!

 

A motor for me will be overkill. Won't really need it. If I do one day then I will get the boat. Right now I can't store one, and I can borrow a 14 footer if I want to.

 

So looks like round 2 with the kayak thing  

You might be surprised at the usefulness of a motor.  I have been kayak fishing for probably close to 20 years now and always used a paddle kayak.  My last kayak I was very close to pulling the trigger on a pedal kayak but stuck with paddle and went with an ATAK 140.  Fast forward about 5-6 years and this past year I was debating on selling and getting a pedal boat but instead went with a motor.  The Newport Vessels NK180s was just released and is built to compete with the torqueedo at a much better price point and more flexibility on battery options.  For about $1300 all in including lithium batteries to power it I am still about a grand under a torqueedo with more thrust.  

I should have done it a few years ago actually.....

[schplurg]

Thought of it but if I get a motor I have to register the yak. Not a huge deal but at that point I'd get a jon boat instead.

 

I'd really rather have a jon boat but I can't store one. And I'm sure I can pedal all day and go for many miles if I want. My legs are strong. 

 

Pedals seem the easiest and quickest way to make corrections while fishing docks and near shore, which for me is the most frustrating aspect of yak fishing.. Blanchard only uses his motor to switch locations for instance.

 

If I get the right yak I can always add a motor, and some can fit a motor right into the pedal hole. With my Ride 115 adding a motor is more trouble than its worth so I'd need a new yak anyways.

 

I've thought a lot about this and a motor is overklill for me. Just putting it and the battery in will be a literal pain. But I may add one later who knows. Best of both worlds.

[flyfisher]

56 minutes ago, schplurg said:

Thought of it but if I get a motor I have to register the yak. Not a huge deal but at that point I'd get a jon boat instead.

 

I'd really rather have a jon boat but I can't store one. And I'm sure I can pedal all day and go for many miles if I want. My legs are strong. 

 

Pedals seem the easiest and quickest way to make corrections while fishing docks and near shore, which for me is the most frustrating aspect of yak fishing.. Blanchard only uses his motor to switch locations for instance.

 

If I get the right yak I can always add a motor, and some can fit a motor right into the pedal hole. With my Ride 115 adding a motor is more trouble than its worth so I'd need a new yak anyways.

 

I've thought a lot about this and a motor is overklill for me. Just putting it and the battery in will be a literal pain. But I may add one later who knows. Best of both worlds.

one thing I would highly recommend if at all possible trying both styles of pedals.  Being a cyclist I absolutely hated the Hobie back and forth motion but liked the recumbent bicycle style.  Also take the time to get your seat situated correctly, even on the test pedal as it can make a huge difference in the feel of the pedal stroke.

[schplurg]

I think I prefer the prop to the fins, but I have never tried either. Bicycle style seems like it would be easier to maintain pedaling momentum. Good tip!

[GTN-NY]

I’ve never been in a peddle kayak but I’ve noticed the the bicycle style you seem to sit way back into the seat and the Hobie style you sit more upright. It just doesn’t look comfortable to fish with the bicycle style. 
And how do you control a peddle kayak when you are standing up while fishing? I’m standing 90% of the time

[schplurg]

1 minute ago, GTN-NY said:

I’ve never been in a peddle kayak but I’ve noticed the the bicycle style you seem to sit way back into the seat and the Hobie style you sit more upright. It just doesn’t look comfortable to fish with the bicycle style. 
And how do you control a peddle kayak when you are standing up while fishing? I’m standing 90% of the time

 

I use my 8 foot paddle standing up. How do you control your kayak standing up? I rarely stand up in my kayak anyways. I could see me falling into the water if I used a foot controlled TM on one while standing LOL..

 

A paddle is still a requirement with a pedal drive, at least for me. Maybe attach an oar blade to the butt of the fishing rod?  I've actually reoriented my kayak by tugging hard on a crankbait.

 

I'd imagine you can adjust the seat however you want. I used to use a bicycle thingy at the gym and it was similar to sitting in a yak (not a bike seat) and it wasn't reclined.

 

We shall see. I'm gonna plan a trip to Headwaters or someplace else I can try out some yaks. If I like one I will buy it, then sell my Ride 115 later. I only paid $500 for the used Ride with the AirPro seat so I bet I could get more for it. Seems to be a shortage of used yaks in my area.

 

 

[TcRoc]

The agony … beautiful day today except for watching that $20 lure launch to outer space. Line didn’t break , landed a nice one and didn’t check line.. lure slipped off mustard clip. Love my yak but am getting a troller for it.. point to point I like to go to it will give me a lot more casting time 

[Quitlimpin]

Absolutely. Any boat, be it a kayak, canoe, or the sweetest bass boat, is gonna be a pain in the ass but the kayak is probably the least troublesome of all and I can get to water bigger boats can’t even consider. A lot of our 20-30 acre lakes around here get choked with grass in the summertime so I get the whole lake to myself. 

[GTN-NY]

11 hours ago, schplurg said:

 

I use my 8 foot paddle standing up. How do you control your kayak standing up? I rarely stand up in my kayak anyways. I could see me falling into the water if I used a foot controlled TM on one while standing LOL..

 

A paddle is still a requirement with a pedal drive, at least for me.

 

Well that’s true I guess I wasn’t really thinking about the paddle while having a pedal drive.

On my Jackson big rig I have a standup bar that has a paddle holder also but now that I have the trolling motor I just keep the pedal in the kayak. My kayak trolling motor doesn’t have a footpedal, I have a handheld remote that hangs around my neck that I can do all the controls with

[Darth-Baiter]

11 hours ago, TcRoc said:

The agony … beautiful day today except for watching that $20 lure launch to outer space. Line didn’t break , landed a nice one and didn’t check line.. lure slipped off mustard clip. Love my yak but am getting a troller for it.. point to point I like to go to it will give me a lot more casting time 

Haha. I just did that with my whopper plopper. Sent it flying into someone’s yard. The nice ladies frolicking in the yard let me come ashore to sheepishly get my bait back.   I think it was an Airbnb. “Thank you ma’am “

[Darth-Baiter]

16 hours ago, schplurg said:

I think I prefer the prop to the fins, but I have never tried either. Bicycle style seems like it would be easier to maintain pedaling momentum. Good tip!

The opposite is true. My fins are faster. And it’s like instant acceleration. Less impact from weeds.  But no instant reverse. 
 

I was with a guy in a big pedal Native. Tide was exiting, and we were fighting the wind. On the CA delta. I almost considered towing him. I had to go back to check on him. He made it, but it was slow. 

[schplurg]

11 hours ago, GTN-NY said:

Well that’s true I guess I wasn’t really thinking about the paddle while having a pedal drive.

On my Jackson big rig I have a standup bar that has a paddle holder also but now that I have the trolling motor I just keep the pedal in the kayak. My kayak trolling motor doesn’t have a footpedal, I have a handheld remote that hangs around my neck that I can do all the controls with

 

That sounds cool. 

9 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

The opposite is true. My fins are faster. And it’s like instant acceleration. Less impact from weeds.  But no instant reverse. 
 

I was with a guy in a big pedal Native. Tide was exiting, and we were fighting the wind. On the CA delta. I almost considered towing him. I had to go back to check on him. He made it, but it was slow. 

 

 

No instant reverse is a deal breaker for me. I will use it all the time. I saw on one site that Hobie "owns the patent" for reverse, whatever that means, so let me ask whoever...are there fin drives out there besides Hobie with instant reverse?

 

I'm also curiuous how it works, how you engage reverse.

 

Those Titans are tanks. I'm not sold on either propulsion system and I still need to try them.

[Darth-Baiter]

55 minutes ago, schplurg said:

 

That sounds cool. 

 

 

No instant reverse is a deal breaker for me. I will use it all the time. I saw on one site that Hobie "owns the patent" for reverse, whatever that means, so let me ask whoever...are there fin drives out there besides Hobie with instant reverse?

 

I'm also curiuous how it works, how you engage reverse.

 

Those Titans are tanks. I'm not sold on either propulsion system and I still need to try them.

I pull a lever to go in reverse. I rarely need instant reverse.  Regular reverse, yes. Instant, no. I usually pull tiny u-turns to stay casting to a spot. 
 

instant reverse is simply pedaling backwards to spin the prop the other way. I’ve been doing it for about 16 months, fishing in my kayak. I’m gonna stay with Hobie fins. It’s simply what I know.  Besides. In a kayak, it’s rare that you are oriented perfectly to your target.  When I drift, I seem to go sideways where the current and wind has a bigger cross section to push again.  Reverse or forward is surprisingly not helpful. The sideways capability of the new Hobie 360 drive is the ticket. Really. 

[schplurg]

Didn't know they could go sideways, interesting. All the pedal yak fishing I know so far is from watching Blanchard. I could have used something to keep me drifiting too close to docks or shore. Anything would have beat my paddle. 

 

One thing that got me excited to give yakking another try is that it was waaaay easier than I thought to put my Ride 115 on the roof of my minivan. I had a truck before which was even easier. I figured getting it on the roof would aggravate my tendinitis or back, but nope it was so easy.

 

Even if my new yak is 100 pounds I'm not worried about loading it now. And I will probably keep it at my Dad's a lot. It's one of the only lakes in the Motherlode area that is completely full. Might be one foot low. It's a beautiful lake and has great bass...I may never take the yak anywhere else! Aaah I probably will  

 

I just need to try these. I always thought Headwaters was a kayak store but I see they do rentals and yak tours.

 

Do you know anyplace where you can try the yaks? I always thought Headwaters was the place to do it but I think I'm wrong. I'm in Bay Area but will drive to Sac area or wherever. I'll make a day out of it.

[Darth-Baiter]

11 minutes ago, schplurg said:

Didn't know they could go sideways, interesting. All the pedal yak fishing I know so far is from watching Blanchard. I could have used something to keep me drifiting too close to docks or shore. Anything would have beat my paddle. 

 

One thing that got me excited to give yakking another try is that it was waaaay easier than I thought to put my Ride 115 on the roof of my minivan. I had a truck before which was even easier. I figured getting it on the roof would aggravate my tendinitis or back, but nope it was so easy.

 

Even if my new yak is 100 pounds I'm not worried about loading it now. And I will probably keep it at my Dad's a lot. It's one of the only lakes in the Motherlode area that is completely full. Might be one foot low. It's a beautiful lake and has great bass...I may never take the yak anywhere else! Aaah I probably will  

 

I just need to try these. I always thought Headwaters was a kayak store but I see they do rentals and yak tours.

 

Do you know anyplace where you can try the yaks? I always thought Headwaters was the place to do it but I think I'm wrong. I'm in Bay Area but will drive to Sac area or wherever. I'll make a day out of it.

Wind toys in Santa Rosa will do a demo. 

[schplurg]

Aw crud all they sell are Hobies!   I'll check it out. Mirage is cheap but limited features. I've been looking for cheaper pedal yaks but I may bump up my price point another $500 which would be $2000 total. Seems like the extra 500 can get me a lot more.

 

I'm wearing out my hands/carpel tunnel doing all this searching. And I still need to use my paddle yak more and make sure I want to invest more in yakking at all. Kinda my best option so I probably will.

 

And it's fun at my Dad's because I have good fishing as soon as I take off from the dock. Here in San Jose I have to paddle half an hour to find no fish in apuddle that was once a lake, so that's no fun.

 

I notice Greg Blanchard sits very high up in his Native. I wonder if that helps or hurts with pedaling? Is there a lot of resistance when you pedal/fin? Questions questions...gotta find a store.