Yesterday I saw more kayaks WITH motors than without.

[Darth-Baiter]

I’m shocked actually. Heck even my rookie friend had a motor stuffed into the Hobie-hole.  He had a generic motor that I was actually faster than.  
 

but all around me, kayaks motoring about.  Clearlake CA.  Mostly the telltale orange prop of the Torqueedo ($$$$).  But I’m seeing a knockoff green prop as well ($$).  I even saw a Hobie ProAngler with a nose mounted trolling motor with spotlock. 
 

im not sure I’m there. I like kicking around the water. Long runs wind me and gets my HR up, but at least I’m not lying to my doctor when I say I get “some” exercise.  My boat set up takes five minutes. My Hobie Compass would take major surgery to install a motor.  I don’t think it’s cheating.  If you’re into it, by all means go for it.  Maybe some day. But not now. But I think a motor give you tournament advantage. 
 

 

[the reel ess]

34 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

I’m shocked actually. Heck even my rookie friend had a motor stuffed into the Hobie-hole.  He had a generic motor that I was actually faster than.  
 

but all around me, kayaks motoring about.  Clearlake CA.  Mostly the telltale orange prop of the Torqueedo ($$$$).  But I’m seeing a knockoff green prop as well ($$).  I even saw a Hobie ProAngler with a nose mounted trolling motor with spotlock. 
 

im not sure I’m there. I like kicking around the water. Long runs wind me and gets my HR up, but at least I’m not lying to my doctor when I say I get “some” exercise.  My boat set up takes five minutes. My Hobie Compass would take major surgery to install a motor.  I don’t think it’s cheating.  If you’re into it, by all means go for it.  Maybe some day. But not now. But I think a motor give you tournament advantage. 
 

 

I actually owned a Feelfree Lure 13.5 with a trolling setup. It was more boat than I wanted to carry, unload and load. I guess it's more useful, maybe even necessary, on larger bodies of water. But I didn't get into the hobby only to shell out real boat $$$. I got into it to simplify and fish smaller, less crowded waters. And it's great exercise.

[Bankc]

I use a trolling motor on bigger lakes.  The ability to cover more ground is important, but the main reason is safety.  In Oklahoma, the weather is never predictable.  

 

I got the trolling motor shortly after an even happened where I was less than a quarter mile from the dock and the wind suddenly kicked up to 35mph out of nowhere.  I had to paddle as hard as I could just to make any progress, and even then, it was only about two or three feet a minute.  It took me a couple of hours of switching between a dead sprint and dropping anchor to catch my breath before I made it back to the dock.  I was scared.  I almost turned around to go with the wind to find a bank and ditch my kayak and walk a couple of miles through an overgrown forest back to my car.  I don't know how I would I recovered my kayak in that situation.  With the trolling motor, I can easily fight the wind, even if it still takes a long time.  I still try to avoid high winds like that, but, like I said, the weather in Oklahoma is unpredictable.  

[Junger]

Before I bought a boat, I thought about a fishing kayak. Then I found out even a fishing kayak had it's own rabbit hole to go down. Accessories, mounts, wheels, trailers, torqeedo, peddle vs fins, etc. Personally, I think all that innovation is terrific since it gives anglers the choice on how they want to fish, and what fits into their budget.

[Krux5506]

What annoyed me when recently kayak shopping was every single Old Town Predator I was seeing for sale used was a motor driven one. Absolutely no pedal driven ones around. I almost pulled the trigger on a trolling motor model just because of how cheap some were but then I got thinking I already have a boat with all the necessary gadgets, why get another that would have more to worry about and require registration, batteries/charging, etc. I see the appeal if you don't have a boat though. 

[huZZah]

17 hours ago, Bankc said:

find a bank and ditch my kayak and walk a couple of miles through an overgrown forest back to my car.  I don't know how I would I recovered my kayak in that situation. 

Buddy had to do this. He went back to his truck, took a rest, called me, and when I got there we romped and got his kayak. Dude was exhausted. And it was a mile at least lol. But it’s so rare that you don’t see/feel it coming he still loves his kayak.  That was a rare event. 
 

Ive done it for my hardcore bike friend as well. Got down the hills riding, freak rain, I had to come help slog his bike back up a couple miles. That one sucked. He was out the next week when it reopened. 

[David 7]

When watching the KBF tournaments, I sometimes wonder why they allow peddles, fish finders and all these other accessories. It would be cooler IMO if it was just a yak and a paddle. Far as a motor is concerned though, it’s a bit silly because at that point you should just get a john boat. 
 

But to each their own, whatever encourages people to get out and fish is a good thing. Personally I’ll stick with my 10 ft kayak, paddle, ugly stick and tackle box.

[Landis Carrier]

I’ve been a kayak fisherman for quite a few years and late last year I purchased an Old Town Auto Pilot 120 with Minn Kota motor and Spot Lock. It’s made fishing a little more enjoyable for me because I’ll wonder a little further and I can fish while I’m on my way there. It’s also really increased my fishing time on the water and makes fishing a bank much easier. I don’t think it’s for everyone but it’s great for me and I just don’t want a boat….at least not yet! 
 

Too each their own! As long as we’re fishing who cares what you’re using to get on the water! 

[flyfisher]

2 hours ago, David 7 said:

When watching the KBF tournaments, I sometimes wonder why they allow peddles, fish finders and all these other accessories. It would be cooler IMO if it was just a yak and a paddle. Far as a motor is concerned though, it’s a bit silly because at that point you should just get a john boat. 
 

But to each their own, whatever encourages people to get out and fish is a good thing. Personally I’ll stick with my 10 ft kayak, paddle, ugly stick and tackle box.

They used to be that way and motors were only for those with disabilities and it was touted as purity etc....fast forward to the head guy being tied in with torqeedo and getting a sponsorship for the end of season tournament and now motors are allowed and innovative....

I just motorized my kayak this year after fishing for probably close to 20 years without one and it was for two main purposes; my own river shuttle and on specific lake that has a 4+ mile paddle to get to where i like to fish and is always super windy.  

 

I couldn't be more pleased.  I still find myself not using the motor when I get to an area and fish though, probably as much out of habit than anything.

On 5/24/2021 at 11:37 AM, Darth-Baiter said:

I’m shocked actually. Heck even my rookie friend had a motor stuffed into the Hobie-hole.  He had a generic motor that I was actually faster than.  
 

but all around me, kayaks motoring about.  Clearlake CA.  Mostly the telltale orange prop of the Torqueedo ($$$$).  But I’m seeing a knockoff green prop as well ($$).  I even saw a Hobie ProAngler with a nose mounted trolling motor with spotlock. 
 

im not sure I’m there. I like kicking around the water. Long runs wind me and gets my HR up, but at least I’m not lying to my doctor when I say I get “some” exercise.  My boat set up takes five minutes. My Hobie Compass would take major surgery to install a motor.  I don’t think it’s cheating.  If you’re into it, by all means go for it.  Maybe some day. But not now. But I think a motor give you tournament advantage. 
 

 

that is probably the Newport Vessels NK180S motor and while it looks like a torqeedo it is a bit different.......i installed one on my kayak this year

[Choporoz]

 

4 hours ago, David 7 said:

When watching the KBF tournaments, I sometimes wonder why they allow .....

Chad Hoover would almost certainly protest loudly,  but the money that Torqeedo is pumping into KBF isn't coincident 

[flyfisher]

5 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

 

Chad Hoover would almost certainly protest loudly,  but the money that Torqeedo is pumping into KBF isn't coincident 

exactly...he would probably make a 10 minute video about it too lol  

[David 7]

14 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

exactly...he would probably make a 10 minute video about it too lol  

I’m literally watching a Chad Hoover YouTube video as I type this ?

[TcRoc]

This is next for me on my Bonafide ss127.

Think I am just going with the Bixpy on the rudder. Unfortunately probably won’t be til this off season.

[flyfisher]

1 minute ago, David 7 said:

I’m literally watching a Chad Hoover YouTube video as I type this ?

is it an instructional video or just a defending himself video?  

 

1 minute ago, TcRoc said:

This is next for me on my Bonafide ss127.

Think I am just going with the Bixpy on the rudder. Unfortunately probably won’t be til this off season.

i would seriously look at the NK180s for propulsion.  Bixpy are great but they aren't as powerful as a more traditional motor and for about the same cost you can have longer battery life and more propulsion. 

[David 7]

6 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

is it an instructional video or just a defending himself video?  

It was the one about fisherman not fighting with each other (fly fisherman vs bass, inland vs costal etc) and then a PFD awareness one.

[flyfisher]

4 minutes ago, David 7 said:

It was the one about fisherman not fighting with each other (fly fisherman vs bass etc) and then a PFD awareness one.

nice....lots of bass fishing flyfisherman too

[TcRoc]

17 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

is it an instructional video or just a defending himself video?  

 

i would seriously look at the NK180s for propulsion.  Bixpy are great but they aren't as powerful as a more traditional motor and for about the same cost you can have longer battery life and more propulsion. 

Just checked it out on youtube. Thanks for the tip.

[flyfisher]

Just now, TcRoc said:

Just checked it out on youtube. Thanks for the tip.

I have one and would be happy to answer any questions too.....i have been super pleased with mine.

[TcRoc]

2 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

I have one and would be happy to answer any questions too.....i have been super pleased with mine.

Cool. I'm sure you will hear from me via message at some point.

[Bass Rutten]

These spoiled rotten kids today I tell ya, back when i was knee high to my daddy i had to row a thousand pound jonboat ten miles to my fishing spot, uphill both ways… ?

[Dens228]

2 hours ago, TcRoc said:

This is next for me on my Bonafide ss127.

Think I am just going with the Bixpy on the rudder. Unfortunately probably won’t be til this off season.

That is my exact setup.  I've had it for two years now. Total weight added to my kayak is about 10 pounds.  If I didn't need it I can take the motor off and the battery from behind my seat in about 2 minutes or less.  But it's so light that I've gone to lakes with too many weeds to use it and just didn't put the rudder down.  

[TcRoc]

39 minutes ago, Dens228 said:

That is my exact setup.  I've had it for two years now. Total weight added to my kayak is about 10 pounds.  If I didn't need it I can take the motor off and the battery from behind my seat in about 2 minutes or less.  But it's so light that I've gone to lakes with too many weeds to use it and just didn't put the rudder down.  

I’ve wondered about that .. very convenient set up though … now looking at Nk180’s as mentioned above... just have to make up my mind, gonna be a little til I pull the trigger so have some time to beat up my brain cell.

[Dens228]

5 hours ago, TcRoc said:

I’ve wondered about that .. very convenient set up though … now looking at Nk180’s as mentioned above... just have to make up my mind, gonna be a little til I pull the trigger so have some time to beat up my brain cell.

I keep thinking of going with a Spotlock TM.   I just can't get myself to switch from this setup, so convenient and light.  

[king fisher]

I think a motor on Kayak would be great.  I would like to try one with spot lock some time.  As far as tournaments go, I think they should be human powered only.  That way a person could use a canoe, rowboat, kayak, paddleboard even a full size bass boat, anything they want, as long as it is human powered.  Is a Kayak with a motor, more like a boat than a kayak?  How big, and how much power before it is really not a kayak? I don't know but to even the playing field eliminating motors would be an option.

[Bluebasser86]

I don't want a motor on mine because then I have to register it with the state. As long as I keep pedaling, I don't have to put numbers on it. I covered over 7 miles in strong winds in a tournament a couple months ago, I get around just fine.