YAKT: Let's Talk About Pedal Kayaks => Fishing...

rdinatal

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2016
Messages
13,040
Location
Lake Normanopolis, NC
Rating - 100%
21   0   0
YAKT = Yet Another Kayak Thread

I've been getting the itch to go back into some serious fishing/hunting after a long gap (since 1995). Let's face it, after fishing and hunting in NH, the TX alternative just didn't excite me. Just picked up a NC sporting license yesterday, I'm all in. I'll make a hunting thread later...

Every year I go up to my sisters house on the MA/NH border. While there I go bass fishing on the small lake (Google Maps: 42°39'42.5"N 71°54'03.8"W) every evening. The last two years I've been fishing from a kayak, moving away for the small boat/motor. I'm convinced that for the fishing I do a kayak would be the best. I've also uncovered a few things about entry level kayaks I don't like:

1 - With a pole in hand it's kind of problematic, fish or paddle, noise of transitioning between them...
2 - Low cost kayak seats suck
3 - Small sit ins are, well, small... (also refer to #1 and #2)

Aside from the increased cost associated with pedal drives (this can be overcome with more $). I've been looking in CL as the closest kayak "dealer" in in Greensboro (a 1/2 day trip). There seem to be a few Native Pedals (my fav) and Perception Pescador. There's a few I have no experience with nor can I find any reviews (Old Towne).

I'm sure there's pros and cons to each. Like perception has upgraded a part of the pedal system due to weakness. Native is the most expensive (as said, able to overcome). I've not made up my mind on SOT or Hybrid, 12' or 14'. Which brings me to asking the collective...

What experience do you have in the area of pedal propelled kayaks?
 
Last edited:
I don’t own a pedal kayak, rented one before I bought my big rig but didn’t care for the system. I think it was the pescador. It wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be and I preferred the size of the big rig. The store in Greensboro was very helpful with any questions I had, and it was very easy to rent a few different models to try. There are a few lakes nearby that you can try them in also. A few more options to consider would be Hobie, and Jackson also release a pedal drive. I haven’t seen the Jackson model, but my big rig is awesome, and top notch quality wise. Hobie seems to be the standard for pedal kayaks, but no first hand knowledge of them. Good luck and hope you find one.
 
What experience do you have in the area of pedal propelled kayaks?

They know NOTHING about the "rules of the road" when their on the water and are almost as bad as jetski's. If you're dead set on this please take a boating safety course and don't become "one of them"... Thank you...
 
Native and Hobie are the standard for pedal. Get Outdoors have a butt load to choose, there’s also Great Outdoors Provision Co. I’m looking at getting a Native Titan sometime this year or the first of next. Right now I’m in a Jackson Big Rig, hopefully $$ will allow me to keep it for the kids or friends who want to go out with me.
 
They know NOTHING about the "rules of the road" when their on the water and are almost as bad as jetski's. If you're dead set on this please take a boating safety course and don't become "one of them"... Thank you...
Lol. And last time I went fishing someone that should’ve taken a boater safety course about wakes me outta my kayak, then came and fished on top of me like i wasn’t there. Yeah. Kayakers are a huge problem.
 
Native and Hobie are the standard for pedal. Get Outdoors have a butt load to choose, there’s also Great Outdoors Provision Co.

Great Outdoors Provision Co. is closer than Get Outdoors. I can start there, thanks!

I heard Hobie's 'reverse' is not the best. Very complicated and still has some bugs to work out.
 
If you decide you don’t wAnt to spend the money on a pedal powered yak yet but want something better than a beginners boat, let me know. I’ve got 2 and a trailer that I’m about to sell. Lost my big pond next to me and I’ve decided I’d rather have something with an engine. Been fishing them for 5 years now. Ready to upgrade
 
Great Outdoors Provision Co. is closer than Get Outdoors. I can start there, thanks!

I heard Hobie's 'reverse' is not the best. Very complicated and still has some bugs to work out.
Hobies reverse is just a cable pull. Great Outdoor has demo days. I highly suggest getting in one on the water before making a decision
 
Last edited:
If you decide you don’t wAnt to spend the money on a pedal powered yak yet but want something better than a beginners boat, let me know

I'm on the fence as the price difference is about $1k+. How do you deal with a paddle and pole at the same time? My experience says not well. Maybe a SOT with a good seat will mitigate the problems I had.
 
I'm on the fence as the price difference is about $1k+. How do you deal with a paddle and pole at the same time? My experience says not well. Maybe a SOT with a good seat will mitigate the problems I had.
I deal with it great. I can paddle with my elbow and one hand while I fight a fish also if need be. My kayak also has an anchor pole behind that helps a lot
 
I'm on the fence as the price difference is about $1k+. How do you deal with a paddle and pole at the same time? My experience says not well. Maybe a SOT with a good seat will mitigate the problems I had.
It’s all about staying organized. I can lay my paddle across my lap and fight a fish with no problem.
 
Done... Thanks for all the input and PMs. They helped.

My decision was towards the Native Watercraft Ultimate. I like the hybrid hull design so the real dilemma was if I wanted the pedal drive. I looked at CL for that model and found a few beat up Ultimate models. There was a local 2016 Native Watercraft Ultimate FX Propel 13 that I looked at and started to deal on. Not abused bit it did have some bottom rash, no warranty (of course). The guy would not go to my price, he was stuck at $2k. From the new prices of ~$2700+tax I was just about to say yes to it when I stumbled on this:
https://www.paddleva.com/native-watercraft-ultimate-fx-propel-13-kayak

I'm good with the price difference as there's a full factory warranty, no rash, some dust, no NC tax, ship to my door. It is being wrapped up today.

Ok, who wants to go FISHING!!! :D
 
They know NOTHING about the "rules of the road" when their on the water and are almost as bad as jetski's. If you're dead set on this please take a boating safety course and don't become "one of them"... Thank you...

Ha! First the cyclists and now the kayakers. You don't own a plane do you? If so the hang gliders are dead. D-E-A-D.
 
@Bailey Boat needs something to rant about. When you've been around for a thousand years you'll find something. ;) Soon he'll be posting about left lane slow poke boaters. Wait... What?
 
Last edited:
Ha! First the cyclists and now the kayakers. You don't own a plane do you? If so the hang gliders are dead. D-E-A-D.

Because they (cyclist and kayakers) both fit into the same mental attitude, that of owning the roads and waterways. What they fail to realize is that they are small and difficult to see when underway and the kayaks tend to want to stay in the middle of the channel when they could, and should be in shallower water since they don't need the same amount of draft as a regular boat.

You don't own a boat do you??

FYI... The hang gliders are assigned a specific air space, are as large as regular aircraft and are pretty good at sticking to it and avoiding other air traffic. Kayaks, not so much...

@Bailey Boat needs something to rant about. When you've been around for a thousand years you'll find something. ;) Soon he'll be posting about left lane slow poke boaters. Wait... What?

What I've noticed about slower boaters is that they do tend to stay to the right, unlike left lane hogs.
BTW, I passed a thousand back in April....
 
Because they (cyclist and kayakers) both fit into the same mental attitude, that of owning the roads and waterways. What they fail to realize is that they are small and difficult to see when underway and the kayaks tend to want to stay in the middle of the channel when they could, and should be in shallower water since they don't need the same amount of draft as a regular boat.

You don't own a boat do you??

FYI... The hang gliders are assigned a specific air space, are as large as regular aircraft and are pretty good at sticking to it and avoiding other air traffic. Kayaks, not so much...



What I've noticed about slower boaters is that they do tend to stay to the right, unlike left lane hogs.
BTW, I passed a thousand back in April....

I have owned, will own and been on boats often. I know exactly what you are saying about kayaks. Personally I wouldn't kayak in Lake Norman or any large lake with lots of boats. It is asking for a drunken idiot to run you over. But sometimes the fish may be in deep water right? I was just thinking while reading your posts that if everyone else is always the problem, maybe it's you. :p

The wind surfers always seemed to be the biggest d-bags on the water, followed by the tubers and skiers IMO. That's why it is always important to keep large, lead-laden snagging hooks handy. Some super heavy mono and a 2 or 3 ounce snagging treble hook can really slow down a wind surfer or lower unit. Wish we had cell phones back then. :D
 
I have owned, will own and been on boats often. I know exactly what you are saying about kayaks. Personally I wouldn't kayak in Lake Norman or any large lake with lots of boats. It is asking for a drunken idiot to run you over. But sometimes the fish may be in deep water right? I was just thinking while reading your posts that if everyone else is always the problem, maybe it's you. :p

The wind surfers always seemed to be the biggest d-bags on the water, followed by the tubers and skiers IMO. That's why it is always important to keep large, lead-laden snagging hooks handy. Some super heavy mono and a 2 or 3 ounce snagging treble hook can really slow down a wind surfer or lower unit. Wish we had cell phones back then. :D
I tend to avoid High Rock for just that reason, I can drive 10 more minutes and put in at Badin and be away from all of that.
 
Last edited:
But sometimes the fish may be in deep water right? I was just thinking while reading your posts that if everyone else is always the problem, maybe it's you. :p

If you want to fish deep water, get a boat. The Yaks aren't my problem, I just aim for them to see just how fast they can paddle when the pressure's on....

Someday I'll get my act together, buy a yak and get out on the New River. Those smallies are calling to me.

If you know where to go I just happen to have a 17' Old Town Canoe on a trailer that's up to the task.... Holler when...
 
If you want to fish deep water, get a boat. The Yaks aren't my problem, I just aim for them to see just how fast they can paddle when the pressure's on....



If you know where to go I just happen to have a 17' Old Town Canoe on a trailer that's up to the task.... Holler when...

I have never been on the river. But I have some intelligence and maps. I may hit you up at some point.
 
I have never been on the river. But I have some intelligence and maps. I may hit you up at some point.

All we need is a return vehicle on the lower end and we're set. The river we can figure out. I know where all the fish are through common deductive reasoning, in the water!! Holler when you can go, I'll make time....
 
All we need is a return vehicle on the lower end and we're set. The river we can figure out. I know where all the fish are through common deductive reasoning, in the water!! Holler when you can go, I'll make time....

I suppose I should have my wife bring some of my gear back from my brother's place in NY next week. Kind hard to fish without rods and reels huh? :p

BTW, I've sank a boat before just about. You have a good life jacket and insurance?
 
I suppose I should have my wife bring some of my gear back from my brother's place in NY next week. Kind hard to fish without rods and reels huh? :p

BTW, I've sank a boat before just about. You have a good life jacket and insurance?

Like I tell everybody else.... Enter at your own risk.... But do wear the life jacket, it won't keep you from drowning, it just makes the body easier to find.....
 
My family owns a place at LKN and I'm ask all the time why I don't bring my kayak down. Its just like CZfool68 said too many idiots in boats/ seadoo's on the water that have no business owning or driving a boat.
 
My family owns a place at LKN and I'm ask all the time why I don't bring my kayak down. Its just like CZfool68 said too many idiots in boats/ seadoo's on the water that have no business owning or driving a boat.

I won't be on LKN anytime after 8am in the summer (Memorial Day - Labor Day). Any time after that it's almost void of pleasure craft.

The Catawba looks nice from Cowan's Ford Wildlife Refuge up river to the 73 dam. Going to fish up off the Blue Ridge on Boone Fork when I go hiking. Maybe camp out overnight towards the fall.
 
Edit: Sorry hadn't read the whole thread. As I said below if you don't try and make it go 4+ mph it's a sweet ride. I think you'll be happy with it.

I had a Native Ultimate with the Propel drive. I liked it but the biggest issue was the mount for the drive was not braced well enough and would flex when pedaling hard, robbing you of power and causing other issues like the thing working itself loose occasionally. IIRC I had to shim it just to get it to fit tightly.

I didn't use it for fishing and mostly tried to keep up with my GF who was in a sleek sea kayak which was the source of most of my problems, lol. I was able to keep up a solid 4mph but that was with the issues I described, a more leasurely speed would have been better suited to that boat.

I recommend making the trip to Get Outdoors, massive selection of kayaks and accessories, and lots of knowledgeable help.

Most of the pedal kayaks are designed for fishing, so are not sleek and fast but stable. For me I'd like to find one that was built for speed. The only one that comes close is the Hobie Adventure, but I don't like the flipper drive as well as the Propel, and the thing costs a fortune.

This is me taking one for a test drive:


And here's a more exciting trip in the one I bought:
 
Last edited:
@Flashpoint thank you that. I understand that there will be trade offs. My concentration is on fishing with paddling as a second. I know that the pedal drive won't be best over oars for getting there. I just picked up a nice 240cm oar from REI with multiple angle settings. Heck, you just can't beat the return policy! One year...

To me, using pedal would be for the final approach to the spot I want. I tried to pick the hull that would be the best compromise between the two, with the edge going to 'fishing'.

It's an ongoing experience. Heck I've not even received the boat yet and I've planned all around it. :):) If it comes in damaged I'll be awfully disappointed! :mad:

I'm thinking of starting a thread just to document the thought and progress of this.
 
Last edited:
@Flashpoint thank you that. I understand that there will be trade offs. My concentration is on fishing with paddling as a second. I know that the pedal drive won't be best over oars for getting there. I just picked up a nice 240cm oar from REI with multiple angle settings. Heck, you just can't beat the return policy! One year...

To me, using pedal would be for the final approach to the spot I want. I tried to pick the hull that would be the best compromise between the two, with the edge going to 'fishing'.

It's an ongoing experience. Heck I've not even received the boat yet and I've planned all around it. :):) If it comes in damaged I'll be awfully disappointed! :mad:

I'm thinking of starting a thread just to document the thought and progress of this.
Oh I would pedal all the time. :) To me it is more efficient, legs are much stronger than arms. The only thing it is not the best for is going very fast, and that's more due to the boat design (for fishing/stability, not speed).
 
If you decide you don’t wAnt to spend the money on a pedal powered yak yet but want something better than a beginners boat, let me know. I’ve got 2 and a trailer that I’m about to sell. Lost my big pond next to me and I’ve decided I’d rather have something with an engine. Been fishing them for 5 years now. Ready to upgrade
Let me know what you're going to cell. I've considered a kayak.:D
 
Last edited:
Yeah, but you weren’t trying to cane your way into a kayak back then either.
Good point!
I was in a jonboat with a 8.5 Johnson & a minute thrust trolling motor on good days. But most days had to skull it from the front while I fished.
 
Just learned about the Blue Sky Boatworks 360 Angler. This thing would be the daggum hickey for big lakes.

They must be closely hooked up with Jackson, because it uses the Jackson Flex Drive; and Blue Sky is also in Tennessee. If Jackson is actually involved with the manufacturing, it will be a quality piece.

The cost seems reasonable compared to other pedal-drive kayaks, especially the Hobie stuff.

WANT.

Edit: Yep, they are a Jackson company.
 
Last edited:
Blue sky is an off shoot of Jackson, like Orion coolers. They had one on the angler 360’s at get outdoors in Greensboro a few weeks ago. It was very nice. I was tempted to test it out, but I don’t think it would work for everything I want to do in a kayak. I ended up buying a Hobie instead and am keeping my big rig to have a good paddle boat.
 
I have a Jackson Kilroy, and was thinking an Angler 360 would round out my "fleet", let me cover all the bases. But, I can envision some scenarios where it would be too much, and a pedal kayak would be a better choice.

I'm going to have to have more free time to fish in order to justify the expense of either. The Kilroy was a Craigslist find that was so cheap that it was a no-brainer even if I rarely use it.
 
Just learned about the Blue Sky Boatworks 360 Angler. This thing would be the daggum hickey for big lakes.

They must be closely hooked up with Jackson, because it uses the Jackson Flex Drive; and Blue Sky is also in Tennessee. If Jackson is actually involved with the manufacturing, it will be a quality piece.

The cost seems reasonable compared to other pedal-drive kayaks, especially the Hobie stuff.

WANT

Edit: Yep, they are a Jackson company.

At 170lbs, that seems like a lot of mass to push.
 
Back
Top Bottom