Is it worth it ?

[Fishing619]

For the people that has upgrade from a paddle
Kayak to a peddle kayak is it worth the money
What is the difference at the end of the day.

[jbl_91762]

best move I've made going to peddle. I enjoyed the workout paddling for a year but only bought a paddle cause I was not sure I'd like kayak fishing AND I didn't want to pay $2k for a paddle. Saved the dough and bought 2016 Hobie Outback and couldn't be happier. To fish and tie knots, eat, drink while moving are incredible! Go save the bucks and join the club!

[Orca Winfrey]

I like paddling too, but I'd say yes for fishing. Like jbl said, you will have your hands free to eat and fish on the move. Also a pedal yak lets you hold position over your spot in current and wind.

Pedal yaks also have a huge advantage when going into the wind. I learned this at POLA in 20mph plus winds. I was losing more ground (water?) than I was gaining because the wind was blowing me backwards between every stroke. My buddy ended up towing me in with his Revo 13.

One day I'll give in to the dark side. Meanwhile, I still like paddling and I'm too cheap to get a Hobie.

[Raskal311]

I've fund paddle fishing to be a huge waist of time. Tried it for over a year and hated it; made the switch and never looked back.

The difference is you get much more fishing time and less time $@&&$" around with the paddle fighting and adjusting for the current.

[Gr8fuldude]

Made the switch and absolutely no regrets. For all the reasons stated above, hands free for fishing, fighting the wind is much easier, and one more reason is that I have increased range in the hobie. Down at makobobs place, I can comfortably and confidently fish the islands, which are five miles from shore. With the paddle, I wouldn't feel so confident going that far from shore. I can also fish all day as I don't get as tired peddling all day compared to paddling. I say if you can afford it then it really is a no-brainer. I liked paddle-fishing, but I absolutely love peddle-fishing.

[King Saba]

I like paddling too, but I'd say yes for fishing. Like jbl said, you will have your hands free to eat and fish on the move. Also a pedal yak lets you hold position over your spot in current and wind.

Pedal yaks also have a huge advantage when going into the wind. I learned this at POLA in 20mph plus winds. I was losing more ground (water?) than I was gaining because the wind was blowing me backwards between every stroke. My buddy ended up towing me in with his Revo 13.

One day I'll give in to the dark side. Meanwhile, I still like paddling and I'm too cheap to get a Hobie.

You'll never do it. That kayak funds of your keeps going elsewhere when you need it most. lol! :D

[King Saba]

For reference, I've done 13+ miles in a trip before when I was still in my Revo 13. Wasn't really that tired the next day. Before that, I used to do 4-6mile trips in my wide Malibu Stealth 12 and I was aching and super fatigued the next day.

Pedal kayaks- faster overall, hands free application, and easy to maintain course.

Paddle kayaks- Can be faster if you buy narrow carbon fiber crafts like a stealth profisha, BUT is generally a hassle when trying to hold position.

Overall I love my Hobie kayaks. They're tough, helped me become a better angler, and gives me more time while on the water to focus on fishing rather than maintaining position. But, I do miss paddling for its minimalist application. I take much more caution with my Hobies since there are more moving parts that can break when handled carelessly.

[Phu Nguyen]

Can you still fish around San Diego bait barge? Some guy on a sail boat told me yesterday that I can't fish there anymore

[Mahigeer]

Made the switch and absolutely no regrets. For all the reasons stated above, hands free for fishing, fighting the wind is much easier, and one more reason is that I have increased range in the hobie. Down at makobobs place, I can comfortably and confidently fish the islands, which are five miles from shore. With the paddle, I wouldn't feel so confident going that far from shore. I can also fish all day as I don't get as tired peddling all day compared to paddling. I say if you can afford it then it really is a no-brainer. I liked paddle-fishing, but I absolutely love peddle-fishing.


I had the same experience except of going to the island. With my 14' X-factor I had to beach myself and walk to the camp once.

When I got back to LA, I bought a used Outback and now selling my X-factor.

[jorluivil]

Here are some pros and cons between pedal and paddle kayak


Pedal kayak pros: everything

pedal kayak cons: none


Just to give you a general idea about some of the advantages with pedal drive kayaks.

Yesterday I was fighting a large fish, while fighting the fish I was able to gain line on the fish by:

1. pedaling
2. use my rudder controls to turn in whatever direction the fish was running
3. use my VHF radio

[FISH11]

I have and like both. My Hobie Revo is great at being able to have hands free and maintaining forward movement against a strong current and wind. Terrible about constantly getting loose kelp caught on the fins or rudder. The rudder pisses me off the most when fly lining a mac at least a couple time a day the fishing line will get caught on the rudder and is a pain to get it off and it has very little usable storage space inside the kayak. My Malibu X Factor is much more stable in choppy water goes out the higher surf better and is more controllable when coming in through the surf. I have had to use both against the strong current and wind. If you paddle often then your arms are in shape, if you don't go out at least once a week then the arms will have a hard time doing it for 4-6 hours non-stop, that I think would be the same for a lot of guys and their legs. THERE IS NO KAYAK, that is all pros and no cons. It is still hard to justify a pedal kayak often costing twice as much, maybe 25%.

[goldenglory18]

I've been a paddler my whole yak fishing tenure, and on most days dont mind at all the "hassle" that comes with it.

BUT, on those extra windy days, or when that big tank takes the bait, I really wish I had my hands free.

Someday I'll pickup a peddle boat, but until then, I'm happy as pie in my "old school" paddle kayak.

[crashcrow]

I started with an Xfactor and did ok unless there was a current. I fish 3 times more on a Hobie because my hands are always free. I would never get rid of the pedals now that I have them.

Mike

[alanw]

Paddling was fun and I'm glad I learned on paddle boats, but the wind made it really tough to make headway sometimes. The wind really isn't much of an issue with pedals.

The only con of having a pedal drive is having to still carry around a paddle in case the pedal drive fails.

[GTboosted]

It's worth it if you already know that you like kayak fishing.

I constantly see kayaks for sale where the owner only used it a few times. If you buy used you will not lose much if you decide you don't like the sport. Pedals won't automatically help you catch more fish.

It also depends in what type of fishing you do. If you stick to harbors it might not be worth it. When you want to cover distance in the open ocean it's hard to beat leg power and the mirage drive with upper body and a paddle.

[Gr8fuldude]

[QUOTE=GTboosted;285550]It's worth it if you already know that you like kayak fishing.

I constantly see kayaks for sale where the owner only used it a few times. If you buy used you will not lose much if you decide you don't like the sport.

This is good advice. First decide whether you really, REALLY like the sport. If you are in, then you find a way to beg, borrow, or steal (ok, maybe not steal) the money to get a pedal yak.

Now you have another decision to make, do you get the heavier, more expensive pro angler fishing machine, or a smaller, lighter pedal yak (outback or revo). I got the outback, which I absolutely love, but I wonder if I'd have been happier battling the weight but enjoying the overall superiority of the PA.

I do wish I hadn't wasted money buying a paddle yak first, and instead had just went hobie right out of the gate. Oh well, live and learn, and you can learn from my mistake.

[King Saba]

And if you do decide to go with a hobie remember that it's a pedal powered kayak not a peddled one. Some guy would be getting a deal on your kayak if that's the case

[fishfoo]

hobie really needs to build a boat that you can stow your rods easy and not so fat

[jbl_91762]

great points on harbor vs open water as Harbor can get away with paddle. On other points with wind, I was caught in wind and it took me over 2 hours to fight back to the harbor with my paddle yak and Im in very good shape! But I was amazed when I saw a PA14 just cruise on by me in the same wind and caught up with him at launch. He wasn't even tired and was worried about me paddling back. That's when I knew I'd make the switch as I don't fish harbors as much as I fish open water.

[TJones]

I had about 6 hobbies and I started out in the sport with a hobie. I currently have a 2016 outback. I also bought a pair of ocean kayaks last oct just after release of new models, one being a 2017 trident 15. Since owning a paddle kayak I have not used my hobie. It's great having hands free, but the trade offs suck. The ability to stow rods in hull, and the ability to get through tuff surf with paddle kayak are enormous advantages. Hobie really needs to come up with some aggressive changes. PA is a great platform on the water but not practical for anywhere else except LJ beach launching ( harbors, marinas, lakes excluded ). The outback is a solid platform on water but slow compared to a fast kayak. Weight capcity of revo is kinda shady. Nothing spectacular about it in surf either . Speed is not bad if you carry minimal gear and don't have any fish on board.

[buddha]

I had about 6 hobbies and I started out in the sport with a hobie. I currently have a 2016 outback. I also bought a pair of ocean kayaks last oct just after release of new models, one being a 2017 trident 15. Since owning a paddle kayak I have not used my hobie. It's great having hands free, but the trade offs suck. The ability to stow rods in hull, and the ability to get through tuff surf with paddle kayak are enormous advantages. Hobie really needs to come up with some aggressive changes. PA is a great platform on the water but not practical for anywhere else except LJ beach launching ( harbors, marinas, lakes excluded ). The outback is a solid platform on water but slow compared to a fast kayak. Weight capcity of revo is kinda shady. Nothing spectacular about it in surf either . Speed is not bad if you carry minimal gear and don't have any fish on board.
My sentiments exactly. Also if your drive breaks down fixing it on the water is a pain or if you don't have spare parts you have a rough paddle back. Yes rod storage underneath, surf maneuvering and speed are nice advantages. I also use a sail to further my options.

[PapaDave]

I once tried a paddle kayak when I first started this sport out. Would launch out of Dana Point and usually headed south. When I was fishing the paddle was always in the way. I had no control over it when drifting unless I was paddling, which means that I wasn't holding the fishing pole while fishing.

One day the wind came up and it took me roughly 2.5 hours to get back to the harbor. It was rough, for every two feet I went forward the wind kicked me back one and a half feet. There was no rudder, so the wind pushed the kayak all over the place, couldn't keep it straight. Was very tired and sore for the next week or so.

The next weekend went to see Tim at DP Jet Ski, he let me demo an Outback for the day. When I got back I bought a PA and haven't looked back.

[goldenglory18]

There is a lot of discussion on Hobie and their pedal yaks. Just remember folks, there are more companies out there that are in the pedal game now...

Wilderness Systems / Preception
Native
Old Town
NuCanoe

http://www.sportfishingmag.com/sites/sportfishingmag.com/files/styles/655_1x_/public/images/2017/03/pedal-kayak-chart.jpg?itok=WBjBukI3

[TJones]

Wind sucks, and yes your legs are very powerful. I've been caught in borderline situations many times where I had no business being out. These situations can arise out or nowhere without warning sometimes, but generally are forecasted. I have been out after a along work week on both types of kayaks under varied conditions and in my opinion, if you are not well rested, you will not have a pleasant day on water if it is other than lake like conditions. How often do you catch paligics in lake like conditions? Personally, I think Part of the fun is getting out there and trying to get some exercise, even if it is only for a couple of hours on water. Yes, we all want to spend 12 hours on water from sun up till sundown till the fish decide to bite, but realistically 6-8 hours on water is a long day for any of us combined with any kind of commute. If you are really serious about making transition, visit some local shops for a demo.

[SHRED]

For the people that has upgrade from a paddle
Kayak to a peddle kayak is it worth the money
What is the difference at the end of the day.

If it's the slightest bit breezy it's well worth.
My Outback has the 180 drive. Reverse is quite handy!!

[GTboosted]

TJONES would you say that your trident 15 can keep up with a Hobie over long distances? I got a buddy looking for a yak longer than 14ft.

Right now he is fishing out of my Revo 16 and we always cover many miles.

[CON KSO]

I don't know if you plan on fly fishing off your yak but I do it all the time- I have to keep the boat pointed into the wind in order to fly fish and I don't see how this would be possible in a non-peddle kayak. In my PA 14 I will fish regardless of the conditions, windy or not because I know I can keep the boat pointed and still keep my fly in the water.

[Flounder]

Anyone notice a problem with the non Hobies making a lot of noise while pedaling? I hear the gears on the drives on most youtube videos and stealth is a concern to me. So I will be doing a lot more research through oex and fastlane to figure out what I want. Any info is helpful!

[buddha]

I had about 6 hobbies and I started out in the sport with a hobie. I currently have a 2016 outback. I also bought a pair of ocean kayaks last oct just after release of new models, one being a 2017 trident 15. Since owning a paddle kayak I have not used my hobie. It's great having hands free, but the trade offs suck. The ability to stow rods in hull, and the ability to get through tuff surf with paddle kayak are enormous advantages. Hobie really needs to come up with some aggressive changes. PA is a great platform on the water but not practical for anywhere else except LJ beach launching ( harbors, marinas, lakes excluded ). The outback is a solid platform on water but slow compared to a fast kayak. Weight capcity of revo is kinda shady. Nothing spectacular about it in surf either . Speed is not bad if you carry minimal gear and don't have any fish on board.

Sent you a pm.

[Fishing619]

For the people that has upgrade from a paddle
Kayak to a peddle kayak is it worth the money
What is the difference at the end of the day.

Well i did got a hobie went to fast lane they had a demo PA14 Camo editin at a good price i couldn't pass out, took it out yesterday and what a difference thank you all for the replays, :reel::reel:

[Orca Winfrey]

Congrats!