Does everyone pedal?
 

Does everyone pedal their kayaks now or are there still paddlers.

Trident 15 and Mini-x's for me.


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There are still a bunch of guys that paddle their kayaks but it does seem that there are more hobie owners on this site that use the mirage drive

Myself included. The only time I've paddled a kayak was when we rented a tandem kayak in Hawaii and I hated every minute of it. But that is because I am not proficient at using a paddle.


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Paddler

Yes.

No.

Hobie Quest 13. :paddleersmilie:

I'm paddling now but I watched a guy cruising the lake the other day on a Hobie. The biggest problem I had was a quartering wind from the back that kept blowing me to the left even though I was paddling with only the left paddle just to keep moving straight. I could see where a rudder would help with that but I'm not into this yet enough to pop for $1300 or more, so it looks like I will paddle a couple of hundred more miles .

Paddle a Jackson Cuda and peddle a PA14, I like having the option depending on where I go.

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which is best at LJ? I have an Ascent FS12T, sit on top, will that work okay for getting past the surf. I've been paddling about 5 hours a session but I'm still new to kayaks.

Stealth 12 and a Sierra when I'm bay fishing.

Pro 2 Tandem paddle yak over here. It's my first kayak after many rented and I didn't want to spend the money on a mirage drive kayak. If you're gonna paddle might as well get a high quality paddle to make it more enjoyable.

who makes the best paddles?

seams about 50/50...i had a paddler, now on a peddler. they both have advantages. 75% of the time i prefer the hobie. kelp and backing up is more work on the hobie. and the weight is a bit more most of the time.

Paddle, Cobra fish n dive, the beast.

"Im going to go ride some waves."
--Said by no boat petaler ever

Trident 13

Werner Shuna

First Kayak and new to this

Already want to pedal. I get jealous of being hands free and it just seems easier.

So the disadvantages are: Not as good in surf, and you have to use the paddle to back up?

X2

I've been in my Revo 13 for about 6 months now and enjoy it. Is it perfect, no.
Does it have advantages, yes. Does it have limitations, yes. Coming from a tarpon 120, I find it a bit more involved and less simplistic, but I still can paddle the revo. Does it paddle as well as my old tarpon 120 or other kayaks that I've paddled, no.

Biggest pros: I can drink beer, eat a sandwich and pedal;)
Once hooked up, I can chase down a fish if needed. I can easily fish areas without using my drift chute, by utilizing the mirage drive.

Biggest cons: Kelp. I can still fish the kelp, but I have to pull some cords! Additional maintenance required with the mirage drive. I miss having storage access right in front of me vs the mirage drive.

Speed wise, I think its a toss up. I have the ST fins, not turbo and can troll no problem and can sprint if needed. Distance isn't an issue. But for those that have a fast hull design and know how to paddle, they can fly.

It's all preference.

Trident 11 only 55 lbs. Werner Camano

I like the lightweight and ease of loading the kayak.

If your paddling technique gets efficient it is very pleasurable.

Easier handling the surf.

I agree with others to try both and decide but don't discount a paddle kayak.

The newer ones are getting better and better with more features also.

I remember when the mirage drive first came out. They were pretty much universally ridiculed. "Theyre not kayaks, they're for sissies, they'll never catch on, the drive can't be reliable". Those attitudes didn't last long. Then for a while it seamed like most had Hobies. Many times at the launch out of 20 guys I had the only paddle yak. Now I see paddle yaks making a come back. Some times 50/50 at the launch. It might be that back then there were only 3 or so brands of paddle yaks that made fishing yaks, now there are many more. Might be more people are entering the sport and don't want to drop 2-4 k bucks for a yak. I have a hobie, a 13 y/o OK prowler 15, and a equally old Malibu extreme. Use em all n love em. Mike

Total agree with this.

I recall fishing LJ back in 2009 in my OK Prowler and seeing Hobie kayaks peddling around, I was like, those guys are weak!


Less than a year later I had my first Hobie.

Starting way back in 2006 Malibu and ocean kayaks were king. Prowler 15 and extremes being the ferrari's . Me in a tank of x-factor loved the stability of a starter kayak. Now in a revo the advantages far out way disadvantages. The revo paddles surprisingly well with the block in of course. PA are just to big to paddle and overkill in my opinion unless you 300+ plus pounds

Have you ever owned a PA? I know guys that are under 200lbs and own and love PA's.

pedal all the way
 

I used to own an paddle and now I pedal. I will never go back to paddling.
There is a guy on this site who works at OEX, I always see him on a pedal. Think about that, he has all the choice in the world on kayaks and he chooses to pedal. HMMM?

I've pedaled and paddled. I like paddling, no right or wrong way.

Paddler - Jackson big tuna.


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To each his own, as they say! Personally I like paddling because it give me they exercise I don't otherwise get, and I like the maneuverability. I think a pedal kayak could be good, if you also learn or know how to paddle. Too many guys in hobies don't have a clue how to paddle. Being able to use a paddle (and not that POS hobie paddle) is a great advantage to getting through the surf or moving faster especially against the current and wind. The biggest negative about hobies, is the ridiculous prices for the kayaks and especially all the accessories. Most are the same as other brands, but put that H on it and it's 75% more.

Paddler here. 14' native. To pedal is out of my price range.

Paddled a tarpon for 4 years.

Bought a 2015 Hobie Outback 6 months ago.

I will never paddle again as the Hobie has soooooo many advantages and one disadvantage :eek:

Which "one" is the disadvantage? Is it the surf launching or the surf landing (those are 2 separate events on each outing)? Or is it fishing in the kelp or just crossing over it? Or maybe it is stopping quickly or going in reverse? Or maybe storge capacity limitations? Or possibly the weight? They are great boats for sure, but don't be blinded because you only fish LJ for fish outside the kelpline (unless that is all the OP is interested in). Funny how each time this question comes up, it turns into a bipolar exaggeration fest. One thing is for sure, when I have a beer can surgically attached to one of my hands I am getting a Hobie.

That guy just got lazy.....and old .........and jacked up his shoulders :D

I still paddle.

I can paddle my Ikelos as hard as I possibly can, for as long as I can. It will barely even flex. I would be hesitant to jam on the mirage drive at full power for a long time. They're robust, but an all out sprint really increases the chance of damaging the drive.

Lots of drag, too expensive, too heavy, can't surf for shit... If you want to spend 5 grand on a boat you can shore launch and can't lift, you could buy a Livingston. Then you can drink all the beer you want, and bring a bikini babe with you!

The one disadvantage is the landing. Going out is always easy in anything.

I no longer fish the kelp. I do however want to (learn to, ;)) fish WSB in the kelp, so pull the drive and paddle, no biggie.

I would say Hobie. I have the 2015 Pro Angler 14 and I have done a 9 mile round trip and it was easy and I wasn't even tired. Plus hooking up with a YT, I would say is easier in a Hobie because it is basically hands free..you would only use your hand to adjust the rudder.

Saying that paddling is better than pedaling (or vice versa) is like saying that it's wrong to jerk off with your left hand if you're right handed, both get the job done.........right?

You can paddle a hobie if you want, but you can't pedal a malibu if you want...

I love my trident 13 but I do have to admit I am a little jealous of the guys that are just cruseing around peddling. I can however out run a hobie in my trident, that being said I am a little tired after. But for the price tag of a Hobie I will stick with my trident.

Okay, I wasn't asking to start a war. I have to paddle right now, to pedal isn't in my budget. I was just trying to get the lay of the land. What kind of paddles do the paddlers use? Is there a brand or model that most like better? I'm using a 240 cm from Bass Pro but I'm sure it's not optimal. Any help will be appreciated

I'm a paddler for life Have a had a bunch of different yaks and tried a hobie or two just can't get into the Mirage Drive and now with the higher seats I really don't like them they just seem so top heavy to me now,maybe because I'm top heavy.. 😄

I'm on a Ocean Kayak trident 15 with a aqua bound carbon paddle. Love the weight the kayak can hold and the speed. one day I'll upgrade to the ocean kayak trident ultra 4.7

Ps always looking for paddling kayak fishermen to hit the water with

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