Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Pedal Kayaks???

I've used the hobbies and the old Town I think old Town is definitely the way to go.

That is badass!

Looking good. I wish I had that and you had a feather, Paul.

Kayaks hurt my old back and I have a 22' boat that runs in 4" of water.

All of the serious kayak guys around here (Texas Gulf Coast) have peddlers.

Dinner

Thanks I caught the two of these in Panama after my accident, not bad for 7 fingers and no assistance. And they were released to fight another day

Been doing any good on the specks?

Never tried the kayak but I know some guys that use them and like them, especially the peddle style. I still fish out of a float tube since I like the ability to put in anywhere and I can air it down and carry it easily in the back seat of my F250. I can literally be fishing anywhere in 5 minutes.

I think you mean the serious *fishing* kayak guys.

Kent, Riot is part of Kayak Distribution which is the parent of several brands which includes Boreal Design

They seem to be pretty fast when needed.



This was filmed just a couple of miles from where I am sitting tonight.

I don't know squat about kayaks but a bunch of years ago before I got remarried, I was convinced by this little hottie that I was banging to go "cabrewing." Pack a bunch of sandwiches for snacks and mostly beer. Sounded like a good time until we got there and I realized the route was 11 miles and the river had absolutely no flow to it. Naturally she didn't row even the slightest bit but I remember daydreaming about how I'd give my left testicle for that canoe to turn into a pedal boat. I drunk enough beer that I should have been toasted but I burned it out via sweat the whole time and looked like a lobster when I got home. I like the pedal idea.

The outback is the biggest model that I would get. It is 80# ish.
I got the 2018 model,it is lighter then the newest model outback . If you are freshwater /bay fishing it is great. If however you are beach/ surf launching it is too big and slow. They handle big seas very well. And are comfortable. If you can, try one out.

Try out pedal and paddle yaks if you possibly can before you buy. I’ve fished from both. For warm calm water I like a sit on top and would consider pedal. Cold PNW, sit inside for me. Weight is a HUGE factor for me since I cartop and don’t want to mess with a trailer. If I trailer I’ll go to a motor boat.

I have two sit inside kayaks (SINKs) and love them, but my use is likely different from yours: BIG cold northern river with swift current, often in rain. Have done some salt water fishing for salmon and kelp fish in BC and WA State.

I fished a Hobie pedal kayak in an East Coast salt water bay for stripers and blues. Excellent boat for that use, mild currents, inside water with no big waves, and hands free for fishing. Downsides to the Hobie pedal boat: WEIGHT for solo car topping, complexity of the pedal mechanism (which went wonky and my partner had to come fix for me) and depth of draft in shallow water inshore.

I knew I would be solo cartopping, sometimes on rough logging roads, so set my upper weight limit of 40 lbs. for my yak. One of my boats weighs 41 and the other about 30. (I liked it enough to fudge one pound.) Both are 13’ 3.”

In my cold rivers and PNW salt water I prefer the warmth and spray skirt of a sit inside, the instant steering and control I have with a paddle, and the slightly more stable and lower wind profile that sitting below the waterline creates.

Problem is, kayaking is addictive. I bought mine as a gift to myself after recovering from two years of surgeries, misery and blindness. Most fun toy I ever bought. Enjoy!

We fish in mostly shallow water. I have a paddle yak where as my buddy has a peddle. Like most equipment peddle drives are not created equally. He can kick my butt into the wind. But I am a larger man than him. He likes his but he have to pull the drive up in real shallow areas.
As far as weight his yak doesnt seem any heavier than mine as he doesn't put the drive into the yak until he is in the water. I can see the advantage of a good peddle drive with reverse for fishing. Especially when hooked up to a big snook in the mangroves. Being about to back off and give yourself some room is key. Open water or drifting flats I don't see any big advantage. I might try one on my next yak. If there is one.

PS. When I started I transported my yak on the roof of my Ford Expedition. Big yak . A Ocean Big Game 2. About 12’7” long rigged out at 95 lbs. A pick up truck is the way to go for me. Trailers are great but around here it can be hard to find parking for them at the landings. Guys are complaining all the time. Theres not aways a place to hose saltwater off so your dripping saltwater down on your vehicle if you mount on top. That bothers some people. I have a Silverado crew cab short bed and I strap it in there on top of moving blankets with the tailgate down. I hook a flashing bike light on the back. I got a dolly in case I have to unload and walk it to the landing. Im looking at a new dolly now as I want one that the yak sits on and is strapped down rather than through the scupper holes.

I have been intrigued with the fishing yaks for several years , have not tried one yet! Several months ago I was given a promotion (still crap pay)and am now building composite canoes for a new start up in the region. Still perfecting my tradecraft( I knew nothing when I started). The lightest boat we build is 16' single, 32 lbs. I would do a few things different if I build one for myself, but have yet to get one in the water. The bosses get to do all the testing, but I plan to rectify that!