Contributed by Travis Billings
Should I get a paddle or pedal kayak? What are the benefits of both? Which brand should I get? It seems like this is always a topic of discussion. Well before you decide on which to buy you must ask yourself a few questions that will narrow your search down quite a bit. Here are some things to consider before investing your hard earned money.
The first question you should ask yourself is what is my budget? The most popular pedal drive kayaks right now are the Hobie kayaks:the Hobie Pro Angler and the Hobie Outback to name a couple. The 2016 14’ and 12’ Pro Angler are both over $3,000 and the Outback is near $2,500 all before tax. Native Watercraft also sells 2 models of pedal drive kayaks, one being the Native Slayer Propel 13’ and then you have its little brother the Native Slayer Propel 10’. The 13’ Propel costs a little over $2500 before taxes and the Propel 10 comes in at $2399 also before taxes.
Then you have the paddle drive kayaks by popular makers like Wilderness Systems, Jackson, Native and many more. Paddle kayak prices range anywhere from $500-$1900. Pro tip: consider buying used. Search places like craigslist or your local club’s website. I myself have never bought a new kayak, I’ve always bought used for many reasons.
Now that you have your budget set, the next question you should ask yourself is what type of fishing will you be doing? Will you be fishing in mostly ponds/lakes, saltwater bays or marshes, off in oceans, rivers etc. There are so many factors to consider that one kayak, in my opinion, will not be the best for all situations. If you will be fishing primarily ponds/lakes and distance is not so important, a stable paddle kayak may be the way to go, such as a Wilderness Systems Ride 115/135 or a Jackson Cuda/Coosa. If distance is important to you but don’t want to break the bank, then think long and narrow such as the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140 or 160 or Viking Reload. These kayaks glide with the smallest effort and are great for covering water. If your budget will allow, nothing can beat a pedal kayak for covering water not to mention hands free fishing. Also be aware of the depths you will be fishing. If you’re like me chasing reds in shallow marsh, a pedal kayak is not very practical. I’ve owned a PA14 and had to pull the fins out due to shallow oyster reefs, and you do not want to have to paddle this tank into the wind. My choice for shallow marsh fishing is anything greater than 12’ that tracks well with good stability. On the other hand, if your marsh system is deeper than 18” on any given day or you’re primarily in bays, then a pedal kayak will benefit you greatly.
The next thing to consider is the weight of a kayak. The Hobie Pro Angler 14 weighs an estimated 142 pounds before adding any accessories/gear. Now imagine having to load this into the bed of your truck or having to push it over some marsh grass all by yourself. I’ve done it and it’s not fun. The Wilderness Systems Ride 135 comes in at 82 pounds before accessories/gear which is more manageable for the smaller angler. Other kayaks come in at less than 70 pounds.
Probably the most important question to ask yourself is how is your physical condition? Do you have a bad shoulder, knee or hip? Does your back start to hurt if you’re sitting too long? Are you able to pick up a Hobie Pro Angler and load it into the bed of truck by yourself? Do you have a truck or a car? I’m not saying this isn’t possible but I don’t imagine strapping a 16’ kayak on top of your Honda Civic would be advised. And I’m pretty sure unless your name is Arnold, you will not be loading a Hobie Pro Angler on top of a car by yourself. Do you have a trailer to load a kayak onto? If you have shoulder issues you’ll probably want to stay away from paddle kayaks and if you have any leg issues, a paddle kayak would be right for you.
As you can see there are a lot of factors to consider and some I didn’t even mention when choosing a paddle kayak or a pedal kayak. Please keep in mind all of this information is in my opinion. You’ll find many anglers who will swear by either or. The best advice out there is to demo first. See if its practical for your particular style of fishing and consider the above factors.