Reel Drag:
I prefer paddling. Love my Viking Profish Reload. I tried pedal and get why so many love it. Hands free, downriggers, staying on top of a spot, and trolling ease are all benefits of the pedal yak, but it takes a lot of the fun out of it for me. If I want to pedal, I ride my bike. On the water I want to paddle. Maybe if my rotator cuff ever gives out I’ll switch, but until then happy paddling.
C_Run:
"If I want to pedal, I ride my bike. On the water I want to paddle."
That's my attitude, too. Nothing against pedals, though.
bsteves:
I can't believe I've never responded to this thread.
Here are the reasons I paddle...
1.) I haven't found a pedal kayak with a decent surf-friendly hull 2.) I get plenty of pedal exercise on my daily bike commute to and from work. So, I feel I need the upper body exercise that paddling provides. 3.) Pedal kayaks used to be heavier than paddle kayaks. Recent paddle kayak models are also heavy and I'm not a fan (I really don't care if they Bubba the 400 lb bass angler feels stable or not) 4.) Having my paddle on my lap is a bit of a security blanket.. I'm always ready to brace for that rouge wave 5.) I can't justify the cost of a pedal kayak. I can buy two or three really nice carbon fiber paddles for the price differential. 6.) I have a really nice paddle and yes it makes a difference.
That said there are a few times I wish I had a pedal kayak
1.) Trolling 360 flashers for salmon... those things pull too much to one side. Maybe I just need a rudder to counter that. 2.) Any slow trolling that requires one to be right on the bottom and hands on the rod at all times (e.g. fishing prawn spinners for springers) 3.) Bottom fishing in strong wind or current and trying to stay above a particular spot. 4.) When I'm paddling against the current and my wife calls... I hate loosing ground because she keeps talking and won't let me hang up. I'd should probably try and put her on speaker phone, but I'm guessing the wind would be an issue. True story.... I'm paddling against the current to get back to my car... my wife calls and asks "How long until you're home?" I respond 2 hrs (30 min paddle, 30 pack up, 1 hr drive). She proceeds to talk about her day. Finally, she says.. "So see you at 4" and I respond "Nope more like 5-5:30, I just lost a mile against a 2+ kt current while you were talking"
PNW:
--- Quote from: bsteves on September 11, 2018, 11:21:55 AM ---I can't believe I've never responded to this thread.
--- End quote --- +1 Both, now. I paddled a F&D for years. Just got an Outback in 2018.
kaz:
--- Quote from: Trident 13 on April 24, 2018, 09:52:04 PM ---I really liked paddling my trident 13, great yak and I enjoy paddling for fun in other yaks. Have done multiple 40 miles a day in a sea kayak. Very nice to just be quiet and get a rythem. Can’t run anymore :-). But in fishing Puget Sound it’s either tides, current, wind or all three you’re fighting all the time. While I really enjoy the challenge, there are times it’s just nice to be able to hold your place while holding a pole at the same time. Before deciding to switch to a hobie revo 13 I did some test peddling/paddling comparisons in the revo. Clearly I can peddle and hold a pole. But I can paddle the revo about the same speed I can the trident by just pushing the fins to the side of the hull and grabbing the paddle. So, I hope to be able to paddle as fast/far in the revo while having the option to peddle into the water flow to hold and jig vertically. Plus, I have a reasonably quick reverse, which was the straw that broke the tridents back. Best of both for me anyway...but there was a cost of real estate space due to the area consumed by the drive unit that I will have to figure out. Part of the game.
--- End quote ---
Trident 13,
I'm well into my first fishing season with my 2012, T13. I'm extremely happy with this design. The sleek hull, light weight, seaworthiness, and easy paddling, make it a pleasure on the water. However, I'm struggling to find a handy position for my rod holder. As a moocher/jigger, I need ready and quick access to my rod. The aft integral mounts aren't usable (old back injuries make twisting around painful, also can't see rod tip). Have you any suggestions for a rod holder location, that won't interfere with paddling and keep my rod within easy reach? Presently, I have a Scotty rod holder mounted, well forward, on the mod pod (right behind the FF shield).