Ready to meet some kayak fishing people in OR/WA

Pedal vs. Paddle? - now that seems to be the biggest question.  It seems that being able to pedal offers some real fishing advantages, and the question for me is whether it's really worth the large jump in price point.  I can already tell that Hobie's Mirage drive is very popular with NWKA members.  Are any of the Native Watercraft pedal models worth considering? The Wilderness Ride (115 and 135) are on my list, as are the Jackson Cuda 12 and 14.  I have yet to demo any of these models, so I need to start figuring out the how and where to do that. 

Welcome to the site yakbasser.

Hobie and Ocean Kayak seem to be the most popular brands the the Pacific Northwest.  Native, Jackson and Wilderness kayaks are just starting to show up here and there.    Next Adventure in Portland carries the Ocean Kayak and Hobies, I'm not sure where you'd find the others.   The more kayaks you demo the better.

Regarding pedal vs paddle.   Hobies shine in current.  The ability to hold over a spot or move against current while holding your rod can be very useful at times. 

Other than that I don't really think there is much advantage to the pedal drive.  In fact, to counter all the Hobie fan boys out there, here are some counter points...

You can't pedal a Hobie backwards without spending the time to disengage the mirage drive, flip it around, and then reengage it.  When you want to go forwards again you'll have to do the same.  Or you can use your paddle here. 

Hobies are about twice the price of most paddle sit on tops.  For me that's huge.   For the price of a Hobie you can buy a large kayak like a Ocean Kayak Trident 13 well suited for the ocean and large lakes as well as a shorter kayak that is ideal for smaller lakes and running rivers like an Ocean Kayak Tetra 10.

Hobies require much more maintenance.   A paddle kayak simply needs to be washed.  A Hobie needs to be washed too, but the mirage drive also needs cleaning, greasing, and even repairs from time to time.
See http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=9948.0

Paddles cost $100 - $300 and generally float.  Mirage drives sink and cost $550 to replace.  I believe you might be able to find a couple of them for free in the surf at  Pacific City if you look hard enough.

It's possible to have a fish tangle your line up in your mirage drive.

Hobie guys will tell you that leg muscles are stronger and more efficient then arm muscles and therefore pedaling is more efficient then paddling.  To that I say they aren't paddling right, paddling should involve your torso / core muscles.  If you paddle with just your arms you're going to wear yourself out.

Going through the surf is a great way to wreck your pedal drive fins if you leave them in.  Most Hobie owners use there paddles here.

Having a paddle in your hands is a great way to brace yourself for unexpected wind and waves.
See http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=9992.0

Hobie mirage drives take up considerable deck space that can be utilized for other purposes in paddle kayaks like tackle storage and landing/photographing/measuring your catch.

Hobie mirage drives also limit what and how much you can store in your hatches.   


Full disclaimer, yes, I'm sponsored by Ocean Kayak.

I have had both (paddle and peddle) and totally agree with bsteves.  Personally I think the peddle has many advantages while fishing, but there is just something very peaceful and calming about paddling...less mechanical and just more simple I think.

Currently I have a Hobbie outback, but am looking to add an OK soon.

I was wondering when somebody would finally say all that.   

There's nothing wrong with Hobies but they're definitely not the only word in kayak fishing.

-Spot-

Hey YakBasser, Welcome!

You wouldn't happen to live near Century High School would you?  I could swear I've seen that Cobra on the top of an SUV in my neighborhood.

-Spot-

Hey Spot,
Yes, I have lived in the Orenco area since last April.  I've attached a another pic of my Triple.  If you saw mine, it was either on a Silver Ford Explorer, or now days on a Subaru Outback.

Hi, YakBasser.  I've got a WS Ride 115 that you can also take for a spin sometime.  I'm on the Westside, too.  And will soon be even closer to lowering the property value of Spot's neighborhood.  Muah hah hah hah....

Hey andyjade,
I'll take you up on that offer to try a Ride 115.  I was actually considering that one, but also thought it might be too slow to keep up with the faster fishing yaks around.  I'm leaning now toward the 135 if I go with Wilderness, but won't know until I try.  Nothing will be slower than soloing my Triple, unless it's when my son is hanging off the back and both my wife and dog are sleeping in it... while I fish. 

Pedal vs. Paddle? - now that seems to be the biggest question.  It seems that being able to pedal offers some real fishing advantages, and the question for me is whether it's really worth the large jump in price point.  I can already tell that Hobie's Mirage drive is very popular with NWKA members.  Are any of the Native Watercraft pedal models worth considering? The Wilderness Ride (115 and 135) are on my list, as are the Jackson Cuda 12 and 14.  I have yet to demo any of these models, so I need to start figuring out the how and where to do that. 

Welcome to the site yakbasser.

Hobie and Ocean Kayak seem to be the most popular brands the the Pacific Northwest.  Native, Jackson and Wilderness kayaks are just starting to show up here and there.    Next Adventure in Portland carries the Ocean Kayak and Hobies, I'm not sure where you'd find the others.   The more kayaks you demo the better.

Regarding pedal vs paddle.   Hobies shine in current.  The ability to hold over a spot or move against current while holding your rod can be very useful at times. 

Other than that I don't really think there is much advantage to the pedal drive.  In fact, to counter all the Hobie fan boys out there, here are some counter points...

You can't pedal a Hobie backwards without spending the time to disengage the mirage drive, flip it around, and then reengage it.  When you want to go forwards again you'll have to do the same.  Or you can use your paddle here. 

Hobies are about twice the price of most paddle sit on tops.  For me that's huge.   For the price of a Hobie you can buy a large kayak like a Ocean Kayak Trident 13 well suited for the ocean and large lakes as well as a shorter kayak that is ideal for smaller lakes and running rivers like an Ocean Kayak Tetra 10.

Hobies require much more maintenance.   A paddle kayak simply needs to be washed.  A Hobie needs to be washed too, but the mirage drive also needs cleaning, greasing, and even repairs from time to time.
See http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=9948.0

Paddles cost $100 - $300 and generally float.  Mirage drives sink and cost $550 to replace.  I believe you might be able to find a couple of them for free in the surf at  Pacific City if you look hard enough.

It's possible to have a fish tangle your line up in your mirage drive.

Hobie guys will tell you that leg muscles are stronger and more efficient then arm muscles and therefore pedaling is more efficient then paddling.  To that I say they aren't paddling right, paddling should involve your torso / core muscles.  If you paddle with just your arms you're going to wear yourself out.

Going through the surf is a great way to wreck your pedal drive fins if you leave them in.  Most Hobie owners use there paddles here.

Having a paddle in your hands is a great way to brace yourself for unexpected wind and waves.
See http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=9992.0

Hobie mirage drives take up considerable deck space that can be utilized for other purposes in paddle kayaks like tackle storage and landing/photographing/measuring your catch.

Hobie mirage drives also limit what and how much you can store in your hatches.   


Full disclaimer, yes, I'm sponsored by Ocean Kayak.

Thanks Bsteves, I'm considering/planning on a hobie but  you gave me some stuff to think about, especially the the backpaddle issue, I had wondered about that.

I live just South or Orenco and Work just North of Orenco.  Let me know if you wanna try out a Trident 13 or an Ultra 4.3 sometime.

-Spot- 

Cool.  I'm in Beaverton, but in the process of moving to a farm field between North Plains and Glencoe.  Give me a bit in which to get settled, and I'll happily set you up with some time on the Ride. 

Spot,
I work just north of Orenco as well.  I would appreciate the opportunity to demo any fishing kayak out there. Do either the Trident 13 or Ultra 4.3 give you the potential to stand up to fish on flat water?  Stability that allows you to stand up in the kayak (in certain situations with some practice of course) is a pretty strong criteria for me in a solo fishing kayak, considering my passion for chasing bass.

Bsteves,
Thanks for sharing your perspectives on paddle kayaks.  The "Paddling" is what initially hooked me on kayaks for fishing.  I love to paddle literally for miles, and have frequently fished some big waters in NM and TX while I've lived and worked in that part of the country.  I've also had many instances where having my hands free while fishing in strong winds would be really helpful...my solution to that the last several years has been to incorporate a drift sock into my equipment/strategy.

Do either the Trident 13 or Ultra 4.3 give you the potential to stand up to fish on flat water?  Stability that allows you to stand up in the kayak (in certain situations with some practice of course) is a pretty strong criteria for me in a solo fishing kayak, considering my passion for chasing bass.

I've owned both the Utlra 4.3 and the Trident 13 and I believe the Trident 13 is probably the more stable vessel for standing in.  The Ultra has a bit more "rocker" which is great in the ocean, but doesn't add to your stability in flat water.   If you're serious about standing in your kayak you might consider kayak outriggers/stabilizers/pontoons.   

Scotty Kayak Stabilizers are one good option.
http://www.scottypaddlesports.com/kayak-fishing-equipment-accessories/stabilizers/kayak-stabilizers.html 

alternatively some PVC, crab buoys, a couple rod holders and a bit of ingenuity might get you similar results.


Or, for about three grand Hobie makes a small mirage powered aircraft carrier.

For stand up fishing has anyone tried the Freedom Hawk?  Not sure if someone already mentioned this.  I've been curious about these for a while now.

I only got to see/paddle a Freedom Hawk kayak about four years ago, I believe it was one of their first models.  At the time, it was way too expensive $1800, way too heavy and didn't have scuppers.  I haven't seen any of their newer models.  If they've resolved some of those issues, they might be worth checking out again.

Or, for about three grand Hobie makes a small mirage powered aircraft carrier.

Nice!


The Jackson Coosa stands relatively well.  It sucks to paddle though.  I think your best bet is finding a Yak you like, then getting an ama kit like Brian suggests.

Most stand up kayaks are fat and slow, so get a good moving boat, and adapt it to your needs.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

The "stabilizers" approach was one I hadn't really considered, but I have been concerned about the perspective of the most extremely stable designs also being tankers to paddle.  I think this might be a great approach as long as the stabilizer set-up could be stored inside the hull when not in use.

I'm definitely not in the market for a "three grand Hobie mirage powered aircraft carrier".
I appreciate you all sharing your views on these aspects of kayak selection.

I think the stabilizers are one of those things that you don't always attach to your kayak when you go out.  I think it's more of a specialty device to use on those days you know you're going to want to stand and cast more then you want to cover a lot of ground paddling.    I think when they're not going to be used they probably stay home.

The "stabilizers" approach was one I hadn't really considered, but I have been concerned about the perspective of the most extremely stable designs also being tankers to paddle.  I think this might be a great approach as long as the stabilizer set-up could be stored inside the hull when not in use.

I'm definitely not in the market for a "three grand Hobie mirage powered aircraft carrier".
I appreciate you all sharing your views on these aspects of kayak selection.

I have some inflatable outriggers made by Folbot that you could try if you want, they just clamp on. They look like these (except green):

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/jan_db/ama1001.jpg

I also work "just north of Orenco", Sun-Wed.