To peddle or not to peddle

Well I'll start out by saying I'm not even new to the sport yet.  I'm just starting to look for a yak and trying to sort through the different options, gear, and ppe.  I love fishing the ocean and that I can tell you is a fact.  Doesn't matter if its from the jetty or from a boat I can't get enough.  I've seen a few of your stories on a different forum and I've watched a ton of vids on youtube and I think I'm in love.  Surf launching looks like a blast and the fishing around the Oregon coast is just breath taking.

So here's my first of many questions I'll be asking until I find the right kayak.  Are the peddle kayaks worth the extra money or is paddling sufficient?  I've had my eye on a 12 foot talon at dicks mostly because of the price point.  Would this be a decent starter or should I be looking in a different direction?

Thanks from someone that isn't even green yet.

I'm guessing most of the Hobie guys would say that a Hobie is worth the extra price.  But.. if you're just getting into the sport a used or otherwise inexpensive kayak probably isn't a bad idea.   Most of us end up upgrading to the kayak of our dreams after we have a better understanding of what we want in a fishing kayak.

I don't have any first hand experience with the Talon at Dick's to give you any particular advice on it.  I think you'll probably want a sit on top kayak with scupper holes and not a recreational sit inside kayak.  What kind of return policy does Dick's have?  I'd normally say "try before you buy", but I'm guessing it'll have to be more of a "try after you buy and return if you don't like it" sort of deal.  Also try out some of the other brands at a local kayak shop if there are any at least for comparison.  Beyond that, if the quality looks good and the price is right, go for it.

Most people start out on a paddle yak and decide where they want to go from there like B said. Some go pedal from there and some stick w/ the stick. You'll find your way grasshopper.

  Are the peddle kayaks worth the extra money?

yep.


Are they worth the wait to accumulate enuf dollars to acquire one? That's a more challenging question.

I could not find the Talon on Dick's site, but you can fish from almost anything (although I like SOT's for the ocean). About my only concern would be resale value when you have gathered enuf coin for a Hobie.

Then again, I know nothing of resale value as I have never sold a boat.
(and they really are starting to pile up)

Absolutely love my Hobie, there's a good one on Craigslist Seattle---Dune Revo for $1400.   BUt they are pricey, no doubt you can get a used non-Hobie for about 1/2 the price.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/2476741587.html

Why not go to the dealer and pedal one, see how you like it?  A SOT is one hell of a lot more stable and better fishing platform than a SINK (Sit in, conventional sea kayak), I've had both and
there's no contest, SOT wins on all counts.  There's plenty of guys down under in OR that will be happy to mentor you and help with equipment questions.

For open-water ocean kayak fishing, the Hobie Adventure is fantastic kayak. Its fast enough to overcome ripping currents while keeping your hands free to fish.

I'd highly recommend the Adventure, but yea its expensive . The ability the fight current/wind etc. is important for safety in the open water IMO. However, because it is a narrower kayak, having previous ocean kayaking experience is important for maintaining balance. The Revolution is also a good choice.
 
That starter kayak sounds fine to go fishing with some seasoned paddler/pedalers to get a sense of what you are looking for before spending the ~$2k on a Hobie.
 

Thanks for the input.  The talon is a SOT yak and seems to be st up pretty well for fishing with an adjustable rod holder up front and two rod holders behind the seat.  It has a fair amount of storage both open and closed and it does have scuppers.  Is 12' gonna be long enough or should I drop that idea and be looking for something longer?

Next question is about PPE, I've read a ton of posts on this but I'll bring it up again.  Dry suits are pricey and I'm sure worth the money but to get started would waders, belt, dry top, and rowers vest be acceptable going out of Pacific City or Depoe on the Oregon coast.  I'm an avid river fisherman and spent hours upon hours chasing winters in the Sandy standing belly deep in the frigid waters, so I understand the under garmet thing to keep warm.

This is starting to be a real problem for me.  All I can think about lately, day or night, is launching off the beach at PC headed out around Haystack fishing for lings and blacks.  I think the only cure is gonna be actually do it.  Or it will create an addiction costing tons of money for upgrades and gas for the 2 hour ride each way. 

You may want to jump on the chance to grab one of these units that NWPaddler is selling right now. 
There is not to many ways to beat his prices on next to new kayaks.

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,6478.msg68155/topicseen.html#new

Thanks for the input.  The talon is a SOT yak and seems to be st up pretty well for fishing with an adjustable rod holder up front and two rod holders behind the seat.  It has a fair amount of storage both open and closed and it does have scuppers.  Is 12' gonna be long enough or should I drop that idea and be looking for something longer?

12' is plenty big enough for the ocean.  Kayaks that are longer will make it easier to cover greater distances, but 12' will certainly do the trick.  Just make sure the boat has a decent weight capacity.  i.e. make sure you sitting in it and adding 20 lbs. of fish and several lbs. of gear won't max it out.

Next question is about PPE, I've read a ton of posts on this but I'll bring it up again.  Dry suits are pricey and I'm sure worth the money but to get started would waders, belt, dry top, and rowers vest be acceptable going out of Pacific City or Depoe on the Oregon coast.  I'm an avid river fisherman and spent hours upon hours chasing winters in the Sandy standing belly deep in the frigid waters, so I understand the under garmet thing to keep warm.

The setup you described is the perfect setup for someone just getting started.  I recommend that setup in fact.  What's a rowers vest?  Is that a PFD?

This is starting to be a real problem for me.  All I can think about lately, day or night, is launching off the beach at PC headed out around Haystack fishing for lings and blacks.  I think the only cure is gonna be actually do it.  Or it will create an addiction costing tons of money for upgrades and gas for the 2 hour ride each way. 

The cure won't be just doing it once, the curse IS the cure!!
Oh yeah, I think he's hooked well ehough boys!  Reel him in! 

Thanks for the input.  The talon is a SOT yak and seems to be st up pretty well for fishing with an adjustable rod holder up front and two rod holders behind the seat.  It has a fair amount of storage both open and closed and it does have scuppers.  Is 12' gonna be long enough or should I drop that idea and be looking for something longer?

Next question is about PPE, I've read a ton of posts on this but I'll bring it up again.  Dry suits are pricey and I'm sure worth the money but to get started would waders, belt, dry top, and rowers vest be acceptable going out of Pacific City or Depoe on the Oregon coast.  I'm an avid river fisherman and spent hours upon hours chasing winters in the Sandy standing belly deep in the frigid waters, so I understand the under garmet thing to keep warm.

This is starting to be a real problem for me.  All I can think about lately, day or night, is launching off the beach at PC headed out around Haystack fishing for lings and blacks.  I think the only cure is gonna be actually do it.  Or it will create an addiction costing tons of money for upgrades and gas for the 2 hour ride each way.

In terms of kayak length, 12' is a bit short for the open water but should be fine for your first kayak.

Many people on this forum swear by the waders, belt and dry-top combo so I think you have the right idea in that department. However, the nice bit about the dry suit is being able to unzip the "relief" zipper for a quick pee without having to take off so many layers.

"Or it will create an addiction costing tons of money" that sounds about right! 

Surf Launching/landing is a bit tricky and IMO I would recommend a non-surf launch to start with (Depoe Bay?).

You may want to jump on the chance to grab one of these units that NWPaddler is selling right now. 
There is not to many ways to beat his prices on next to new kayaks.

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,6478.msg68155/topicseen.html#new

WOW! Those are stolen boat prices! If they came from anyone else I'd be calling the police!  Those you'd have no problem reselling. Also note that there is nothing wrong with buying a used boat (SOT). They are made of the same thing as garbage cans and almost as tough.* And even then almost any sin can be repaired by welding. 

Also, don't get too hung up on length, especially with a Hobie.  Long boats paddle well and are great if you have any distance to paddle, but short boats can handle any conditions thrown at them and are much more fun in the surf.  They do not paddle worth a damn, but they pedal just fine.

That is very significant if you are paddling, but Hobie's are pedal boats and it doesn't really matter whether they can paddle or not. That did not sink in for me until I was out in my Adventure with a buddy in an Outback. He had no problem keeping pace with me using his turbo fins.





*Actually most garbage cans are made of cross-linked plastics and are slightly tougher and more UV resistant, but you give up the ability to repair it (weld it)

Not that it would have changed my mind but I wish this thread was available before I bought blind.

FFTW, when you say the outback kept up with turbo fins, did you have turbo fins?

I am told my new outback arrives today!  Being at fricking work is worthless...not getting ANYTHING done!

As well as my mini-x served me in my first 3 months of kayak fishing, I CANNOT WAIT to get the Mirage Drive on the water.   One of the things I can't wait to try is the non motorized Mondays on the Kenai river!  Want to enter a "Real" king into the AOTY derby!!!  The mirage drive should let me mimic a drift boat.  I didn't see how you could fish the river in typically Kenai River king fashion with a paddle so this is going to be great!

I am a fan of Hobies and they are worth the extra loot if you know this is something you are going to stick with.  For your first boat  you cannot go wrong grabbing one of the boats that NWPaddler is selling.  Ocean kayaks makes some great boats.  Also, if you ever feel the need to upgrade, you will have a great boat for your friends to use.   

I agree with What Insayn said about the OK Tridents Northwest paddler has.. .. I have a T13 and love it.. WR has the T15 and he likes it when he gets to get on his...

WR bought his from NWpaddler and there great boats for starting out and and a hell of a deal.

SG

My first fishing yak was a hobie and I still use a hobie outback.  Thinking of getting a regular paddle sot for small rivers.  Peddles are were it's at for the ocean and trolling, for lakes and rivers the paddle works fine. 
The yaks NWP has are great starter boats and a lot better than what your getting at dicks.