Pro anglers and the mirage drive.

[MaskedFisherDude]

Hello everybody,
New guy here and decided to join after not being able to find or get the answers I was looking for. I’ve used the search feature but still no help. I finally got the okay to get a kayak from the wifey, I have the pro anglers as the only boat I want to get. Still haven’t decided on the 12 or 14. This past weekend I went to demo a 14 and the first thing I thought was how awkward it felt to pedal. Has anyone else felt like this? Is this something you get used to after making adjustments to the seat and pedals? I was only in the boat for about a half hour and did move the drive closer to me but it just didn’t feel right. This is a deal breaker for me if it doesn’t get better. Anyone have input on this? Second, I’ve seen people say they have gotten deals on accessories when the buy a Kayak what kind of deal are we taking about? 10-20%? I’ll be looking to get a cart and a few other things that seem mandatory and possibly a bait tank. Any information would be appreciated since I know no one that owns a kayak.
Thanks, Andrew

[Hunters Pa]

The motion is different from a bike, so it will feel different because it is. Just like the first time using a conventional reel would feel awkward after only having used spinning reels.

Adjustments will make a lot of difference. Your leg muscles will "learn" the motion and the awkward feeling will fade.

Talk to Andy at OEX on your package-deal question. They bring us this site free-to-the-user, so start your shopping there. Don't skimp on the safety gear. Other stuff you can get a little at a time as your experience builds.

[MaskedFisherDude]

Originally Posted by Hunters Pa

The motion is different from a bike, so it will feel different because it is. Just like the first time using a conventional reel would feel awkward after only having used spinning reels.

Adjustments will make a lot of difference. Your leg muscles will "learn" the motion and the awkward feeling will fade.

Talk to Andy at OEX on your package-deal question. They bring us this site free-to-the-user, so start your shopping there. Don't skimp on the safety gear. Other stuff you can get a little at a time as your experience builds.

I think what might have just messed me up was riding a bike about in hour before I took the yak out. I was planning to go up to OEX this weekend to talk to them. Thanks for your input.

[ful-rac]

My recommendation is definitely the PA14. Your gonna have to learn how to move it and transport it. Once you figure that out, you should be fine. It will be a bit more difficult than a smaller lighter kayak, but the benefit is that you will have an awesome platform to fish on.

The motion has never been awkward for me, so long as the seat and the pedals are adjusted to to the right spot for you. You will definitely appreciate being able to move and or manuver while using your phone, drinking a beer, eating your lunch fighting a fish, etc...

Of course the only reason I wouldn't get a proangler if I was you....would be that you fish a couple times don't catch anything and quit out of frustration. If your serious about fishing from your kayak, do it! If not then you should probably go another direction. It's alot of money to spend on something that's gonna sit in your garage permanently.

[Denis_Ruso]

I would agree with the above, improper position of the seat or the drive can be a factor. Having my legs that high up on a kayak absolutely felt a bit awkward at first. For me making sure the seat was adjusted properly made it feel much more natural.

The legs of the seat should be kicked down, and then the angle of the seat back needs to be adjusted for comfort. See how that goes when you are at OEX.

[MaskedFisherDude]

Originally Posted by ful-rac

My recommendation is definitely the PA14. Your gonna have to learn how to move it and transport it. Once you figure that out, you should be fine. It will be a bit more difficult than a smaller lighter kayak, but the benefit is that you will have an awesome platform to fish on.

The motion has never been awkward for me, so long as the seat and the pedals are adjusted to to the right spot for you. You will definitely appreciate being able to move and or manuver while using your phone, drinking a beer, eating your lunch fighting a fish, etc...

Of course the only reason I wouldn't get a proangler if I was you....would be that you fish a couple times don't catch anything and quit out of frustration. If your serious about fishing from your kayak, do it! If not then you should probably go another direction. It's alot of money to spend on something that's gonna sit in your garage permanently.

I have a truck with a six foot bed. That turns to eight with the tail gate down. If I do get the 14 I will get a bed extender that connects to the hitch. I also have plans to build a PVC rack the the bed and a wood and PVC rack at home to store it. I’ve been a life long bass angler I’ve fished in tournaments and clubs since I was a kid. I did have a bass boat but sold it when I got married to have money for a down payment. Since then I’ve been fishing out of my float tube when I can. It’s just time for a upgrade. I also live in Mission Viejo and have access to the lake so I can really learn and get comfortable on the yak.

[YakDout]

Originally Posted by MaskedFisherDude

I have a truck with a six foot bed. That turns to eight with the tail gate down. If I do get the 14 I will get a bed extender that connects to the hitch. I also have plans to build a PVC rack the the bed and a wood and PVC rack at home to store it. I’ve been a life long bass angler I’ve fished in tournaments and clubs since I was a kid. I did have a bass boat but sold it when I got married to have money for a down payment. Since then I’ve been fishing out of my float tube when I can. It’s just time for a upgrade. I also live in Mission Viejo and have access to the lake so I can really learn and get comfortable on the yak.

When I had a pa14, I never used a bed extender with a 6 ft bed and tailgate down. Never had a problem

[TJones]

Originally Posted by MaskedFisherDude

Hello everybody,
New guy here and decided to join after not being able to find or get the answers I was looking for. I’ve used the search feature but still no help. I finally got the okay to get a kayak from the wifey, I have the pro anglers as the only boat I want to get. Still haven’t decided on the 12 or 14. This past weekend I went to demo a 14 and the first thing I thought was how awkward it felt to pedal. Has anyone else felt like this? Is this something you get used to after making adjustments to the seat and pedals? I was only in the boat for about a half hour and did move the drive closer to me but it just didn’t feel right. This is a deal breaker for me if it doesn’t get better. Anyone have input on this? Second, I’ve seen people say they have gotten deals on accessories when the buy a Kayak what kind of deal are we taking about? 10-20%? I’ll be looking to get a cart and a few other things that seem mandatory and possibly a bait tank. Any information would be appreciated since I know no one that owns a kayak.
Thanks, Andrew

play with the seat adjustments. most people who have tried or had both would prefer the 14 ft over the 12 ft ft. I will say the 12 ft handles the surf better than most people think. that was before they added the higher rails and you could reasonably paddle the kayak. I played around in Lj surf on 2-3' + day and was kinda surprised. yes, I got destroyed a few times. .

[MaskedFisherDude]

Originally Posted by TJones

play with the seat adjustments. most people who have tried or had both would prefer the 14 ft over the 12 ft ft. I will say the 12 ft handles the surf better than most people think. that was before they added the higher rails and you could reasonably paddle the kayak. I played around in Lj surf on 2-3' + day and was kinda surprised. yes, I got destroyed a few times. .

I’m 5’11” probably 180 pounds. I know I will have to play with the seat and maybe move the peddles towards me. I just have to get on the water and mess with it.

[YakDout]

You should adjust your pedals so your legs can pretty much get fully extended, and just shy of bottoming out. Its not a design flaw, just have to be adjusted properly.

[alanw]

Got mine adjusted so I can have fully straightened legs just short of bottoming out. Bottoming out can't be good for a plastic kayak, and sure as hell can't be stealthy with all that banging.