Paddle or Pedal? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

ProfessorLongArms · 03-31-2018, 10:44 PM

I’m spoiiiiiled by my hobie.
Not having to put the rod down and grab the paddle is wonderful.
Plus my shoulder would always give out long before my legs even start to ache on a long haul.

I’m sure I can and will get another non pedal kayak for various applications, but I’m def in love with my outback.

Raskal311 · 03-31-2018, 10:58 PM

Peddle kayaks are like the old Motorola razors and peddle kayaks is like an iPhone 8. Now a hobie with an electric motor is an iPhone 12. People (mostly older folks who can't adopt change) likes those old Motorola and that's ok.

DanaPT · 04-01-2018, 07:02 AM

Just to be fair... there are plenty of guys that kill it OTW with a paddle.

To each their own.

nmeofun · 04-01-2018, 09:44 AM

My back and bad shoulder limited the time and distance I could go with my old paddle kayak. My Hobie allows me to fish until I eat all my snacks and get hungry.

Plus, headwinds aren't much of a problem any more.

Iceman · 04-01-2018, 09:53 AM

Quote:

People (mostly older folks who can't adopt change) likes those old Motorola and that's ok.

Yup that is me, I sell Hobie, Jackson, Ocean, Wilderness and Malibu..........I am always quick to tell people there are huge advantages to fishing from a Hobie, but keeping things a little more primal and challenging appeal to me, so I paddle at least as much as I pedal.

It is pretty close comparison to telling a surfer that stand up boards are better, because you can catch a wave easier and ride more waves, it is true, but easier is not always what you are after.

Mahigeer · 04-01-2018, 06:00 PM

If you want exercise and do sightseeing Paddle is fine.

If you want to fish, pedal is better.

I first bought a 14' Malibu and took it out to Baja.

The next trip I had an Outback and was more successful in catching fish.

I put the Malibu on sale. Still available.

dpricenator · 04-02-2018, 07:08 AM

I paddle a 14 ft Ocean Kayak Malibu XL, that I can set up for tandem use or for solo use. Having to put the rod down to reposition the yak is cumbersome in tight spots. Like around the boat slips, or on a rocky point. For a drift It is fine. I paddle out of DP harbor, head up current or up wind for an hour opr so and then drift back down for a couple hours. The Pedals would help me around the kelp beds, so I could fish it from different angles and sides. Currently I just grab a piece of kelp, and put my foot on it to hold myself in place. So you see how that could slow down the fishing. My legs are like tree trunks so I know I could Pedal a Hobie to Catalina, if I wanted too. PRO: the Paddle works out the upper body - CON: The paddle certainly inhibits my success fishing. (or at least that's my excuse). My biggest problem with getting a Pedal power yak, is that for $3,500 or even $2,500 I could buy a 14' skiff with and out board motor. Not only could I get a few miles off shore in the morning for some fish, but Could also cruise the harbor with the wife and or kids. For a strictly fishing set, up in a Yak, I would PEDAL, if I could afford it.

goldenglory18 · 04-02-2018, 07:43 AM

To each his own. If it wasn't for the fact that I'm interested in getting back into competitive fishing and REALLY want to get my hands free, I'd remain perfectly happy in a paddle yak.

I've got a Wildy' Ride 135 and its been a fantastic marina and bay kayak. Super stable, high capacity, and can get you anywhere you can paddle it. Again, if it wasnt for the fact that I want to get back into tournament angling and that bag, I'd be happy as pie.

03-31-2018, 10:58 PM	#2
Raskal311 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Santa Ana/Westminster Posts: 1,258	Peddle kayaks are like the old Motorola razors and peddle kayaks is like an iPhone 8. Now a hobie with an electric motor is an iPhone 12. People (mostly older folks who can't adopt change) likes those old Motorola and that's ok. __________________ Kevin Yellow PA12

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03-31-2018, 10:44 PM	#1
ProfessorLongArms Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 401	I’m spoiiiiiled by my hobie. Not having to put the rod down and grab the paddle is wonderful. Plus my shoulder would always give out long before my legs even start to ache on a long haul. I’m sure I can and will get another non pedal kayak for various applications, but I’m def in love with my outback.

04-01-2018, 07:02 AM	#3
DanaPT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South OC Posts: 1,606	Just to be fair... there are plenty of guys that kill it OTW with a paddle. To each their own.

04-01-2018, 09:44 AM	#4
nmeofun Junior Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 10	My back and bad shoulder limited the time and distance I could go with my old paddle kayak. My Hobie allows me to fish until I eat all my snacks and get hungry. Plus, headwinds aren't much of a problem any more.

04-01-2018, 06:00 PM	#6
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,930	If you want exercise and do sightseeing Paddle is fine. If you want to fish, pedal is better. I first bought a 14' Malibu and took it out to Baja. The next trip I had an Outback and was more successful in catching fish. I put the Malibu on sale. Still available.

04-02-2018, 07:08 AM	#7
dpricenator Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: South OC Posts: 120	I paddle a 14 ft Ocean Kayak Malibu XL, that I can set up for tandem use or for solo use. Having to put the rod down to reposition the yak is cumbersome in tight spots. Like around the boat slips, or on a rocky point. For a drift It is fine. I paddle out of DP harbor, head up current or up wind for an hour opr so and then drift back down for a couple hours. The Pedals would help me around the kelp beds, so I could fish it from different angles and sides. Currently I just grab a piece of kelp, and put my foot on it to hold myself in place. So you see how that could slow down the fishing. My legs are like tree trunks so I know I could Pedal a Hobie to Catalina, if I wanted too. PRO: the Paddle works out the upper body - CON: The paddle certainly inhibits my success fishing. (or at least that's my excuse). My biggest problem with getting a Pedal power yak, is that for $3,500 or even $2,500 I could buy a 14' skiff with and out board motor. Not only could I get a few miles off shore in the morning for some fish, but Could also cruise the harbor with the wife and or kids. For a strictly fishing set, up in a Yak, I would PEDAL, if I could afford it.

04-02-2018, 07:43 AM	#8
goldenglory18 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 861	To each his own. If it wasn't for the fact that I'm interested in getting back into competitive fishing and REALLY want to get my hands free, I'd remain perfectly happy in a paddle yak. I've got a Wildy' Ride 135 and its been a fantastic marina and bay kayak. Super stable, high capacity, and can get you anywhere you can paddle it. Again, if it wasnt for the fact that I want to get back into tournament angling and that bag, I'd be happy as pie.