Is it worth it ?

[FISH11]

I have and like both. My Hobie Revo is great at being able to have hands free and maintaining forward movement against a strong current and wind. Terrible about constantly getting loose kelp caught on the fins or rudder. The rudder pisses me off the most when fly lining a mac at least a couple time a day the fishing line will get caught on the rudder and is a pain to get it off and it has very little usable storage space inside the kayak. My Malibu X Factor is much more stable in choppy water goes out the higher surf better and is more controllable when coming in through the surf. I have had to use both against the strong current and wind. If you paddle often then your arms are in shape, if you don't go out at least once a week then the arms will have a hard time doing it for 4-6 hours non-stop, that I think would be the same for a lot of guys and their legs. THERE IS NO KAYAK, that is all pros and no cons. It is still hard to justify a pedal kayak often costing twice as much, maybe 25%.

[goldenglory18]

I've been a paddler my whole yak fishing tenure, and on most days dont mind at all the "hassle" that comes with it.

BUT, on those extra windy days, or when that big tank takes the bait, I really wish I had my hands free.

Someday I'll pickup a peddle boat, but until then, I'm happy as pie in my "old school" paddle kayak.

[crashcrow]

I started with an Xfactor and did ok unless there was a current. I fish 3 times more on a Hobie because my hands are always free. I would never get rid of the pedals now that I have them.

Mike

[alanw]

Paddling was fun and I'm glad I learned on paddle boats, but the wind made it really tough to make headway sometimes. The wind really isn't much of an issue with pedals.

The only con of having a pedal drive is having to still carry around a paddle in case the pedal drive fails.

[GTboosted]

It's worth it if you already know that you like kayak fishing.

I constantly see kayaks for sale where the owner only used it a few times. If you buy used you will not lose much if you decide you don't like the sport. Pedals won't automatically help you catch more fish.

It also depends in what type of fishing you do. If you stick to harbors it might not be worth it. When you want to cover distance in the open ocean it's hard to beat leg power and the mirage drive with upper body and a paddle.

[Gr8fuldude]

[QUOTE=GTboosted;285550]It's worth it if you already know that you like kayak fishing.

I constantly see kayaks for sale where the owner only used it a few times. If you buy used you will not lose much if you decide you don't like the sport.

This is good advice. First decide whether you really, REALLY like the sport. If you are in, then you find a way to beg, borrow, or steal (ok, maybe not steal) the money to get a pedal yak.

Now you have another decision to make, do you get the heavier, more expensive pro angler fishing machine, or a smaller, lighter pedal yak (outback or revo). I got the outback, which I absolutely love, but I wonder if I'd have been happier battling the weight but enjoying the overall superiority of the PA.

I do wish I hadn't wasted money buying a paddle yak first, and instead had just went hobie right out of the gate. Oh well, live and learn, and you can learn from my mistake.

[King Saba]

And if you do decide to go with a hobie remember that it's a pedal powered kayak not a peddled one. Some guy would be getting a deal on your kayak if that's the case