Fishing Kayak recommendations.

[Jefe's Dope]

I always said I'd get a boat when I moved to an environment that it would actually be worth it. Moved to Florida from Colorado just over a year ago and was considering getting a boat. But, boats are expensive and when I actually think about how I'd use that boat, I've come to the conclusion that I probably don't really want or need a full on boat. The only activities I see me doing in a boat is fishing and exploring the waterways. I had a kayak in Colorado that I'd do exactly that with and it was great. Easy to store, easy to launch, inexpensive, and was able to get into all the shallow, narrow areas I wanted to go. My only issue was that it was limited on space and I couldn't stand. It was around that time that fishing out of a kayak was becoming much more popular and the industry was beginning to build kayaks that were geared more towards fishing, i.e. stand up kayaks. Then the peddle drive kayaks started showing up. These piqued my interest but I began shooting more and fishing less. Now they've taken the paddle kayak to a new level with hybrid peddle/electric drives or full on electric drives. This is awesome because it gives me the ability to go much farther and stay out longer without getting tired and trolling much easier while handling the fishing rod.

So, who has a peddle/hybrid drive kayak and what do you recommend? Initially when these were just becoming popular, the Hobbies where the goto for peddle drive but in my recent research and the addition of electric powered drives the options have really opened up. At this point I'm really interested in the Old Towns offerings. I've seen a few others but Old Town seems to have the hybrid peddle drive/electric dialed in. Also, the kayak I did have was an Old Town Vapor and really liked the balance of space and efficiency for paddling.

The Old Town Sportsman Bigwater EDPL+ 132 has my attention. I'd prefer a 10 foot kayak but there doesn't seem to be an option in the EDPL+ just the PDL. Does the EDPL+ offer much of an advantage over the EDP? What other brands should I consider?

Pics for fun.

Old Town Vapor. My original kayak.

Sportsman Bigwater ePDL+ 132

Sportsman PDL 106

 

[TheBigCountry]

As someone who thought a kayak was cool, after a few fishing trips here in FL with one, and getting run off the water in some pop-up storms, you’ll wish you had a motor.

Kayaks do have their place and are fun, but a boat is way better.

Be patient. My boss just scored an older Polar skiff for $500, and also a Mercury motor for $1200.

I missed a Carolina Skiff with Yamaha 2 Stroker for $1600, all because I missed a buddies phone call

I used to have a 16ft V Nose Jon Boat, that when I bought it was kitted to the gills with a 20 HP Yamaha, poling platform, gigging rail, bimini top, trolling motor, you name it. All that set me back $4K from an old guy who couldn’t fish anymore.

If you’re gonna do a bunch of inshore and creek fishing, find a 16-19 foot skiff. Having extra room plus a motor to zip around in is where it’s at. Plus you can take a buddy along and a cooler of beer.

 

[748rpilot]

I spent an obsessive amount of time fishing out of an Old Town Predator MX 13' and generally really liked it. It's a paddle, not a pedal, kayak, but the hull design is the same as the pedal and trolling motor drives. For overall build quality, fish ability, longevity, comfort on the water, I rate it pretty highly and have few complaints. During COVID I averaged roughly 30-34 hours a week on the water, in addition to working full time. Saturday and Sunday were 8 to 10 hour. 95% of my fishing was done standing and moving around the casting deck, I only sat down to tie rigs, take breaks or paddle. I fished KBC competitions and did well. I've caught more large mouth bass, Pike, Walleye and trout out of the Predator than you can shake a stick at.

The casting deck was pretty nice, and a good feature. I liked the ability to be able to move around to position my body for the cast or retrieve I needed to make. There are spots in the hull that have large pieces of foam reinforcement, which necessarily means other parts of the hull/deck will flex more. I found I could use this to my advantage while drifting shorelines or structures by adjusting my stance, foot position and weight distribution to steer and redirect the kayak. This was very useful.

While you can still move around on the pedal and motor drive versions, the drive unit occupies a good amount of the casting deck and your movement is going to be more limited.

The Predator line is one of the more stable stand up kayaks but let's be clear: you are NOT moving on the casting deck like you would on a proper boat. Your movements need to be deliberate, measured and controlled.

You said you're in Florida, I would carefully evaluate where you plan to generally fish. The hull design on the Old Town kayaks is really more geared towards rivers and smaller, calmer lakes. It's not going to handle chop like a v-hull design will and the less calm the water, the harder it is to stand and move or hold a drift pattern. I went out of a harbor on Lake Michigan trolling for salmon on a calm day and even then the water was rough enough I couldn't stand.

I would seriously give a look to the Hobie Pro Angler 360 14'. It's got a deep V design, probably the best drive in the business and is said to be the most stable kayak on the market. YouTube is full of guys fishing the oceans on them. It's roughly 120lbs so launching and loading via trailer is going to be the way to go. If you're planning on fishing rougher, bigger water, I think the Hobie is the ticket. Last I looked, they hold their value well and you didn't save much buying used vs new. The Hobie also has a broader aftermarket than the Own Town.

You could go with the pedal drive, and mount an electric trolling motor to the transom.

 

[LuvDog]

I agree with trying to stay with 10 feet. I had a 12.5 foot and it was a hassle to load and unload

I also agree with peddle/motor/hybrid.

If I would have had that advice then maybe I’d still own a fishing kayak

 

[db2000]

Rent a boat. Pontoon/Tritoon’s are great to fish for the average fisherman. $300/day and hand over all the other costs and potential problems when you’re done. If you find yourself renting several times and month throughout the year then it may be worth sinking the money into your own boat. A small aluminum boat and wireless trolling motor is also better than a kayak IMO and only $2000 more probably if bought used. It’s also fun watching people watch you drive it onto the trailer with no one in it with the key fob remote from the boat ramp dock lol

 

[ironpony52]

You do realize there are gators and sharks in Florida ???

 

[cgbills]

I would keep an eye out on the used market. Things pop up all the time on Facebook marketplace

 

[Aftermath]

I have a Hobie Pro Angler 14. It's a beast out of the water and pretty heavy when I have all of my gear in it. Once in the water, it's fantastic. The lean rail set up is slick and can stand on the edge without fear of tipping over. A removable (Scotty) down rigger setup on each side for kokanee. An anchor on a trolley system for times I want to sit in one place...I would often anchor near the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers in Lewiston, ID while catching steelhead. It's rigged for immediate release, a buoy and some floating line make for easy retrieval. Lowrance fish finder, Nav lights, lights on the hull under the waterline UV lights, in the cab white light and red for night vision lights all rigged up on switches. A couple of USB ports for charging the phone or the waterproof speaker. Everything has a lanyard or is bolted down. A trolling motor has been considered a bunch but never seriously enough to purchase. I did most of this pre-COVID but really got it rigged out during COVID. I painted a sharks mouth on the front ala P40 Warhawk just for the fun of it.

It's not a rig for narrow and fast water.

Here in Okrahoma, I've used it in a couple of the small lakes/reservoirs after bass and perch. I can get right in the middle of lily pads or I can get right up against the real brushy shoreline where not many folks go.

I modified a kydex retention holster and bolted it to the side of my chair. I keep a stainless 1911A1 in that on a lanyard with the first 2 rounds CCI Snake shot. Never fired it in anger. I figure it's just a matter of time before I have to shoot one of the rattle headed copper moccasons here.

I do have a drysuit I wear if the water is cold and I wear a lifejacket most of the time. If I am in shallow water with no current, I'm probably going to take it off. Check out NRS for that sort of stuff.

EDIT: My wife has the Outback and it is lighter weight, more nimble, not even close to being as stable. If you stand in that kayak, you are probably going for a swim.

 

[acpchuck]

Cousin of a good friend does a lot of ocean and lake fishing in his kayak, he has a YouTube channel names Yakventures. We are on the Oregon coast so 'calm' water conditions are probably rougher than what a lot of people would want to be in with a kayak. I know it would be for me. Here is a video of him comparing a Hobie Outback to a Jackson Knarr FD Kayak comparison in both the ocean and a lake.

 

[TheBigCountry]

You do realize there are gators and sharks in Florida ???

Yup

And some of the gators aren’t afraid, and I’ve had one or two come right up to the kayak that had to be persuaded to go away.

 

[davsco]

no help, but reminds me of night shark fishing in the outer banks. we'd get some big tuna heads and row them out from the surt a few hundred yards. pretty friggin surreal out there with a bloody tuna head and big hook in the total dark. landing in the dark surf was fun too.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

To be clear I'm not wanting to go open water. I'm on the Indian River and my interests are fishing and exploring the brackish lagoons, waterways and "swamps". And a lot of people use kayaks in this area including a bioluminescence tour that's exclusively at night when gators are most active.

 

[db2000]

no help, but reminds me of night shark fishing in the outer banks. we'd get some big tuna heads and row them out from the surt a few hundred yards. pretty friggin surreal out there with a bloody tuna head and big hook in the total dark. landing in the dark surf was fun too.

These OBX high school kids would drag a TV and Xbox to the end of the pier and do the same thing all night. They landed some whoppers. One kid’s ring tone was a TLD trolling reel screaming. Every time it rang everyone was heads up checking their rods

 

[748rpilot]

To be clear I'm not wanting to go open water. I'm on the Indian River and my interests are fishing and exploring the brackish lagoons, waterways and "swamps". And a lot of people use kayaks in this area including a bioluminescence tour that's exclusively at night when gators are most active.

I could imagine an Old Town PDL doing well in those areas.

I'd still suggest a 12' to 14' kayak over a 10'. Space is at a premium on a kayak and however big it looks in the garage, it feels smaller on the water. If you take 6 rods, a tackle bag w/6 boxes, anchor, a few drift socks, dry bag for your stuff, snacks and a couple drinks, you use up that space pretty quickly. Getting to things stowed aft is also more difficult, you'll more than likely be kneeling backwards in the chair.

 

[davsco]

These OBX high school kids would drag a TV and Xbox to the end of the pier and do the same thing all night. They landed some whoppers. One kid’s ring tone was a TLD trolling reel screaming. Every time it rang everyone was heads up checking their rods

yeah you want to see the dead wake up and quickly, set off a reel!

 

[Gemsbok]

Those roto-molded kayaks are way to heavy. I'm past throwing 50-70# on the roof of the car.
I've got my eye on a 12-foot canoe that weighs 30#... Which is about what an old mountain bike weighs.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

Those roto-molded kayaks are way to heavy. I'm past throwing 50-70# on the roof of the car.
I've got my eye on a 12-foot canoe that weighs 30#... Which is about what an old mountain bike weighs.

Trailer is in the plan.

 

[TheBigCountry]

To be clear I'm not wanting to go open water. I'm on the Indian River and my interests are fishing and exploring the brackish lagoons, waterways and "swamps". And a lot of people use kayaks in this area including a bioluminescence tour that's exclusively at night when gators are most active.

Find a Gheenoe LT 10 or LT25

Or

Go big or go home

SaltMarsh Savanna Hybrid

www.saltmarshsavanna.com

 

[Jefe's Dope]

I could imagine an Old Town PDL doing well in those areas.

I'd still suggest a 12' to 14' kayak over a 10'. Space is at a premium on a kayak and however big it looks in the garage, it feels smaller on the water. If you take 6 rods, a tackle bag w/6 boxes, anchor, a few drift socks, dry bag for your stuff, snacks and a couple drinks, you use up that space pretty quickly. Getting to things stowed aft is also more difficult, you'll more than likely be kneeling backwards in the chair.

I'm leaning towards the Old Town Sportsman Bigwater ePDL+ 132 at this point. Still doing a lot of research first though.

But something like this is not out of the question. I just don't want to give up a garage bay to the boat. I have boat storage within a mile of where I live but that's just another added expense and, while close, still an inconvenience. I'm still very early in my research.

 

[Aftermath]

I'm leaning towards the Old Town Sportsman Bigwater ePDL+ 132 at this point. Still doing a lot of research first though.

But something like this is not out of the question. I just don't want to give up a garage bay to the boat. I have boat storage within a mile of where I live but that's just another added expense and, while close, still an inconvenience. I'm still very early in my research.

View attachment 8758525

Agree on both the expense of a storage place and loss of garage bay. If you have space, one of those metal canopy kits will keep most of the sun off and a tarp will do the rest. Our kayaks mostly live on a trailer but I did build a storage rack, double decker style, I use if I want to use the trailer for something else. Once they are off the trailer, they stay off until I want to put them back in the water.

I bet that thing can haul ass.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

Find a Gheenoe LT 10 or LT25

Or

Go big or go home

SaltMarsh Savanna Hybrid

www.saltmarshsavanna.com

I like this one from the link but have you priced outboard motors lately? And I'm Honda guy. Like you said, go big or go home. And why I own stuff like a Vuddo w/ a ZCO. But storage is a consideration and my three bay garage is only like 20 feet deep. Folding tongue for sure which means likely a new trailer IF I go boat.

What's w/ the propane fueled outboard? Never seen one of those before. And I spent many Summers on my grandfather's camp on Lake Ontario. Henderson Bay specially. Near Westcott Beach. Bedford Creek Marina to be exact. My GF had the first camp when you entered Bedford Creek. This was back when the Allen's owned the marina. Early 70s to the mid 80s when he sold it. My cousin and I were supposed to inherit it. We're both still a little salty about that, especially him, but it was his to sell and he sold because nobody was going up anymore. It was for the family to use and my parents and I moved to Colorado shortly after he bought it.

 

[TheBigCountry]

I'm leaning towards the Old Town Sportsman Bigwater ePDL+ 132 at this point. Still doing a lot of research first though.

But something like this is not out of the question. I just don't want to give up a garage bay to the boat. I have boat storage within a mile of where I live but that's just another added expense and, while close, still an inconvenience. I'm still very early in my research.

View attachment 8758525

Check out microskiff.com

Lots of guys have been in similar positions, and lots of great reviews and opinions there as well

 

[Jefe's Dope]

Agree on both the expense of a storage place and loss of garage bay. If you have space, one of those metal canopy kits will keep most of the sun off and a tarp will do the rest. Our kayaks mostly live on a trailer but I did build a storage rack, double decker style, I use if I want to use the trailer for something else. Once they are off the trailer, they stay off until I want to put them back in the water.

I bet that thing can haul ass.

HOA. So no canopy. Apparently we can store it in the backyard IF you can keep it below the fence line. Two problems though. 1. I don't want a fence. I have a great lot and a fence would kill my view out the back (have to fence all sides per HOA) and 2. How to get it in the backyard. I don't want to be using my lawn as a drive and I'm assuming the HOA and boat storage is likely geared towards very small boats that can be moved by hand into the backyard, not backing it in with a vehicle.

 

[Californio]

I use a Sea Eagle that does 10psi, great for the high country lakes, only one has a launch ramp, so light is the name of the game to get in the water. Ocean, Hobie is the best.

 

[Bullfrog08]

Having owned all kinds of boats, my current is a John Boat with trolley motor. Throw in back of truck and go. Use it twice a week. Im done with gas motors, trailers, fiberglass.

With age comes wisdom!

 

[Big Phish]

I used to run Hobie Outback but I go get a microskiff type craft as you will appreciate it. Plastic can only last so long before they start cracking and then you can never get your money out of it afterward.

 

[GreenGO Juan]

Makes friends with someone who owns a real boat and fishes. Offer to buy gas and go off shore. Let them deal with all the other bullshit.

 

[lariat]

Don’t know if this applies but I bought a used kayak for creek running. Perfect solution until I decided to drop trot lines and fish for larger fish. It worked, but the trot lines are hard work alone and somewhat dangerous, especially with a large haul that you’re towing along with you. It works, but you have to be measured in your process and thoughtful on how you go about things. That being said, there definitely are areas where there is very good fishing where even an outboard would limit your access due to occasional underwater obstacles. Depends on your AO. But I have recouped my cost with the fish, easily.