6 Best Pedal Fishing Kayak
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The kayak is an ageless craft that has remained almost unchanged for thousands of years before the construction of the first sit-on-top kayak, which was introduced to the market in 1978. As more sit-on-top kayak enthusiasts started to appreciate the possibility of undertaking more extensive and adventurous trips, they soon discovered that their range of travel was limited mainly by the amount of endurance and strength they possessed.
The necessity for extra support in this regard eventually led to the development of pedal kayak systems, which enable kayakers to use their arms and legs muscles to drive their way through the water and prolong the distance of their trip. Passionate kayak fishermen soon recognized the benefits of this kind of hands-free system, as it means they would now be able to navigate easily and cast without having to worry about handling a paddle at the same time.
The invention of the pedal kayak has been one of the most important contributions to the world of recreational kayak fishing since the commencement of the sit-on-top kayaks more than forty years ago. Presently, there are a lot of high-quality pedal fishing kayaks available. To help you make the right choice, we have research and come up with the 6 best pedal fishing kayaks in the market. The following are the most popular and also the best.
Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12 Kayak
This is one of the best pedal fishing kayaks on the water presently. It is large, wide and stable with sufficient space for tackles and extra deck space for your daily catch. It comes with two rod holders, a large front storage hatch with liner and a high Vantage seat that offers the most relaxed kayak fishing experience you ever had. It anti-skid deck makes standing and sight fishing possible. Its H-Rails offers an almost unlimited number of slots for mounting electronic devices, rod holders and everything you need easily. With Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14, you can access any water with everything you need.
Hobie Mirage Pro Angler can also be used for a casual paddle, although it’s specially designed for serious fishermen who want a boat capable of handling a wide variety of aquatic conditions. This kayak is perfect for calm waters such as lake fishing and is also a great kayak for tighter riverways. That is not all; this kayak can also handle coastal ocean. The only drawback of this fishing kayak is that its accessories are not cheap.
The following are what make Hobie Mirage Pro fishermen favorite
- Its vantage seating system
- Mirage Drive with Slide technology
- It comes with two rod holders
- The drillable mounting plates and H-rail mounting system
- It has two dry rectangular hatches
- It adjustable Skeg
- It comes with two tackle boxes
- The retractable rudder
- It has a maximum capacity of 500 lbs
Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 10 Kayak
This is a compact fishing kayaks that weighs about 81lb. when fully rigged and 62 lb. without the drive being installed. It can give you hours of fun on the water without tiring your arms. Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 10 Kayak will help free your arms to cast, take pictures or use binoculars to observe wildlife.
This kayak is designed to fit on the back of a van. It has a propeller steering system to power you forward and backward, including rotational pedals to help you cross the waterway easily. It is extremely stable in water and has a width of 34 inches which enable you to stand up for better line casting. It also comes with a sealed compartment for with enough onboard storage space. The only drawback of this kayak is that it is heavier than the standard kayaks and weighs more when the pedal systems are set up. This will make it more difficult to transport if you are alone.
The following are what make Native Watercraft Slayer kayak fishermen favorite
- It has rotational pedals for stability
- It comes with a two-rod holder
- It is very compact
- It is easy to use
- It is stable for standing
Perception Pescador Pilot Fishing Kayak with Pedals Drive
If you are looking for an easy-to-use pedal kayak that you can use in various water conditions, then Perception Pescador 12 may be the right choice for you. This is a sit-on-top fishing kayak designed to give you the stability, space, and comfort you need for a full day of fishing activities. It is equipped with a pedal drive system and adjustable chair. Its width is about 33 inches and measures 12 and a half feet long, which makes it narrower compared to other pedal kayaks.
Perception Pescador 12 Pilot comes with rotational pedals that control the propeller drive system to let you move faster with minimal effort. It does not have much space on the deck and has a rudder handle that makes steering easy. It also comes with a mesh bow cover, bungee cords and two space designed for installing GPS or fish finder, storage pods and four molded-in rod holders. The only drawback of this kayak is that it’s very heavy.
The following are what make Perception Pescador 12 Pilot kayak fishermen favorite
- Ability to installs electronic items
- It has a good Storage space
- It has great stability
- Good for all kinds of water
- It is speedy and fast
Old Town Predator Fishing Kayak with Pedals
This is a new arrival in the market; it is the most advanced pedal-powered kayak that allows you to focus on fishing instead of steering your kayak. It Patented docking system will enable you to deploy and dock the PDL drive while launching or in shallow waters. The pedal drive motor is silent and, with no paddle flashing in the sun; you will avoid frightening some cunning prey.
Old Town Predator has maintenance-free PDL drive and measuring 13 feet and 2 inches. It has a maximum load capacity of 500 lbs with instant pedals both forward and reverses. It features include large storage well, an adjustable seat system, a built-in fish finder, a slip-resistant deck, and molded-in rod holders. It has a 5-year warranty on the PDLL drive and a partial lifetime warranty on the hull while the paddle is sold separately. The only drawback of this kayak is that it is a little pricey, but it worth it.
The following are what makes Old Town Predator kayak fishermen favorite
- Patented docking system
- Maintenance-free PDL drive
- Amazing floatable pedal drive that moves forward and backward
- Highly customizable with six potential mounts
- Compact storage space
- High capacity weight
- Incredible balance
Wilderness Systems Radar Pedal Kayak
This Kayak is designed for flexibility and diverse water conditions. It comes with SMART Hull machinery which improves stability, acceleration, tracking, responsiveness, and maneuverability. It is a one person fishing kayak with Helix PD pedal drive system that you can install and remove easily. It gives you the opportunity of using a pedal or paddle any time you want. It comes with state-of-the-art equipment, which includes expansive slide trax rails, many storage options, and scupper alternatives to install the Helix PD pedal drives, Helix MD motor drives, and many electronic options.
Wilderness Systems Radar kayak has foot pedals and a standing platform for easy fishing. If you are in the shadow water or entering the surf, you can easily stow the pedal drive. It can also be used with the Helix MD engine drive. It comes with great fishing features such as large load capacity, a bow hatch, a wide rear tank with elastic cords, and deck with enough space for standing or moving around, including a water-tight center hatch for storing small objects. The only drawback of this kayak is that it has no deck padding.
The following are what makes Wilderness Systems Radar kayak fishermen favorite
- Watertight center hatch
- Adjustable AirPro Max Seat
- Low gear ratio
- Helix MD motor drive compatible
- SMART Hull
Ocean Kayak Malibu pedal
Ocean Kayak produces many models of kayaks every year and often appears on almost every kayak review online. This is because the company knows how to balance price, quality, and efficiency. When you are ready to hit the water, you don’t need to work so hard. Ocean Kayak has the right speed of 5.5 mph with a gear ratio of 10.3: 1; it has a rear tank well, including a space for the second passenger and a room for your puppy at the bow. This is a big kayak, 12 feet long and 100 pounds; it has features such as adjustable rudder and adjustable padded seat, with stern shock cord, bow, and enough storage space.
Its Element seat is designed to provide the best comfort for hours of kayaking or pedaling and it offers an elevated seating position that is perfect for fishing. The pedal ride system and attached rudder combined with the stable hull make it a good choice for deep-sea and high-sea fishing. In general, this kayak is our best choice for the best kayak pedal! The only drawback of this kayak is that it is a very heavy kayak!
The following are what makes Ocean Malibu kayak fishermen favorite
- Sit on top cockpit
- Pet-friendly bow tank well
- Removable rudder
- Tip-up propeller
How to Choose the Best Pedal Fishing Kayak - Buying Guide
Pedal Kayaks are mostly recreational kayaks, so that is the main reason they are mostly used for fishing, sight-seeing, and other low-impact tours. The best pedal kayaks were designed to let fishermen travel long distances without fatigue. Presently, there are a lot of pedal kayaks available in the market. That’s why choosing the right pedal kayak is a daunting task. The following are some important things to consider when buying a pedal fishing kayaks:
The pedal system: All pedal kayaks are not the same that is why the pedal system is one of the most important features to watch out for. It is not like conventional kayaks; pedal kayaks have a very annoying pedal system. The pedal system can be frustrating in some cases. For example, when loading your kayaks onto a vehicle, the pedal systems can obstruct the space for other kayaks. And instead of putting in two or more kayaks on your storage rack, only one kayak may occupy all the space. However, the good news is there are some kayaks that come with removable pedals system. I would recommend you look for this method. It is useful for both storage and transportation.
In addition, another benefit of removable pedals is that you can leave them out completely. If you prefer, for whatever reason, to paddle your boat instead of the pedal it, you can completely leave the pedal.
You also have to consider the hull of a pedal kayak because it determines the degree of stability that the kayak will have in different kinds of water. A flat and round hull is suitable for people who often go kayaking in quiet and calm rivers. And a V-shape hull is suitable for people who are kayaking in rough waters.
There are many factors that determine the speed of a pedal kayak. Besides the strength and skills of the kayakers; the rudders can drastically slow the speed of pedal kayak. In addition, narrow hulls tend to be faster than the wider hulls. But, the wider the hull the more stable your pedal fishing kayak is. Other factors to consider when choosing a pedal fishing kayak include the price and weight capacity.
Lastly, now that you have seen our 6 best fishing kayaks with pedals and how to choose the right one. It is also important to know that there are two styles of pedals kayak available; you can test both styles before choosing the one you prefer. For extended distances trip, the rotational pedals can be more effective and less strenuous. When choosing a kayak, it is also important to consider how you will move it to and from the water, ensure it is not too big. And also the extra maintenance that the machines will require because these extra costs are something to consider when making the initial purchase.
In addition, it is important to consider what type of water you are planning to pedal in and how much equipment you plan to carry with you at the same time. Make sure you check your weight capacity of the kayak and the storage space to ensure they meet your requirements.
