Paddle or Peddle?

[Rob Hilton]

I'm looking at Fishing Kayaks (I must say the number of options out there is phenomenal) 

I'm not sure whether to Paddle and Pedal... I've never fished in a Kayak before and any suggestions would be appreciated very much. The Hobie Mirage Pro Angler looks like an incredible piece of equipment but has a Hefty price tag also... they even offer a trolling motor option... which is something to think about since the lake I fish can get very windy especially at the end of the day when your headed directly into it, to get back to the launch ramps. Appreciate any input...

[Mark Wagner]

Hey Andy, yep it's me. Been on for about a month. I'm dying to go. Having major withdrawals. Rivers high right now. I can go your way or u come here. I know a great trip from Haw River to Graham. 4-5 hrs or more depending on how fast u want to go. Loaded with fish. Low pressure on em!

[Andy is OptiMystic]

I will have to catch up off list. On topic with this thread we still need to take your tandem pedaller out to Yaupon reef and catch us a Kraken... ;^>

[Mark Wagner]

Agreed. We'll definitely go early summer when the water warms and my job calms down. New responsibilities. U going to Kerr M&G?

[Andy is OptiMystic]

Not this year. Too many places I haven't been yet. Thinking Black, South, Lumber... and Jeffrey on this board has invited me to get schooled out Albermarle way and I plan to take him up on that at some point. I also should get my new surf paddling yak finished late spring. Still would prefer the pedal barge for Yaupon; I am building that one more for surf zone.

[Allen Morgan]

You're in for a real treat if you're going fishing with Sir Jeffrey....

[Allen Morgan]

There's the "assault hand paddle" that I've been seeing a lot lately.  Don't have one myself.

[Allen Morgan]

I've got a Perception Search 13.  I do a lot of dragging from parking area to launch area.  I load my yak on top of my vehicle.  I'm on a budget, with 5 kids.  And, I like to fish in really skinny water, sometimes with weeds all around.

No peddle yaks for me....

[JBplusThuy]

There's one other thing that might also fit the bill, if you're looking to get out of tubing because of your knees (I have knee issues, too, but for some reason, tubing actually made mine feel better. Go figure). I switched from a tube to a pontoon boat, and it's pretty nice. It's not as small, light, or maneuverable as a tube, but the with oars, it's faster than a tube, and the metal deck in back can take a trolling motor and battery (I haven't tried that, yet, but many people do it). An ice chest can be put on the deck with bungee cords for icing your lunch, water, bait, and catch. I've seen pictures of live wells back there, too (commonly built from an ice chest).

A pontoon is very tube-like in most respects, but is faster, can go farther, carries more gear, and keeps your drier (no more sitting with my butt in the water :-)

-Jonathan

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I've got a pontoon too, and will maybe get it out this season.
My truck crapped out and transport is my main issue.
Float tubes fIt in the SUV fine, pontoons, well... Not so much.

I'm thinking the finning of tubes will also help my knees.

[JBplusThuy]

My 'toon fits in my minivan. Not inflated, of course, but I can get the frame in without taking it apart. Maybe put your 'toon on a roof rack if it doesn't fit inside?

Can't say enough about how great finning around in a tube made my knees feel. Serious walking (finally had to move up to running because my legs are too short to make a 12 minute mile walking lol) helped a lot, too.

[Andy is OptiMystic]

I have thought about the pontoons as a "someday" boat. About 30 years back, I was a raft guide out west (mostly Arkansas River and Colorado River in CO) for a while and often did oar trips (where just the guide rows, instead of paddle trips whee the whole crew does). I really enjoyed rowing.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I'll probably get a small trailer for the SUV before too long.
I made a deal with myself to not be lifting things like toons over head. Im not keen on wrestling like toons onto car tops.