BigBendFishing.Net

Which should I buy?

I face the exact same question. I am leaning towards paddle. Less expensive and can handle shallower water.

bpac wrote:I face the exact same question. I am leaning towards paddle. Less expensive and can handle shallower water.

Looking at the Jackson big rig but a little worried about the weight. My first kayak

Paddling is much more fun IMO. I have been paddling since I was 8 and I've had over 20 kayaks over the years and 4 of them were Hobie Kayaks with the Mirage Drive (peddles). They are nice in certain applications but take away from the who kayaking vibe for me. I fish shallow shoals in the river up here and I bent several of the shafts and would have to replace. I prefer a paddle kayak but you must spend the money to get a decent paddle. The 39.99 specials at Academy will make you miserable. Invest in a good Bending Branches paddle that suits the size of your boat. If you have any specific questions, please PM me.

I also have both. Both have advantages and disadvantages. I fish my paddle yak in shallow water lakes, creeks and river. My pedal yak exclusively in saltwater. I love the hands free fishing of the pedals and the open deck of the paddle. Consider where your going to use it. Your decision could be very simple. For the freshwater we have locally get a paddle. For saltwater its a personal choice.

Visit tnt and try before you buy.

Thanks for the comments I will be mostly fishing skinny saltwater because I have a CC boat to fish the deeper flats areas. Do any of you take you kayak with you in your boat to hit the shallow areas of the bay?

lmmoore wrote:Thanks for the comments I will be mostly fishing skinny saltwater because I have a CC boat to fish the deeper flats areas. Do any of you take you kayak with you in your boat to hit the shallow areas of the bay?

Yeah, that's a blast. I do it all the time at the shoals up here. I have a little Feelfree Nomad (9'3") that is perfect for that.

FRP what shoals are you talking about?

Redbelly wrote:FRP what shoals are you talking about?

Flint River @ Abrams Creek

I have a paddle but I want to sell it and get a pedal.

I have a Jackson Big tuna and love paddling around in it.

I paddle a WS tarpon and can't really think of a time I wish I had peddles.

When its really windy I wish I had a rudder. That's about it.

~~Dave

After using my proppel drive a couple of times. I will say I will never go back to using a paddle if I can help it. I will say it is very nice to be able to fish and go at the same time. It does have its down sides also. Like when the tide drops and I have to pull up the proppel to make it back in. That is the only down side that I have found.

IMO pedal beats paddling. Problem is depth around here would keep me from a pedal kayak unless you want to fish deep.

When I was on the east coast no one had a paddling kayak.

If you have a skiff, then a paddle craft might just be the bill. Mothershipping - term for hauling your kayak in a boat - has some great opportunities around the bay. Also I have heard dropping for AJ and grouper from a kayak is a blast.

I have both and use the pedal 95% of the time and the paddle when I go to Hickory Mounds. Lol.