FS Digest

For those of you with fishing kayaks, at what travel distances do you consider moving from a pedal drive to power?

One of my boat ramps is a 1.6mile trip from the ramp to the mouth of a creek where the fishing starts, from there its another 2miles all the way to the back of the creek where the good stuff is, so a 7mile round trip. Another is a 3 mile trip to a dock filled cove that has about 2miles of fishing, for a round trip of 8miles. Its river fishing, so current is a factor.

Looking into my first fishing kayak and trying to determine how these distances impact pedal vs power. Originally my thought was to get a pedal kayak that I could later add a torqeedo to if travel distance becomes too much of a pain, but now I'm considering it be better (and more economical overall) to just get a power kayak with an integrated trolling motor from the start.

Thanks to all for the insights!

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by Shredded_umbs

Pippin Loc: Palm Desert, Cal

Personally, I chose a peddle kayak so I could get some exercise while engaging in the fun, but sedate, sport of fishing. A reasonably fit person can easily peddle a fishing kayak 3 mph. So, do the math.

Captain

At 67 yo I choose the pedal boat. There are many days I travel round trip 20 or more miles. If I want to get somewhere fast I use a backwater boat with and outboard motor. If I just want to fish, get some exercise, enjoy the mangroves, have a relaxing day on the water, it’s the pedal boat. If I am kayaking, there is no place I need to get to fast and I always find the fish are there when I arrive. Kayaks have evolved to the point that some are really just mini power boats. To each their own! Good Luck!!