dickenscpa

I’m 48 and I’ve had a bass boat since I was 16, now granted I couldn’t afford a big nice glass rig until around 2000. I love everything about a kayak. I like being in my own little cocoon with all my stuff. I LOVE fishing tournaments from the kayak. Will not do it from a boat. I do prefer pedals though. Bought my first kayak Sept ‘19 and boat hasn’t got wet since Aug ‘19.

Don’t know how or why that posted six times. LOL! When I hit SUBMIT it said saving but did nothing. So I backed and went to another thread. Didn’t show and now it looks like I stutter.

This got me tickled, I could imagine sitting down to a nice meal and look out to someone dealing with a struggle. LOL! Ive had a bass boat from 16-48 and a kayak the last 9 mos. I don’t think #2 has ever hit me while fishing and I have a rough stomach. Always hits me in traffic. I have a buddy that’s 6’9” and over 300#. When we fishing on my boat once and it was cold outside. He had on insulated coveralls. I had to let him off at the bank once and he came out of the woods and there wasn’t a single pocket left on those coveralls and he wasn’t wearing socks. This got me tickled, I could imagine sitting down to a nice meal and look out to someone dealing with a struggle. LOL! Ive had a bass boat from 16-48 and a kayak the last 9 mos. I don’t think #2 has ever hit me while fishing and I have a rough stomach. Always hits me in traffic. I have a buddy that’s 6’9” and over 300#. When we fishing on my boat once and it was cold outside. He had on insulated coveralls. I had to let him off at the bank once and he came out of the woods and there wasn’t a single pocket left on those coveralls and he wasn’t wearing socks. This got me tickled, I could imagine sitting down to a nice meal and look out to someone dealing with a struggle. LOL! Ive had a bass boat from 16-48 and a kayak the last 9 mos. I don’t think #2 has ever hit me while fishing and I have a rough stomach. Always hits me in traffic. I have a buddy that’s 6’9” and over 300#. When we fishing on my boat once and it was cold outside. He had on insulated coveralls. I had to let him off at the bank once and he came out of the woods and there wasn’t a single pocket left on those coveralls and he wasn’t wearing socks. This got me tickled, I could imagine sitting down to a nice meal and look out to someone dealing with a struggle. LOL! Ive had a bass boat from 16-48 and a kayak the last 9 mos. I don’t think #2 has ever hit me while fishing and I have a rough stomach. Always hits me in traffic. I have a buddy that’s 6’9” and over 300#. When we fishing on my boat once and it was cold outside. He had on insulated coveralls. I had to let him off at the bank once and he came out of the woods and there wasn’t a single pocket left on those coveralls and he wasn’t wearing socks. This got me tickled, I could imagine sitting down to a nice meal and look out to someone dealing with a struggle. LOL! Ive had a bass boat from 16-48 and a kayak the last 9 mos. I don’t think #2 has ever hit me while fishing and I have a rough stomach. Always hits me in traffic. I have a buddy that’s 6’9” and over 300#. When we fishing on my boat once and it was cold outside. He had on insulated coveralls. I had to let him off at the bank once and he came out of the woods and there wasn’t a single pocket left on those coveralls and he wasn’t wearing socks. This got me tickled, I could imagine sitting down to a nice meal and look out to someone dealing with a struggle. LOL! Ive had a bass boat from 16-48 and a kayak the last 9 mos. I don’t think #2 has ever hit me while fishing and I have a rough stomach. Always hits me in traffic. I have a buddy that’s 6’9” and over 300#. When we fishing on my boat once and it was cold outside. He had on insulated coveralls. I had to let him off at the bank once and he came out of the woods and there wasn’t a single pocket left on those coveralls and he wasn’t wearing socks.

I was like someone above, didn’t see the benefit of pedals. I fish the KBFTN trail where motors are not allowed. The first tournament I fished the conditions were very tough. Not many fish were caught and you had to cover a lot of water to do it. Out of 64 boats 61 had pedals and the the 3 paddle only guys got skunked, me included. I started out in a FeelFree Lure and it was my first kayak and no pedals. It was very stable but paddled like a bathtub. I didn’t give Perception much of a look at first because I saw a lower end model at a big box store and wasn’t impressed. I was gonna buy a Big Fish 108 with pedals and stay in the FeelFree family. On a Saturday Hook1 put “Sold” on it for me, but they’re closed on Sunday and Monday. So I read and researched a LOT waiting on Tuesday. The BF 108 is a first year model. I think they’ve had an issue with every aspect of that kayak. When I showed up to get it they had a Perception Pro Pilot on the floor. 2017 was the first year of that kayak and it had first year problems as well, but 2020 is the fourth model year and I love it. No issues whatsoever and I cover more water than my bass boat. I wanted the simplest pedal drive made by man. The first thing I did was take that drive completely apart. Super simple drive. I re-greased the two gears on top and two on bottom with Lucas marine grease and went fishing.

I didn't realize Hackney won an FLW Cup. After a bit of research looks like Clausen, Davy Hite, David Fritts, George Cochran and Dion hibdon are the only ones to win both. If I'm not mistaken all of those but Clausen are retired.

Yep Blue Sky isn't your only option. One thing though, there's a give and take to everything. You can get a regular kayak that's SUPER stable. If stability is your main concern I would go pedal over paddle. Anything super stable is gonna be a bear to paddle. Pedaling evens that up for me.

I need a new pair myself. I have to wear prescription lenses to tie on. I had a REALLY nice pair I got for a steal when Gander Mtn was going out of business. I keep my scripts on a leash around my neck and put them on to tie a new bait and set my sunglasses on top of my hat. Took my hat off to scratch my head and must have thought my hat was on fire 'cause I slung my glasses about 6' into 12' deep water and they gone.

I was wondering yesterday who all has a chance to win all three big tournaments. I know Edwin Evers has won Bassmasters and Redcrest but now he'll never have the opportunity to win FLW Cup. Which leads me to maybe my favorite fisherman Luke Clausen. He became a favorite of mine when he was winning the UMF back in the day. He has won Bassmasters and FLW Cup and still has an opportunity to win Redcrest. Is there anyone else in MLF that has previously won Bassmaster Classic and FLW Cup that could complete the trifecta? I'm sure there are too many to list that have previously won an FLW Cup that are still active that could sqeeze in a Redcrest and switch over to Elite or vice versa - such as Bryan Thrift, Scott Martin, etc.

I watched yesterday and thanks to your post turned it on today, but I though Mark Rose caught a 9#er yesterday. Or are they doing $100k big fish per group?

I'm 48 and I've had some type of bass boat since I was 16, granted it was about 2002 before I started buying nice new boats but anyway I bought a kayak this past Sept and love it. Boat hasn't gotten wet since and it's pretty much sold. I fished one tournament out of my bass boat and that was in 2008. I'm terrified of speed on the water. I'll ride my Harley 85mph in rush hour traffic but water speed terrifies me. I sat at the launch until everyone left and their wake calmed and with a big (I think that boat had a 225 HP on it) engine creeped 35 mph to my first spot. Someone was already there. Every spot I went to was taken. I turned around and went home. Kayak is a little more even playing field. I've got really into the KBFTN trail and the monthly TNKATT tournaments as well. We actually have a couple people with the Blue Sky Anglers and they are KBF legal. My best advice is to get out on the water with minimal to no gear and get used to your vessel and then add your gear and get acclimated and most of all - PRACTICE taking pics of fish on that hawg trough before it counts! I thought the hawg trough deal was a no brainer and did not practice. Rude awakening for me. TourneyX and FishDonkey have practice things to get used to it. My first fish was the jumpiest 12.5" fish I'd ever caught. Could not lay him in the boat or he'd been gone. So I have the fish in my left hand - realize I can't take a pic thru my waterproof case thingy - try to get phone out of that tight case with one hand - fish opens mouth and curls tail right as I snap each pic, it was a nightmare and I had to keep stopping and pulling him thru water to make sure he was ok. Took me forever and I look back in my old pics and have 17 photos of that first fish and 16 of them wouldn't work. I was so flustered a few didn't even have my identifier in the pic. Here's what I've learned: 1) Get fish grip with a tether and let him tire himself out safely in water. 2) While he's in the water go ahead and take care of anything that requires 2 hands. Like removing phone from case. 3) Wet your hawg trough. I heard it calms them and does seem to help a bit. 4) READ the rules of whatever trail you're on beforehand. Different trails have different rules. Some boards aren't approved, it seems Hawg Trough and Ketch are for all though. Some you can't lay the board on your lap, some can't be on the deck and some can't be on the gunnels. In no case can you lay the board where it will bend.

Are the rods with the kit HDPE or will they bond to HDPE? Everything I've seen on kayak forums says buy the kit and throw the rods away. They always say to look for something plastic that has the triangle with the #2 in it.

Bingo. Plastic welder and a 5 gallon bucket. Any plastic that has a triangle with the number 2 inside it. Home Depot buckets for example fit the bill. I think milk jugs do too. Shoot it with some spray paint that’s useable in water to match.

TBH, I would fish it a time or two as is and you’ll get a feel for what you’re lacking so to speak. My first kayak, although a nicer one was a paddle only. Bought it back in Sept and moved to a pedal this Spring. I have things that were necessities on the paddle kayak that are now just taking space in the garage. I bought some things based off YT videos when I rigged out originally and then realized I just didn’t care for that setup. On my paddle kayak I had an Anchor Wizard, stake out pole, anchor trolley And with pedals and instant reverse I’m just not putting all of that on this one. The way I fish it’s just not needed. When I was paddle only I had to anchor just to keep some type of position to make a few casts. Pull all of that stuff up and move down every so often or one arm a paddle and one arm a rod. I also thankfully nixed the idea of a micro anchor before laying out almost $1000. Had a buddy sell his yak and upgrade and kept his micro anchor. He let me try it while he was waiting on his new one to come in. I usually sit in about 10-12’ casting into 3-6’ and it was unusable with an 8’ pole. As a matter of fact I go under a few bridges quite a bit and it was more of an issue than a help. If I fished any swift current shallow rivers I might think differently.

I saw that on the YT channel Darien is Fishing, which I assume is the same incident. If not that same guy might have hit two boats. LOL! I know he said it’s the other guy’s responsibility to pay attention, yada yada, but once I saw an impact was imminent I would have hollered and been on my TM getting out of the way. I would have still give the guy an ear full but tried to avoid the impact. BTW, is that the Darien that Luke Dunkin seems have a bit of beef with?

I felt obligated to update/correct myself on my above post. I made the comment the the Pescador Pilot 12 looked cheaper. Upon further inspection and demos that was not the case. As a matter of fact I added another contender to the list I made above and it was the Vibe Shearwater 125. All the kayaks I was looking at I don't think there was $100 difference in price so money never became a factor. My only reason for switching to pedal was I had some nerve damage from a surgery that affected my left side of my neck, shoulder and left arm down to my last three fingers. I'm also left handed so that was an issue. I spent all day this past Saturday and yesterday (Tuesday) demoing kayaks. The ONLY gripe I've ever had about the FeelFree family of kayaks are their proprietary unitracks and their weight. Things don't hook up the way I like in those $35 adapters and they get loose quickly and the 6 adapter pack for $25 deals don't lock up very well. After running all those yaks thru their paces it was really a race between the Pescador Pilot and Big Fish 108. First off the BF 108 is HEAVY. I have a trailer but it was 128# off the showroom floor. I joined both of their owner FB pages and this is the first year of the BF 108 and there seems to be a LOT of first year bugs. The 8-Ball drive, oil seeping from the drive, water coming up the transducer mount/filling battery compartment no drainage and a weak spot near the sacrificial keel causing leaks. Really don't care for first year products and being a guinea pig. When I made my post above it was based on going to Hook1 and visually looking them over pretty hard. I liked the look of the BF108 but when it came time to maneuver around it was rough. My cart did not work well with that hull design at all either and there's really only one that will and that's the $200 Wilderness cart. I didn't realize how much of that boat sits on top of the water. You have to put your transducer way down for it to sit in the water and at that point it's not protected by the hull. The Pescador Pilot was in a similar situation back in 2017, but all the bugs seem to be worked out. The Pescador was MUCH lighter, easier to paddle if needed, faster at a easy pedal, actual yak attack tracks, caught much less wind and easier to hold your spot plus I just enjoyed it the most. All the above were easy to stand and stable. But felt I needed to update my comments above. Sorry so long but looks in pics or the showroom floor are deceiving, you really have to demo these things. If that's not an option, someone you trust their opinion or long winded posts like these are all you got.

I agree. I'm in the same boat, no pun intended. I have a FeelFree Lure that I LOVE everything about it. I'm going tomorrow to pick up my new pedal kayak. I luckily have a Hook1 28 miles north of my house and one 32 miles south of my house. They let me try anything in there. At one of the locations me and the manager have gotten real tight and he just shoots me straight and I respect that. I fell in love with the Big Fish 108. It's 10'10" and I prefer the 10' of my lure but can live with the extra 10". One of the reasons I've ditched my boat is I got tired of fooling with it, not maintenance but it was big and cumbersome. A 10'er I can throw around, put it in the bed of the truck if by myself, or on my trailer if the wife and kids go with me. This is what I narrowed down to: Big Fish 108 - $1799 (Already have a Lure and everything I've done to it fits the Big Fish) Hobie Passport - $1599 (would have to do way too much to it to get it like I wanted plus no reverse) Wilderness Radar 115 w/Helix PD - $2200 (Absolutely hate the layout of that boat) Pescador Pilot 12 - $1799 (seemed cheap after being in a Feelfree and lots of problems on YT plus useless rod holders) One thing I decided quickly is if I was gonna get a pedal drive it would have instant reverse. I'm not pulling levers. It may be better in every way and I'd get used to pulling a lever but it was not for me and my style. I want to hold position and anchor/stake less hands free. I'm also in TN with no coastal waters whatsoever. If I fished coastal waters at all I would definitely be in a Hobie with mirage drive and pull for reverse. If I was on the ocean I wouldn't be sitting in 6' of water trying to pick apart a laydown I would be concerned more with the power the mirage provides. I'd also ask myself if pedal was really necessary. I had a surgery where they damaged a nerve on my left side (I'm left handed) and the more correct I paddle the more it aggravates that nerve. Once it gets aggravated it's a 3 mo process to cool down. If you think you'll cover more water with a pedal, think hard. Those legs will fill with lactic acid quick and wear you out. I've cycled with a club since 1999 and bike about 130-150 miles/week and do two centuries a year. I'm not that concerned with my legs. I do think a Hobie drive would be less fatiguing than a prop style. I do feel for people that don't have a good shop locally or the chance to test drive. I'd hate to lay down that kind of money blindly. Sorry so long winded just trying to give as much info as possible.

After buying a kayak in September I never got my boat wet again and sold it last week. I had a Bumblebee 154 but it wasn’t a tiller. Mine had a drivers side console, throttle and 90hp Evinrude. Mine was 16 1/2 feet, don’t remember beam width but I NEVER had an issue with that boat in 15 years. I fish Old Hickory off the Cumberland River and it rode nice like a bigger boat. It was a 1992 with a 1992 engine but I kept VERY good care of it and it was garaged when not being fished. The guy who bought rents the office next to me and we talked today and he said his boat guy said the transom was like new and the floor. He’s having new graphs installed. If it was taken care of I’d have no qualms buying another and they aren’t made anymore so it would be used.

I’m a shallow water guy and the bottoms where I fish are super soft. I have a 6’ stakeout pole but by the time it sinks a foot and I raise my seat to fish I can only stakeout in about 4’. My plan with the wizard was to drop anchor up to maybe 10’. May get an 8’ pole. I looked at the Power Pole micro anchor but there’s a couple spots I go under a bridge and would have to maneuver a bit. To be honest even a micro power pole is really only good to 6’ and for $600 I’m just not feeling it.

I pulled all of the line out and put small pressure on it and it retracted. I let it down about 3-4 times in the garage and it quit retracting again. Went thru all of that again and then it wouldn’t drop the anchor. Hook1 reopened yesterday so I took it back for a refund. Wasn’t gonna go thru all of that all the time or wind up with another problem on the water.

LOL! You’re right, I don’t know what I was thinking.

I have the taller one. I wanted the shorter one, I'm a shallow water guy, but Hook1 only had the bigger one in stock and they are closed due to corona so I had to order what was available since I really wanted it for the tournament this past weekend.

On one hand it averages once a year for you, on the other hand things like this always seem to happen at the most inconvenient times. I'd hate to have my anchor 15' or so under water and have to cut it loose. Where mine is located I'm not sure I could do that fix on the water.

I bought a new Anchor Wizard this past week and fished a two day tournament Sat & Sun, my first kayak tourney. Obviously I didn't have time to test it before the tournament but to be honest it's a fairly simple mechanism and I didn't really think there was much that could go wrong. Lines in at 6:00AM but you could paddle to your spot before that. Around 5:15AM I'm launching at the ramp and right before getting in the water I hooked my anchor to the wizard and it hit the concrete and was dragging. The Wizard would not hold enough tension to hold the 3# anchor nor will it wind up and retract whether the anchor was on it or it was just the string. I'm pretty mechanically inclined and when I got home Saturday evening it will not catch to hold tension or retract. So I was depending on that Saturday to fish and it was windy and it gave me fits trying to fish Saturday. Put my stakeout pole back on the yak for Sunday. Obviously I'm sending it back but with corona shops are closed and I had to order, etc and it's a pain. Has anyone else had an Anchor Wizard fail?

It’s an overheat warning on mine too, like someone said above just because you get a pee stream doesn’t necessarily mean it’s cooling. Also, I’ve been guilty a time or two while on pad trimming up a bit too much and I’ve got that warning as well.

I feel for you man. Hope the bad passes sooner rather than later for you.