Anyone have any feedback on fishing out of this kayak?

 

I haven’t demoed the boat in the water, but it has been the most comfortable kayak I’ve sat in on dry land. I also like the instant forward/reverse, rod holders seemed good, and the weight is a huge deal as well for me.

 

Some questions I have on it are:

 

- Is pedaling really that much easier than paddling on this model?

 

- How big of an issue is the prop over grass flats?

 

- Is the speed you get with a pedal drive at least close to what you get paddling with the same amount of effort?

 

- How does the model track?

 

- Does the rudder lever hold up? Felt cheap imo.

- Anyone try fly fishing out of it? Probably 25% of the time I’m throwing the fly rod. I feel the line would be constantly tangled in the pedals, I imagine all pedal kayaks may be this way.

 

- Any general layout issue you found after you began fishing?

 

Also, are there any other kayaks y’all recommend in the 10’ class?

I imagine the kayak will predominantly be used in smaller lakes, but it may see some decent flowing rivers from time to time.

Ease of storage is the biggest criteria as I need to be able to easily carry it up the stairs/transport in a short bed truck. Kayak must be a SOT. Quality rod holders matter to me, however I’ve never brought more than 2 rods on a kayak and then I wind up using just 1 almost the entire trip so the number is not as important as quality. I’d hope for a happy medium between speed and stability but probably leaning more towards speed/maneuverability, honestly don’t remember ever seeing a kayak flip I didn’t think was user error. I don’t see myself mounting electronics so while having the option isn’t bad, it’s not make or break.

I bought a Slayer Propel 10 this spring and have been fishing in it for a few months now two or three time a week. I fish mostly small ponds and a slow moving river. I’ve been very happy with it. It’s very stable, I have no trouble standing and fishing and it not too heavy compared to others. I looked at the Native Titan and it was just too heavy. I think the Slayer is a good combo of weight and stability. I did get mine with the landing gear wheels to make moving it easier.
 

Having wheels is great but I’ve found the attachment bar for the wheels throws the balance off. If I pick it up with the side handle it’s much heavier in the back and it’s a little awkward.

 

I do find peddling easier than paddling and find you can go at least as fast probably faster than paddling.

 

The slayer tracks as well as any 10 foot kayak which means not great. I’m making small rudder adjustments a lot to stay straight. I get what you mean about the rudder lever, but I haven’t had any issues so far. There is an upgrade metal lever available I saw on YouTube.

 

I’ve never fly fished, but if you are letting line out at your feet, I think you could have a problem snagging on the pedals. The standing area isn’t very big and the pedals are pretty close.

 

I think biggest issue on your list is pedaling over grass flats. The propeller on the bottom is a magnet for weeds, Lilly pads or grass. The propeller grabs everything. It doesn’t take much before you feel it getting bound up and have to pull it up and clean it. If you fish a lot of grassy areas you might be better off paddling.
 

I try to keep my gear to a minimum and only carry two rods so there is plenty of space and storage in the Slayer.

 

I transport mine in a short bed pickup and have had no problems. I store it in my basement which only has a few stairs in and out and with the wheels it’s easy. 

Over all, I’ve been very happy with the Slayer. I’m enjoying the stability and stand to fish most of the time now, which I didn’t get in my old kayak.

 

Hope this helps.

 

I can tell you the bad

 

Sucks at tracking.  New one has longer rudder so might be better I have the short one.

It is slow dont put to much gear on there. Itll make it even slower

It's not that effortless to pedal like hobies 

No drainage design for water to pile up to exit the suppers

Some molds have nasty pin holes everywhere so check yours

Plastic does not handle really well with rubbing from landing or loading like my old slayer 12.  Btw this is my second slayer 

But overall pretty happy with the slayer10

Its light weight and pack in out with minimalist gear is fun.

 

Boonedox makes an aftermarket rudder that supposedly helps with both the turning and tracking that Natives are known for being deficient in.  If you can't go faster pedaling than paddling the same boat, you would be the first person.  The pedal drive on the Natives (I've never tried a Slayer Propel 10) are pretty good, but they're not the Hobie system.

On 6/30/2020 at 11:24 PM, bigbassin' said:

I’d hope for a happy medium between speed and stability but probably leaning more towards speed/maneuverability, honestly don’t remember ever seeing a kayak flip I didn’t think was user error

Everytime a kayak turtles it's user error, unless the kayak is only at repose with gunnels down.  Either the paddler is not centering their weight appropriately, taking the boat through water it's not designed to handle, improper boat positioning at given water hazard, and the list goes on.  If you haven't turtled yet, it's only yet, or you're being very cautious with a wide kayak.  Make sure you wear your PFD.

I'd also check out the Old Town 10' pedal drive.  It goes by a couple of names.  A couple of folks on here have them and seem to love them.