I'm looking to get a kayak. Either a Wilderness Ride or a Native Slayer Propel. Do y'all think being able to pedal is worth the extra $1,500? I have demoed both, but am torn.

Where do you plan to fish mostly? creeks, rivers? lakes, BTBs?

What B_Rod said. Pedal kayaks are great unless you're going to be in a bunch of weedy, brushy, shallow water. Then you can't pedal or could get things tangled in your fins/prop.

Pedals are much better in the wind. I prefer the Hobie fins. I have the Hobie drive just not their kayak.

I once debated that question with myself and talked myself out of one just because of the way I fish.
I don't cover enough water in a days fishing to warrant having one and I rarely troll.
I like the versatility of a simple paddle kayak when it comes to weight (my kayaks are manufactured) and using it in weedy shallow areas.
It's all about where and how you fish!

Mostly lakes but all of the above really, but if it is a larger lake, I'd only hit 1-2 coves a day.

That is one reason why most kayakers have a fleet!
I'm down to only two right now, and I don't plan on expanding the fleet anymore!
When I fish larger lakes I locate areas where I'm out of the wind and I can approach an area where I don't have to paddle far when I can.
Crossing any large body of water can get you into trouble if the wind kicks up and it won't matter if you peddle or paddle you'll be in trouble.

I thought about that as well, I could get two really nice kayaks for the price of the Native. Or 3 for the price of the Hobie PA. Unfortunately, it's hard to find a used Native Propel. So I'm mostly wondering if the extra $1,500 is worth it for being able to pedal.

I'm also in an apartment, so even one is pushing it right now for me.

I would more than likely never troll. I'd fish mostly banks with the kayak being in about 5-10 feet of water and drop offs, nothing ever in the middle of the lake. If I wanted to fish the other side of the lake, I'd just choose a different day and put in on that side.

The lakes I'd fish mostly would be Lewisville, Grapevine, Ray Roberts, and Ray Hubbard. I fish 95-99% of the time for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.

Then I would probably lean towards the Ride. If you do go with a pedal drive, I recommend you demo both Propel and Mirage (Hobie) drives as they pedal very differently and each have their own unique quirks. Let us know what you end up doing.

Based on your last statement, I would recommend the Slayer Propel. Like you, I mostly bass fish in open water.
I sold my Ride 135 to buy a Slayer Propel 13 and have zero regrets. Hobies are awesome yaks, but having reverse makes all the difference, for me. I can also remove the drive unit and it paddles decent, if I want to fish the marsh or other areas that limit the drive unit. As for price, a basic Ride 135 is about $1,500 less, but a more comparable one, with the max seat and a rudder is about $900 less than the Slayer Propel.

As with most things though, it's all personal preference, with no right or wrong answer.

I just bought a slayer propel, I mainly fish creeks but have to go a little ways through the lake to get in the creeks. When I need to I can easily paddle the slayer.

I own a Meyers Sportspal S-15 fishing canoe, super stable for standing leisurely but hard to "hold water." If not for that, I'd pass altogether on kayaks.

I own a Slayer Propel 10 and it "holds water" very easily on lakes. The reverse pedaling is an absolute dream as is its light weight. And, what I do when necessary is just not lock down the front clip on the drive and use my paddle if I need to push into skinny water or weedy areas. the drive pivots up and down just as easily as a Hobie.

So, I'd go:

1) a paddle only kayak if fishing rivers, small ponds, back in coves on larger lakes . . . and not moving much so you can drop an anchor and hold position. Much less maintenance, too;
2) a Slayer 10 or 13 if I am out in the wind and currents on a lake and I am covering more water;
3) a Slayer Propel 13 or Hobie Outback/PA12/14 if I were taking the vessel out BTB or offshore where the extra stability is a plus.

Of the pedal driven kayaks, Natives are much better paddlers than the Hobies.

Brad

If you do buy a pedal yak you will find that the same things that put you where you fish now may change significantly. You will have a few limits lifted that you probably weren't aware you had.

When I finally let go of my paddle and started working only with my feet, It totally changed what I considered a reasonable day. Plus you are fishing full time rather than alternating paddling and fishing .

I would suggest also trying a Hobie Revo 13 and 16. They paddle well without the pedals. Most pedal boats are slightly challenged in the paddle arena.

Good luck on whatever you decide.

This is really noticed in a big way after fishing from a pedal yak for a while then going back to a paddle yak.

Having those hands free is a really big deal!

Brad