Thanks y'all! I was really hoping you would dissuade me from spending an extra $1,500. The reason I float tubed before was so I could fish all the time while moving with my legs. But it seems like the Propel is the way to go. Hobie's are great, but they can't reverse, which is why it wasn't in contention, although I have demoed it as well.

Do y'all stand up and fish in your kayaks? How stable is it when there's a large fish on?

For those lakes, I would go with a pedal kayak. Largemouth bass fishing is about holding your position which favors the Native Propel with its reverse. If you are in an apartment without a garage, then go with the lighter 10 foot model.

The Slayer seat is so comfortable, I rarely need to stand. When fighting a fish, especially bass, I had much rather be seated so I can keep my rod down low and hopefully limit the amount of jumping the fish does. Also, when standing, your body becomes a sail with any wind at all.
I do stand quite a bit while looking around in the marsh.
For standing, the Slayer wins hands down over the Ride 135, in my opinion.

IMO, yes it would be worth it. Having reverse and your hands free will allow you to do a lot more fishing and be in a better position.

I think the new santa cruz g2 will offer both options. It will have a removable center pod that can come out and with an adapter fit the mirage drive. Santa cruz wont sell the mirage drive but will sell an adapter. Looking at about $2100 kayak and drive but can be purchased seperatly.

If the hole that the Mirage drive fits into is the same as that of the Hobie, there is a pod kit that is sold (not by Hobie) that fits into the slot that is made for a trolling motor. Just another option someone might want to look into!

The Native Slayer Propels are awesome kayaks, and one of the only ones on the market that offer reverse pedal propulsion. I like them because if you happen across a shallow area or a bunch of weeds then you can pull up the propel unit up between your legs and use a traditional paddle. Also they have a 10 foot kayak that still has a 500 lb. capacity and is very stable so you can fit in in an apartment or smaller storage unit. If you're in North Texas then you should stop by Pond King Inc. in Gainesville, TX. We carry Native kayaks, paddles and selections from YakGear and RailBlaza

IMO yes it is well worth the extra money, there is nothing like fishing and not fighting a paddle to move and interrupt your fishing. I have owned both the slayer 13 and now have a pro angler and they are both awesome boats. I got rid of the slayer for the extra room that the PA offered was the main reason. It is a dream to take BTB compared to the slayer. I do miss having reverse but it is not a deal breaker for me. I don't miss having the propel drive will get bound up with weeds and you have to raise the drive up to clear the propeller or having to pull the drive when you beach the yak.I will never go back to a paddle yak unless its for running baits or shallow creeks. The PA has been everywhere from local creeks/rivers, lakes, bays and BTB and I am pleased with it. About the only downfall I have found if you do need to paddle it does not paddle nearly as well as the slayer but if I'm on a flat its a lot easier to stand up and pole.

Good comments, good reviews!

I agree with rms2005 on a Hobie for big loads. The PA 12 and certainly the PA 14 have tons of carrying capacity, rod storage, and more. A PA 14 is almost a boat. A PA 17t is a boat in my opinion.

Decisions quickly whittle down to how you fish, I think, that, and issues related to getting to, on, then off the water.

Brad

standing up while fishing seems to be a learned skill. as long as i am not thinking about it, i have no trouble. however the yips will strike me occasionally during which i feel like a bath is almost a certainty if i don't sit down. my propel is not the problem. it seems to be that 6 inches between my sideburns.