I'm new in kayaking. I've been tournament bass fishing for around 15 years in my bass boat and recently decided to start kayak fishing. I'm stuck between buying a hobie pro angler 14 or a native Titan propel 13.5. Any advice be will appreciate. Thanks

You need to go try both on a lake.
I owned a Pro Angler 12 and regret selling it.

I have the Titan 13.5 but I think I�d buy the 12 next time. I also would recommend upgrading the rudder with the Berleypro rudder.

I have a Native Propel13 and a PA14. I like the instant reverse on the Native. PA requires you to pull a cable to change direction. PA is wider (more stable). I have bent the mirage drive on the PA hitting submerged stumps (2x already). They can be removed and bent back straight. Both have pros and cons. If I could just have one, I would go with the Native. Hope that helps.

Do you stand up and fly fish? If so, how do you handle line management in the two boats? Which of the two boats is quieter to pedal?

So many options. The Hobie is king in most peoples eyes. You will pay for it though.

Not to complicate it but I love my Predator PDL. Its as fast as the Hobie and has instant reverse. Very well thought out design. The Hobie is much better in thick weeds.

Try several is my suggestion and good luck! Its a great way to fish. Fun sport. I like fishing from my yak as much if not more than from my buddies boat.

Lots of good options these days and for me the primary deciding factor would be price. I'd get whatever was the best deal. The next most important factor would be the kind of cover/structure you will be fishing. As mentioned, the prop type drive systems don't do well in vegetation. The Hobie drive system will get bent if you hit a submerged stump with force.

In my eyes, the differences between the quality pedal kayaks these days are minimal.

What I like about the Hobie
--built in shielded and recessed transducer port--fits Lowrance transducers easily and others with minor modifications (don't have to hang something off the side)
With a Berley Pro transducer shield you can place and shield a side scan/total scan transducer in the transducer port.
--the mirage drive is efficient (the muscles used to push legs--glutes are stronger and more fatigue tolerant than muscles used to pedal legs in a circular motion--hip flexors, quads, and hamstrings)
--the horizontal on deck built in rod storage--It's nice to not have to worry about rods snagging trees or hitting a low bridge.
--readily available replacement parts and accessories


What I don't like about the Hobie
--the Mirage drive is susceptible to getting bent if you hit a submerged stump. I fish a lot of stumpy East Texas lakes and have bent the Mirage drive many times and cracked the drive shaft/axle spindle once

Hobie and stumps, yes. Still a super choice depending on so many things.

Unbeknownst to many, even current Native owners, is with the three clips holding the Native Propel drive in place, the two on the thwart bar do need to be fastened but not the "other" single forward (toward the drive itself) clip forming the triangle. Then, you leave the plate cover loose and pedal merrily away. It makes absolutely no difference to the performance of the vessel.

What it does do? If you hit a submerged stump, the unit "kicks" up and rides over the obstacle. I rotates on a radius anchored by the thwart bar. Yes, for sure, it can sort of startle you . . . but hitting unseen stumps always does.

I hit stumps occasionally on an east Texas lake: Purtis Creek. Stumps are everywhere, but never an issue.

Just for "value," I'd certainly look at a Native Titan 10.5. It is only $100 more than a Propel 10, wider, more stable, lots of room for gear . . . a fishing machine.

Brad

I've been going through a similar decision. The three pedal boats that I have been considering are: Slayer, Coosa FD and PA14. Talking about bang for the buck, I've seen prices on the Jackson Coosa FD at $2550 instead of $3K this time of year.

Things that drew me to the Jackson were the instant reverse, but also the flex drive and it's ability to work in shallower water, where when you hit something the drive was designed to pivot up and not get damaged. I fish the flats often.

I still think that the seat and the drive is superior on the Hobie. It's much quieter of a drive for chasing fish in the shallows. The PA 14 is a more stable boat than the other two and will handle big water better. At this point the PA 14 is my number one pick, followed closely by the Jackson Coosa FD. The difference between a PA 14 Camo and a Jackson Forest Coosa FD is $3900 - $2550 = $1350. That's a nice locator and a powerpole. You could do a lot with that difference.

I just bought this 4 place trailer for about that: http://www.tritontrailers.com/watercraft/outdoor-sport/kayak/ Now I need a new boat to put on the trailer.

You might want to check out this video comparing the hobie angler, titan and coosa fd.
https://headwaterskayak.com/pedal-drive-shootout-native-titan-vs-hobie-pa-vs-jackson-coosa-fd/

Thanks for the info. Going to go demo them next weekend. Then I'll order one.

If you are shopping, you should also look at the new Jackson Big Rig HD FD. Should be out crazy soon.

I do stand up to fly fish in the Hobie. I have the stand up h-rail on the front. I have found that laying a beach towel over my drive and other line grabbers in the front of the boat works best. I have not tried a stripping basket. It would prob work better. Both can be quiet if you take your time. At full speed, the hobie is quieter.

Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated.

Comimg from a bass angler with a boat.I don't have a yak but owned a Hobbie pa 12 and the rod holders on the side was enough reason to buy one, other than the pedal drive.they are heavy tho and transporting was the worst part.those new native look sweet tho