Hello all!

I am looking to try a Sit on Top foot peddle Kayak. Looking to buy, but I have never had a kayak before and never tried one. Looking to buy one I can stand in, and fish out of.

I have called over 12 Kayak Rentals, and experience the following: No answer, no one returns my voicemail, no one has sit on top style, out of business, or not renting due to the Virus.

Does anyone have a Sit on Top, foot peddle kayak I could try for 15 or so mins. I would meet you and the lake, you can supervise, and I wouldn't go far, like I said 15 mins tops. I live in northern DFW, near Little Elm, Lewisville Lake. I am thinking of buying something new this fall.

Thanks!

If you were in S Texas I'd let you try out a PA14 360.
You're bound to find someone up there.

Mariner sails is prob the closest. They do demos but may not be doing them right now

Yeh, I talked to them, they are very helpful but their inventory is null. CA manufacturing is stalled due to Covid. This is one item I simply cant buy without trying first. Thanks

OP these are different times right now. I think you're on the right track. I'm sure someone in your area will step up and offer a demo for you.

What kayaks are you interested in or what is your budget? Might be best to look at kayaks that are in your budget. There's a huge difference between a Pescador Pilot (stand up peddle fishing kayak) and an Old Town Sportsman Big Water or Hobie Outback.

Check out Kayak Instruction Inc.
They are a Jackson Kayak distributor and also rent kayaks out of Paddle Point Park on Lake Ray Hubbard.

^^This X2^^ Good people.

I am set on a Hobie 2020 Compass. Thats basically my budget ball park.

Good choice. If you fish structure reverse is extremely handy to have. The seat in the Compass is the only thing I had an issue with but there are seat pads (in the $30 range) that will solve that problem.

Only other pedal fishing kayak in that price range that may be better than the Compass is the Old Town Salty 120. But with the pandemic you may have a hard time getting to demo one of these.

I have noticed that it is tough to find higher end Yaks these days. I'm willing to drive if I find one to buy, but need to try it first.

I would suggest checking out some of the Kayak Fishing pages on Facebook.

East Texas Kayak Fishing has people from all over East Texas up into the DFW area in it.

Most all of them would be happy to let you try theirs out.

I'll look into FB. Thanks

You can test ride my PA14 360, but its not going to be anything like the Compass. The PA is longer, wider, taller and a lot heavier.

I plan on going to Ray Roberts Friday afternoon... Send me a PM if interested.

Also, Ray Roberts Marina has a PA12 that you can rent for the day. I don't think it has reverse, but you can at least take it out for an entire day and get a feel for fishing out of a kayak.

Thanks, can't get out of work tomorrow. I will call Ray Roberts this weekend, If you have a Saturday or Sunday available, please let me know. Thank you!