Best Kayak for a bigger guy? Are there one that have pedal and a trolling motor. I have been trying to do some research and don't even know where to begin. Looking for something that has a pedal drive that I could add a trolling motor if that's a thing. I would like to be able to hit small bodies of water but also lakes. Thanks in advance?

I think a lot of guys like hobies, I know that can handle pretty rough water. I had a Jackson for years, before all the trolling motors and pedal systems came out, it was a 14’ boat. It was a tuna, I think it was called, I’m 6’3” and about 225, I fit in in okay, and felt comfortable standing up. I got sick of messing around with it. So much easier to hook onto a loaded ready boat and go.

What makes kayak fishing fun is the simplicity….no gasoline, no oil, no lower unit oil changes, minimal batteries.
When you start adding things like trolling motors, LED lights, and large graphs….it starts to become a chore…like boat maintenance.

If you fish lakes with lots of vegetation, you will want a Hobie…the flipper drive is much more efficient than a prop drive in shallow aquatic grass. I also prefer the horizontal deck rod storage on some of the Hobies. My first kayak, I added all the above and then some to experiment and discover what I would enjoy. I only ended up using the trolling motor on large lakes where the launch point(s) is/are a significant distance (2 miles or more) away from the key fishing areas.

The more moving parts on a drive system, the more points of failure.

With that said, the Hobie180 reverse drive is luxurious and worth it.

As a guy that ditched the bass boat about ten years ago, I really enjoy fishing from my kayak. I have a Jackson Kraken 15.5 ft kayak, and it’s fast and pretty stable. I had a Hobie PA 14 before this one, and I’ll tell you, the Hobie was a much more stable fishing platform. I had to sell it due to financial difficulties during COVID, and I will likely buy another Hobie at some point.

The ‘Mirage’ drive system on the Hobie is superior to just about anything else on the market. They now have the 360 drive on their newer models. I’ve never tried one, but I’ve heard they have their issues. Mine had the forward / reverse mechanism, and it served me well. Hobie is also ready-made to bolt on just about any electric motor you want to install. Bixpy, Torqeedo, Newport, and a few other manufacturers will bolt straight onto the 4-bolt pattern that’s standard on most Hobie models. At some point, I plan to buy a Newport for my kayak.

I have a Garmin graph on my kayak, and it’s the best thing I ever did. Yesterday, for example, I caught crappie till it was ridiculous on a submerged bridge while there were 5 boats around - some with livescope - and guys were going nuts at the crappie I was catching. I gave them all away to the other folks, but even I was amazed at the fish I was catching, while the two boats with livescope were hardly catching any! I think it was partly that I wasn’t anchored, and I would rock my kayak back-and-forth, giving the jig a little motion.

Back to the kayak subject… Hobie lost its patent on the Mirage drive when they started making the 360. Several other manufacturers have picked it up, but the hull and layout on the Hobie PA is tops. The PA 14 has horizontal rod storage, which is superior to anything I have seen.

Hope this helps.

JR

So true. For the last 2 yrs, I have been using my kayak more than my boat for fishing. As for as simplicity. Keep it simple because high tech gadgets are expensive and will break at some point.

"The ‘Mirage’ drive system on the Hobie is superior to just about anything else on the market. They now have the 360 drive on their newer models. I’ve never tried one, but I’ve heard they have their issues."

I don't know what issues you've heard of but I bought the first 2 Hobie 360's that came out during the start of COVID and I have had ZERO issues with the 360 Mirage drive. That thing is amazing and worth every penny. If you can afford one buy it!

Maybe I watch too much YouTube. I’m not poo-pooing Hobie’s 360 drive. There are people that have had issues with them. IMHO, probably because of abuse, lack of taking care of them… The 360 AND the 180 drives need to be cleaned and basic maintenance done. I didn’t have the ‘break-away’ fins on my 180 Mirage drive, and I had to straighten the stainless steel rods that the fins mount on a few times. I’m glad you’ve never had any issues with yours. There are videos on YouTube of guys that actually HAVE had problems. I’m betting that Hobie will stand fully behind their product.

JR

If you go with a Hobie Pro Angler, I would get the 14 over a 12. They track better and are a little quicker. We just got my wife a PA12 360. It seems to be all over the place, even when using only the rudder to steer, and gets blown around a lot. With minimal gear in the PA12, it's significantly slower than my Native Slayer Max 12.5 with a heavy load. She did some research and everything is saying the 14's are a lot better. However, the maneuverability with the 360 drive is insane. It may require more maintenance, but it's well worth it.
Disclaimer: We haven't compared the 12 to a 14. We only have first-hand experience in a 12.

Check out the ones he has at Anglers Pro tackle. Several of his have a trolling motor on them with a quick release to aid in transporting the equipment.

I've had both drive systems and prefer bashing stumps with the pedal prop drive

There is no one best in my opinion... only what you think is best for you. here are a couple of brands that are highly rated in no particular order:

https://nativewatercraft.com/

https://oldtownwatercraft.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/kayaks/fishing/sportsman-bigwater-epdl-132

this is one of the more popular trolling motors without gps spotlock... 24 volt system, very efficient, can be attatched to a lot of different kayaks..

https://newportvessels.com/products/kayak-motor-nk180

What 12ft brand and model kayak is like the Toyota camry of kayaks?

Is there a place to go where you can sit in them to see what you like? If you were to buy who would you do business with?

I know Fin Factory in Corpus Christi does.

So not sure if it's been mentioned yet, the nucanoe frontier is a good big guy option. You can prob get that with a small gas motor cheaper than a hobie. Don't get me wrong, hobie makes a fantastic product but there are certainly more economical options out there.

Mariner Sails is worth the drive from McKinney. They have a decent inventory and most of their staff are kayak and/or sailing enthusiasts.

They will also allow you to test drive almost anything that you want to buy (If not the exact model, they will probably have a comparable model)... they will meet you at local water, vest you up, and let you paddle/pedal.

They are good folks.

It's spring! Isn't there a demo day soon????? Those are great times!!!

Demo Days used to be plentiful before COVID, but I hadn’t really seen any advertised since.

May 18 I heard right from mariner sails. Lake grapevine

Dude you nailed it. I kind of fall into big guy at 6'6 250ish. I'm in a Frontier now with a Newport 55 transom mount motor. Frontier new is $1600. Newport kayak 55 motor $200. LiTime 100ah lithium $300. Basically after tax TX registration and all the little extra expenses like a battery box, lithium charger etc you can be on the water for about $2500 cruising at about 4.5mph with an almost 700lb weight capacity.

long time, no see, John! I guess you were just ashamed you went to a motor! I have one too, but I havent stooped so low as to try it out..

Lol I've just been doing my thing. I don't post much anymore.

FWIW I recently got a barely used Hobie 17T from my father in law. He had put the MotorGuide XI5 on it. By coincidence, I already had a Lowrance HDS Live 9 so added the NMEA network so I can run the TM from my Lowrance. After three trips I can say this combo is a game changer. I won’t ever have another kayak without GPS capability. I can thoroughly pick apart docks using the jog feature, and set cruise control to cast down a bank line. Also like anchor mode. I can also go through the graph history, find a feature, set a waypoint then tell the TM to go there and anchor with just a few clicks on the FF screen. Game changer for me.

48AH lithium for FF, phone charger and nav lights . 110 AH battery for TM. For my typical 8 hour trips I Haven’t had to peddle yet.

Edit: I’m 6’6” , 310

lots of good info

I recently sold my Ranger Reata 1850 150 merc purchased during COVID as I simply find myself fishing the small skinny backwaters and small east texas lakes from my Hobie Pro Angler 12'. I am a crappie angler so the bimini top isn't an issue as I am either pitching a jig, or vrtical fishing and or dock shooting.