New Yak Angler

Being a newbie to both TFF and kayak fishing, I am looking for some advice on how to start. I plan to travel around the states for the next couple months fishing big lakes and my budget when it is all said and done is around $2500. I want to pedal not paddle, attach a fish finder, and want to be able to stand. I have been looking at the Hobie Passport 12 ft and getting a lowrance hook 4 fish finder. Any suggestions on where to start or what kayak to get?

Only way to find out what you want is to demo a couple of kayaks. I would demo different kayaks with different drives. Such as the bicycle style like a native, old town & Hobie fin style drive. Each has it’s pros and cons.

Definitely demo, but I like my Topwater 120 PDL. Instant reverse is nice. I got a Lowrance Hook 5 for under or right at $300. Installation was $150, but it can be done yourself. The Topwater is around $2,000 new. I really enjoy my setup. Hobie makes great boats, too.

Welcome to the forum and kayak world!

To be able to recommend a kayak best for you I have a couple of questions:

What is your size (approx height/weight)?
How will you transport the kayak (truck, car top, trailer)?
Do you have any storage limitations?
Are you willing and able to buy a used kayak?

5'11" 180 lbs
Either car top or trailer
Not too concerned with storage
Yes, 100%

If I was in your position, I would keep an eye out for used Outback. Keep cash on hand and be prepared to drive a few hours to pick it up.

You can get a less expensive pedal. However, the Outback will hold its value better than most. Its sort of like buying a used Jeep... there will almost always be a market and they will almost always hold their value.

A lot of people prefer an Old Town. From what I can tell, its a really good option. The biggest advantage to an Old Town (in my opinion) is the instant reverse. However, the prop will get full of weeds if you like to fish the sloppy stuff.

The Outback is a little heavy to car top, but it can be done. My son hauls his on top of his Jeep. It's a bit of a hassle, but he's 19 and is unwilling to trade the Jeep in for a truck. He is smarter than me

Austin I'll second what Mike recommended and that is a used Hobie Outback. 2015 is when Hobie introduced the raised CT Vantage seat so I wouldn't look older than that. 2017 is when most of them have reverse. The Hobie Compass isn't a bad choice as it's lightweight but some don't like the seat. The Old Town Topwater 120 is a great kayak too but quite a bit heavier than the Outback and considerably heavier than the Compass.

If you want to look new the Old Town Sportsman Salty PDL 120 is a solid budget pedal drive kayak. Also the Vibe Shearwater 125 and the Lighting Kayaks Strike would be solid options. All of these new kayaks would come in around the $2K range with tax and leave you some room in the budget for accessories.

All of these kayaks I've mentioned are pedal driven, have standing capability, have places under the kayak for a transducer and are at least 12' in length.

I know you mentioned the Hobie Passport. That wouldn't be a bad choice but I know you would like a Compass or Outback much better. If you are buying used look it over well for cracks around the scuppers and around the drive well area. As long as it has been taken care of and doesn't look too scratched up you should be fine going with used.

Let us know what you end up with.