Pedal Drive kayak question

I'm new and joined this forum to learn about kayaking.  My plan is to lazily fish freshwater (delta or lakes).  To that end, I'm hoping to buy a pedal/prop kayak (instant reverse + price  benefit) and add a motor (Bixpy to rudder?)

My biggest concern as I'm shopping is damaging the pedal drive if I drift or crash into branches underwater or drive into a super shallow area (Russian river, beaches etc.)  For that reason alone, I'm leaning towards the Jackson brand because the pedal drive kicks up.  I can't afford a Hobie with mirage 360. 

Hoping the experience from this group can provide guidance as to whether my fear of breaking the pedal drive is real or imaginary...

In 6 or so years of kayaking a Hobie (without kick up fins) I haven’t broken or bent a mast(fin) yet. I have run aground and into objects more than once and am pretty rough on my gear. That’s not to say it doesn’t happen, but if you watch your surroundings you can avoid most obstacles.

Also as far as reverse goes... don't discount the ease of yanking the drive and tossing it back in backwards on a Hobie.  In the few rare times I've needed reverse in a hurry and didn't think I had time to yank/reinsert the drive... there's this really handy paddle thing right on the starboard gunwale that I grab and use.

I've not used many different kayaks so I am not expert in this ... but the Hobie "kick up" fins move up and out of the way of any underwater object I've hit.

The Jackson "pedal-backwards-instant-reverse" is much quicker to engage than the hobie 360, which requires you to crank a handle 180 degrees before you are pedaling backward. Both craft handle underwater objects nicely, so I would not be concerned on that front.

I think the ability to simply move your legs is a bit more elegant than the Hobie crank handle, but don't find myself swearing at the Hobie mechanism, so it's an efficient system as well.

I have the Hobie 180 drive with kick up fins.  I mainly fish the delta and local lake and do use the reverse feature frequent.   Also, with the Hobie pedal drive it has a bungie strap that allow you to secure the pedals which positions the fins horizontally against the bottom of the hull.  This would address your concerns about striking something while using the Bixpy type propulsion system. 

Native propel here, 2 actually instant reverse by peddling backwards. I have ran it aground and hit underwater obstacles with no damage at all and if the collar pin is popped out, the prop comes up partway.

If you're going to kayak in shallow water, pedal drives are not going to be your friend.  I never understand why people new to kayaking insist they must have a pedal drive, but it's your money.  Do what you want.  Just remember, we fished from kayaks, quite successfully, before anyone put pedals in them - and that's still true today.

When you press a pedal on a hobie all the way forward the fins hug the hull, and only a small portion still protrudes. But you can also very quickly pull the drive out with the kick of your heels, unlock and pull up in seconds. Leash the drive in case of it falling overboard. Paddles can also be used for reverse.

I'm new and joined this forum to learn about kayaking.  My plan is to lazily fish freshwater (delta or lakes).  To that end, I'm hoping to buy a pedal/prop kayak (instant reverse + price  benefit) and add a motor (Bixpy to rudder?)

My biggest concern as I'm shopping is damaging the pedal drive if I drift or crash into branches underwater or drive into a super shallow area (Russian river, beaches etc.)  For that reason alone, I'm leaning towards the Jackson brand because the pedal drive kicks up.  I can't afford a Hobie with mirage 360. 

Hoping the experience from this group can provide guidance as to whether my fear of breaking the pedal drive is real or imaginary...

You can't afford a Hobie with a Mirage drive, but you can afford a kayak with a Bixpy motor? 

Another factor to consider is that vegetation (or fishing line if you're not careful) can get tangled in propellers and be a pain to get untangled. In contrast, when a mirage drive gets tangled (which is way less frequently for me) you can just pick it up and it is free. This is one of the main reasons I prefer my Hobie over my Native.

Another factor to consider is that vegetation (or fishing line if you're not careful) can get tangled in propellers and be a pain to get untangled. In contrast, when a mirage drive gets tangled (which is way less frequently for me) you can just pick it up and it is free. This is one of the main reasons I prefer my Hobie over my Native.

This^^  I have a Revo 13 and a Nucanoe with the Pivot Drive.  The Mirage Drive is essentially tangle free.  The Pivot (pedal) is immediate reverse.  I luxuriate in the tangle free much more than the immediate reverse. 

If you;re going to kayak in shallow water, pedal drives are not going to be your friend.  I never understand why people new to kayaking insist they must have a pedal drive, but it's your money.  Do what you want.  Just remember, we fished from kayaks, quite successfully, before anyone put pedals in them - and that's still true today.

True, but hands-free kayaking is, IMHO, pretty much ideal for fishing. I've noticed that most people who think they might want a pedal system eventually go that route. So if you are one of those people, it might be better just to start with pedals.

I use a Torqeedo and have caught it three times, and have jammed it up with eel grass once. I don’t go out any further that I would be able to comfortably paddle back in. When I was jammed with eel grass it was at Tomales Bay so I just beached and cleared it out. With the motor out of reach there isn’t much you can do if you get tangled.

Thank you everyone for your input!  Very insightful.  Seems I am over thinking breaking a pedal drive and should be more concerned getting the props tangled in weeds.  I definitely want a pedal drive for faster hands free fishing. The motor part is because I remember how windy it gets in afternoons, and I want to enjoy the fishing more than the workout...

The motor isn’t going to save you any headaches from wind.  Not if you’re hoping it keeps you in place. Not that motor.   It might help you fight the wind when you’re moving.  Having said that, I fish with two friends with motors. My Hobie compass keeps up with them  I just kick and move along next to them.  A Hobie v[can move against current and wind pretty well.  Once on the delta fighting the tide and wind a guy with a big Native struggled.   I was very mobile.

The Hobie 360 is only available on the big pro angler, right?  I love my mirage 180.  It’s efficient.