Paddle vs Pedal vs Sailing Fishing Tactics

While we are on the subject of discussing endlessly discussed subjects, I figured I might as well take the opinion poll on this too.

Seems like most people here favor pedal kayaks, for pretty well documented reasons. Easier to troll, easier to station keep, easier to do a lot of things.

A select group of other folks here prefer a paddle kayak. Many cite simplicity, speed, and deck space as primary drivers here.

An even smaller group of folks prefer sailing kayaks. Deck space, stability, and better performance in more demanding weather situations seems to be the reasons I can come up with.

My main question is, how do your fishing tactics differ? I would imagine a paddle kayak fisher would probably do a lot more drifting, while a pedal kayaker would probably troll more?

For jigging, crabbing, drifting, and soaking bait at anchor, seems like kayak type does not really matter, as long as it can safely carry you and the gear you are using to and from the fishing area.

For trolling, seems like a pedal or sail kayak makes this easier.

For longer excursions, sailing kayak all the way.

I think I've observed what most folks here use, and have noticed trends in how they tend to use their kayaks. What am I missing here? What are the main reasons y'all chose one kayak over another, and what are your primary fishing techniques?

I'll take "sailing kayaks" for 100, Alex...

I'm definitely in the sailing camp. Even before I got the AI, I would regularly use the Hobie sail on my Adventure/Revo 16. For me, that long, boring pedal/paddle (never peddle...) back to the launch at the end of the day was what first got me interested in sailing. Usually, by the time I'm done, the wind has kicked up enough to get a decent push from the sail, and with a sail, that formerly boring part becomes a fun part (if fishing was bad, it will be the funnest part).

The AI that I now pilot is a great trolling machine. If the winds cooperate, I can easily troll 10+ miles with minimal effort. Even if the wind turns out to be flakey, provided there is at least a ripple on the water, the sail can provide a small boost, provided that you are willing to go, say, 60 degrees or more off the wind.

Sailing without the amas on my Adventure/Revo 16, I'd still often troll, but that required a lot of attention to detail. In anything but the lightest breeze, I'd have to keep one hand on the sheet [for you non-sailors, that's the rope that controls the sail] to prevent capsizing in a gust. It was fun, but mentally tiring. I had a Raptor G2 that I modified to use the small Hobie sail, and that was a bit more stable, but still not comparable to an AI, which in anything but the most insane conditions (henceforth, known as "Mr. X conditions"), is nigh impossible to capsize, especially with a few simple mods that prevent the amas from collapsing (a rare event, but one that will likely cause a capsize in windy conditions).

Of course, the down side to sailing is the added complexity. With a non-AI Hobie and the small Hobie sail, the added complexity is absolutely minimal, but the added horsepower is also modest. With the AI, you can have some serious sailing fun, and even more so with the bigger tandem TI. I can cartop my AI, but use a trailer most of the time, because I'm lazy.

So, what was the question?

Mr. X has me fastracking adding my Pacific Action Sail on the stealth, "just for fun".  Hopefully it will come in handy but without amas it is a workout mentally and physically.  23" wide might cause some gymnastics...

I saw a dude once sail all the way in to a launch using just an umbrella and his rudder.     I had the hobie sail for my old outback, but realized quickly it was not as much fun as it sounded.  I still like to paddle, and use my x-factor for most rockfishing outings, enjoying it's simplicity, lighter weight/easy to carry and I'm very comfortable in it in rough conditions and surf launching/landing.  I do have an AI but often fish with single ama, so I can participate in AOTY most of the time. But last year opened my eyes to sail trolling, and that is definitely something different from all the other technique/tactics I use during pedal/paddle. For one, wind doesn't = motor, you are at it's whim so to speak, and sometimes that's not where you want to go.  .  I'll just end with I like all of them for various reasons, and if you have room for more, get more 

Another key factor is the primary launch spot:

For high surf launch spots: Paddle kayak
For difficult access launch spots with narrow trails or no trails: Paddle or pedal kayak (Paddle will be easier to carry)
For heavy sailing kayaks require easy launching spots like a boat ramp.


Paul

I agree with every statement in the original post, however I find myself drifting more than trolling on my pedal kayak.  I think I enjoy the slower pace of drifting -- less to monitor, more reaction time to snags, etc.  I also wonder how much of my inexperience with trolling comes in.  I grew up drift fishing on party boats back east and I've only been on one salmon trolling trip in my life.  So, experience-borne comfort plays a bit of a role, too.  One thing I have grown to enjoy about the pedal kayak is its barge like stability.  I climb all over it as if it were a small jon boat.  I don't know that I can do that on many paddle kayaks, but I also lack experience there, so that's a blind assumption.

That said, the pedal kayak makes me jones for paddling, so I wound up buying a paddle kayak to scratch that itch (okay, fine, I admit I bought two). 

YMMV but my perception is that a lot of jiggers in PS find peddle kayaks superior to paddle kayaks; the rudder & peddles make it a lot easier to stay on top of your jig while still imparting action to the jig.
 
As for me the vast majority of peddle kayaks are too danged heavy and wide. I'm expecting that my 88lb Revo 13 will be replaced by a 66lb Scupper 14 when I move back east where I'll probably exclusively be doing surf launches -- another area where paddle kayaks excel (as noted by other folks).

I like my paddle yak (Stealth Fisha 555) for:

- surf launch/landing, rough conditions prowess

- that feeling of connection with the water

- upper body/core excercise



I like my peddle yak (Compass) for:

- Trolling (w/o) downrigger. yes a real paddle yak ninja can make it work, but it's far more convenient to generate forward momentum with the legs while letting the line out with the rod in hand

- Trolling with a downrigger

- wanting to have a chill day of sitting in a lawn chair while drifting/jigging for bottom fish

I think I've observed what most folks here use, and have noticed trends in how they tend to use their kayaks. What am I missing here? What are the main reasons y'all chose one kayak over another, and what are your primary fishing techniques?

I have a standard kayak and a pedal drive kayak. I love them both. But.....Ive found myself using my paddling almost exclusively. In fact, I almost never use my Hobie . One of the main reasons is the simplicity of loading and unloading gear. They are lighter and less components to load. Just paddle, fishing gear and safety gear. I don't even have a seat so way less things to potentially forget. I do favor the pedal drive in freshwater. Perfect for a lazy day on the lake. Just depends on the angler. I got bored with pedal drives and find paddling much more exhilarating......never tried sailing but it looks sweeeet!

Hey all, thanks for the replies!  A lot of it fits into what I was kinda expecting to hear, but some is new and different.  I am always looking to broaden my perspective, so this is pretty helpful!

I think my goal for the next year or two is to maximize my efficiency on the water.  Get setup and on the water fast, get to the spot fast, maximize my time there, then get back to the launch and loaded up fast.  I want to focus on efficiency because I typically only have a 6 hour window or so to fish, including the drive to/from Concord.  I have 3 kids, all in different sports, and often have carpool duty getting them to/from school.  I also work full time, mostly in person.  Thankfully, I am moving into a new position this summer, and will have more shift work and less supervisory responsibility, so should have more free time when the kids are in school. 

I live in Concord, so for the bay, Alameda and Richmond are both about 30-35 minutes if I go early before traffic, Pacifica is a little over an hour.  I've never launched OP, but I think it would also be about an hour or so.      Worst part about anything on that side is the traffic on the way home - it can easily stack up to a 2 hour drive if I leave Pacifica after noon or 1. 

Back to fishing, I think I can get my paddle kayak unloaded, setup, and on the water faster than my pedal kayak.  My paddle kayak is 3 feet longer than my pedal kayak - I can definitely paddle faster, but not for as long as I can pedal.  I haven't tried yet, but I bet I can get to a productive fishing spot in Pacifica faster on the paddle kayak than I can with the pedal kayak.  Next time I go I will try. 

I've been sail-curious for a while, as I see it as a great way to get to the fishing area faster than paddle or pedal, but I think the setup time and launch considerations would be the killer for me.  I will eventually get a sailing kayak, but for now I think I will just focus on using the kayaks I have and work on process improvement to become more efficient. 

... I think my goal for the next year or two is to maximize my efficiency on the water.  Get setup and on the water fast, get to the spot fast, maximize my time there, then get back to the launch and loaded up fast....

...I can definitely paddle faster, but not for as long as I can pedal....

I fish the same way. The time between stepping out of your car and getting on top of fish is wasted time.

If you go the peddle route seems like a revo 16/adventure would be best suited for what you're after. Don't be scared off by folks calling them 'tippy' -- those cats either have no experience with kayaks or are plain old idiots. Prolly both in many cases.

Not sure that it has been covered in this thread extensively but I think one of the major benefits of a pedal kayak is stability and thus ease of standing. My buddy recently got a pedal kayak and we primarily fish for striper in the Delta and surrounding rivers where casting accuracy can often be the most important element of fishing. Being able to stand and more accurately pinpoint casts, see followers, and work baits like topwater more easily. I'm still in a paddle yak and I find it pretty unstable, and while I could get some outriggers that's just another piece of equipment to store and take with me on the water.

I hope to get a pedal yak when I can simply based on my buddy's experience in his yak.

Not dissing pedals I just don’t think the designs are suited for ocean conditions you could encounter on any given day. As an old distance cyclist I’d love to have pedals I just don’t like the yaks I’ve seen. With the exception of the AI/TIs which really are just a small sailboat

I can only speak to my own experience, but righting my Passport 12 is relatively easy in seas.  It's a fairly wide barge, too.  Maybe not Pro Angler big, but 34" beam.

The whole thing about primary and secondary stability, + the ease of dealing with the boat when you’re in the water and it’s upside down

I am not an expert on kayak stability but from what I have seen hobies are fairly stable when standing. Stability, I would imagine is also based on where your center of gravity is. You're definitely right that many pedal yaks have high seats that seem sketchy as hell in the ocean but not all pedals are like that. Plenty of documentation of pedal kayaks doing well in rough water. Regardless of kayak type, like you said, planning for immersion is always one of the most important things you can do.

For those that fish a lot there’s something to be said about having less parts and equipment to bring and break. **paddle yak**