Pedal Kayak Fishing Angler 11’ | sit on top or Stand | 500lbs Capacity for Adult Youths Kids| Suitable for Ocean Lakes Rivers | Foot or Paddle Drive Motor| Pesca canoas caiaques caña pescar

I’m a real go getter when it comes to testing the capabilities of products. Test #1 - Calm ocean bay. It carved and responds like it may tip over; however, with short bursts of pedal-work it appeared to resolve the tipping over theory. I was very pleased with at maneuvering. Test #2 - Strong currents (windy conditions). The real test was at issue. Again, I was pleased that this Kayak passed the test. It handled very well in fast tides, unruly wakes from rude boats and charter boats. My friends were laughing and waiting for me to tip over (Lol), but the Kayak wouldn’t allow it. Instead of fishing… I went wake hunting, testing hard carves and enjoying the speed. Start out slow, understand your new Kayaks capabilities, it’s meant for angler-fishing and more. Hope this helped. I’m having a blast! Test #3 - Lobster Hooping! This kayak is narrow in width, wouldn’t recommend more than one hoop (36”)on the stearn. Limited area for this type of fishing. Test # 4 - We were approached by Naval Security (Restricted Area), though Security was extremely cool with their oversized draft 🤩 when they exited our visit… I ate their wake! 😂 MAN OVERBOARD! I went in… lost my wheels (cart) and minor unleashed items (learning curve). Kayak responded quickly, when flipping back over…. Only reason I couldn’t board (Please do not wear waders with the socks). 😂 I must have weighed 500lbs attempting too re-board. Here come Navy 💪🏾 . Assisted in dragging me to dock to drain waders and off I went laughing the whole night. Test #5 - Stay tuned for outrigger (training wheels) installation for more stability.

In one sentence, the Reel Yak kayak works really well and its value is probably unsurpassed in the kayak market -if you are just getting into the kayak fishing game, start with this. I have tested the limits on this unit. I have been slowly adding to this review since I have used the unit dozens of times over the past 14 months if you care for detail. I even paid more last year than it's current offering.The 11' Reel Yak arguably has more features (plenty of storage, rod holders, awesome rudder, etc) than any other kayak maker... at a reasonable cost. Sure, one could go buy a Nu Canoe, Hobie, etc, but you are going to spend 2000-3000 more for the same features as the Reel Yak and are going to have a unit that weighs 40-60 lbs more. I had a minor issue, but Reel Yaks set me straight with their customer service and a coupon, which was really nice. The pedal drive is really smooth, has plenty of power, and works well in very shallow water (easy to pull up to a landing without removing as long as the pedals are fully extended... and it takes 3 seconds to pop the peddle drive out of the brackets if the landing is shallow). One can stand on it, but it does take relatively good balance in rough water... such is the nature of lightweight kayaks. The weight is another aspect I love... so easy to toss on the SUV rails and ratchet strap down by myself. I don't see how one could flip the unit on the water... the driver would spill first. My only complaint is that the unit should be sent with extra bolts, nuts, etc.ETA:1. Installed Reel Yak's trolling motor mount system. Super easy to install... and it works great. It allows the trolling motor to be deployed into the water, or hinged back across the back of the kayak. I would highly recommend using lightweight trolling motors, such as Watersnake (I put the 24 thrust on mine). I clamped my trolling motor (battery box/battery were strapped down via bungee and the straps Reel Yak has installed) to the storage area behind the seat. I was able to achieve 4 miles per hour with this set up on the Watersnake high setting. 2 mph on the low setting. When trying heavier 55 lb thrust motors, this thing was crazy fast... 5-6 mph or more depending on current.2. I took this kayak on a large lake during some very windy conditions. I did not have the trolling motor modification at this time. I was able to take the kayak 4 miles (per my well mounted fish finder transducer that Reel Yak makes possible with their fish finder compartment) that day with the pedal drive only. Yak held up well in choppy water.3. Reel Yaks customer service hooked me up with their improved chair straps at no cost. These all metal straps are far better than the original.4. I took this kayak on a 4 night, 5 day solo camping trip near the Canadian border on a state park. I hauled gear (tent, sleep, food, tackle, firewood, etc.) across a lake to a water access only site. I was rolling lightweight, but this kayak rocked in terms of weight capacity. The amount of gear I could store in the hull of the kayak was astounding; I brought an overkill of 5 rods with no problem. Just be smart to know your gear weight and overall weight limitations. I weigh 190 lbs.5. With a trolling motor and a back-up battery, I explored nearly every part of a 1,000 acre lake in northern Minnesota. I caught every species of fish you really can on that lake. This kayak made that trip and experience possible.6. One can easily troll crank baits with it. I use a heavy bait caster, 30 lb braid, 40 lb steel leader using the high setting on the trolling motor, and I have caught tons of pike this past year. Brace the rod between your legs and till around the lake as you please.7. This kayak rocks.

After owning this kayak for a year, I wanted to wait long enough to give a fair and honest review. If you're looking for something that has all the essentials to get you out on the water quickly, this is a solid choice. However, if you’re the type that likes to heavily customize or modify your kayak, you might want to look elsewhere.Pros:Loaded with Features: This kayak comes pretty well equipped. You get three storage hatches: one at the bow, one conveniently in front of you, and another behind the seat (though that one’s hard to access while seated).Accessory Rails: There are four long accessory rails, which give you plenty of options for mounting anything that can attach to the rail.Smooth Pedal System: The pedal system is easy to use and can get you moving fast—especially if you’re in decent shape.Comfortable Seat: The stadium seat is really comfortable. I’ve spent hours sitting without feeling sore or tired.Ample Rod Holders: With six flush-mounted rod holders, transporting rods is easy and convenient.Manageable Weight: It’s not too heavy to handle on your own, but I’d recommend using a cart to save your back.Water-Ready: You don’t need to add much to get out and fish. Bring your rods, and you're good to go.Transducer-Friendly: Installing a fish or depth finder is a breeze thanks to the through-hull transducer mount. No need to drill holes or add bulky accessories. Plus, the included cover plate keeps the transducer safe from rocks or branches.Cons:Limited Customization: If you plan to add anything that isn’t track-mountable, you’ll find it difficult.No GPS Motor Compatibility: Forget about adding a GPS trolling motor—most require a bow mount, and this kayak’s bow isn’t suited for that. The front hatch and carry handle take up all the space.Transom Mounting Issues: Mounting a transom trolling motor is also tricky. You could remove the rudder and custom-mount something, but it’s hardly worth the effort or cost. There’s an option to buy a side-mount bar for $102, but it looks awkward and doesn’t work well.No Reverse in Pedal System: The lack of reverse in the pedal system is something I underestimated. It’s a real pain when fishing in shallow waters or dealing with wind. You end up paddling in reverse more than you’d like, which gets frustrating.Pricey Accessories: The cost of upgrades or replacements on the manufacturer’s site is pretty high, so be prepared to spend more if you want to add or replace anything.Stability: Let’s just say I haven’t had the guts to stand on this kayak yet. While it’s not unstable when sitting, it’s definitely not stable enough to make standing feel comfortable. It just doesn’t have the width for that. If you’re someone who prefers to stand, you’ll likely need to add outriggers for extra stability.Final Thoughts:Overall, I’m giving this kayak three stars. It’s decent enough for now and gets the job done, but it has its limitations. If I could go back, I’d probably opt for something more versatile.