Hands Free Kayak Fishing

In 1997, Hobie’s MirageDrive delivered a new way to kayak-fish by incorporating pedaling with the feet as a source of movement. The pedal-driven propulsion system was innovative, allowing anglers to put down the paddle in the kayak. Fishermen could now maneuver in the current, troll one or two rods, and move from spot to spot with both hands free.

The popularity of pedal fishing kayaks among anglers soared over the years. Today, most major kayak manufacturers — including Old Town, Native Watercraft, Bonafide, Wilderness Systems, Hobie and plenty of others — offer pedal drive kayaks for fishing. (It’s not spelled “peddle,” that’s something unscrupulous salesmen do from door to door.)

“Having two hands free to fish is the reason why kayak anglers have sought additional methods to paddling,” said David Hadden, a kayak fishing industry veteran. “When fishing in windy conditions, current, structure or around tightly grouped fish, the ability to stay in the same spot without using a paddle guarantees greater success.”

Here’s Why Pedal Kayaks Excel

Using your legs to travel in your kayak, instead of your arms, is also less tiring. “I have no doubt that pedaling is more comfortable than paddling,” said Morgan Promnitz, Hobie’s former senior brand manager and director of business development. “It’s easier on the back, a drier ride, quieter, plus your leg muscles are stronger than your arms, so you can fish for longer and cover more water. I can’t go back to fishing from a paddle kayak, unless I’m in a super-shallow river or flats waters that span for miles — but then I’m moving and hopping out of the kayak to cast.”

Today’s pedal drive kayaks also come with forward and reverse capabilities, something that was not always available with earlier drive models. Further, many kayaks today have electric power.

“It’s a lot like pedaling a bike but much easier to ride in reverse,” said Tyler Brown, director of marketing for Native Watercraft. “Since you can go from forward to reverse just by pedaling backward, and not have to use your hands, it is a significant benefit when fighting a fish.”

The Future of Pedal Kayaks

Trendsetter Old Town Kayaks built in motorized pedaling capabilities with its ePDL+ drive. It’s a true game changer. When an angler gets tired of pedaling, simply kick the motorized capabilities into action. All day travel via battery power is no problem if you don’t want to pedal at all. Some kayaks utilize motorized power with an after market unit from brands such as Newport Vessels, MotorGuide, ePropulsion or Minn Kota. But the angler receives the Old Town kayak and ePDL+ drive straight from the factory, so to speak. No DIY necessary.

Specific Old Town models, such as the Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132, come with ePDL+ drive and battery, points out Ryan Lilly, brand evangelist for all Johnson Outdoors kayak brands. In 2025, Old Town introduced even more kayaks with the ePDL+ drive — clearly labeled with the “ePDL+” name — including new options from the Old Town and Ocean Kayak lines.

With the incorporation of a pedal drive into a kayak, expect to pay about $1,000 to $2,500 more at purchase time when compared with traditional sit-on-top fishing kayaks. Every kayak fisherman I’ve spoken to — and this isn’t hyperbole — says the extra expense is worth the cost. Below are some of the newest and best pedal fishing kayaks available, although this list is not exhaustive. New models with pedal propulsion are hitting the market each year. Watch out — once anglers switch to pedal fishing kayaks, they often don’t go back to a paddle craft. In fact, I’m guessing many readers have already made the jump and are looking for their next rig.

Bonafide P127 Fishing Kayak

Bonafide hit it out of the park with its signature pedal kayak — the P127. While Bonafide also has a great platform to add a trolling motor in its SS127 sit and stand model, and a game-changing two-seater boat called the XTR130 that handles multiple motors, seats, and anglers, the P127 is still a great option for that angler who wants tried-and-true pedal power. Unique to the P127, the rudder sits underneath the hull; it doesn’t hang off the back.

Ocean Kayak Malibu ePDL+ 120 Kayak

Years ago, Ocean Kayak used to be a stand alone brand that produced sit-on-top fishing-friendly kayaks. They were popular with anglers who fished outside of the surf because of its self-bailing scupper holes. Old Town bought Ocean Kayak in the 1990s, and now Ocean Kayak is just one line of kayaks under the Old Town brand, similar to the Sportsman line.

The Ocean Kayak line of kayaks is aimed more toward recreational use, says Lilly, but the Malibu ePDL+ 120 is still very fishy. Its bones are the same as Old Town’s fishing ready yaks, and anglers can modify the newest Malibu into a fishing machine. The 12-foot watercraft utilizes the ePDL+ drive technology adopted from the award-winning Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132. Users can seamlessly switch between manual, power-assisted, or fully motorized cruising options.

Old Town Sportsman ePDL+ 120 PRO Fishing Kayak

The Old Town Sportsman Line went PRO with two new models, the PDL 120 PRO and ePDL+ 120 PRO, in 2025. The all-new 12-footers got a bit of an overhaul — when compared to Old Town’s popular existing PDL 120 — with a new interior design layout. The ePDL+ version comes with manual pedal, power-assisted pedal, and fully motorized cruise control. Also included are internally wired kill switches, 36V 20AH lithium-ion battery and charger.

Old Town Sportsman PDL 120 PRO Fishing Kayak

Old Town listened to its pro anglers when redesigning the interior of the PDL 120. Hence, the name Sportsman PDL 120 Pro. There’s no doubt that the 120 PROs are a blank canvas for any tournament angler interested in rigging their yak to the gills. From the rail mounts, to the increased versatility of the seat, to ready-to-go bases for motors and anchors, to the easy access and availability for wiring electronics — it’s obvious the design put into the boats. Both Sportsman PRO models are available in two exclusive new colors: sierra and storm.

Slayer Propel 10 LTE Fishing Kayak

The Slayer Propel 10 LTE is unique because it’s lightweight. Fishing kayaks continue to enhance their abilities, accessories, and propulsion — but the drawback is the increased weight. Some anglers give in and buy a trailer to tow their rig. Others still want to be able to strap down a yak in the bed of their truck. The Slayer Propel 10 LTE has all the essential features, including a pedal drive, without unnecessary extras.