lol. All those other people are biased because they got their kayaks from the manufacturer but I got mine from the manufacturer and I am totally unbiased 🤦🏼♂️
"quality of life feature" officially added to my vocabulary. Also- you can find "adapters" on amazon for the major power tool brands to use your battery packs to power your electronics. I use my 6Ah Lithium Milwaukee battery to power my Garmin 7sv graph- maybe 8hrs total run time? Nice to have something that serves multiple purposes.
Just picked up two of these as his and hers. We took them out two weeks ago and the performance was amazing. Much less effort that I was anticipating. Coming from a paddle type to this transformed the fishing experience for us. Hands free operation lets you focus on the fish. I'm impressed though this is my first one
Excellent review man. Thanks for doing this. I sold my Hobie Revo 2 year’s ago and miss my yak. This looks quite a bit more stable than my Hobie. Can I ask what you use for a cart(if you use one)
You know...I think that depends on your health conditions at your age now. If you don't have any physical issues preventing you from peddling then you can otherwise the AP is a great kayak too. It will make your trips less of a workout and more about actually fishing. I always say to go demo each out and see how the feel to you.
I demo'd a bunch of peddle kayaks this year but I think I'm going with a Bigwater. I don't get the Pro Angler/Knarr open layout which would be awesome, but it performed much better. Despite not being as stable as say the 120, I actually thought it was one of the less rickety than most others I demod including my Bonafide SS127 (which is real hard to flip, but very rickety on chop).,
If you're going to be on Lake Michigan and do any offshore fishing, I'd say the Big Water all day. If you plan to fish harbors, harbor mouths and maybe right out in front of the harbors...you could do the 120. I just know that the Big Water will cut through that water and make trolling easier to do. Biggest advice is spend time in the Big Water, with no gear, and really push it to its limits so you can get a real feel for it. It's stable but in a slightly different way than say a 120pdl or my AP. Not in a bad way, just different. So really get a feel for it.
I have a really bum knee so wont be going with a Hobie PA 360 or Big Water PDL. Wish I could go hands free. I hear that the non PDL version is the same hull. How's it paddling this thing? Ive been fishing out of a 14.5' tandem (Can be configured for 1 paddler) recreational sit inside kayak for 10 years. I can sprint at 4.5-5mph. Sustained paddling is usually around 3mph. The seat and being locked into the cockpit beats up the back. So its time for a new more comfy yak. I want a long yak speed. I fish up in the Rockford area where I live. Been wanting to try Michigan some day. Thanks for the Vid. Subscribed.
on those mnt bike pedals, you can remove those pins to customize - i would remove the middle screws so if you do use it bare foot they wont be digging into your feet, there should be enough traction with only a couple of them. also be careful to not hit your shins lol
Thank you for the review! I'm really not finding a lot of quality reviews for the Bigwater, just the Predators and your in depthness was what I was looking for. It was good to have a fresh perspective on the current brand and helped a lot in my decision to order one! This thing is a Battleship! Do you feel comfortable standing in it?
Glad you found it helpful. I'd only stand in it if I was in flat calm conditions. It's not the same kind of a platform as my AP which has a big flat deck and different type of hull which has more stability in comparison.
I cant pedal much from a bum leg so will be paddling... I need a paddle kayak so am considering the Big Water. I want speed and some stability. I hear people saying the seat sitting high creates that Tippy feeling in this Yak. You had a Kraken.. the seat appears to sit lower. Which one was more stable in the seated position if you can remember? Which one was faster? Id appreciate the feedback. I can get my hands on a new 15.5' Kraken for a grand and am thinking of trying it out What ya think? Thanks for the vids. Good stuff man!
Whats the name of the black fish bag you have in the video? I got a bigwater last april and am loving it. Looking at putting a bow mount trolling motor on next.
Personal question, but how much do you weigh and how low are you in the water with this thing. I weigh in at 320 pounds and everything I’ve ever sat in, I’m way too lay in the water
Not sure what yaks you've been in but you're going to be low to the water. Many of these yaks have 500lb capacity so even at your weight it should be fine.
I not sure of stability on second trip out I flipped in the river lost $1200 in rods and had to swim along ways I going to sell it I don’t know what I did 15 years never flipped
Sorry that happened to you but if you kayak fishing long enough, it will happen. Happened to me in an Outback. I don't think its really the kayak but what we may have done that contributed to the flip. A wrong lean, wrong wave, etc can take out any kayak.
Is the stability significantly less than the AP? Or would you say pretty close? I have a AP and keep running into the issue that some lakes will not allow motors. The AP doesn’t paddle good so I find myself in the market for another kayak with a pedal drive. Great video thanks !!
not it's noticeably different feeling of stability. The AP is like a pontoon feel while the Big Water has a little more play on the side-to-side. That said, it IS plenty stable once you just spend time in it to learn its limitations. I love it...I use it for quick in/out or beach launches when I don't want to drag the big ol AP out.
lol. All those other people are biased because they got their kayaks from the manufacturer but I got mine from the manufacturer and I am totally unbiased 🤦🏼♂️
"quality of life feature" officially added to my vocabulary. Also- you can find "adapters" on amazon for the major power tool brands to use your battery packs to power your electronics. I use my 6Ah Lithium Milwaukee battery to power my Garmin 7sv graph- maybe 8hrs total run time? Nice to have something that serves multiple purposes.
Really good job explaining some stuff that's good to know and lots of us might be unaware of!
Glad it was helpful!
Just picked up two of these as his and hers. We took them out two weeks ago and the performance was amazing. Much less effort that I was anticipating. Coming from a paddle type to this transformed the fishing experience for us. Hands free operation lets you focus on the fish. I'm impressed though this is my first one
Awesome to hear. It’s a great yak for sure. Enjoy
Thinking of doing the same. My wife is 5’5” with short legs. How’s the distance from the pedals to the seat?
Bigwater is the new name for the Predator. Same yak; very minor cosmetic changes. Awesome yak.
Great review Bud! Real nice tips, thanks.
Nice review of everything. One of the more useful I’ve found.
Awesome, thank you!
Just got mine two days ago. Still setting it up. Your video is greatly appreciated.
Hey congrats man you’re gonna love it. Glad this was useful!
Good review and thoughts on the Old Town and you use it so people have a chance to see how they would work for them.
Hey thanks!
Excellent review man. Thanks for doing this. I sold my Hobie Revo 2 year’s ago and miss my yak. This looks quite a bit more stable than my Hobie. Can I ask what you use for a cart(if you use one)
Wilderness systems cart
Awesome review walk through !!!!
Im 66 6'4", 275#, should I get the Auto for coastal waters, So Cal, Like Lake Erie on good day
You know...I think that depends on your health conditions at your age now. If you don't have any physical issues preventing you from peddling then you can otherwise the AP is a great kayak too. It will make your trips less of a workout and more about actually fishing. I always say to go demo each out and see how the feel to you.
I demo'd a bunch of peddle kayaks this year but I think I'm going with a Bigwater. I don't get the Pro Angler/Knarr open layout which would be awesome, but it performed much better. Despite not being as stable as say the 120, I actually thought it was one of the less rickety than most others I demod including my Bonafide SS127 (which is real hard to flip, but very rickety on chop).,
they would have to make a system kinda like the Hobie Lynx.... fully adjustable rudder control
Make sure you grease the pedal threads if you ever want to get them off again.
I’m debating between this or the 120pdl. What’s your opinion? I’ll use it in Michigan city trolling that’s only “big water” I’ll be In
If you're going to be on Lake Michigan and do any offshore fishing, I'd say the Big Water all day. If you plan to fish harbors, harbor mouths and maybe right out in front of the harbors...you could do the 120. I just know that the Big Water will cut through that water and make trolling easier to do. Biggest advice is spend time in the Big Water, with no gear, and really push it to its limits so you can get a real feel for it. It's stable but in a slightly different way than say a 120pdl or my AP. Not in a bad way, just different. So really get a feel for it.
@@ChiCityYaker much appreciated
I have a really bum knee so wont be going with a Hobie PA 360 or Big Water PDL. Wish I could go hands free. I hear that the non PDL version is the same hull. How's it paddling this thing? Ive been fishing out of a 14.5' tandem (Can be configured for 1 paddler) recreational sit inside kayak for 10 years. I can sprint at 4.5-5mph. Sustained paddling is usually around 3mph. The seat and being locked into the cockpit beats up the back. So its time for a new more comfy yak. I want a long yak speed. I fish up in the Rockford area where I live. Been wanting to try Michigan some day. Thanks for the Vid. Subscribed.
Paddling is fine out of this yak because it cuts through the water. It's very good all purpose yak IMO.
on those mnt bike pedals, you can remove those pins to customize - i would remove the middle screws so if you do use it bare foot they wont be digging into your feet, there should be enough traction with only a couple of them. also be careful to not hit your shins lol
Lol sounds like you share this from experience of busting your shins on them. Noted! Thanks man
Thank you for the review! I'm really not finding a lot of quality reviews for the Bigwater, just the Predators and your in depthness was what I was looking for. It was good to have a fresh perspective on the current brand and helped a lot in my decision to order one! This thing is a Battleship! Do you feel comfortable standing in it?
Glad you found it helpful. I'd only stand in it if I was in flat calm conditions. It's not the same kind of a platform as my AP which has a big flat deck and different type of hull which has more stability in comparison.
It’s the same as a predator, maybe some additional deck plates and plastic parts
Nice job on the video 👍
Thanks 👍
Great vid
thanks
I cant pedal much from a bum leg so will be paddling... I need a paddle kayak so am considering the Big Water. I want speed and some stability. I hear people saying the seat sitting high creates that Tippy feeling in this Yak. You had a Kraken.. the seat appears to sit lower. Which one was more stable in the seated position if you can remember? Which one was faster? Id appreciate the feedback. I can get my hands on a new 15.5' Kraken for a grand and am thinking of trying it out What ya think? Thanks for the vids. Good stuff man!
Whats the name of the black fish bag you have in the video? I got a bigwater last april and am loving it. Looking at putting a bow mount trolling motor on next.
I don't recall from memory but I believe I have it listed on my Amazon shop if you wanted to look there: www.amazon.com/shop/chicityyaker
Debating that or 120 would be my first kayak been really wanted something stable but good for big lakes
Can’t go wrong with either, it just comes down to how you plan and want to fish. For sure demo both first is my advice
Are there any maps where you can launch your kayak in Chicago?
Not that I know of but I'm workng on a e-course covering port profiles which will cover launching for kayaks etc, in the future on my patreon.
Livin the life big dog! Full time fishing thats awesome! What did you do for a living before you became a content creator?
Was in the music/radio/entertainment industry. Thanks man I appreciate it.
Personal question, but how much do you weigh and how low are you in the water with this thing. I weigh in at 320 pounds and everything I’ve ever sat in, I’m way too lay in the water
Not sure what yaks you've been in but you're going to be low to the water. Many of these yaks have 500lb capacity so even at your weight it should be fine.
As a bigger guy how is standing in the kayak?
You can but it's not my most favorite kayak to stand on.
I not sure of stability on second trip out I flipped in the river lost $1200 in rods and had to swim along ways I going to sell it I don’t know what I did 15 years never flipped
Sorry that happened to you but if you kayak fishing long enough, it will happen. Happened to me in an Outback. I don't think its really the kayak but what we may have done that contributed to the flip. A wrong lean, wrong wave, etc can take out any kayak.
Is the stability significantly less than the AP? Or would you say pretty close? I have a AP and keep running into the issue that some lakes will not allow motors. The AP doesn’t paddle good so I find myself in the market for another kayak with a pedal drive. Great video thanks !!
not it's noticeably different feeling of stability. The AP is like a pontoon feel while the Big Water has a little more play on the side-to-side. That said, it IS plenty stable once you just spend time in it to learn its limitations. I love it...I use it for quick in/out or beach launches when I don't want to drag the big ol AP out.
@@ChiCityYaker one last thing bud, so do you prefer the pdl over your old hobie? Thanks for the help!
@Ryan Redland Hey Ryan, did he ever answer your question? Very interested in his response as I appreciate his logic.
I wish I could win a Hobie kayak pro angler either the 12 or 14