Description

The Pelican Catch 130 HyDryve is a sit-on-top, pedal-drive fishing kayak built for anglers who want hands-free propulsion, good capacity for gear, stability, and feature-rich rigging. It combines a pedal (fin-drive) system with a tunnel hull and many fishing-friendly accessories. It’s aimed at people who want more capability than a basic paddled kayak but without stepping up to something very high cost (e.g. Hobie, bigger expedition pedal / motor boats).

Key Features & Fishing Accessories

Here are the main features that make this kayak a “fishing kayak” rather than just a standard recreational model:

• HyDryve Pedal Drive & Rudder: Allows hands-free propulsion, better control, maneuverability. Good for shallow water and vegetation because fins instead of propellers.

• Storage Options:

  • Two tank wells (front and rear) with bungee cords to secure gear.

  • An 8″ day hatch (with storage bag) for smaller items.

  • Flush-mount rod holders.

  • Rigging tracks / gear rails for mounting accessories (fish finders, electronics, rod holders etc.)

  • Bottle or tackle box holder with bungee.

• Deck & Surface:

  • Anti-slip carpet (for sure footing while pedaling / moving around)

  • Paddle tie-downs, accessory eyelets for securing small gear.

• Handling & Steering:

  • Rudder controlled by a tiller or line, helps with tracking and staying straight in wind or current.

  • Tunnel hull designed to improve stability and make standing up more feasible.

• Transport / Durability:

  • Built with robust materials (RAM-X Premium) that resist UV damage, dents, impacts.

  • Carry handles (bow, stern) for moving it.

  • Drain plug to let water out from the hull when needed.

Strengths & Advantages

What this kayak does really well:

1. Hands-free pedaling: Allows angler to use legs instead of arms, which can extend range, reduce fatigue, and free hands for casting, fishing, handling gear.

2. Stability: Wide beam (34″), tunnel hull, stable deck platform make it quite stable even when moving or standing. Good for fishing scenarios.

3. Capacity: Able to carry a lot of gear + angler weight (425 lbs) without overburdening.

4. Feature-rich: The rigging tracks, rod holders, storage wells, hatches etc. come with it. Great for customizing and rigging to your style.

5. Durability & weight trade-off: Thermoformed RAM-X is generally lighter than equivalent rotomolded kayak parts, yet with added resin & top layer it has improved stiffness. That balances weight vs strength.

Summary / Bottom Line

The Pelican Catch 130 HyDryve is a strong candidate if you want a fishing kayak that gives you:

• Hands-free propulsion via pedal/fin drive,

• Good stability for fishing and casting,

• Ample capacity for you + gear,

• A wealth of fishing features built in,

All at a price lower than top-of-the-line pedal kayaks. If you buy one, be sure to consider spares or replacement parts for the pedal drive ahead of time, understand how you’ll transport it (weight), and inspect the drive installation / hull seals to avoid water leaks or drive failures.