I waited about a month and completed five or six fishing trips before writing this review because I wanted enough time on the water to identify both the strengths and weaknesses of this kayak.
For some background, I live on the lake and keep the kayak in the water for most of the summer, only pulling it out occasionally to clean the hull. This is my first pedal kayak after years of fishing from a Lifetime paddle kayak, so my perspective is from someone making that transition.
What I Love
Coming from a budget paddle kayak, this has been an absolute game changer. The difference is hard to overstate. If I had realized how much more enjoyable fishing would be without constantly putting the rod down to correct my position, only to drift off target a cast or two later, I would have bought a pedal kayak years ago.
The tri-hull design is incredibly stable. Standing to fish feels natural, and sitting back down is just as easy. At no point have I felt unstable or uncomfortable.
The pedal drive is quiet, smooth, and easy to operate. It's also light enough that installing or removing it isn't a chore.
Overall, the kayak appears to be very well built. The accessory rails are well positioned, the storage wells are practical, and the access ports are adequately sized. I can fit a standard milk crate in the rear storage area with rod holders on both sides, allowing me to carry up to eight rods without issue.
Things I'd Improve
Seat Comfort
The seat isn't the most comfortable seat on the market, but it's more than adequate for a typical 5-6 hour fishing trip. For reference, I'm 5'8" and have the seat positioned in the middle of its forward/back adjustment range, which seems to be the sweet spot for me.
My biggest complaint isn't the comfort—it's the noise. The seat material tends to creak against the metal frame as you shift your weight. I'm not sure whether this has any effect on fishing or if it will quiet down as the seat breaks in over time. Either way, it's not a deal breaker, but it's something prospective buyers should be aware of.
Floor Panels & Scupper Holes
The removable padded floor panels are comfortable, but they cover multiple scupper holes. Unfortunately, that means you can't install scupper plugs while using the floor panels. You're forced to choose between having the padded flooring or plugging those scupper holes—you can't have both. It's not a deal breaker, but it feels like a design oversight.
Weight
At roughly 120 pounds with the pedal drive installed, this kayak is no lightweight. It's heavy and not particularly fast. For me, that's perfectly acceptable because it stays in the water for most of the season and I'm never in a hurry while fishing.
However, if you'll be loading it into a truck, transporting it frequently, launching and recovering it every trip, or racing 15 anglers to the best spot in your local tournament, the weight should be a major consideration.
Prop Centering
I'm also not a fan of the prop-centering mechanism. This may be user error, but I've never been able to consistently center the prop using the centering mechanism. Instead, I've simply memorized the pedal position that lines it up correctly.
Pedals Working Loose
One minor annoyance is that I always carry an Allen wrench with me. Occasionally, the pedals begin to loosen, and you'll hear a clicking noise that lets you know it's time to tighten them. I've tried using Loctite, which helps for a while, but eventually the pedals still work themselves loose.
It's a small inconvenience, but one worth mentioning.
Purchase & Delivery
Eco Fishing was excellent throughout the buying process. The kayak arrived a little over a week after I ordered it, communication was consistent from start to finish, and everything happened exactly as promised. I couldn't have asked for a better purchasing experience.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I'm extremely happy with this purchase. For the price, I think this kayak offers tremendous value. It has dramatically improved my time on the water, and I find myself fishing more often simply because it's so much easier and more enjoyable to use.
It's not perfect, but none of the issues I've mentioned would keep me from buying it again. The stability, pedal drive, build quality, and overall fishability far outweigh the few minor shortcomings.
If your priorities are stability, comfort, and spending long days fishing, I would absolutely recommend it. Just be prepared for the extra weight if you plan to transport it frequently.