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I just wanted share my experiences with the 2016 Pro Angler 14 - 10 days into ownership. Obviously, after 10 days, I am now an expert! That being said, I have had the PA out four times for just over 30 hours. They have been the best fishing hours I have had in a kayak. I have covered more water, and spent more time actually fishing than the previous 100 hours in my old boat. That is saying a lot, I love my old Cuda 12, it is a great boat. It is comfortable, stable and fast. It is just that the PA is more comfortable, more stable, and not only just as fast...but all day fast. And having your hands free to cast is a game changer. Sitting off a windy point - without an anchor - in the Cuda - was just frustrating. One cast, retrieve, paddle back in place, one cast, retrieve, paddle back, give up and go to the calm side. In the PA, peddle slowly into the wind staying in place, casting over and over the whole time...It is night and day.
I hit the lake at 7am on Saturday and left a little after 5pm. I would have stayed out longer, but i lost the ability to hold my rod. I have not casted that much in a kayak, ever. My last two casts saw the rod flying from my hand. I figured it was time to go when i no longer had the strength to hold onto my rod and reel! And thank god for rod floats! I mountain bike quite a bit, so the peddling was no problem. In fact, i felt just as good peddling in as i did leaving. I had a guy follow me into the dock with his bass boat. He of course had to question me about the kayak, and was shocked that it did not have a motor! He could not believe I was moving so quickly...in a kayak.
As far as standing goes, yes, i can stand in a kayak. I could stand in my Cuda. But here is the big difference, standing in the Cuda was always a 50/50 proposition... 50% chance i would fall in while standing or 50% chance I would fall in trying to sit back down. Standing in the PA 14 is just natural. In the high seat position, it is a no brainer, even for a 48 year old 6'1" 210# guy. It still feels a little shaky, like when i first started paddling, but try as i might - and i did not try that hard - i could not get it to feel tippy. I am not doing handstands, or back flips, but I can pitch into the brush from this thing, without issue. Something you just cannot do well sitting down. And the ability to just stretch out your legs and your back is unbelievably helpful during a full day on the water. Not to mention doing #1 standing is just so much easier than into a cup sitting, or having to paddle to shore or shallow water and climb out.
Then there is the seat. Jackson is known for a nice seat in their Kayaks. But the Vantage seat is heads above the Jackson for size, comfort and adjustability. I lounged it back and took a quick 20 minute nap... That is not to say it is perfect, this is not a Barcalounger, but it is pretty darn close. I did find myself wishing for just a bit more lumbar support. Thinking I may transfer the thermarest back support from my old yak over to this one. I was only in the low seat position once, and that was for my lounging nap...but it is nice to know it is there if i get into some weather or waves.
As far as stability goes, it passed with flying colors. Saturday was a VERY busy day on the lake. It was 65 and sunny, and i think everyone that owned a boat was out and about. That meant a lot of waves coming at all angles. I was always weary of these in my old kayak. After about the first hour in traffic, that fear was gone. That does not mean I will not pay attention, I just means that I have less fear of being dumped by a rogue wave. I am sure that at some point I will dump this boat, it is inevitable. But I am pretty sure it will be because of me pushing the limits and not the other way around.
Long story short, I really really like this boat. I have not had it long enough to say Love. I don't have a clue about dependability, hull strength, and quality. I am a little concerned about all the warnings on Hall Warping and Deformation from sitting in the sun, transportation and storage. I am concerned about the mechanics and longevity of the Mirage Drive. Of course, i was just as concerned with my last boat, and it proved it was one tough beast. Hoping the same is true of this one.
I have so many accessories to install it is ridiculous, I still have work to do on the trailer, I ordered and received LED lights for the interior, a switch panel, yakattack everything, transferring stuff from old boat to new. But I just cannot find the time...i would rather be fishing. I figure this time around, I am going to take my time. Build it over time, I have the parts, I am sure I will find more to buy, but I am going to do it right, slowly, and not let it get in the way of me being out on the water. There are very few accessories that are going to really make me catch more fish than just being on the water. Though I do hope for a couple of rainy, cold days...maybe a last snow storm...so i can sit in the garage and fiddle with my new toy.
So, if you are thinking about upgrading to a PA... DO IT!
_________________ STLKayak2020 Pro Angler 14 360 St. Louis, Missouri https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937
Last edited by STLKayak on Mon Mar 28, 2016 9:57 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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