Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, gather around and behold the latest kayak and standup paddleboard hybrid. Notice the wide, flat deck, comfortable frame seat and space for a tackle crate. But wait! What’s this? The mash-up is made out of thermoformed plastic, costs less than $1,000 and weighs 59 pounds. And if that isn’t enough, friends and neighbors, the Pelican Catch Kicker 110 HDII has a pedal system. The crowd goes wild.
Hybrid Review: Pelican Catch Kicker 110 HDII
Pelican Catch Kicker HDII Specs
Length: 10’6”
Width: 33”
Weight: 59 lbs
Capacity: 300 lbs
MSRP: $999
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It doesn’t take a carnival barker to introduce Pelican’s latest user-friendly and fishing-capable kayak, the boat’s sensible design speaks for itself. Pelican enters into the hybrid kayak race competing with boats like Hobie Mirage Lynx, but the Catch Kicker weighs and costs less.
Pelican is famous for thermoformed kayaks made by molding sheets of plastic into the top and bottom of the kayak then joining the two halves. The process is faster, less expensive and lighter. Thermoformed boats last a lifetime and take a beating; the biggest downside is thermoformed kayaks aren’t as easy to repair as a rotomolded kayaks.
The SUP and kayak hybrid has been around for a long time. Everyone wants a capable fishing platform that is easy to store and transport. The paradox: A small, lightweight kayak does not perform as well as a bigger, heavier boat. The solution: Add a pedal system to improve handling and increase speed. The result: Hybrid pedal kayaks are wildly popular and surprisingly capable. The easy-to-own pedal kayak is great not only for beginners, it’s also a practical grab-and-go addition to a serious angler’s fleet.
Layout and Design
The Pelican Catch Kicker is a lightweight, simple, easy-to-own hybrid with the most important fishing features. The Kicker’s design and layout reflect an emphasis on easy operation and functionality.
For example, the hull is designed to maximize stability with a wide stern supported by a catamaran hull. The deep, sharp bow cuts through the water and rides over waves while the broad 33-inch beam provides plenty of space for fishing.
On the topside, the Catch Kicker is a wide-open canvas. Tie-downs in the bow are perfect for a bungee net to hold easy-to-access gear.
Behind the seat, two flushmount rod holders provide quick rod storage. An elevated, open space is shaped to hold a 13-by-13-inch gear crate with complimentary bungees to secure gear.
Comfort is one of the big advantages of a sit-on-top SUP. The Catch Kicker adds an elevated frame seat with breathable, quick-drying mesh and lower-back-saving lumbar support. Fold the seat back down to expose a standing platform for standup fishing.
Performance
People purchase a hybrid sit-on-top standup paddleboard for the transport and storage advantages of a standup paddleboard and the fishability and comfort of a sit-on-top fishing kayak.
I can easily cartop the Kicker and store the boat propped on its side in the yard. The hybrid weighs 59 pounds, considerably lighter than a full-size fishing kayak. I can drag and carry the boat short distances or use a light kayak cart to move the boat from my car to the launch.
On the water, the wide, flat deck provides space to adjust my position and fish in any direction.
The narrow beam and deep bow along with rudder and pedal drive make the lightweight kayak easy to paddle with a SUP paddle. Seated, I can propel the Kicker with a two-blade kayak paddle.
To solve the performance problem faced by standup paddleboards, the Kicker has a pedal drive and hand-controlled rudder. Pelican installed a fin drive to reduce weight and keep the system simple. Combined with the matching rudder, the fin drive easily propels and maneuvers the kayak.
Fin drives are great for shallow-water fishing, where the Catch Kicker excels. When I enter water too shallow for the fins, I simply push one pedal forward and the fins fold flat against the hull. Or, I can quickly remove the fin drive from the boat to beach land and transport.
Who should buy the Pelican Catch Kicker 110 HDII
The Pelican Catch Kicker 110 HDII is perfect for beginner anglers looking for an easy entry into kayak fishing. The boat is also a great addition to an experienced angler’s kayak fleet offering a grab-and-go option that allows me to fish more often by leaving my full-feature kayak at home.
The lightweight, simple kayak is easy to own and the pedal system makes it easy to fish. The price tag also encourages new anglers to dip a toe in the kayak fishing water. If your intention is to kayak fish sheltered water with limited tackle, the Catch Kicker is a perfect fit.
For established kayak anglers, the Catch Kicker offers a great addition to the kayak arsenal. I have a full-feature, motorized kayak with all the bells and whistles for big water and hard-core fishing.
I use the Pelican Catch Kicker for quick trips after work to the local neighborhood pond. The shallow-draft kayak with fin drive and casting platform is the best choice for shallow-water fishing. I use it for sight fishing redfish and going deep into the vegetation to chase snakehead and bass. When I return to the launch, the light, compact boat is quicker to load and transport than my big boat.
News of a new hybrid kayak isn’t earthshaking, but a super-light, pedal-powered hybrid with a frame seat and elevated standing platform shakes up the category. The lightweight, stable and comfortable Catch Kicker isn’t just user-friendly, it’s fishing friendly, too.
SUP convenience with kayak fishability. | Feature photo: Patrick Hayes
