Transparency Note: Although I was not compensated by any manufacturer, some of the hardware reviewed in this article was provided to me free of charge for evaluation. The opinions and evaluations presented are entirely my own.

When I first started kayak bass fishing pedal skis instantly won me over. Hands-free control; The ability to shoot and maneuver without trying to juggle a shuttlecock was the way to go. But now canoe fishing has made another big breakthrough. Former City Athlete Büyük Su ePDL+ 132Combining pedal power with electric boost for unmatched speed, range and control on the water.

CHECK OUT THE FULL TOUR OF THIS ePDL SKI IN THE VIDEO BELOW:

This model includes a game-changing ePDL+ system, essentially like adding an e-bike motor to your kayak. Powered by a compact 36V, 20Ah lithium battery, it offers five speed settings for both power assist and full cruise control. At top speed of around four to five miles per hour, the battery will keep you moving for up to three hours, while mid-range settings will bump that up to 23 hours, and level one will get you over 40 hours before recharging!

And no matter how much I miss tournament bass fishingOwning a bass boat has not been a realistic option lately, especially for financial reasons. It has become increasingly difficult to find an affordable bass boat over the last decade. I feel like I’m probably not the only bass angler in this position. This ePDL+ kayak is pretty high-end for Old Town, and while it’s certainly not cheap for a kayak, $6000 is much easier to swallow than the $100,000 required for most new, fiberglass, bass boats.

Another reason I was so excited to try this fishing kayak with pedals and power assist was its overall size. As anyone who knows me will tell you, I am a much above average person; I am a man 1.70 meters tall, 290 meters tall. But at 13’2″ long and 36″ wide, this Old Town BigWater Athlete is right on the edge of being as big as it gets, but it’s still pretty easy to navigate on my own, but not impossible. This kayak carries my large body well with incredible stability. The boat is also equipped with thoughtful features such as non-slip EVA deck padding for stand-up fishing and dry storage in both the bow hatch and drive console; This is an absolute must for organizing my overload of fishing gear.

For anglers interested in gaining access to areas that many boat anglers cannot reach, the Old Town ePDL kayak opens up many possibilities. It’s also definitely capable of navigating larger waters, especially with ePDL+ electrical assistance. And on the rare occasions when you drain your battery in a single day, you’ll always have a pedal driver you can rely on to get you home.