Question for Pro Angler 12/14 owners - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

deepdvr · 09-13-2012, 09:07 PM

Steering/drifting is a definite weakness on the PA. Its even more interesting when you are going for a sleigh ride. I know a few guys that are contemplating going back to the revo. Its still arguably the best yak fishing platform available but they also have room for improvement.

OutdoorAdvntr · 09-14-2012, 06:30 AM

hi, not to hijack the thread. but i guess this is also related.. i'm wondering if you use anchor in the ocean? or it is only use in the bay? thanks!

RockyRaab · 09-14-2012, 06:35 AM

I only use my Prangler 14 on lakes. I control drift speed and direction easily using a drift chute with the line fed through an anchor trolley. By moving the trolley ring forward or backward, it changes the angle of the hull to wind anywhere from parallel to perpendicular, and thus the direction of drift. I can drift bow or stern forward, as desired. Positioning the rudder helps, also.

As to response time, you do have to have forward speed for any rudder to work. As mentioned, a burst of "quiver" kicks on the pedals will give you enough forward motion to turn quickly.

Rufus · 09-15-2012, 08:59 PM

As to response time, you do have to have forward speed for any rudder to work. As mentioned, a burst of "quiver" kicks on the pedals will give you enough forward motion to turn quickly.[/QUOTE]

I apologize for being pickey, but it's not your forward speed, it's water flow over the rudder.

You can be anchored with zero forward speed and have plenty of stearage in a current.

But yes, to your point, give it a few kicks to get water flowing over your rudder and all of a sudden you'll have rudder response.

RockyRaab · 09-16-2012, 06:39 AM

Allow me to be picky (spelled correctly) right back at you: Forward speed IS water flow over the rudder. So is rearward speed, of course.

A boat anchored in current still has forward speed - relative to the water, which is all that counts. Motion relative to the bottom, or the dock, or the shore is irrelevant. You'd still have steerage (also spelled correctly.)

driftwood · 09-14-2012, 06:41 AM

My PA 14 turns on a dime unless iits windy and yesterday was real shoppy and windy. most everyone that was paddling left eary or got blown back to the launch.

I was comfortable in my PA inspite of inclement weather.

Iceman · 09-14-2012, 07:22 AM

David, PA will definitely catch more wind than your Outback, you may want to use the anchor trolley and drift chute to keep it pointed where you want it in higher wind/stronger current.

PapaDave · 09-14-2012, 08:19 AM

If the drift is in the 0.8-1.0 range I usually keep the kayak into the wind before setting the drift by slowly peddling into the wind. Or I will just use the side drift keeping the rudder hard to the left or right and keeping the peddles down. You can vary the angle and speeed by raising or lowering the peddles (not taking them out, just moving one peddle all the way forward) or by decreasing the angle of the rudder. Works real well once you get the hang of it. If the drift is faster I will use a drift chute to keep the nose pointed into the wind. I have an anchor also but only use the in the harbor or bays, not sure I want to use it in the open water, swells could be a big hazard there.

The steering on the PA can be a pain, you have to be moving for it to work. When you start moving keep the rudder straight for a few feet then turn. There seems to be a backwash when you start off with the rudder maxed to one side, the water forms an eddie that will cause you to go the opposite direction.

As mentioned before, you will get the hang of it, try to picture yourself in a big boat and how that responds to the steering and current.

Have fun

dc1983 · 09-14-2012, 06:58 PM

Thanks, everyone for the responses. I picked up a drift chute and going to go out on sunday at Dana Point and give it another try. Still like the PA 12, Imean there is so much room whats not to like.

jorluivil · 09-14-2012, 10:29 PM

It takes some practice but you can point it in the direction you want using the rudder and the mirage drives. I've gone as far as lifting my rudder up and getting the drives in the up or flat position and letting the wind do its thing. Sometimes the bait tank will act as a sail and force the rear of the kayak to point downwind. Again, it takes practice but it is possible to make the kayak face the direction you want.....goodluck

RockyRaab · 09-15-2012, 07:59 AM

Good info, PapaDave. But those things we put our feet on are PEDALS

Old Man in the Sea · 09-15-2012, 04:21 PM

nothing like teaching an old swap meet peddler how to pedal...
yea I thought I saw a kayak guy with big white sign selling live bait and he was having trouble controlling his drift because of the current and the wind blowing the sign...

09-13-2012, 09:07 PM	#1
deepdvr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 591	Steering/drifting is a definite weakness on the PA. Its even more interesting when you are going for a sleigh ride. I know a few guys that are contemplating going back to the revo. Its still arguably the best yak fishing platform available but they also have room for improvement. __________________

09-14-2012, 07:22 AM	#7
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,943	David, PA will definitely catch more wind than your Outback, you may want to use the anchor trolley and drift chute to keep it pointed where you want it in higher wind/stronger current. __________________

09-14-2012, 08:19 AM	#8
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,461	If the drift is in the 0.8-1.0 range I usually keep the kayak into the wind before setting the drift by slowly peddling into the wind. Or I will just use the side drift keeping the rudder hard to the left or right and keeping the peddles down. You can vary the angle and speeed by raising or lowering the peddles (not taking them out, just moving one peddle all the way forward) or by decreasing the angle of the rudder. Works real well once you get the hang of it. If the drift is faster I will use a drift chute to keep the nose pointed into the wind. I have an anchor also but only use the in the harbor or bays, not sure I want to use it in the open water, swells could be a big hazard there. The steering on the PA can be a pain, you have to be moving for it to work. When you start moving keep the rudder straight for a few feet then turn. There seems to be a backwash when you start off with the rudder maxed to one side, the water forms an eddie that will cause you to go the opposite direction. As mentioned before, you will get the hang of it, try to picture yourself in a big boat and how that responds to the steering and current. Have fun __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish...

09-14-2012, 06:58 PM	#9
dc1983 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Laguna Hills, Ca Posts: 309	Thanks, everyone for the responses. I picked up a drift chute and going to go out on sunday at Dana Point and give it another try. Still like the PA 12, Imean there is so much room whats not to like. Last edited by dc1983; 09-14-2012 at 07:08 PM.

09-14-2012, 10:29 PM	#10
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,855	It takes some practice but you can point it in the direction you want using the rudder and the mirage drives. I've gone as far as lifting my rudder up and getting the drives in the up or flat position and letting the wind do its thing. Sometimes the bait tank will act as a sail and force the rear of the kayak to point downwind. Again, it takes practice but it is possible to make the kayak face the direction you want.....goodluck __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

09-14-2012, 06:30 AM	#2
OutdoorAdvntr Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: RC Posts: 71	hi, not to hijack the thread. but i guess this is also related.. i'm wondering if you use anchor in the ocean? or it is only use in the bay? thanks!

09-14-2012, 06:35 AM	#3
RockyRaab Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 138	I only use my Prangler 14 on lakes. I control drift speed and direction easily using a drift chute with the line fed through an anchor trolley. By moving the trolley ring forward or backward, it changes the angle of the hull to wind anywhere from parallel to perpendicular, and thus the direction of drift. I can drift bow or stern forward, as desired. Positioning the rudder helps, also. As to response time, you do have to have forward speed for any rudder to work. As mentioned, a burst of "quiver" kicks on the pedals will give you enough forward motion to turn quickly.

09-15-2012, 08:59 PM	#4
Rufus Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Ocean Beach Posts: 90	As to response time, you do have to have forward speed for any rudder to work. As mentioned, a burst of "quiver" kicks on the pedals will give you enough forward motion to turn quickly.[/QUOTE] I apologize for being pickey, but it's not your forward speed, it's water flow over the rudder. You can be anchored with zero forward speed and have plenty of stearage in a current. But yes, to your point, give it a few kicks to get water flowing over your rudder and all of a sudden you'll have rudder response.

09-16-2012, 06:39 AM	#5
RockyRaab Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 138	Allow me to be picky (spelled correctly) right back at you: Forward speed IS water flow over the rudder. So is rearward speed, of course. A boat anchored in current still has forward speed - relative to the water, which is all that counts. Motion relative to the bottom, or the dock, or the shore is irrelevant. You'd still have steerage (also spelled correctly.)

09-14-2012, 06:41 AM	#6
driftwood Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SAN DIEGO Posts: 1,086	My PA 14 turns on a dime unless iits windy and yesterday was real shoppy and windy. most everyone that was paddling left eary or got blown back to the launch. I was comfortable in my PA inspite of inclement weather.

09-15-2012, 07:59 AM	#11
RockyRaab Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 138	Good info, PapaDave. But those things we put our feet on are PEDALS

09-15-2012, 04:21 PM	#12
Old Man in the Sea Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bay Park Posts: 569	haha nothing like teaching an old swap meet peddler how to pedal... yea I thought I saw a kayak guy with big white sign selling live bait and he was having trouble controlling his drift because of the current and the wind blowing the sign...