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Every year, manufacturers of fishing kayaks for sale continue to push the envelope with newer and better innovations that redefine power, accessibility, portability, maintenance and storage solutions, and overall fisherman-friendly designs.

These are 5 of the most innovative features on the market right now. Look for these in any collection of fishing kayaks for sale.

Hobie’s Mirage Drive 360 with Kick-Up Fins

Conventionally, fishing kayaks that have been equipped with pedal drives offer one of two configurations. Either they are powered by fins or they are powered by propellers.

Propellers have their own problems - when idle, they produce a lot of drag, and they are no good in shallow water. Worse, they can easily get choked and incapacitated by weeds and line.

This has caused many anglers to gravitate towards pedal drive units that use fin propulsion. The issue, at least historically, has been that when one of the fins of these drives contact a submerged obstacle, they can be bent or damaged to the point of inoperability.

This issue no longer plagues drive systems like Hobie’s Mirage Drive 360, which offers full power in forward and reverse, and which is equipped with fins that automatically retract on impact with a submerged obstacle.

This makes this pedal drive system much better in shallow water, especially wherein there is a higher risk of running into some submerged object, like a log or piling, as it prevents damage to the drive system.

Hobie’s Fully Adjustable Vantage ST Seating

One of the big things about being on the water in a fishing kayak is comfort. While other, larger boats (and even canoes) have traditionally been more comfortable, many modern kayak manufacturers have started to take a serious focus on comfort and support.

Take, for instance, Hobie’s fully adjustable Vantage ST seating, that offers adjustable seat-bottom angle, back recline, and even lumber support, to keep you comfortable and well-supported all day on the water.

It’s built tough, with an aluminum frame, and, importantly, lets your skin breathe naturally thanks to its mesh construction - another important and central aspect of comfort on the water, especially during hot, muggy days.

The Unsinkable Construction of the Hobie Lynx

We’re hesitant to call any vessel unsinkable, citing what should be obvious historic precedents, but granted that you won’t be in the middle of the North Atlantic in one of these fishing kayaks, then consider the (nearly) unsinkable construction of the Hobie Lynx.

The Hobie Lynx is sort of like a hybrid between a true fishing kayak and a SUP. Rather than a hull that relies on displacement by capturing air in the void within, the Lynx features a hull consisting of a watertight, molded EPS foam core surrounded by layers of woven fiberglass and a thermoformed plastic skin.

This means that there’s no conventional “hull” to breach, which means water can’t get “in.” It also means that even if you roll the thing or wash the deck, she won’t go down - at least not to the bottom.

The Maintenance-Free Construction of Jackson’s Flex Drive Mark IV Pedal Drive

Other modern pedal drives, like the Flex Drive Mark IV of some Jackson Kayaks, still utilize propellers for propulsion, but offer an advanced design that requires less maintenance. Actually, in this instance, it requires none.

The Flex Drive Mark IV comprises two halves, an upper and lower unit. The upper and low units can be easily joined together and the upper unit is completely enclosed in a sealed oil bath, which means it can experience no moisture intrusion, effectively safeguarding the internals against corrosion.

It also means that, with the exception of rinsing down the drive system when you get it out of the water, it is entirely maintenance-free.

The Stackable Technology of the Jackson Staxx

Jackson Kayaks are also innovative in their design, particularly with respect to fleet storage solutions. Consider only the innovative and modular design of the Jackson Staxx, which is designed to be stackable, saving space, especially for fleet operators.

Boat rental facilities and marines as well as kayak adventure planners all may have a need for a variety of vessels in their fleets, but vessels take space. Fortunately, that is no longer an impediment thanks to the Jackson Staxx. The footprint of one single kayak can accommodate a much larger fleet, saving space and thereby money while also keeping the yard clean.

Explore Discount Fishing Kayaks for Sale at No Bad Days

On the hunt for a discount fishing kayak to set you up for next spring? Don’t overlook some of the models and technology mentioned here. These features can all be found in our catalog in some of the fishing kayaks for sale here, and these innovations are only indicative of more greatness to come from the engineers behind these kayak brands.

For more information, take a look through our full collection of fishing kayaks or get in touch with us at 512-229-0560 if you have questions or are looking for personalized recommendations.