Recently, Pelican International, Canada's budget conscious kayak make launched their newest line of kayaks dubbed – "Pelican Premium," with a accent on improved performance hulls minus the major mark-up in price you'd expect. The new Pelican Premium line boasts four "sit-in" and four "sit-on-top" kayaks in-all that are said to deliver bigger, bolder graphics and enhanced product features. This Spring we

Strike 100x Angler Review

were given the unique opportunity to be one of the first media outlets to fully test and review Pelican'due south line of premium boats. To boot things off we decided to accept a spin in the Strike 100x Angler, a mid-sized "sit-on-top" kayak with some killer features engineered specifically for paddling anglers.

The Strike 100x Angler is marketed past Pelican as "a simple, piece of cake-to-utilize gunkhole." Which is exactly what initially drew our attention to this kayak. As avid fishermen (and women) ourselves we sympathise the importance of a maneuverable boat with a functional layout for fishing. If the design is too elementary you miss out on useful features similar rod holders, paddle necktie-downs, etc… then again with an overly engineered cockpit y'all run into bug with cramped infinite, problem rigging and keeping your gear organized. The Strike 100x Angler seemed to have a squeamish balance of both going into our review.

For a closer (and interactive) await at what the Strike 100x Angler has to offer, take a moment to gyre over the images below…

Strike 100x Angler Key Features:

Weight: 53 lbs | Max Capacity: 325 lbs | Length: ten′ | Width: 30″ | Material: TST RAM-10 Premium

Starting this yr, in conjunction with the launch of Pelican'due south Premium make, all Pelican International make (Pelican, Elie, and Pelican Premium) kayaks will now characteristic a new limited lifetime warranty on their hulls. It'southward always overnice to see a company stand behind their product!

Strike 100x Angler Review"We understand that our manufacturing process is different than nigh other kayak manufacturers and nosotros want to remove any doubt that may be in the consumer'due south mind most the quality of our kayaks. We know that our manufacturing methods and exclusive materials produce the manufacture's stiffest, strongest and most durable polyethylene kayaks and we are ready to back that merits with a warranty that is worthy of our product." -Noel Basque, Pelican's Executive Manager of Sales

After spending several hours (totaling but over 20 in-all) paddling, fishing and tanning in the Strike 100x Angler through some of Western Michigan's about spectacular waterways we're now excited to share our experiences and opinions with you! And so get comfortable, because we're virtually to get in-depth. Savor…

Strike 100X Angler Review Breakdown

Design:

Equally a line-fishing kayak the Strike 100X Angler is simply nearly all yous could inquire for without going totally overboard. The rod holders (there'south three total) are essential and really fit a wide variety of rod grips – which is overnice as this has non been the case with most angler specific kayaks we've tested in the past. A great setup for fishing out of this kayak from our experience, is to carry two rods and 1 net (depending on what species you're going later) with ane rod and your cyberspace in each of the rear holders and the 2nd rod in the front swivel holder. The fish won't know what hit em – trust usa!

Strike 100x Angler Review

Across it's prowess as a stealthy fish-slayer. The Strike 100x Angler is as well like shooting fish in a barrel to go far / out of and is an all effectually fun kayak to paddle effectually in. Nosotros found that it handles quite well on both lakes and tedious moving rivers. It has great lines that make it 100% functional and besides quite stylish besides.

Some other design aspects we were impressed with were the paddle holder first and foremost  This is probably the virtually simple design element incorporated into the kayak, but during our testing sessions it was probable the nearly used element as well. We too found the adjustable pes pegs to exist piece of cake to apply and able to arrange a wide range paddlers. Additionally, we found the Strike 100x Angler'southward adjustable padded seat to exist rather comfortable… for a kayak… which means it's comfortable at outset so becomes less comfortable as the minutes plough into hours. All-in-all the padded seat is fine, but don't expect it to be like your living room lazy-boy. Inherently in that location's something about the motion of paddling a kayak that can brand any seat less comfortable.

Maneuverability:

For a wide – mostly flat lesser gunkhole the Strike 100x Angler really tracks along fairly direct. Much better than we had anticipated in fact. Most flat(er) bottom kayaks take a tenancy to migrate off course with ease. This tin be annoying, but information technology's ofttimes the sacrifice that is necessary to allow for the stability that'southward required for anglers looking to reel in large fish. At the rear of this kayak'south hull there's a brusk stubby steg. It might not wait similar much, but it works and it'southward what keeps this boat tracking.

If this kayak had a worst enemy information technology would be wind! On calm days information technology tracks along pretty well. Nothing similar a "V" bottom, but overall tracks quite well. So every bit before long as the air current kicks up say goodbye cut direct beyond the lake. With anything more than than 10 mph of wind the Strike 100x Angler turns into a sail – which doesn't completely render it un-maneuverable past any ways, only can make it a struggle at the end of a long day.

Overall we institute that this kayak handled both flat water lakes and boring moving rivers with ease. The boat turns exceptionally well, tracks better than expected and is actually glides impressively well making it piece of cake to cover lots of water without tiring too rapidly.

Stability:

Nosotros typically conceptualize a bit more stability from angler inspired kayaks considering fishing requires a lot of movement, fussing with gear and reeling in fish.  That beingness said, the Strike 100x Angler is still a comfortably stable kayak. Merely non overly stable in our opinion. Take your time and make certain you have the seat and foot pegs properly adjusted before you set out on a day of paddling or angling and you and your gear will stay perfectly dry.

Storage:

Strike 100x Angler Review

For its size (only 10 ft long) this kayak actually provides some fantabulous storage capabilities. The rear section is rather large and proved to be an excellent place for fishing gear (tackle, bait, libation, etc…) and has nice heavy duty bungees to keep everything in place should the waters go rough. We specifically liked the 8″ storage hatch backside the seat. Information technology'southward pretty hard to access while on the go, but is a slap-up selection for storing your necessities (wallet, telephone, GPS, keys, etc…) because within the hatch is a dry purse. Then fifty-fifty if the kayak tips over – everything in this hatch will remain high and dry.

At that place's too a quick lock storage hatch at the front of the boat. Accessing this area should but be done with your feet firmly in contact with the basis. We learned that the difficult way in 50 degree water. The hatch is simple to use by sliding the lever to the right to lock and to the left to unlock. The seal is watertight and since there's no bulkhead this storage area is also an ideal identify to shop your rods, net and tackle during transport.

Durability:

Strike 100x Angler Review You lot'd be surprised the beating a kayak will take throughout its life. From the garage, to your vehicle to the river or lake – it's being lifted, dragged, dropped and pummeled by underwater hazards. You might think since y'all're floating in h2o that your boat is going to stay shiny and new forever. Unfortunately that'south never the example.

During our time spent testing the Strike 100x Angler we didn't concord dorsum, but nosotros also didn't go out of our way to examination the limits of it'south TST RAM-Ten Premium deck and hull. Our durability tests consisted of real life employ and abuse. After more than a month of utilize several visible scrapes and scars forth the hull were noticeable, but zip that compromised the integrity of the boat.

Overall we were greatly impressed with the durability of this kayak. The new premium RAM-X material from which is information technology made is much stiffer than previous kayaks we've tested from Pelican. Every bit an added bonus – The Strike 100x Angler besides as all other Pelican Premium kayaks characteristic a limited lifetime warranty on their hulls. Other components and accessories are warranted for ane year. Some squeamish piece of listen!

Value:

At nearly $600 nosotros found the Strike 100x Angler to be a fair value. If aught else for its thoughtfully designed features, lightweight and overall durability. Y'all tin expect to pay anywhere from $700 to $1,100 from the other top brands and we feel that this gunkhole stacks up pretty well against most.

Buy Now: $635 + Free Shipping

Pelican Strike 100X Angler Kayak

The Strike 100x Angler from Pelican Premium is a fantastic all-around kayak. You lot don't have to exist an angler to enjoy it - but it sure does help! I have to say we enjoyed the heck out of our review model for the better part of the past two months. If you're a fisherman (or woman!) who'due south looking to conquer lakes and slow moving rivers in search of the the "BIG ONE" we highly recommend you consider the Strike 100x Angler equally one of your top options. It's highly maneuverable, loaded with storage options and downward-right simple to operate.

Design 8.viii

Maneuverability 8.4

Stability vii

Storage 9.3

Immovability 9.ane

Value 8.2

The Good:

  • Impressive Storage Chapters
  • Upkeep Friendly
  • Highly Durable

The Non so Good:

  • Stability Could be Improved
  • Cheap (yet comfy) Seating
  • Lacking a Proper Cup Holder

Reader Rating: (52 Votes)

5.0