Pelican Catch 100 Review – Best Kayak at 10 Feet?

The Pelican Sport Catch 100 is a sit-on-top kayak that is a smaller version of Catch 120. It has a length of 10 feet with a width of 34 inches. However, when it comes to features, its smaller size doesn’t get in the way of it.

One of the first things to admire about this kayak is that it essentially comes with redesigned handles. These handles are more ergonomic making it easy to handle the kayak. Moreover, they have made the seat more comfortable by adding extra padding. The seat additionally has a handy accessory pocket available at the back, which is really cool.

Pelican Catch 100 has a high-low position seat which can lower to improve paddling. The seat can also be raised while casting the line. Pelican has built a set of very stable 34-inch footrests and installed a stand-assist rope. These really add a new level of comfort and utility. The combination of both makes the standing simple and easy.

Pelican Catch 100 Review

Just like every other kayak, Catch 100 has its own pros and cons. There are some areas where it takes the lead and in some areas, it lags behind. I have tested this kayak in both ideal and non-ideal conditions and here is what I have found about its different features.

Stability - A Attribute to Admire

If there is one feature that really stands about this kayak is its stability. I have taken it out on windy days and when the water is rough and so far it has not disappointed me. I think a shorter length and increased width is the reason behind it.

You can essentially stand on it even when the water is rough without worrying about flipping. Footrests that are of non-skid foam really help in this regard. Moreover, the stand-assist rope despite being a little bit short helps in balancing too. The best thing about non-skid foam is that it doesn’t really heat up so even if you are barefooted you can stand on it without burning your feet.

Storage - Plenty of Unusable Space

Catch 100 features a compartment at the front which runs all the way into the back. This might sound good but it isn’t as good as it sounds. One might think that it can be used to store fishing rods but the problem is it won’t fit in.

The compartment gets smaller as it runs to the back and the opening of this compartment is small as well. So, when you try to fit a fishing rod in it gets stuck. This renders this large storage compartment useless.

Even if you have smaller rods that can fit in, the rods would keep sliding forward and backward in them. I think the pelican should make this a dry hatch by putting some plastic bags or by making a compartment of waterproof cloth.

On the rear, however, there is a good amount of storage. There is enough space to fit a crate where you can put the tackles in. The network of bungee keeps the crate in place.

Seat - Comfortable and Efficient

Fishing demands patience and you can be patient as long as the seat you are sitting on is comfortable. Pelican has kept this in mind while making the seat. The extra padding provides the comfort that one needs on a fishing trip. You can sit on this seat for hours without getting tired.

Why I term this seat “efficient” is not because of its comfort, but for its design. You can adjust the seat of Catch 100 on two points. On the lower point, it makes the paddling easy by lowering the center of gravity. However, when you raise the seat, it makes the fishing better. The higher seat enables you to cast the lines easily and also provides you a broad and better view.

Rudder system - Tracks well in windy and rough conditions

Pelican Catch 100 comes with a pre-installed rudder system that is removable. I have found it to be very efficient in rough conditions. The paddles don’t get stuck in the railing, the railing is well lubricated and smooth.

Rod Holders - Not So Good but Satisfactory

Even though there are four rod-holder which may seem enough for a fishing kayak but here is a thing that is not right. The first set of rod holders is right beside the seat which seems fine but when you put the rods in and start paddling that is when you realize the problem. The rods would be so close that they would get in the way of paddles which is not something you need.

The other set of rod holders is where the seat ends. This set is the one that you can actually use. This leaves us with just two usable rod holders which personally I don’t think are enough for a fishing kayak.

However, you can purchase a crate that has rod holders and put it on the back of the kayak to increase the number of rods you can carry onboard.

Speed - Performs Well in Windy Condition

The Catch 100 is a speed kayak which is because of its lightweight and small size at 10 feet. It weighs just about 58 pounds which makes it able to move more speedily than the other kayaks.

I have tested it in windy condition and didn’t have any issue with the speed. It is a nice kayak if speed is the factor you really care about.

Maneuverability - Efficient in some conditions not so much in others

As the kayak is of smaller size its maneuverability is definitely better than a bigger kayak. In general, it is easy to control when there is no crate at the back of the kayak. In case a crate full of fishing tackle is present at the back it would affect its maneuverability.

The reason behind it is the front storage compartment. As I have told you before it is almost useless, so there wouldn’t be anything in that compartment. Hence, the weight would be distributed unevenly. This would cause a problem in maneuverability.

Transportation - Can Fit at the Back of Truck

The transportation is very easy because of its size at 10 feet. You would not require any special trolley to transport this as it can easily fit at the back of a truck. The ergonomic handles provide the help you need in moving.

Accessories - Comes with a really nice paddle

It comes with a really nice paddle that is lightweight but still effective. The blade side is enough to provide you the thrust you need. In short, these paddles work just fine and there is no need for you to purchase an extra paddle.

Weight- Easy to Carry

This kayak weighs just about 58 pounds which is really nice. The lightweight and ergonomic handles make you able to carry this kayak without tiring you. I can easily lift it and put it on the top of my car without requiring help from anyone.

Weight Capacity

This kayak has a weight capacity of around 350 pounds which means it can easily carry you and your fishing gear on board. After carrying all this stuff, it has plenty of capacity left for the fish you catch on the trip.

Ease of use- Good for Everyone

This kayak is good for both pros and for those who are just getting started. There isn’t any complex feature that one might find difficult to understand. For the pros, everything is right in order to make their trip comfortable and easy.

The material of construction- Built to last

The material used in its construction is multi-layer polyethylene with advanced resins at the top. This imparts a glossy finish and makes it more rigid than standard polyethylene.

Moreover, the material is strong enough to withstand the abuses water has to offer. So, if you are going for this you really shouldn’t worry about its durability.

Price - Affordable and Reasonable

The price of this kayak is quite justifiable. When we take a look at all the features it has to offer the price looks reasonable. If you are running low on the budget or an intermittent kayaker this is the best bet for you.

Verdict

If you are a recreational kayaker and don't want to spend more than $1000 on a kayak, Pelican Catch 100 is a good one for you. It has a comfortable seat, the material is durable, transportation is easy, and a list of other good features.

However, when it comes to features like storage, maneuverability, and rod holder this is where it lags a little bit behind. However, with the modifications I suggested above you can resolve these problems.

Pelican Catch 100 vs Pelican Catch 120

The Pelican Catch 120 is a bit heavier and weighs about 69 pounds. On the other hand, Catch 100 weighs about 58 pounds only. Catch 120 is also bigger in size. Because of this bigger size and weight, the speed of Catch 120 is less than Catch 100.

The rudder system of Catch 120 also lags behind, it doesn’t track well in rough waters and keeps wobbling around. When it comes to rod holders, the Catch 120 has just two, even though Catch 100 has four-rod holders, two are almost non-functional so they even out here.

The handles of Catch 120 look substandard and look like they will break if subjected to a little bit of abrasion. Catch 120 is more spacious so there is more amount for storage onboard. The price of both kayaks is pretty much the same.

A Table of Comparison for Pelican Catch 100 vs 120