Pelican Ambassador

Featuring Marty Zoffinger

Long-Term Pelican Ambassador | DIY Master | On-Water Minimalist

“You don't need a thousand-dollar setup to find a million-dollar view. You just need a hull that holds up and the curiosity to see what’s around the next bend.”
— Marty Zoffinger

For about twenty years, Marty Zoffinger has been the voice of the everyday kayak angler.

Through his legendary YouTube channel, he’s shown that adventure isn’t reserved for tournament pros or high-end rigs. It’s for anyone willing to launch before sunrise and paddle past the noise.

Marty Zoffinger Pelican and Wilderness Systems Ambassador

Marty Zoffinger launched his YouTube channel, zoffinger, in 2006, making him one of the true OG creators in the kayak fishing space. What began as raw, minimalist fishing edits in the late 2000s evolved into the beloved Life of Marty series — a deeper, vlog-style window into simplicity, adventure, and his personal connection to nature.

Across more than 1,500 videos and nearly two decades on the platform, Marty has become the go-to authority for practical, affordable DIY rigging, proving what’s possible with creativity and a dependable hull. His long-term partnership with Pelican grew organically from that authenticity.

Marty’s relationship with Pelican stretches back well over a decade, long before ambassador titles were ever part of the conversation. From the iconic red Kon Tiki to his latest custom builds, Pelican hulls have been the constant platform behind his evolution as a creator and angler. As his DIY rigging videos gained momentum and inspired a generation of kayak fishermen, his partnership with Pelican naturally deepened into an official ambassador role in the mid-2010s.

More than a sponsorship, it’s a long-standing alignment built on shared values: rugged durability, accessible adventure, and the freedom to personalize a simple, reliable kayak into something uniquely your own.

THE ZOFFINGER WAY

“If It Doesn’t Exist, Build It.”

Marty is the undisputed master of the budget rig.

His “Zoffinger Upgrades” have inspired thousands of paddlers to customize their kayaks without draining their wallets. PVC rod holders. Homemade anchor systems. Hand-built live wells. Smart storage solutions built from scratch.

He proves every day that you don’t need a catalog build — you need imagination.

Marty Zoffinger preparing his gear and fishing from a kayak

Why Marty Chooses Pelican

Ram-X™ Durability
"I drag ’em over oyster bars and rocks. They don’t quit."

Lightweight Freedom
Easy to load. Easy to launch. No excuses.

The Perfect DIY Platform
A clean hull. An open deck. A blank canvas for creativity.

Marty Zoffinger standing on shore next to his Pelican Getaway kayak

Marty’s DIY Philosophy

Keep It Simple
If a brick works as an anchor, use a brick.

Function Over Fashion
Rig for how you fish — not how it looks in a showroom.

Safety First
Respect the water. Every trip starts with preparation.

Pick Your Ticket to Adventure

After thousands of hours on the water, these models have earned their place in Marty’s lineup:

ARGO SERIES

The Escape Vessel

"The Argo is my ticket to quiet places. It’s light, stable, and gets me into water the big boats can’t reach."

Compact, maneuverable, and easy to transport, the Argo is designed for those who want to head out on an adventure without overcomplicating things.

SHOP ARGO

Marty Zoffinger standing with his Pelican Argo 100XR kayak

SEEK 100XP Angler

The Ultimate DIY Canvas

"The Seek is built for the minimalist angler. Open deck. Clean layout. Room for smart customization."

Comfort for a full day. Flexibility for your own rigging ideas.

SHOP SEEK 100XP Angler

Marty Zoffinger standing next to his Pelican SEEK 100XP angler fishing kayak

CATCH SERIES

When It’s Time to Get Serious

"When I need a platform I can stand on or mount up for a longer run, the Catch is the workhorse."

Stable. Confident. Built for bigger days.

SHOP CATCH

Marty Zoffinger’s dog sitting in a Pelican Bass Raider fishing boat on a dock

READY TO WRITE YOUR OWN STORY?

You don’t need a massive budget.
You don’t need a tournament jersey.

You need a paddle, a plan, and a hull that holds up

FIND YOUR PELICAN KAYAK

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY

From five-minute fishing breaks to full-day solo missions, Marty’s feed captures what kayak fishing is really about... moments.

YouTube: @zoffinger
Facebook: Love Kayak Fishing
Instagram: @martyzoffinger

Join the community of paddlers who know the best views aren’t found at the dock — they’re found just past the shoreline.

Marty Zoffinger outdoors with his dog