The Best Fishing Platforms Offer Versatility
When it comes to SUP fishing, we’re firm believers that versatility is the name of the game.
It makes sense, right? After all, when the fish aren’t biting, the last thing you wanna do is keep on casting in the same eddy with the same old bait. Instead, you change your tackle. Or you change your location. It’s only fitting you have that same sort of flexibility with your SUP board or inflatable kayak.
That’s why we’ve created a fleet of fishing stand up paddle boards and kayaks that are not only dependable and badass but downright versatile and transformable, too. Because the best fishing SUPs should deliver on performance, enhancing your overall fishing experience.
So, read on for a rundown of our most transformable fishing vessels and why fishing stand up paddle boards and kayaks should put versatility high on the list of their functionalities.
The Importance of Expandable Platforms
When it comes to SUP fishing, we’re firm believers that versatility is the name of the game.
At the core of BOTE’s DNA is an obsession with, and commitment to, the idea of an “expandable platform.” What that means is, simply put, every board, kayak, and skiff we make should first and foremost be a damn fine paddle vessel. Thanks to the Darkroom, we have limitless ability to work on design and functionality to achieve peak paddling performance.
Once we’ve nailed that first criterion, the goal is to create a floating platform that can be tweaked and tinkered with to suit any paddler’s needs and wants. You want a stripped-back and understated setup? Go for it. Want something with a few more bells and whistles? Done. Want a full-on adventure paddle rig outfitted with a laundry list of Racs, rod holders, KULA coolers, and more? Easy peasy. With BOTE fishing paddle boards and kayaks, the world is your oyster.
You want a stripped-back and understated setup? Go for it. Want something with a few more bells and whistles? Done. Want a full-on adventure paddle rig outfitted with a laundry list of Racs, rod holders, KULA coolers, and more? Easy peasy.
The Benefits of Transformable Platforms
Somewhere along the line, we realized it wasn’t enough to merely make our platforms expandable. We figured we needed to go one step further and make them transformable, too.
A SUP that becomes a sit-on-top kayak? A kayak that becomes a SUP? A kayak that goes from paddle to pedal-driven in a matter of seconds? Now, THAT’s versatility.
With transformable platforms, you can kick up your SUP fishing game a few notches with, well, a few movements and adjustments. Whether you want to anchor in with a Sandspear and cast from a standing position on your paddle board or attach the Aero Paddle Seat and APEX Pedal Drive and troll from a seated position, the choice is yours. Because when it comes to your style of SUP fishing, the choice should always be yours.
The Best BOTE Vessels for Versatility
In terms of the best fishing SUP for you, you’ve got options. But a couple of our favorite options for pure versatility and transformability are the Rackham Aero 12’4”+ APEX•PD and the LONO Aero 12’4”+APEX•PD.
The Rackham Aero 12’4” with APEX Pedal Drive
The Rackham has long been one of BOTE’s most heavy-duty fishing stand up paddle boards. Dubbed the “Waterman’s SUP” for its supreme stability and 400lb carrying capacity—not to mention its feature-rich array of accessories and add-ons—the Rackham Aero 12’4” is a long-time favorite for SUP fishermen, hunters, and water pioneers.
And now, it’s better than ever before. For two simple reasons:
“The APEX Pedal Drive gives you options. It’s also easily removable. You simply pull the pin out and pull it up. That’s all she wrote.” - BOTE CEO & Co-Founder, Corey Cooper
That’s right; you can power your board-kayak-hybrid from your feet with ease and incredible speed and efficiency. Not to mention your hands will be paddle-free, so you’ll be freed up to cast a trolling line or sip a brewski from your MAGNEPOD™ in between biting sessions. The APEX Pedal Drive is built to pivot in and out of our APEX pedal port with ease so that you can transition from pedal-driven paddling to kayak paddling to stand up paddling with ease. In other words, with the Rackham Aero 12’4”, you’ll never be up creek without a paddle… even if you’re without a paddle.
And when you’re ready to transform your sit-down, pedal-driven kayak back into a SUP, simply pull out the APEX Pedal Drive, lift up the rudder control system, detach the Aero Paddle Seat, and stand up.
LONO Aero 12'4" with APEX Pedal Drive
Looking for another world-class fishing vessel that seamlessly transitions from paddle-driven to pedal-powered kayak to SUP board in no time? The LONO Aero 12’4” Inflatable Kayak with APEX Pedal Drive fits the bill. Known as the “Ultimate Fishing Inflatable,” the original LONO was BOTE’s initial venture into the inflatable kayak seascape. When the LONO first arrived on the scene, it played a not so insignificant role in revolutionizing the inflatable kayak market. Today, it continues to be a fan favorite in the fishing SUP/kayak niche.
These days, the LONO offers all the killer attributes it became known for, such as unmatched durability, peak performance, and a litany of feature-rich add-ons, including a KULA port, Rac receivers, bungee straps, and more.
In the words of Co-Founder & CEO Corey Cooper, “The LONO is a portable, packable, badass, high-end, inflatable fishing kayak.”
Best of all, the LONO can morph into several nifty configurations. For a traditional kayak configuration, the collapsible design of the 5-Piece Adjustable Kayak Paddle can be sized from 235cm to 260cm and broken down for easy transport. The lightweight fiberglass construction paired with slightly curved blades allows smooth and powerful paddling strokes.
For a pedal configuration, the revolutionary design of the APEX Pedal Drive + Rudder System (APEX•PD) is speedy and shockingly efficient. Simply insert the Pedal Drive into the clear-view pedal port and attach the rudder to the rudder mounts, and you're ready to hit the water in pedal configuration.
And for SUP configuration, just take out the seat and the removable top chamber and stand up for a different paddle experience on the LONO Aero.
Change Up Your Routine
Whether your go-to fishing setup is by kayak, SUP board, or land, there’s no better time than now to switch up your routine with a versatile water vessel that adapts to your needs. If you’re looking to enhance your SUP fishing experience, you might just find a little versatility goes a long way.