One of the first things you notice when fist sitting down in this kayak is the deep cockpit that makes you feel almost like you are sitting in a sit-inside kayak instead of a sit-on-top and the feeling of control that it provides is significant.

The adjustable back band combined with the adjustable foot braces and the deep foot wells make the cockpit very comfortable and of course, the adjustable foot braces will accommodate paddlers with varying inseam lengths. Another feature that I really appreciate is the room provided in front of the seat unobstructed by either a day hatch or a console and thus, it is very easy to stand in this kayak while fishing.

In addition, the modified hard chine hull is very stable and the molded-in skeg in the stern causes the kayak to track well. However, I like the fact that it is also available with an optional rudder system for paddling on those especially windy days or for those occasions when you exit protected waters into unexpectedly windy conditions.

In addition, I felt that positioning the day hatch between the seat and the tank well was an excellent idea since it both creates a large hold and gets the hatch cover out of the way while still keeping it within easy reach and I also felt that placing the paddle clip on the aft, port, gunwale was an excellent idea because it both contains the paddle and gets it out of the way when fishing but also keeps it within easy reach for minor adjustments to your position on the water. On the other hand, I was a bit disappointed to see such meager seating system on such a nice kayak and thus, I feel that it could definitely benefit from being retrofitted with a more elaborate backband/seat cushion combination.

Last, the tank well in the stern is perfect for carrying a small cooler or a live bait well and the bow hatch provides access to a rather large hold for storing bulky items that you need to keep dry such as a jacket and/or extra clothing. Thus, although there are some features that I would change about this kayak, all things considered, it is definitely one of my favorites!

Although the seating accommodations and outfitting on this kayak are meager at best, both shortcomings could be alleviated with a little aftermarket customization.

Also, since I am an experienced paddler, I happen to favor long, slim, kayaks over short, wide, ones and thus, this kayak does meet my minimum standards for an acceptable fishing kayak.

Thus, with a little work, I believe that it would make an excellent fishing kayak for reaching those distant locations and/or for punching through the surf zone as well as for fishing on large lakes as well as open bays and sounds due its relatively long length and narrow beam.