I've spent the lot of time testing the viking profish reload over the last few seasons, and it's one of those motorboats that just makes sense as soon as a person slide it into the surf. When you've been looking for a kayak that amounts speed, stability, plus pure fishing power, you've probably observed this name appear a dozen instances. But what will be it actually want to live with?
Most fishing kayaks these days are leaning toward being "mini-barges"—super wide, heavy, and constructed for standing up. That's cool with regard to some people, when you actually appreciate the act associated with paddling and wish to include some distance in order to get to the "secret" spots, a person need different things. That's exactly where this boat fits within.
The Guru from the Tackle Pod System
The "Reload" part of the name isn't just marketing filler. It refers in order to the viking profish reload 's signature feature: the detachable Tackle Pod. I honestly think every single fishing kayak ought to have something like this.
Essentially, the particular center of the boat has the large, removable system. You can rig your fish locater, your battery, and all your wiring directly into this pod. When you get home from a long time on the drinking water, you don't have to lug the whole 15-foot kayak close to an outlet or even fumble with cables at nighttime. You simply unclip the pod, carry it into your garage or house, and plug it in.
It also means you are able to keep your costly electronics safe inside as the kayak stays on the top racks or even within the yard. Upon the water, it's a massive storage space bin right between your legs. I use mine to keep my tackle boxes, some spare chief, and even my phone in the dry bag. It's right there when you need it, and it keeps the particular deck clutter-free.
How It Manages the Rough Things
Main points I noticed regarding the viking profish reload is exactly how it handles a swell. At on the subject of 14. 8 feet long, it's got enough waterline size to track straight because an arrow, actually when the breeze starts picking upward. It isn't a wide, sluggish motorboat that gets pushed around by every single little wave.
The hull design is pretty clever. It's got a relatively narrow entry point in the bow, which helps it cut through chop rather than slamming straight into it. If you've ever paddled the wider, flatter kayak into a headwind, you know that "slapping" sound—it's exhausting. This particular boat just skims.
Stability-wise, it's what I'd call "predictable. " It might feel a little "tippy" to some complete beginner since it has a curved hull for speed, but its secondary balance is rock solid. Once you low fat it over the bit, it fastens in. I've landed some pretty decent-sized kingfish and snapper from this seat, and I've never experienced like I used to be going for an accidental swim.
Created for People Who In fact Fish
You can tell the particular designers at Viking are actually fishermen. There are small touches all more than the viking profish reload that make a long time within the ocean method more comfortable.
For instance, look at the scalloped sides of the cockpit. They've shaved down the plastic material right where your own paddle blade enters the water. This means you aren't continuously banging your knuckles or the exercise shaft against the particular side of the particular boat. This might sound like a small point, but after 5, 000 strokes, both hands will thank you.
Then there's the storage. The front hatch will be enormous. I generally keep my dried out clothes, a safety kit, and probably a small cart in there. But the real superstar is the optionally available "Chill Pod" that will fits into the particular rear well. It's a custom-shaped cooler that follows the particular lines of the kayak. If you're keeping catch the table, it's the must-have. It maintains the weight low and the seafood cold, and this looks way much better than a random crate strapped to the back with bungee cords.
The Transducer Mount
If you've actually struggled with "Goop" or messy through-hull transducer installs, you'll love this. The viking profish reload has a dedicated transducer scupper hole right below the Tackle Pod. The transducer sits in a sunken area where it's protected from rocks and sand, but it's in immediate contact with the water. This provides a person much clearer sonar readings than firing through a layer of plastic plus glue.
Is It Too Heavy in order to Manage?
Let's be real for a second—this is a big boat. With around 64 lbs (29kg) without the particular pods, it isn't a featherweight. In the event that you're planning on lifting this on to a high VEHICLE roof by yourself, you're going in order to want a great technique or a loader assist.
However, compared in order to some of all those 100-pound pedal-drive enemies around, the viking profish reload is in fact quite controllable. Because it's lengthy and relatively slim, the weight is distributed properly. I use a simple C-Tug trolley to get it from the car to the water, and it's a wind. Once it's within the water, the weight disappears and becomes momentum.
Customization and the Child Pod
One particular of the weirdest—but coolest—accessories for this kayak is the particular "Kid Pod. " If you want to period son or daughter out there for a paddle, you can change the Tackle Pod for a smooth, molded seat. It turns your severe fishing machine into a tandem-ish set up for a small child. It's a terrific way to get the family involved without having to buy the dedicated (and generally slow) tandem kayak.
If a person don't need a kid seat, you may also obtain a "Flat Deck" pod which simply gives you some sort of massive open area to stand or even store more gear. The modularity is usually probably the greatest part of the entire Viking ecosystem.
Where It truly A shine
I think the viking profish reload is at its best when you're doing offshore function or big lake crossings. If you're just paddling fifty yards in the vessel ramp to sit down in a calm creek, this may be overkill. Yet if you're launching through surf, paddling two miles out to a saltwater, and coming back via a rising wave, you'll appreciate the hull speed.
It's also constructed like a tank. Viking uses the high-density polyethylene that will feels incredibly hard. You don't get that "oil-canning" (flexing) within the hull that will you see upon cheaper, thinner kayaks. They even offer a 20-year warranty on the hull in certain regions, which usually tells you exactly how much confidence they have got in their manufacturing.
A Few Things to Consider
No kayak is perfect, and there are a number of issues to keep within mind. First, the seat. The regular seat is the classic low-profile padded seat. It's excellent for stability plus paddling power, but if you're used in order to the high-back "lawn chair" style seats available on American kayaks, it might take a small getting used in order to. Personally, I prefer being lower in order to the water—it makes the boat sense more stable and less like the sail in the particular wind.
Second, it doesn't arrive with a rudder as standard in all packages. Whilst it tracks properly without one, I'd highly recommend adding the rudder package. It makes life therefore much easier whenever you're drift-fishing or even trying to remain on a line in the crosswind.
Final Thoughts on the Reload
At the end of the particular day, the viking profish reload is a "paddler's kayak. " It rewards good method and treats you well when the conditions turn snotty. It isn't attempting to be the boat; it's trying to become the ultimate extension of an angler.
If you value rate, want a smart way to manage your electronics, and need something that will can handle the open ocean, it's hard to beat this setup. It's a vintage for a reason, and also with all the fresh pedal and motor-drive options hitting the market, there's nevertheless something incredibly satisfying about the natural, fast, and effective ride of the Reload.
It's the kind of kayak a person buy and keep intended for a decade. It's rugged, it's intelligent, and most significantly, it's just a lot of fun to fish from. In case you get the particular chance to demo one, do it—just be prepared to want one immediately after.