Why the Viking Profish Reload is a Beast on the Water
I've spent a lot of period testing the viking profish reload over the last few seasons, and it's one particular of those vessels that just can make sense the moment you slide it in to the surf. If you've been searching for a kayak that amounts speed, stability, plus pure fishing utility, you've probably seen this name pop up a dozen instances. But what will be it actually want to live with?
Most fishing kayaks nowadays 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 of paddling and wish to protect some distance to get to the "secret" spots, a person need different things. That's exactly where this particular boat fits within.
The Genius from the Tackle Pod System
The particular "Reload" part of the name isn't just marketing filler. It refers in order to the viking profish reload 's signature bank feature: the detachable Tackle Pod. I honestly think every fishing kayak ought to have something similar to this particular.
Essentially, the center of the boat has a large, removable console. You can rig your fish locater, your battery, and all your wiring directly into this pod. When you get home through a long time on the drinking water, you don't need to lug the entire 15-foot kayak near an outlet or even fumble with wires in the dark. You just unclip the pod, carry it into your garage or home, and plug this in.
This also means you can keep your costly electronics safe within as the kayak stays on the top racks or even in the yard. On the water, it's a massive storage bin right between your legs. I use mine to hold my tackle boxes, some spare leader, and even our phone in a dry bag. It's immediately when you need it, plus it keeps the deck clutter-free.
How It Handles the Rough Stuff
Major points I noticed about the viking profish reload is exactly how it handles the swell. At about 14. 8 feet long, it's got enough waterline duration to track straight because an arrow, actually when the breeze starts picking up. It isn't a wide, sluggish ship that gets forced around by every single little wave.
The hull design is pretty clever. It's got a relatively narrow entry stage on the bow, which helps it cut through chop rather than slamming directly into it. If you've ever paddled a wider, flatter kayak into a headwind, you understand that "slapping" sound—it's exhausting. This particular boat just skims.
Stability-wise, it's what I'd contact "predictable. " It might feel the little "tippy" to some complete beginner since it has a curved hull for velocity, but its secondary stability is rock strong. Once you slim it over a bit, it fastens in. I've got some pretty decent-sized kingfish and snapper with this seat, plus I've never experienced like I had been heading for an accidental swim.
Designed for People Who In fact Fish
A person can tell the particular designers at Viking are actually fishermen. There are small touches all more than the viking profish reload which make a long day on the ocean method more comfortable.
For instance, look at the scalloped sides of the cockpit. They've shaved down the plastic right where your own paddle blade gets into the water. This means you aren't constantly banging your knuckles or the exercise shaft against the particular side of the boat. It sounds like a small point, but after 5, 000 strokes, both hands will thank a person.
Then there's the storage. The front hatch is definitely enormous. I generally keep my dry clothes, a protection kit, and maybe a small trolley in there. Yet the real superstar is the optionally available "Chill Pod" that fits into the particular rear well. It's a custom-shaped chillier that follows the particular lines of the kayak. If you're keeping fish for the particular table, it's the must-have. It keeps the weight reduced and the fish cold, and it looks way much better than an arbitrary crate strapped to the back with bungee cords.
The particular 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 under the Tackle Pod. The transducer rests in a recessed area where it's protected from stones and sand, yet it's in immediate contact with the water. This gives you much clearer sonar readings than shooting through a coating of plastic and glue.
Is It Too Heavy in order to Manage?
Let's be real with regard to a second—this is a big boat. From around 64 lbs (29kg) without the pods, it isn't a featherweight. If you're planning on lifting this on to a high SUV roof by yourself, you're going to want a great technique or a loader assist.
However, compared in order to some of all those 100-pound pedal-drive creatures around, the viking profish reload is actually quite manageable. Because it's long and relatively thin, the is distributed effectively. I use a simple C-Tug cart to get this from the vehicle to the water, plus it's a wind. Once it's in the water, the weight disappears and turns into momentum.
Customization and the Child Pod
1 of the weirdest—but coolest—accessories for this kayak is the "Kid Pod. " If you would like to take your kid or daughter out there for an exercise, you can swap the Tackle Pod for a smooth, molded seat. This turns your severe fishing machine in to a tandem-ish setup for a little child. It's a terrific way to get the family involved without getting to buy a dedicated (and generally slow) tandem kayak.
If a person don't require a child seat, you can even obtain a "Flat Deck" pod which just gives you the massive open region to stand or store more equipment. The modularity will be probably the best part of the whole Viking ecosystem.
Where It Shines
I believe the viking profish reload is at its best when you're doing offshore function or big lake crossings. If you're just paddling 50 yards from the motorboat ramp to sit in a relaxed creek, this might be overkill. Yet if you're launching through surf, paddling two miles out to a reef, and coming back via a rising wave, you'll appreciate the hull speed.
It's also built like a container. Viking uses the high-density polyethylene that feels incredibly hard. You don't get that "oil-canning" (flexing) within the hull that you see on cheaper, thinner kayaks. They even provide a 20-year guarantee on the hull in some regions, which usually tells you exactly exactly how much confidence they have got in their production.
A Several Things to Consider
No kayak is ideal, and presently there are a couple of points to keep within mind. First, the seat. The standard seat is the classic low-profile cushioned seat. It's great for stability plus paddling power, when you're used to the high-back "lawn chair" style chairs available on American kayaks, it could take a very little getting used to. Personally, I choose being lower to the water—it makes the boat feel more stable and less like a sail in the particular wind.
Following, it doesn't arrive with a rudder as standard in all packages. While it tracks well without one, I'd highly recommend incorporating the rudder kit. It makes life so much easier whenever you're drift-fishing or trying to remain on a line inside a crosswind.
Conclusions on the Reload
At the particular end of the day, the viking profish reload is a "paddler's kayak. " This rewards good technique and treats a person well when the conditions turn snotty. It isn't attempting to be a boat; it's trying to become the ultimate extension of a fisherman.
Job rate, want a clever way to control your electronics, and need something that will can handle the particular open ocean, it's hard to defeat this setup. It's a classic for a reason, and also with all the brand-new pedal and motor-drive options hitting the particular market, there's nevertheless something incredibly gratifying about the genuine, fast, and efficient ride of the Reload.
It's the kind of kayak you buy and keep for a decade. It's rugged, it's smart, and most significantly, it's just a lot of fun to fish from. If you get the chance to test one, do it—just be prepared to want one soon after.