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Following ICAST, I headed up the road to visit my friend Bart in St. Augustine. We've fished together for about 10 years now, usually after ICAST. I'm not sure if we first met at the old kayak fishing Boondoggles or the Jackson Kayak Dealer Summit, but Bart is easy to get along with on the water. We both like to get after it, and can redline our energy for a long time when fishing. 
Over the years we've had some good days. 

Bart runs a guide service - Action Kayak Adventures in St. Augustine area, so he knows the fisheries. If you are ever in the area make sure and look him up for a fun adventure. 

On this day I took out a Native Watercraft Slayer Propel LTE to test out. The LTE is lightweight, responsive, and pedal‑powered. 
Specs: 10′ long, 34.5″ beam, 11.5″ depth, only 65 lb hull (85 lb fully rigged), with a 425 lb capacity. Pedal forward/reverse, Springblade rudder, integrated transducer pocket, motor and foot‑steering ready. This grab‑and‑go beast packs serious punch in a compact package.

As I've gotten older (almost 50) the lighter kayaks have become more appealing. The LTE fits the bill.

The LTE proved a capable craft for fishing the inshore waters of Florida. I suspect the only place I'd have some hesitancy taking it would be offshore. But the kayak moved efficiently through the water, turned reasonably well and provided ample space for the style of fishing I do. 

The new turn knobs for securing the drive and hatch are a big improvement over the old tab style. I was glad to see these utilized on the new Hammer as well. The First Class seat and the 701 drive are still excellent and help make this possibly the best 10ft pedal drive kayak on the market. I didn't have any problem keeping up with Bart in his slightly longer Jackson Cruise FD kayak. 

I will say, that whether it was my style of pedaling or the narrower deck space, occasionally my heel would catch on the hooks that the pedal hatch was bungeed to in the LTE. Now I have size 11 - 11.5 feet, so that plays a part, and once I shifted into pedaling without shading my heel to the inside, I avoided the issue. 

We found some speckled trout but never found the school of redfish on this day. And I did get one good speck to eat on the way back in at the end of the day. 

Ultimately the LTE was much like my friendship with Bart, easy like a Florida sunset. Good friends and good fish will always make for a good day. I'm grateful that this sport/ activity / passion whatever you want to call it, I'm grateful it's gifted me some good friendships. Bart is one of those good dudes. Action Kayak Adventures - go see him. I'm already thinking about another trip down that way in September. See ya on the water.

The 2025 ICAST tradeshow lights shone bright on the world of fishing and kayaks showed up big with motors and laden with electronics. One of the big discussions centered around the Bonafide XTRs that were packed with $20k + of gear on them. Lots of folks will say, "just get a boat" and I hear ya, but kayaks are cooler. Me? I don't have time for all that but to each their own. It's entertaining to look at. 

Speaking of motors, we mentioned the YakAttack motor in the previous blog. YakAttack got some flak for what appeared a white labeled motor product. Once again, to each their own. You can find a video interview with Founder Luther Cifers and CEO David Martin online where they speak about the decision. Motors are here and front and center. 

YakAttack motor $1600

The Garmin booth had a decked out Bonafide PWR with speakers, graphs, etc. Plus their new Garmin Force Current motor that was also mentioned in the last blog. 

Garmin Force Current

• Suggested Retail Price:

  • With foot pedals: $3,599.99

  • Without pedals (motor only): $2,999.99

But my first objective was the Native Watercraft booth to see the new Hammer kayak. This thing looks awesome. The new drive looks great! and you can still mount a motor on the stern. 

The Specs for the Hammer:
LENGTH
12’10”
WIDTH
36”
DEPTH AT BEAM
13’5”
CAPACITY
650 lbs
FITTED HULL WT.
110 lbs
FULLY RIGGGED WT.
140 lbs

I think this Hammer is a going to be a great takeover for the Titan / Slayer market. 

The Johnson Outdoors booth had the Old Town Sportsman Pro 120 with a Terrova kayak motor mounted on the bow in their booth. It looked good. 

Minn Kota Kayak Terrova

• MSRP: $1,499.99

All in all, ICAST 2025 proved that the kayak fishing world is evolving fast; motors, electronics, and premium builds are becoming the new norm. Whether it's the $20K Bonafide XTR builds, Garmin’s high-tech Force Current motor, or the sleek setup of Old Town’s Sportsman Pro 120 with the Terrova, the line between kayak and boat keeps getting blurrier. But with exciting new platforms like the Native Hammer stepping in, there's still plenty of room for innovation that keeps things accessible and fun. It's an exciting time to be part of the scene.

The 2025 ICAST On the Water Demo in Orlando Florida came with an overcast sky, and some rain. It was a great respite from the previous years of blazing hot temps. There were motorized kayaks, and inflatables everywhere....Oh, and Steve Harvey was here. 

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Paddles are the most underappreciated aspect of boating, at least until you’ve had to use one for more than five minutes. 

In fact, while one of our favorite ways to spend the work day is drooling over the kayaks and canoes in our warehouse, paddles deserve just as much attention. They’re the most direct link between a paddler and the water, and they can mean the difference between a good or bad day in your rig. 

Not all paddles are created equal, though, and they’re certainly not one size fits all. Weight, material, length, blade angle and shape…all are factors that can have a huge impact on how much of your physical effort converts into the energy that propels your boat. We’ve had paddlers tell us they’re not in love with their kayak (or even the sport), only to find out they’ve been using a paddle that’s low quality or a poor match for their technique or biomechanics. 

This holiday season, if the kayaker in your life (or just you!) already has a small fleet of boats, consider upgrading paddles. It could breathe new life into their next excursion and spark a newfound love for the sport. The options are near limitless, and we’ve compiled a list of the best kayak paddles, canoe paddles, SUP paddles and more. We’re always available to chat if you have any questions or want more suggestions. Better yet, pay us a visit and try some out for yourself! 

Buy Once, Cry Once: Aqua Bound Aerial Major Carbon

If you’re serious about performance on whitewater, the Aqua Bound Aerial Major Carbon is the way to go. This paddle is engineered specifically for strong paddlers in excellent paddling shape who need superior responsiveness with every stroke. Strengthened by 33 feet of Aqua Bound’s Lam-Lok technology, it’s an exceptionally well-balanced and well-constructed piece of gear that’s built to last, even under persistent use in challenging conditions. Aqua Bound has dialed in every aspect here from the 45.5-centimeter by 12.2-centimeter blades to the full-length carbon shaft. The result will have you bending the water to your will. This is definitely a whitewater kayak paddle where you get what you pay for. 

Value Pick (Kayak): Werner Tybee Hooked Paddle

Looking for the best kayak paddle for fishing? Known for high-quality fishing kayak paddles, Werner put together the Tybee Hooked model for the more budget-conscious angler. With features comparable to more expensive Werner paddles, the Tybee Hooked has fiberglass-reinforced, nylon-injection molded blades known for their durability. Those blades are designed after Werner’s Premium Performance line, meaning you’ll get a similarly smooth catch and stability.

Bending Branches Expedition Plus Canoe Paddle

For the canoers among us, consider the Bending Branches Expedition Plus, the best canoe paddle around. It starts at the top with a power T-grip that sits comfortably in hands of all sizes, and it ends with a reinforced 8.2-inch by 19-inch blade that boasts Bending Branch’s Rockgard edge protection. It’s also a beautifully made piece of artwork with stripes of red alder, basswood and roasted basswood, which enhance its durability. Note that this paddle isn’t recommended for Class IV or V whitewater, so it’s more appropriate for those wanting a step up from entry-level canoe paddles. 

Bending Branches Angler Navigator Hybrid 

The Bending Branches Angler Navigator Hybrid paddle will have you turning heads with every stroke. In addition to its features — which are many — it’s really one of the most beautiful kayak paddles on the market, thanks to Bending Branch’s signature designs of striped red alder and basswood. It’s not all about the looks though. The shaft is 100% carbon, keeping it lightweight at 28 ounces and built to last. That durability extends to the hardwood blades as well, which are wrapped in fiberglass and bolstered by Bending Branch’s patented Rockgard edge protection. The three-hole, snap-button ferrule allows for adjustable feather angles, giving you flexibility to dial it in from 0 to 60 degrees. 

Aqua Bound Freedom SUP 76/86

And for the best SUP paddle? The Aqua Bound Freedom SUP is one of our most popular SUP paddles for a reason. Designed for comfort and efficiency, the Freedom is meant for cruising on flatwater and engineered for good vibes. A fully carbon shaft connects a contoured palm grip to a 7.5-inch by 14.5-inch dihedral blade whose surface area covers a general 85 square inches. That and the feather-like 23.5-ounce weight allows SUPers to take a higher-cadence approach without fatiguing quickly. 

Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid

If you’re looking for the power to move more water, check out the Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid kayak paddle. It packs an oversized 102.5-square-inch, dihedral blade for quick maneuverability and enough horsepower to keep you and your gear — all your gear — moving. To offset the size of the blade, Aqua Bound attached a tightly woven carbon shaft to keep the weight at a manageable 31 ounces and ensure you don’t peter out on long trips. Paddlers can also adjust the blade degree on the fly thanks to the Posi-Lok ferrule that allows for 15-degree adjustments when conditions necessitate it. 

Paddles are to kayaks and canoes what tires are to cars. They’re the last link in the kinetic chain that moves your boat, and they’re one of the most important factors in how a kayak handles and how you perform as a paddler. 

Luckily, paddlers today have a wealth of choices, and our team at Appomattox River Company has tried nearly all of them. We hope this 2024 holiday gift guide helped you hone in on the best paddle for your next adventure on the water.

Check out our website or give us a call if you have any questions, need more recommendations or just want to talk paddling! 

Once seen as a novelty, stand-up paddleboards — or SUPs for short — are now fully a part of mainstream paddlesports. And while balancing upright on choppy water may seem daunting for the uninitiated, advances in SUP construction have made stand-ups just as accessible as their traditional sit-down counterparts. 

The allure of SUPs is just as much about the unique ride as it is about portability. With a wealth of lightweight inflatable boards on the market, SUPs are easy to transport in the trunk or backseat of your vehicle. Plus, they’re easy to launch solo. And once you’re on the water, you’re free to sit, stand or even lie down and listen to the water lapping at the rails. 

SUPs aren’t just for touring though. Fishing SUPs like the SIC Mangrove 11.6 are plentiful and provide both stability and hauling capacity for a full day on the water. That’s not to mention lightweight blow-up stand up paddleboards, the pedal-drive rigs that will give you a workout like you’ve never experienced, and yoga-friendly boards that redefine “boat pose.” 

But like most things in paddlesports, finding the right boat can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best stand-up paddleboards as part of our holiday gift guide series outlining the best gifts for boaters in 2024. Read on to find the right fit for yourself, your friends or your family!

Vince’s Pick: Hobie IEclipse Pedal Board
While the P in SUP usually stands for paddleboard, the Hobie IEclipse is all about pedal power. Combine the portability of an inflatable kayak with the fun of a stand-up setup, throw in a smooth-as-butter pedal and steering system, and you have one of the most unique rigs out there. And with a two-piece removable handlebar, a high-pressure hand pump and a high-volume electric pump, everything you need to set up and start pedaling is included. Toss this Hobie stand-up pedal board in your vehicle, pump it up at your destination, and set off for a truly fun ride. Just remember to let your buddies have a turn! 

Buy Once, Cry Once: Hobie Eclipse Ace Pedal Board
Like its inflatable cousin, the Hobie Eclipse Ace is one of the most fun and uniquely designed SUPs on the market. With Hobie’s MirageDrive GT pedal propulsion system, the Eclipse Ace is built for cruising, but it’s ready to open up on the water as well. It’s also quite spacious at 11.5’ long and 36.6” wide, and the ACE-TEC construction means it’s durable for the long haul. 

Best Value: Badfish Flyweight
No need to look for stand-up paddleboards on sale, when you can get such a great value with the Badfish Flyweight. Though it’s the most affordable in our fleet of SUPs, the smaller price tag doesn’t mean it’s an inferior product. This inflatable stand-up paddleboard is among the most accessible and convenient rigs around from its super light weight (only 18 pounds!) to its high-quality construction. In fact, it’s that construction that makes the Flyweight such a strong value. Using Badfish’s AirLite drop-stitch technology, the Flyweight has excellent rigidity and durability when inflated, but it remains soft and pliable (and easy to transport) when deflated. The Flyweight measures in at 10’6” long and has plenty of features and accessories that make it outperform its price tag. Among those are a GoPro camera mount, a breakdown travel paddle, backpack board bag, 11’ ankle leash and a removable tri-fin. 

Tahe SUP-Yak 11’ Cross Tec
Looking for a SUP, but don’t want to give up your seat? Check out the Tahe Beach SUP-Yak. This is a two-in-one stand-up paddleboard kayak hybrid that’s perfect for both standing or seated ventures. Launch it as a traditional SUP with a spacious 11’ by 34” frame. Then simply attach the clip-on seat to convert it into a sit-on-top kayak when you need a breather. The Tahe SUP-Yak comes with all kinds of stand-up paddleboard accessories including everything you need for both setups: a detachable seat, footrest, ankle leash and collapsible paddle. With a capacity of 285 pounds and a price tag under $1,000, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more versatile setup for the money.

SIC Mangrove 11.6”
Love stand-up paddleboard yoga? Always wanted a fishing SUP? Or maybe you’re looking for one of the best stand-up paddleboards for dogs. The SIC Mangrove does it all. It’s big enough for solo or tandem ventures if you want to bring along the kids or pets, and it has plenty of room to secure all your gear, be it fishing, camping or whatever else you may be hauling to your destination. Its biggest advantage over other SUPs is stability, buoyed by a flat bottom and full rails that will allow you to work on your mountain pose or square up to haul in a lunker. (We love this stand-up paddleboard for fishing!) It also comes with two FCS II Fin boxes on the rail so you can maneuver through all types of water. 

In conclusion, stand-up paddleboards can get you almost anywhere their traditional sit-down counterparts can, and they’ll provide a fun, unique experience in doing so. Whether you’re an angler, an adventurer, a novice or a seasoned veteran, there’s a SUP out there for you. We hope our holiday gift guide 2024 series has shined a light on the array of SUPs available and helped provide some ideas for the best gifts for boaters in your life!