The Lure series of fishing kayaks from Feelfree has been a staple in the kayak angler lineup for sometime. Now, with the launch of updated versions for 2020, it's time to get out on the water and see how things are performing.
As the photo and video guy here at Feelfree, I get the opportunity to get out on the water in a handful of our boats on a regular basis. However, I do have my favorites when it comes to carrying all my camera gear, so I wanted to get out in some of the boats I don’t get in much and see how they faired for the everyday fisherman. So, with the weather getting nicer down here in the south, I loaded up the new Lure 10 V2 and headed down to South Carolina to put it to the test.
At 10 feet, the Lure 10 was pretty easy to move around by myself. Loading in and out of the back of my truck was easy, and the patented wheel in the keel made getting it to the boat ramp a breeze. It still has a little weight to it given the width of the boat, so getting it on the top of an SUV may require a little more effort, but again, nothing a little muscle or creative thinking can’t take care of.
My favorite part of the Lure 10 was how roomy it felt. The cockpit is actually the same size as the 11.5, which allowed for ample storage of Plano boxes, a crate bag full of tackle, and plenty of snacks. The crate bag coupled with the built in rod storage allowed me to carry 4 rods, with room to spare for another 2 or 3 if I was feeling indecisive.
The boat was also really comfortable. At 6’2, I was concerned that I would lack leg room, or feel cramped, but the adjustable foot pegs were spot on. Speaking of comfortable, the gravity was also nice. It was soft and comfy for the 4 hours I spent on the water, but it was also adjustable, allowing me to hide Plano boxes under the seat for additional storage.
It’s also worth noting here that I don’t typically stand up when I fish. We were fishing in some Lilly pads, and I found it difficult to see my frog skimming through the leaves, so I tried it and found it very easy. The boat was very stable and didn’t feel like it wanted to tip on me which is always nice.
When it came to maneuverability this boat performed. I did have it outfitted with the Beavertail rudder system, and on this size of boat, it really made all the difference. It was insanely responsive, and worked very well when I was trying to track with the current and cast as I made my way downstream. I wasn’t in a river, but I could see this being extremely helpful in a river fishing environment.
The only downside I would say was the windy open water. As I paddled back across the lake into the wind, it was a bit of a struggle to keep a good pace. It wasn’t a deal breaker, but if open and windy conditions were a regular environment for me, I would probably opt for a longer boat help with the tracking a bit.
At the end of the day I was impressed. I spend a lot of my time in longer boats like the Lure 11.5 or the Moken 12.5, but this boat surprised me with it’s roomy feel and maneuverability with the ridder, especially in the current. I could see this being an amazing little river boat, or a good all around boat for someone that is limited on storage space or has concerns with loading and unloading.
Check out the quick on the water video below to see a little more in action and, as always, reach out if you have any questions or are interested in learning more about any of our boats.