Jen and I finally had a chance to get out and use the BOTE Boards. We loaded up and headed off for the 7-8 hour drive. The boards did great on the drive and we were pleased at how easy the transport was. When we got to the coast, the water was super high. We had the high fall tide plus a week of heavy rain and a strong North wind. The flat was covered with lots of floating grass which made fishing tough. I had never been on a paddleboard but it was easy to use. Jen was a rockstar on her board and put me to shame. After spotting and spooking several fish I learned lots of things about paddleboard fishing.
1. You have to have a setup where you can easily reach your rod when you spot a fish.
2. When you spot a fish you have to put down your paddle and pick up the rod.
3. Chances are, if you didn't neatly set up your fly line on the board, it will tangle like crazy when you go to make your cast (solved with a stripping basket).
4. Most of the time after setting your paddle down and picking up the fly rod and standing back up, the fish you saw has seen you and is headed off the flat.
5. Poling a paddleboard is a great way to stalk the fish.
6. You don't have to ratchet the boards to the roof of the vehicle when transporting them (left a slight imprint on the sides of the boards).
7. Paddleboard fishing is badass once you make a few trial runs and get your board setup to fish.
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