Packable, Pedal-Powered, and Fishing Tough: BOTE Rackham Aero Fischer Review

When I first saw the BOTE Rackham Aero Fischer, I thought, “That’s an inflatable paddleboard? No way!” I instantly knew I had to get my hands on one to test. It seemed like the perfect solution to my disdain for paddleboard fishing. 

After BOTE shipped it to my doorstep, I’ve spent the latter half of the summer taking it fishing in lakes, creeks, and ponds. I’ve spent many hours on this inflatable paddleboard kayak hybrid. I’ve grown fond of it, but I’m not convinced it’s the perfect inflatable fishing paddleboard for everyone.

In short: The BOTE Rackham Aero Fischer ($1,849) is a rugged inflatable paddleboard/kayak hybrid, capable of taking you places that other inflatables can’t. The Apex PD (pedal drive) is a unique feature. But I’ve run into minor frustrations with it that will likely keep a few kayak anglers from purchasing it. The 400-pound weight capacity and 12’4” length ensure anyone can sit atop this board with their gear. So far, this inflatable SUP has tackled most situations with ease, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its flaws.

BOTE Rackham Aero Fischer Review

Testing the Rackham Aero Fischer

When the shipment arrived, I couldn’t wait to unbox the BOTE Rackham Aero Fischer when it arrived with the Apex PD. I rolled it out and immediately noticed the cool cutthroat pattern. I also noticed that it has two distinct air chambers, which I don’t think is typical of inflatable paddleboards.

One of my biggest gripes about paddleboard fishing is that my gear can slide off the board when I encounter rough water or rapids. BOTE’s dual-air-chamber design eliminates this problem by having a bit of a lip.

While the initial setup took around 45 minutes, it takes considerably less time to get on the water on my trips now. Thanks to the quick disconnect design, it’s just that: quick.

Once inflated to the proper psi, it feels solid. And as long as you have a little athleticism, you can easily stand up to fish and paddle. 

Build Quality

Most people are concerned with how durable an inflatable paddleboard is, well, it’s a lot tougher than a pool floaty. I’ve dragged it across rocks, sticks, and unkempt grass. I’ve set the hook, only to have it come flying back and hit the side without concern.

I’m not worried when a catfish with sharp spines or a bass starts flopping on the deck thanks to the EVA foam. I’d take the BOTE Rackham Aero anywhere I’d go with my hardsided kayaks. 

However, I have noticed some paint flakes from somewhere on the seat and paddleboard. I haven’t determined exactly where they’re coming from yet. It doesn’t affect the performance of the board and isn’t aesthetically displeasing at the moment. 

On-the-Water-Performance

The first time I hit the water on this board, I was a bit skeptical because I was still figuring everything out. Still, I was immediately impressed by how easily it paddled. This thing turns on a dime and has the instant reverse pedal drive system. 

Since my first trip, I’ve navigated some tight spots in creeks and easily turned around when needed, without resorting to paddling, which is a huge benefit while fishing. Speaking of paddling, since it’s so lightweight, it paddles very well. I don’t zig-zag thanks to the built-in and removable keels.

I also appreciate that BOTE offers the SUP paddle and the kayak paddle, so I’m not forced to paddle it like a canoe while I’m sitting down to fish without the APEX PD. 

I’ve found the APEX PD to pedal as smoothly as any other pedal drive system I’ve used. It has some resistance, but I’ve pedaled over a mile to reach a fishing spot, and my out-of-shape self wasn’t tired. It’s not slow but also not as quick as some of the other pedal drives on the market, so you won’t win many races. It still gets you where you need to go in a timely manner.

While fishing in my pond with it, I discovered it does not like grass. The weeds get tangled in the prop, and you have to remove them by hand. It isn’t challenging, though, thanks to the quick access port. 

There’s plenty of room for all my gear and then some. I’ve never felt crowded on the 12’4” board. In fact, it’s probably too big for the kayak anglers who prefer the compactness of a 10’ kayak. The BOTE Rackham Aero is also plenty wide to stand and fish. When my butt got sore from sitting too long, I didn’t have a problem standing for a little while. Since this is technically a SUP, it only makes sense that the transition feels stable and natural.

What the Rackham Aero Fischer Does Well

The BOTE Rackham Aero is a solid fishing vessel. It’ll get you just about anywhere you want to fish and has all the accessories and attachments you’ll ever need to customize this paddleboard/kayak hybrid. 

It’s tough and, when taken well care of, should last you for many years of fishing adventures. 

As usual, BOTE did an excellent job with the color scheme because this board looks amazing. The first time my mom saw it, she said, “Wow, I love the trout pattern!” and I have to agree. This is one of the coolest-looking kayaks on the market. 

One minor detail that most overlook and I’ve found incredibly helpful is the magnet in the center of the board that holds lures, hooks, pliers, scissors, and anything else that’s magnetic. I love this feature because it keeps my stuff in a central location. And it’s easy to grab when I need it. 

Where I See Room for Improvement

While I’ve had a lot of fun on the BOTE Rackham Aero Fischer, I’ve run across a few things that I couldn’t get fully on board with. The first is the price. 

At $1,849, this inflatable board costs just as much as my high-end hardsided fishing kayak. On top of that, you have to purchase the Apex PD ($999) and other accessories. I think the Apex PD should come with it for this price, but that’s obviously from a consumer perspective.

It’s also incredibly heavy for an inflatable paddleboard when rolled up, and everything is loaded in the bag. I definitely won’t take it hiking upriver to float back down, like I would with lighter inflatables. Though, durability obviously comes with weight.

Lastly, you have to fully inflate the seat to ensure you stay in a good pedaling position, but doing so made my butt sore after a few hours of sitting and fishing. You’ll likely want to add a seat cushion of some kind (I love my Kayak Kushion). 

Who Should Buy It

Since the BOTE Rackham Aero isn’t a budget-friendly option, it will likely be of limited appeal to a broader number of anglers. However, it’s an excellent fishing vessel, so if you have the money and need a fishing paddleboard/kayak that’s easier to transport than a hardsided kayak, the BOTE Rackham Aero is well worth checking out. 

BOTE Rackham Aero Fischer Apex PD: Final Verdict

While the BOTE Rackham Aero Fischer is priced out of many kayak anglers’ budgets, for those who can afford it, it’s an excellent inflatable fishing vessel to add to the fleet. I have many more fishing adventures planned with this kayak/paddleboard hybrid and look forward to each one.