The BOTE Lono Aero Inflatable Kayak & Stand Up Paddle Board is an exceptionally capable and versatile fishing-specific inflatable kayak that offers awesome portability along with a vast assortment of fishy features. The brand recently sent me a Lono to field test, and its on the water performance is in my opinion, unrivaled by any other inflatable fishing kayak on the market.
This vessel breaks down to just 39 by 18.5 by 13.5 inches when deflated and packed into the included roller bag. Breaking it down takes a little practice, but its feature-rich design and impressive capabilities make the effort more than worth it. A military-grade PVC construction with an added keel guard furthermore makes for an excellent degree of toughness, so you’ll have to work really hard to puncture or damage this vessel.
You’ll be very impressed by how much boat you get here considering the compact inflatable package. Anglers who don’t have the space to store, or means to transport a traditional fishing kayak will discover that the Lono is far from a compromise when it comes to choosing a highly capable personal fishing vessel.
This model is also convertible from stand-up kayak to SUP in just seconds, so if you want to lose the removable seat and maximize your deck space and gear capacity, you’ll find it paddles and behaves wonderfully as a SUP. There is also a pedal drive accessory available for purchase if you really want to cover some water.
Equipped with integrated rod rack receivers, a KULA cooler/5-gallon bucket port, sand spear sheath, front and rear gear bungees, external D-rings, and even on-deck stash nets for further gear organization and storage, this is truly a fishing machine engineered for serious anglers. You can really customize this kayak to fit your fishing or paddling style, so if there’s a specific method to your madness on the water, your ears should be perked!
A self-draining cockpit and elevated seating along with an EVA deck pad for enhanced comfort go on to ensure you remain dry and comfortable all day long, so despite this boat’s inflatable build you don’t have to get wet unless you want to.
Fly fishermen and other anglers who enjoy standing up in their boat will be delighted to discover the Lono is remarkably stable for stand-up casting and paddling. It’s also worth menioning that the hull draws very little water, so this is a brilliant vessel for sneaking up onto shallow ledges and tidal flats, as well as for recreational paddling in especially shallow waters. With a little practice and the right tool, you can furthermore even pole yourself around quite effectively.
The inflatable chamber on the stern that features a cut-out is great for bringing along a cooler or bait bucket and can of course be removed if you rather utilize all of your deck space. This takes the Lono’s capacity for gear from great, to truly excellent.
The removable chamber is also a blast to use as a detached floaty or aqua bar…just saying.
Contrary to the majority of inflatable kayak options, the Lono is built with a 4-chambered construction for imnproved stability and also includes a removable 10-inch fin for enhanced tracking. This means it behaves more like a traditional hard-bodied kayak than an inflatable, mostly in regards to tracking and speed.
The total weight of the Lono is 70 pounds – admittedly quite heavy for an inflatable, but indicative of this kayak’s durable build and intensive assortment of integrated features.
You’ll need to purchase your own paddle, but this kit does include a roller bag, hand pump, center fin, foot bar, and repair kit – and don’t forget there is a wide array of additional add-ons and accessories available for further customization.
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