Aquaglide Blackfoot 130 DS Angler

Summary

Price At Time Of Writing | $1,799.00

Our Overall Rating | 89 out of 100

Pros - High quality, stable, well equipped

Cons - Heavy, bulky, expensive

Overall - Perfect for fishing

Technical Specifications

Open Size - 396x96cm

Weight - 18.5kg

Load Capacity - 295kg

Packed Size - 99x45x33cm

Our Analysis & Ratings

If you're looking for a kayak to fish from, Aquaglide's Blackfoot 130 DS Angler is the best choice. A strong, beach chair-style seat, a stable drop-stitch floor with extra grip pads and a large number of mounting plates to add rod holders, cameras, and even engines are just a few of the features that Aquaglide took into consideration when creating this model. This kayak is top-of-the-line, and its pricing reflects that.

Performance (speed, tracking, manoeuvrability, stability, load handling): 6/10

Speed: A kayak this wide will naturally go through the water more slowly than one that is narrower. It also has slightly less cut-through and paddling efficiency, though it does have a firm nose-cone. Speed is not the only performance indicator that should be measured in fishing kayaks, though, and stability is where this one shines.

Manoeuvrability: It is also quite long for a one-person kayak, which when combined with its width, makes it more challenging to manoeuvre.

Stability: The importance of stability cannot be overstated, and the Blackfoot is a master of it. Standing and casting are both possible thanks to the strength of the drop-stitch floor, and swaying is minimised by the wide cockpit and wide side tubes.

Load Handling: It is convertible with the addition of a seat, giving it some flexibility beyond solo use.

Construction (materials, seams, valve quality, durability and fittings): 8/10

There's no denying that Aquaglide has successfully balanced the Blackfoot's outstanding quality and affordable pricing. The drop-stitch floor is a much-needed addition for a fishing kayak, and the Duratex PVC side tubes are made of a sturdy material that can take minor abrasion from fishing hooks.

The attachments of all the different parts, including the mounts, hook-and-loop systems, cargo bungees and tie-down loops, particularly struck us because they were flawless on the model we tested. The only issue we had was a tiny droop in the PVC on the front splash guard and the ends of the side tubes, which is typically a sign of a slight mismatch in the engineering of the tubes.

Setup/Pack Down (inflation time, valves, folding and drying): 8/10

The Blackfoot meets the majority of our criteria quite well, it simply requires three inflation points and quick-drying PVC. The rigid seat, which may also be used separately onshore, footrest, integrated cool box and fin, as well as any additional equipment you're carrying, are all components that must be attached depending on your specific arrangement.

The Blackfoot utilises Aquaglide's ‘universal’ US Fin Box System, which requires screwing and unscrewing rather than just sliding the fin in. This is a little more involved step.

Portability (weight, packed size, ease of carrying): 8/10

This one-person kayak is rather huge, with an 18.5kg hull that is both heavy and cumbersome. To some extent, Aquaglide has addressed this by creating a comfortable zip backpack with additional straps to hold on to the seat, paddle, and so on.

After you factor in the seat, paddle and fishing gear, however, you may find yourself hauling 20 to 25kg to the lake.

Comfort (seat support, legroom, fatigue over distance): 9/10

The Blackfoot is a particularly comfortable kayak since it has plenty of cockpit space and a supportive seat that can be raised and lowered. Although the adjustable seat back and height are highly alluring, keep in mind that they are obviously more difficult to alter when you are paddling in the perfect fishing posture.

Finding the most effective procedure requires some practice.

Value for money:

This kayak is top-of-the-line and its pricing reflects that. For serious anglers who want a stable, well-built platform with genuine mounting flexibility, the Blackfoot 130 justifies the investment.

Best for:

• Serious anglers who want a stable standing and casting platform

• Fishing setups with rod holders, cameras, or an engine

• Paddlers who value cockpit space and seat comfort over speed

• Those willing to trade some manoeuvrability and portability for stability

Overall:

A fishing kayak of the highest calibre and design, just with a cost to match....