Published on July 24, 2026 05:00 am
After years (and miles) of wade fishing, I always wanted my own kayak but could never figure out how to practically store it. Living in an apartment in upstate New York means I don’t have a place to stash a hard-shell boat. Add in the hassle of purchasing a trailer or roof rack to take it to the water, and owning a kayak has always been a pipe dream.
Sure, inflatable fishing kayaks exist, but I’ve always been skeptical. For years, he maintained a reputation for being soft, couch-y, and one fishhook away from disaster. But the category has evolved, and Bote is new. Argo Aero—the brand’s first dedicated inflatable fishing kayak—promises the stability and fishing ability of a hard shell, without the headache of actually owning one. After taking it out of the water, I forgot it was inflatable at all.
Boate Argo Aero Single Kayak
Capacity: 675 pounds
Increased weight: 33 pounds
Weight in bag: 67.4 pounds
Pros
+ Comes packed in a rolling bag – no roof rack, trailer or garage required
+ Light and easy to transport alone
+ Elevated frame seat is comfortable and easy to angle
+ Generous accessory kit includes pedals, pump, seat, fins, repair kit and bag
+ Feels surprisingly close to a hard shell on calm water
+ Easier to inflate by hand than other inflatable water vessels
Shortcoming
– Doesn’t paddle as fast or efficiently as hard-shell, especially in wind
– Rod holder and attachments have to be purchased separately
– $1,499 may be cost-prohibitive
what’s that for: Anglers who want the performance of a fishing kayak without the hassle of owning it
Setup is surprisingly painless
The biggest benefits of an inflatable kayak are evident before they even touch the water. Instead of wrestling a 100-pound boat on my roof, Argo Aero Comes neatly folded in a rolling travel bag that fits in the trunk of my Subaru. In the bag, the Solo model and its accessories weigh 67 pounds 15 foot tandem Comes in at 84 pounds), making it dramatically easier to move than most hard-shell fishing kayaks.
But as someone who has an inflatable paddle board For years-Including some people from Bote-I fully expected the inflation process to be the worst part. Pumping a SUP up to 12-plus PSI has always been a hassle, so much so that I have since started using an electric pump that plugs into my car to save myself the trouble.
The surprising thing is that the Argo Aero doesn’t require that much sweat. The side pontoons only needed 2 to 3 psi, and the floor inflated to 6 to 8 psi, so I had the whole thing ready to launch. by hand In about 8 minutes. This is the first inflatable watercraft I’ve used where the setup didn’t make me want to abandon the paddle altogether.
Once inflated, setup was straightforward: I attached the elevated Solis frame seat (included), assembled the included five-piece pedals, and slid in the adjustable footrests. Of course, I grabbed my rod, gear bag and PFD, jumped in and headed off to shore. The whole process took me about 20 minutes to get to the water – much less time than I expected for my first trip.
It doesn’t seem to be inflatable
This is where I expected the Argo Aero to lose me, but it didn’t. The 41-inch-wide pontoon-style hull creates a stable platform. I never felt that wobbly sensation that some kayaks and many inflatables can have. I was also impressed by its abundant, “real” boat-like features, including bungee tie-downs, lash points, and even scuppers on the bottom of the hull designed to protect yourself in rocky water. Bote also borrowed some thoughtful touches from its paddleboard lineup, like MagnePod Magnetic Compatibility Which keeps your water bottle or glass from slipping here and there, as well rac receiver For quickly mounting accessories like rod holders, camera mounts, and other gear without resorting to DIY rigging.
On the water, the Argo Aero tracked surprisingly well. Most inflatable kayaks and even some paddleboards “shake” from side to side as you paddle, rather than holding a steady line. The Argo Aero did not do this, especially when equipped with removable wings. Now, it doesn’t paddle with the same efficiency or speed as a composite touring kayak, but this boat isn’t trying to be one. Only because of the lightness of the hull I flew quite well in windy conditions. But on calm days at my local lake, I forgot that it was inflatable within the first few minutes.
Made for fishing, not just swimming
The most striking feature is the Solis frame seat, which sits slightly higher on the deck than other seats on fishing kayaks. That higher position improves visibility in the water and gives you a much better casting angle than the low, angled seats found on many recreational kayaks. This makes it more comfortable to spend several hours on the water.
Casting a spin rod from a seated position felt natural, and I had no hesitation leaning to the side or back to grab gear. Standing up to cast also felt surprisingly stable, as the pontoon edges provided something to rest my feet on. The boat also includes plenty of thoughtful rigging points for accessories, dry bags, and gear, so the kayak feels customizable without being cluttered.
After testing the kayak for about a month, I definitely recommend purchasing a rod holder. The first day I took out my Argo Aero, I forgot my slide-in rack receiver From my Bote paddleboard that I’ve had for a few seasons. I used to get away with keeping my spin rods with the butt of the rod under my seat, but I like to have a safe place for my gear, and now I always bring racks with me. Still, during that first paddle, I shifted my weight while reaching for tackle, changing lures, and resetting my rod, and I never felt unstable or like my rod was going to fall.
Decision
At $1,499, Argo Aero Not cheap. In fact, you can find Budget Hard-Shell Fishing Kayak For the same price. The difference is that those kayaks also require space for storage and a way to transport them – and even then, they don’t include some of the extra things (paddles, bags, foot rests, etc.) that the Argo Aero does.
Will the Argo Aero replace the premium fishing kayak? No, the dedicated fisherman who spends every weekend chasing fish in saltwater or rough conditions will probably still appreciate the speed and toughness of a premium hard-shell. And while the Argo Aero is compatible with a wide range of boat accessories, it’s not manufactured to fish, so you’ll need to purchase rod holders separately, which can be expensive ($30-$250 depending on it). RAC system You go along) But if you’ve avoided kayak fishing because you don’t have a garage or a trailer (or you’re just tired of wrestling) the Argo Aero makes a remarkably convincing argument that inflatable kayaks are better than ever.
