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Freedom Angler Test Report
Our Managing Director and owner has been fishing from kayaks for year's and if you have trouble sleeping ask him about fishing in Alaska and fishing from an old PBK. Fishing from closed cockpit kayaks is fine on waters that are unlikely to spring a surprise on you and he has used a Perception Sierra and Blackwater 10.5 in recent years. His favourite places to fish nowadays are in SW Ireland and he prefers the security of a sit-on-top particularly where swells and winds are less predictable. It's hard for us to say but he is (or was) a good sea kayaker as well as a good angler. He reports the Freedom Angler is fast and stable yet easy to manoeuvre. The deck fittings and seat are fine for hours of fishing and in warmer weather sitting side-saddle is no problem. There are three major pluses for the Freedom, its bow shape, low windage and adjustable footpegs. The bow shape cuts through the chop and when drifting with a small sea anchor the deck stays dry. Freedom has a flatter profile than similar models and this helps stop the kayak drifting too fast when freelining. The footpegs are an absolute must if you intend to paddle any kayak properly, using your heels in shallow footwells screws up your paddling, you must be able to push on the balls of your feet to drive the kayak efficiently. Perception make extreme white water kayaks and use the same production techniques in the Freedom and their build quality can be recommended. The forward Scotty rod holder is next to useless but the third flush mounted rod holder between your knees is perfect. Forward and reverse paddling are not impaired when a rod is left in this holder. Reverse paddling with a small shad has produced double figure Pollock in very shallow water, this appears to please the boss.
Gear shown in the images include:
Abu 7000 on a DiawaSKZ-B20 7'6" - Shimano Baitrunner on a 10' carbon whisker.
Lendal Mod Crank Paddles - YAK Salopettes - CSR Boots - Palm Caspian Cag - Palm Symbient Tour BA
IR Thermals - Fox 40 whistle - Survival Bag - Floating line towrope and wide gate crab.
All the paddling gear is available from Brighton Canoes. |
