I wanted to approach this review a little differently from the other reviews I’ve read on the Ultimate FX 15 Tandem. I wanted to share my experiences on how I use it primarily as a Fly Fishing platform. I will also touch on how I use it for recreational purposes and why I “Ultimately” decided on the Native Ultimate FX 15 Tandem as my choice of kayak.
When deciding on any kayak you should ask yourself a few questions to help decide if it’s the right kayak for you. Here are a few things you may want to ask yourself when considering a new kayak for fly fishing. I asked myself these same questions and here are my answers after having the FX 15 for almost a year.
How does it paddle?:
The FX paddles extremely well. In fact, it is a faster kayak than you think it would be being a hybrid kayak. It does not take much effort to get it to a steady pace and once you are underway it paddles very fast with little effort. It tracks extremely well and does a great job of cutting through all water conditions. I have always been impressed how well it handles in a strong current. For the FX I prefer a high angle paddle that is 240cm in size because of the seat height and width of the FX.
Is it stable?:
Sight fishing on the flats is extremely important if you want to be successful while fly fishing. When it comes to stability the FX is the most stable kayak that I have fished from yet. This stability comes from the tunnel hull design that was part of the original Ultimate series, a feature that the Ultimate was known for. Native carried on this tradition with they updated to the Ultimate FX. The update also included flattening out the deck and the widening of the footwells, this makes for a more comfortable platform to fish from. That stability greatly helps with casting and I regularly stand and fly cast all day in the FX. I can stand with confidence knowing that I have a stable platform under my feet.
How does it pole?:
Elevation is another key to sight-fishing the flats. The FX poles well for sight fishing in both the Single and Tandem positions. The stability and the ample foot room makes it very comfortable to stand for extended periods of time.
Are the seats comfortable?:
All of the Ultimate FX series kayaks come with Native’s First Class High-Low seats. These are the most comfortable seats that I have ever used on a kayak. The ability to change from the Hi and Low positions was another big factor in why I chose this kayak. Being able to put it in the Low position is a great benefit if the wind is a factor. The main seat frame also shifts fore and aft so that you can trim the kayak to your liking
Do you want the capability to take family members with you?
The Ultimate FX 15 most definitely fits this bill as it is a tandem kayak. I have taken my boys with me on several occasions both for fishing and recreational trips. It easily converts between Tandem and Solo positions making it in my opinion one of the most versatile kayaks on the market.
Do you want a kayak that is has good weight capabilities?
The Ultimate FX has a 600 lb weight capacity which makes it ideal for not only as a tandem kayak but also an excellent kayak for camping. The added weight capacity and open cockpit make carrying camping gear and supplies easy in the FX.
How is it outfitted from the factory?
The FX series of kayaks comes pre-installed with tight-line anchor trolleys on both sides of the kayak. This makes using a stake-out pole or anchor that much easier in a variety of situations. It comes with Groove Tracks on both sides, on the seat frames, and on the rear and forward thwarts. The forward molded thwart has Grove Tracks and padded rod stagers and mounting surfaces. The Groove tracks give you great flexibility in how you want to set up your camera mounts, rod holders, and any other accessories.
Do you want to Fly Fish from a kayak?
For me and my needs, it is hard for me to think of many other kayaks that are as well suited as the FX series for fly fishing. The layout of the deck is very clean which makes it an excellent choice for fly fishing. Your wants, needs, and preferences may be different than mine in.
Now that I have answered the questions on why I picked the FX 15 let’s look at how and why I use it as a fly fishing platform:
How I set it up for fly fishing:
I get asked quite often on how I set my FX15 up for fly fishing. These methods have worked very well for me since I purchased my Ultimate FX 15. I picked the FX for it’s stability and its hybrid setup. If you are new to kayaking you might be asking yourself what is a hybrid kayak. The easiest way to explain it is a hybrid kayak is it’s a cross between a canoe and kayak. You end up getting the benefits of both.
I like being to strip my line into the cockpit and not worry about the wind blowing my line around. I also put a stripping mat on the deck to further help with line management.
When I am in the solo configuration I move the foot peg’s from the solo position to the forward tandem position to keep my fly line in getting tangled on them. This also allows me to keep them on the kayak for when I need them. I also stow my paddles in the front of the kayak by wedging them in using the foot pegs to hold them in place.
I generally carry 2 or more fly rods with me on the water and I have discovered a neat trick to keep them from getting in the way. I put the extra rod next to the seat and it fits perfectly securely and out of your way. I have never liked rod holders or rods sticking out the back of the kayak. This has proved to be an excellent solution to that issue.
Fighting and casting to fish:
The biggest thing I noticed is how easy it is to stand up in the FX. It is a very easy transition from sitting to standing and back to sitting. I am able to stand straight up while fighting a fish or when getting ready to cast to a fish.
The other big one for me is the ability to cast easily while standing in the FX 15. I can make any cast with ease in either set up.
Why did I “Ultimately” choose the Ultimate FX 15 Tandem:
When it was all said and done, the Ultimate FX checked all of the boxes on the questions I had and filled my needs for my type of fishing. The main reason being I wanted a tandem kayak to take my oldest son fishing with me. It also needed to have the ability to transition to a solo kayak for when I go by myself. The other big reason was I wanted a kayak that would fit my needs for fly fishing.
Conclusion:
The most important thing to remember is there is no perfect kayak. You will always have a little give and take when selecting kayak. Some of theses things will come down to your own personal preferences in how you like your kayak to be setup. Don’t just take my word for it, give the FX series a try yourself. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the Ultimate FX as a fly fishing platform and as a recreational kayak.
The Ultimate FX series is offered in 12, 15 single configurations and the Ultimate FX 15 Tandem configuration.
The Ultimate FX 15 Tandem at a Glance:
Length:15′ 3″ – 465 cm
Width:31″ – 79 cm
Fitted Weight:88 lbs – 40 kg
Depth @ Beam:12.5″ – 32 cm
Capacity:600 lbs – 272 kg