Product Reviews/Write-Ups

BHO's expert staff and on-water pro-staff tell it like it is.

Selecting a Battery for a Motorized Kayak: Type, Capacity, and Life
If you’re considering the purchase of a fishfinder for your kayak, or pondering going all in on an Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot motorized kayak, you’ve probably found yourself wading into the world of marine batteries. The questions surrounding type, capacity,...
Tips for Successful Freshwater Kayak Fishing
Packing the Essentials Whether you are an avid tournament kayak angler or a kayak fishing beginner, there are a few essentials that you will need for kayak fishing in freshwater. The most important gear when kayak fishing includes a kayak...
The Best Fishing Kayaks for Big and Tall Paddlers
The sport of kayak fishing has been growing exponentially over the last few years, and many anglers are looking to get into their first kayak. With so many options on the market these days, choosing the right kayak can be...
Sit-on-Top vs. Sit Inside Kayaks: Choosing What’s Best for You
If you’re new to paddling and looking to invest in a kayak, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to choose a sit-on-top kayak (SOT) or a sit-inside kayak (SIS). The simple answer is that they’re...
Looking for the BEST Fishing Kayak PFD? We've Got The Answer
A personal floatation device, or PFD, is an essential safety accessory every time you hit the water, regardless of the type of vessel you're heading out in. And while life jacket laws vary from state to state, you don't want...
Kayak Fishing Paddles - Size, Shape, Materials Explained
Traditionally, kayaks were propelled by a paddle and many of our popular fishing kayaks are powered by a kayak paddle. With the recent popularity of pedal and powered kayaks for the fishing markets, you might think the traditional kayak paddle...
FINALLY, the PERFECT SOLUTION for Old Town Sportsman kayak transportation!
Black Hall Outfitters, Boonedox, and Hydra Concepts are excited to unveil the SOLUTION for transporting Old Town Sportsman kayaks! The Boonedox Landing Gear Track Kit is a creative and innovative way to transport today's larger and heavier fishing kayaks that has exploded in popularity...
Bulldogs in the Boulders: Kayak Tautog Fishing
Tautog are pound for pound some of the hardest fighting fish in our northeast waters. Anglers are often willing to endure cold temperatures, numb hands, and boats littered with crab guts for their chance at a trophy Tautog. Why? Firstly, tog are delicious, and some even say the best tasting fish in our waters. Furthermore, they are absolute tanks of the ocean. Once you set the hook into their leather-like lips, it’s a straight up battle for who is stronger.
Albie Fever in an Old Town Sportsman PDL
There is no fish that we target in the Northeast as electrifying, frustrating, and fever-inducing as the false albacore. Each September, as the young-of-the-year baitfish pour out of the estuaries, rivers, and bays, false albacore, or “albies,” approach our shorelines, well within reach of the shore, kayak, and small boat fisherman.
Versatile Pedal Kayaks at a VALUE Price: Meet the Old Town Sportsman Salty PDL and 106 PDL
If you are in tune at all with the paddle sports world, there’s a good chance you have heard about the pedal kayak revolution taking place within the industry. Like all new technology in most fields, at first the pedal kayak customer base was a small but dedicated group of mostly kayak anglers.
Snakehead Fishing in The Old Town Sportsman PDL
In late July, I set out with my good friend Shawn to execute a 24 hour snakehead fishin’ mission. Our goal was to leave Black Hall Outfitters in Westbrook, Connecticut on a Wednesday night, Old Town kayaks strapped to the roof, drive to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, fish for Northern snakeheads Thursday morning, and finally return to Connecticut on Thursday night.
Spacious, Stable, Salty: Meet the Old Town Sportsman BigWater 132
“Big water” is perhaps a bit misleading for a boat which is just at home in small, marshy feeder creeks as it is exploring the inshore saltwater scene. However, the name is also not wrong- this boat can take on everything, from smaller lakes and ponds up to the biggest water you can find: the ocean. At just over 13 feet long and boasting an ultra-stable tri-hull design, this paddle kayak offers a whole lot of versatility, comfort, and stability, all at a price point around $1,500.