The 5 drops that stood out

1. EPropulsion K Lite 750

Electric Outboard · Available August 2026

EPropulsion has been quiet in the kayak space until now. The K Lite is their first real dedicated kayak-fishing motor — and they didn't just shrink an existing outboard. It was built ground-up for the yak angler.

Under 15 pounds total. Integrated 378Wh battery. 500W continuous with a 750W "Sport Burst" mode when you need to punch it. Runs in less than 7 inches of water. Includes a Fish Mode for low-end control around laydowns, a spring-away mechanism so the prop doesn't spook fish when it hits something, and a rudder-shaped design that lets you steer without engaging the throttle. That last part matters more than it sounds.

If you've been eyeing powered kayaks but didn't want the weight of a full trolling motor rig, this is the one to watch. EPropulsion doesn't build junk.

Full spec sheet →

2. VoyaX Mossa 97

Best Boat or Watercraft · Early Bird $2,999

The Mossa 97 quietly took home the Best Boat or Watercraft award at iCast this year — the biggest kayak honor at the show. VoyaX is a newer name in kayak fishing but they showed up ready. This is one of the best-looking hulls on the floor, and the crowd around their booth all week backed up the buzz.

The 97 is the smaller of two Mossa hulls they unveiled (there's a 128 too — different boat, different conversation). Compact-fishing-kayak footprint with pedal-drive integration, standing platform, and modular rigging. Award-badged, ready to sell.

VoyaX announced early bird pricing at $2,999 — one of the more compelling mid-tier pedal-kayak numbers on the market right now. If you're comparing next-season pedal kayaks, this one belongs on the shortlist next to the Old Town and Bonafide options.

3. Newport Stance 180

Bow-Mount Trolling Motor · Kayak-Native

Single-hand stow and deploy. Impact-resistant shaft. Brushless FOC motor for quiet operation. If you've been looking for a bow-mount trolling motor actually built for the yak scale — not a bass-boat setup adapted down — this is finally that.

Still in prototype, possible MSRP around $1,999, no confirmed release. Between this and the K Lite, iCast 2026 was the year the powered-kayak market went mainstream. Both worth watching closely.

See Newport Vessels →

4. Old Town Sportsman 120 Pro

Pedal Kayak · $1,999 · Available Now

This is the one you'll wish you bought first. Same trusted 12-foot, 36-inch Sportsman platform with 420-pound usable capacity — but big upgrades over the original AND meaningful jumps over last year's PDL 120 Pro. Old Town didn't just repaint the boat; they put it through a real revision cycle.

The Pro adds 150 inches of aluminum accessory tracks, a universal four-hole bow-mount pattern for trolling motors, two stern insert mounts, big bow and stern hatches, three flush rod holders plus horizontal storage for four rods. Double-U hull stays (the standing platform that made the Sportsman 120 what it is). Saltwater-rated. Rotomolded in Maine. Lifetime hull warranty.

$1,999 MSRP. If you already run a Sportsman, this is the version that answers most of your "I wish it had…" gripes. And if you're new to the platform, you're getting a fully-revised boat at a price that makes the decision easy.

See at Old Town →

5. Bonafide XTR 140p

Pedal-Drive Fishing Kayak · From $3,599

The biggest news for Bonafide loyalists — the XTR platform now has a pedal drive option. First time. 14 feet, 40 inches wide, 725 pounds of capacity, and Bonafide is calling it "one of the most stable platforms they've ever put on the water." The deck is 24 × 80 inches of walkable, castable space.

The new X-Range Pedal Drive quick-deploys with no rigging required and can be completely removed for motor-only setups. Hull got refined for reduced drag, which helps both pedal efficiency and motor range. Elevated bow keeps you drier in chop, shallow draft gets you back where the boats can't.

$3,599 without the drive, $4,699 with it. If you've been holding out on Bonafide because they didn't offer pedal, that's over. This is the one.

See Bonafide →

Redodo Lithium — 10% Off With BDF8

Last couple weeks on the Redodo deal — if kayak power has been on your list, the code BDF8 still stacks 10% off site-wide through the end of the month.