When a Bassmaster Classic champion and Hall of Famer decides to build a kayak specifically for moving water, the choices he doesn't make are as telling as the ones he does. Ike just took Bassmaster's cameras through his river build top to bottom — and the whole thing is an argument for building around the water you actually fish.
Why a River Build Is Its Own Animal
Reservoir rigs get optimized for range and open-water speed. Rivers ask for something else entirely: clearance over rock, control in current, and hardware that survives launches that are more gravel bar than boat ramp.
That priority shift shows up in nearly every component on this boat.
The Rig, Component by Component
Hull — Wilderness Systems Recon 120
Propulsion — NK300 HD might be considered big power for a 12-foot kayak, but the truth is, IKE wants plenty of power when he needs it. Going up-river is where this motor shines. And - absolutely he's bumping and banging it on the bottom. You better believe he's got a rock guard on the motor for exactly that reason. Big fish live shallow.
Power — 36V 50Ah LiFePO4 battery + 12V 100Ah house battery for electronics.
Impact protection — NK300 Rock Guard
Electronics — Lowrance Eagle Eye 9"
Holding position — Power-Pole Micro Anchor
Layout — YakAttack BlackPak and YakAttack TracVault for gear storage, aft rod holders and dry bag keeps valuables and extra tools.
Custom work — Tow leash for those sections of river where you need to walk or drag the kayak over shallow areas.
Watch the Full Walkthrough
Ike covers more on camera than we can fit here — including [[ONE SPECIFIC THING ONLY IN THE VIDEO, to give the click a reason]].
Watch Ike's full river kayak tour on Bassmaster.com →
Newport is the title sponsor of the Bassmaster Kayak Series, and Ike runs Newport power on every boat he builds.
Build your own river rig: https://newportvessels.com/products/nk300-kayak-motor