Refining Fishing on the Water
Sea-Doo has pioneered personal watercraft (PWC) fishing, with an extensive range designed to cater to everyone, from avid fishing enthusiasts to occasional anglers. The FishPro models, co-designed with Kiwi PWC fishing expert Andrew Hill, are purpose-built for fishing adventures. The range includes the FishPro Apex, Trophy, Sport, and Scout, offering diverse options for all types of anglers.
Late December, we had the chance to test these models, from the versatile 170HP Trophy to the newly-released powerhouse, the 300HP FishPro Apex—the first of its kind in the Asia Pacific region. Here’s a line-up breakdown, culminating in a close look at the day’s hero: the Sea-Doo FishPro Apex.
Sea-Doo FishPro Sport
The original FishPro, the FishPro Sport, delivers a new take on fishing. You can move about to fish from sitting or standing positions, and its fishing bench seat is designed for comfort while driving or fishing. Five fishing rod holders allow rods to be placed in various locations around the craft, allowing convenient rod storage and improved trolling capabilities. Rods can be kept within reach or out of the way, as your adventure dictates.
Sea-Doo FishPro Trophy
The FishPro Trophy provides tournament-level fishing in every aspect, ingeniously designed features in a PWC. With its Modular Swivel Seat, the rear portion of the seat transforms into a pedestal seat ideal for sight fishing, installed in seconds for a game-changing experience. The Rotax® 1630 ACETM – 170 is the most powerful naturally aspirated Rotax engine ever on a Sea-Doo watercraft. Offering plenty of top-end speed to get out to fishing grounds fast while running efficiently on fuel.
Sea-Doo FishPro Scout
The next model up, the FishPro Scout comes with a better fish finder, more rod holders and trolling modes. Equipped with nine pre-set trolling modes, you can find your perfect trolling speed (By dropping the jet bucket), set it once and focus on fishing. Select between the nine low-speed settings for your ideal bait presentation, all without needing to touch the throttle.
The Hero of the Day:
The new Sea-Doo FishPro Apex!
The newest addition to the range, the FishPro Apex, represents the pinnacle of Sea-Doo’s fishing innovation.
Its exclusive design, striking colour scheme, and limited one-year production run make it a standout. Powered by a 300HP Rotax 1630 ACE engine (Supercharged) —adopted from the high-performance RXT model—it delivers exhilarating speed, perfect for getting to the best fishing spots first.
During our test, we hit a thrilling 116 kph at wide-open throttle. The tall touring windshield provided excellent wind protection at this speed – just a meter above the sea! Stepping onto a model without a screen at 100kph reminded me how much the elasticity in one’s face cheeks reduces at 50 years plus. The Apex maintained notable stability, both at rest and underway, adding confidence even during the high-adrenaline moments.
The Apex also introduces advanced features like a hydraulic steering damper and an adjustable handlebar riser, allowing riders to fine-tune their setup for maximum comfort and control. Andrew Hill shared an invaluable tip: by setting the trolling mode and adjusting the steering tension, anglers can troll in a straight line while focusing on underwater structures and fish activity—a testament to the Apex’s thoughtful design.
Final Thoughts
I was impressed with the hole shot acceleration (0-100kph in 3 to 4 seconds) and top-end speed (116 kph on our day), the protection the windscreen offered, and the quietness of the FishPro Apex’s engine, even at wide open throttle. No longer is there the question of the compromise between a Performance PWC or a Fishing PWC – this unit combines the best of both – but be quick, these Sea-Doo FishPro Apex models are available for a limited time and in limited numbers!
The FishPro Apex is packed with innovative features:
- Garmin 9-inch Touchscreen Fish Finder GPS: Equipped with an in-hull transducer, chart plotting, and ride tracking for superior fishing insights.
- Twin Batteries: Support additional onboard electronics.
- Modular Swivel Seat: Enhances fishing convenience.
- LinQ Cooler with Live Bait Tank and Washdown: This cooler keeps bait and catch fresh and simplifies post- adventure clean-up.
- Intelligent Debris-Free Pump System (iDF): This system clears clogged intakes at the push of a button, enabling worry-free exploration.
- Stereo System designed for marine conditions that certainly pump out the tunes.
- Seven Rod Holders are well-positioned and built to handle rough conditions and high speeds.
- Rear Deck Extension and LinQ Points: These provide extra stability and storage for fuel caddies or gear in several locations.
- A 70-litre built-in fuel tank. Plus, the mentioned provision for additional fuel on the rear deck ensures you’re ready for extended adventures.
- Generous watertight storage in the glove box and unique rear-opening front bin.
