I finally spent a full weekend testing out the bigfish 105 on the lake, and honestly, I have a lot to say about how this thing handles. If you've been looking into fishing kayaks lately, you've probably seen this name pop up a dozen times. It's got a bit of a reputation for being one of those "goldilocks" boats—not too big, not too small, but just right for someone who wants stability without moving up to a massive 12-foot beast.
After putting it through its paces in some choppy water and a few narrow creeks, I can see why people are so hyped about it. It's not a perfect boat (nothing is), but for a specific type of angler, it's about as close as you can get.
That Stability is No Joke
The first thing you notice about the bigfish 105 is the hull design. They call it a Cathedral Hull, which sounds pretty fancy, but basically, it means it's incredibly stable. When you're out on the water, the last thing you want to worry about is tipping over while you're trying to land a stubborn bass.
I'm not a small guy, and I was able to stand up and cast with zero issues. That's a huge deal for me. A lot of kayaks claim you can stand in them, but then you actually try it and feel like you're doing a tightrope walk over a pit of alligators. With this boat, I felt planted. I could reach for my gear, turn around to grab a drink from the cooler, and even sight-fish without that constant "oh no, I'm going in" feeling in the back of my head.
The width of the boat—about 33.5 inches—really plays into this. It gives you a massive platform to work with. If you're the kind of person who likes to stand up to get a better angle on your casts, you're going to love how this hull treats you.
The Seat Might Be the Best Part
We have to talk about the Big Fish seat. I've sat in some truly terrible kayak seats over the years that felt like sitting on a bleacher for eight hours. My back usually starts screaming at me by noon. But the seat on the bigfish 105 is a whole different story.
It's got multiple positions—high, low, and recline. When I'm paddling long distances to get to my spot, I keep it low for better leverage. Once I'm there and ready to fish, I pop it into the high position so I can see into the water better. You can even flip the seat out of the way entirely if you want more standing room on the deck. It's basically a lawn chair that happens to be attached to a boat. The mesh is breathable, too, which is a lifesaver when the sun is beating down and you're sweating through your shirt.
Storage and Rigging for Gear Heads
If you're like me, you probably bring way too much gear. I always tell myself I'll just take one rod and a small tackle box, and then I show up at the ramp with four rods and three crates of lures. The bigfish 105 handles my gear hoarding surprisingly well.
There's a massive bow hatch that stays pretty dry, which is where I shove my extra layers, my dry bag, and things I don't need to reach every five minutes. The rear tank well is also huge. It fits a standard milk crate or a dedicated fishing crate perfectly, with plenty of room left over for a small cooler.
One of my favorite "small" features is the integrated rod holders. They're positioned well so your rods aren't constantly getting in the way of your paddle stroke. Plus, there are gear tracks along the sides. This is a must-have these days. I didn't have to drill any holes into the hull to mount my fish finder or my camera pole. I just slid them onto the tracks and tightened them down. It makes the whole setup feel a lot more professional and less like a DIY project gone wrong.
How Does It Actually Move?
Okay, let's be real for a second. The bigfish 105 is a wide, stable boat. That means it's not going to win any races. If you're looking for a kayak that cuts through the water like a needle, this isn't it. It takes a little more effort to get it moving than a longer, narrower touring kayak would.
That said, for a 10.5-foot boat, it tracks surprisingly well. It doesn't wander left and right with every paddle stroke as much as I expected. It's easy to maneuver in tight spaces, though. I took it into some lily pads and around some downed timber, and I was able to pivot the boat without much fuss.
If you're planning on paddling five miles across open water in a headwind, you're going to get a workout. But for most pond, lake, or slow-moving river fishing, the speed is totally acceptable. It's a trade-off: you give up a little bit of speed to get that rock-solid stability, and for most anglers, that's a trade they're happy to make.
The Weight Factor
There's no sugarcoating this: the bigfish 105 is a bit of a tank. It's built tough, which is great for durability, but it means it's on the heavier side for a 10-footer. If you're planning on lifting this onto the roof of a tall SUV by yourself, you might want to start hitting the gym—or better yet, get a load assist or a dedicated kayak trailer.
I use a heavy-duty cart to get it from my truck to the water. Once it's in the water, the weight disappears and it feels light and responsive. But those few minutes of moving it across the parking lot can be a bit of a chore. It's the price you pay for having a boat that feels this sturdy. The molded-in handles are actually really good, though. They don't feel like they're going to snap off, and they give you a solid grip when you're wrestling it into the truck bed.
Small Details That Make a Difference
I really appreciate the little things the designers thought about. For example, the "Sonarpod." It's this removable console where you can mount your fish finder, battery, and transducer all in one unit. If you're worried about leaving your electronics on the boat while it's on your roof or in the driveway, you can just pop the whole pod out and take it inside. It's super convenient and keeps the wiring really clean.
The deck padding is another nice touch. It's that EVA foam stuff that feels great on your feet if you're fishing barefoot in the summer. It also helps dampen sound. If you drop a pair of pliers on a bare plastic deck, it sounds like a gunshot to the fish below. The padding keeps things quiet so you don't spook everything in the area.
Who Is This Boat For?
In my opinion, the bigfish 105 is perfect for the person who wants a "real" fishing kayak without spending four thousand dollars on a motorized rig. It's for the angler who values comfort and stability over everything else.
If you fish mostly in sheltered water—lakes, ponds, and calm rivers—you're going to have a blast in this thing. It's also a great choice for beginners because it's so forgiving. You don't have to have perfect balance to feel safe in it. Even if you're a seasoned pro, the ability to stand up and fish comfortably for hours is a huge game changer.
So, What's the Verdict?
After a few trips out, I'm genuinely impressed. The bigfish 105 hits a really sweet spot in the market. It feels like a much larger, more expensive boat than it actually is. Yes, it's a bit heavy, and no, it's not the fastest thing on the water, but the pros far outweigh the cons for me.
I love being able to stand up without a second thought. I love the seat that doesn't ruin my back. And I love that I can bring all my gear without feeling cramped. It's a solid, dependable fishing platform that just works. If you're looking for something that's easy to manage but doesn't compromise on the features that actually matter when you're out there chasing fish, you really can't go wrong with this one. It's definitely earned its spot in my garage.