PELICAN’S CROSS-X OFFERS A STURDY AND STABLE PLATFORM
FOR STAND-UP FISHING. PHOTO: BEN DUCHESNEY
Boat Insider
The cool water of Cape Cod Bay brushed against my knees as I knelt down to revive another striper. Screeching and cawing of diving birds filled my ears making me eager to release the fish and get back in the action. When the arm-length fish splashed a sign, I released it to the water and turned to silently chase down the blitzing feeding frenzy. Fishing from a standup paddleboard means that even if the fish stop blitzing, they still won’t see or hear me coming. Designed for flat water and light surf, the
Cross-X is the perfect entry-level board for anglers looking to start SUP fishing. Grab the 40-pound board, a PFD, rod and a tackle box for quick trips. The 32.25–inch wide and four-and-a- half-inch-thick hull allows the board to be rigged with cooler, electronics and all the trappings of a fishing expedition. Bungees on the nose will hold a tackle box or dry bag. Remove the bungee and you can use the leash plugs to attach accessories like a rod holder or electronics. The anti-slip cushioned deck is easy on the feet.
A removable 10-inch fin keeps the board tracking smooth and steady, even in a light crosswind and slappy chop.
34 PADDLING MAGAZINE
PELICAN’S MULTI-PURPOSE BOARD IS READY FOR YOUR SUP FISHING ADVENTURE The Cross-X is constructed out of polyethylene
skin on a foam core. This makes the board stiff and light with a tough exterior that takes fishing abuse. I really like the blue, white and black color scheme that adds cool looks to the board’s functionality. Fishing from the Cross-X, I paddled farther
into the marsh than I ever reached before. Just beyond an island of mud and grass, I spotted fish tailing in a pool of skinny water. I slid the board up onto the muck and wrapped my muddy fingers around the ergonomic center carry handle. A few giddy steps later and I was in the pool, peeling line from my reel for another cast to the secluded bruisers. Deeper into the marsh we go. Back at the launch, I easily threw the Pelican
board on top of my truck. A buddy getting ready to car-top his heavy kayak, looked at the board and asked how much the Cross-X cost. Excited to have another SUP fisherman to join me in the backwater estuaries, I smiled as he struggled to load his SOT on his wagon, and said, “A lot less than back surgery or a new paint job!” —Ben Duchesney
Pelican
Cross-X SUP Length: 10’6” Width: 31.25” Weight: 40 lbs Capacity: 190 lbs MSRP: $699
www.pelicansport.com
Digital Extra: Watch Ben Duchesney test the Pelican Cross-X SUP on Cape Cod’s skinny striper waters at Rapidmedia. com/0458 or get the digital issue of Kayak Angler on your desktop or device.
CATCH MORE WITH THE CROSS-X
This article first appeared in the 2015 Winter issue of Kayak Angler.
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