Time for a rethink: How the all-new Saber Hydra has turned my opinion of bait boats on its head…

As a longtime pike angler, I always believed that bait boats are the last refuge of the mediocre angler - designed solely to level the playing field for lazy gits who’ve never learned to cast. Perhaps I was a little hasty…

Sure, successfully casting to tricky spots is immensely satisfying. But leaving rigs, complete with floats, baits and snap tackle up trees… is really not the one.

So, when I found myself at a new lake, with some very pikey looking ambush spots tantalisingly hidden beneath low-hanging tree branches, I decided it was time either to invest in a baiting pole with around 40 spare extensions… or swallow my pride. 

Which ultimately led me to purchasing the reassuringly affordable non-GPS version of the Saber Hydra bait boat - a more wallet friendly rebrand from the Waverunner stable.

I have to admit, I was reluctant; indeed, I felt rather dirty spending 350 of my hard-earned pounds on a bait boat felt, frankly, like an affront to the sport I love. But, full disclosure: once the first double figure croc crossed the spreader block, I quickly changed my mind.

In fact, I’d go so far as to say the Saber Hydra has transformed the way I fish; and ramped up my results to boot.

First Impressions

Out of the box, the Hydra is compact, sleek, and surprisingly light. At a budget-friendly price point, I was concerned that I might be skimping on features, but my doubts were dispelled once I got it onto the water. 

The ease of setup is a huge plus to a renowned luddite such as me: just slap in the battery, load your bait, and you’re ready to go—no syncing or complicated setup required.

What I found especially impressive is the boat’s ability to navigate into the tightest spots - getting the softest sardine deadbaits where no angler could easily cast. 

The Hydra's remote control is intuitive with precise handling, allowing me to maneuver under the overhanging branches to exploit the clear areas beneath - dropping my baits right in the pike’s lair - opening up areas of the lake that were previously unreachable.

Affordable Performance

While the feature-rich GPS option of the Saber Hydra may excite many (more technically minded) anglers, I feel, at £200 less, the non-GPS version of the Saber Hydra delivers everything I need. 

The boat offers the stability and reliability expected from more expensive models.

And, shocker: the more I caught, the easier I was able to banish the word ‘cheat’ from my lexicon. In fact, I’ve almost managed to delude - sorry, convince - myself that the boat is a genuine extension of my skills as an angler. 

With, I guess, some justification: the Hydra grants me the ability to adapt to new environments effectively - meaning I can focus on watercraft without restriction.

 So, if, like me, you've resisted the idea of using a bait boat, but find your pride is costing you pike (or whatever other species fuel your passion), I wholeheartedly recommend the Saber Hydra. 

With its affordability, ease of use, and unrivalled manoeuvrability, I can consistently get my bait to where it needs to be. Nuff said.

So, my advice: take the plunge; if funds permit, add this amazing tool to your angling armoury. 

I can promise you: it will only take a new PB before you can start looking at yourself in the mirror, without blushing, once again.