Yamaha JetFish 2025 FX boat test

Until I jumped aboard the new Yamaha JetFish 2025 FX for a recent session on Lake Macquarie, I hadn’t done a whole lot of fishing from a PWC. I was sceptical, admittedly, about how fishable and comfortable it would be, yet also keen to see what all the fuss was about.

Let’s start with the hull - because it’s not just about speed, it’s about stability. The 2025 FX hull has been tweaked with a focus on fishability, meaning Yamaha has made the ride smoother, drier and more balanced at low speeds. That’s important when you’re drifting or slow-trolling.

Out on the bay, I was targeting tailor, working a bait ball that was moving pretty erratically around the lake. I needed to idle, pivot and cast without constantly adjusting my balance. The FX didn’t rock like a cradle every time I turned to grab a lure or re-rig. 

The true test came when I hooked a fish, and needed to work it back to the boat. If you had a shorter rod, you would be in serious trouble, as you need to lean over the bow to work the fish around, but lucky I was using a 7ft 2in rod, which is a big tip I have for anyone fishing off a PWC. 

This is where things start to get interesting. The JetFish FX comes standard with Yamaha’s custom-designed fishing deck - a big step up from your average PWC. You’ve got an extended rear platform, integrated rod holders, cooler storage and quick tackle access.

I ran a couple of livies out the back while casting soft plastics up front, and the layout just worked. Nothing felt cramped, and I wasn’t constantly untangling rods or shifting gear to make space. There’s even a cutting board built into the cooler lid. 

In calm water, it really feels like you’ve got your own compact bait station right behind you. That said, while the set-up is tidy and ticks all the essential boxes, I’d love to see a slightly longer rear deck or even a front-mounted rod holder to  really elevate the overall fishability.

Up front, the helm on the JetFish FX has had a serious tech upgrade. The 5-inch touchscreen display is now fully customisable, and thanks to Yamaha’s partnership with brands like Lowrance and Garmin, you also get dedicated fish-finding integration on the portside. 

My unit came pre-fitted with SideScan, DownScan, and GPS mapping – tech you’d normally expect to find on a mid-sized boat, not a PWC. At one point, I was cruising at 40 knots and still getting a clear bottom reading.

Interestingly, being closer to the water and so much more in tune with the elements, I spent more time scanning the surface, watching for bird activity and current lines, rather than just staring at the screen. 

Yamaha’s modular storage set-up is a stroke of genius. Beneath the seat and in the side bins, you’ve got dry storage, a wet tray, and tackle compartments that actually make sense. I kept soft plastics, jig heads, pliers, leader and a spare spool all within arm’s reach without having to dig around in a backpack. 

I even stashed a drone in the dry compartment to film a couple of hook-ups – and it stayed bone-dry through chop and spray. I was also impressed by how secure the rod holders were at speed. Not once did I feel like my rods were going to bounce out.

PWC’s are fast, we all know that. But when you’re fishing, speed isn’t everything - control is. The JetFish FX is fitted with Yamaha’s RiDE dual throttle system, which lets you go forward, reverse, or stop instantly using the handlebar triggers.

When I came up tight on a bait school, I was able to slide into position, hover with small forward and reverse nudges, and cast with accuracy. It felt more like using a bow-mount electric than anything I’ve experienced on a PWC. For tight spots - like mangrove edges or channel markers - this kind of precision makes all the difference. 

One of the biggest advantages of the JetFish FX is just how easy it is to launch and retrieve on your own. Tipping the scales at around 385kg dry, it’s significantly lighter than even a small centre console or tinny – at the ramp, I slid it off the trailer solo, parked the car, and was fishing within 15 minutes.

Yamaha has also upped the comfort game on this year’s FX platform. The new tiered seating design is ergonomic and surprisingly plush for a PWC. I spent five hours on the water and didn’t feel that usual “PWC fatigue”. 

There’s enough fuel onboard (70 litres) to cover serious ground too. I ran a 20km round trip, fished for a few hours, and still had plenty in reserve. For offshore missions or remote estuary work, that’s peace of mind.

Under the hood, the JetFish FX is powered by Yamaha’s proven 1.8-litre High Output marine engine – naturally aspirated, smooth, and built for reliability. It’s the same engine platform you’ll find across Yamaha’s performance range, and it delivers punchy acceleration with a top speed just north of 90km/h (48 knots).

At the end of the day, the Yamaha JetFish 2025 FX isn’t trying to be a boat - it’s a compact, fast, easy-to-fish platform that bridges the gap between fishing kayak and trailer boat. And it nails that brief.

Price from: $30,329, Ski only.

* Correct as of August 2025

LOA: 3.58m

Beam: 1.27m

Weight: 425kg

Fuel capacity: 70lt

Storage capacity: 168lt

Power: 1898cc HO 4-stroke 200hp approx.