I tell customers that that big ol bow hatch is like the trunk of your car, 9 out of 10 trips you never open it. There may come the day where you want to slip a big fish in there and there may come a day when stowing your rods for landing will be a good idea.
The rear hatch in my opinion makes for good unlikely items needed on the water. I usually set up the battery here, good place for emergency items/first aid and a drift shoot.
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