The CJ Nelson Milo Fish Surfboard in Thunderbolt Red technology is CJ Nelson’s take on a performance fish. Let’s embark on an aquatic adventure with the CJ Nelson Milo Fish surfboard—a board designed to unlock new realms of surfing pleasure, especially in small – medium sized waves. Follow along as we navigate through the waves of this review, exploring the potential of this amazing Thunderbolt Red surfboard.
Sizing & Construction
The CJ Nelson Milo Fish comes in varying sizes such as:
6’3 X 21 3/4 X 2.6 V41.18
6’6 X 22 X 2.7 V44.99
6’9 X 22.25 X 2.8 V49.89
They also come in different thunderbolt technologies including:
Thunderbolt Red
Thunderbolt Black
I chose to ride the CJ Nelson Milo Fish in 6’3 X 21 3/4 X 2.6 V41.18 and in Thunderbolt Red. Fishes are usually meant to be ridden short, and I wanted to get that traditional fish feel. Thunderbolt Red has the EPS/Epoxy durability, but the flex that feels more similar to PU boards.
How it Felt to Ride: CJ Nelson Milo Fish
NOTE: I review surfboards on certain categories on a 10 point scale, which you’ll notice after certain words.
We’re just a little off of our south shore swell that fills in during the summer. The waves have been pretty small and uninspiring for the most part. With that being said, this surfboard has felt like has put in new life for small waves for me, and possibly one of the most fast and user-friendly shapes for even beginner surfers too.
First up immediately hopping onto the board, the flat rocker profile and generously volumed size (41.18 L), allows you to paddle the board with ease. The single to double concave does allow you to glide so nicely as you paddle (paddling 9.25). It was a small day out at the local break. Waves ranged mostly from 1-3 feet. Even if the waves were soft, I could swing the board around quickly, and the board allowed me to get into the wave with just a few strokes with ease (wave entry 9.25). The glide and wave entry was so good that I actually sold my longboard, the Special T Longboard by Taylor Jensen.
One of the favorite parts of the CJ Nelson Milo Fish surfboard, is riding the highlines with some keel fins, which felt like pure bliss on a lined up wave. (Speed 9). Even when I got behind sections I just leaned a little bit onto that inside rail and felt like the board sling shotted me back into the pocket of the wave (Drive 9.25).
Speaking about it’s maneuverability, the rails especially at the chest mark felt beefy. Maybe even a tad bit beefy for me.
I have even bogged rail a few times due to this.
But this board still maneuvered better than I thought! The V bottom near the tail helps the board roll and keep the back rail engaged facilitating a turn. Once on rail, the hard edge in the speeds you up through turns, and turns feel fast & buttery. Who doesn’t want that in a surfboard? 😉(Maneuverability 8.5)
Note on Maneuverability:
it was hard whether to rate the CJ Nelson Milo Fish as more like a big shortboard, or more like mid -length surfboard. Thunderbolt surfboards usually focus on the longboard/mid length surfboards. However, this board’s size at 6’3″ and ride experience, felt like a rode more closely to a larger shortboard, than a mid – length; feeling faster and drawing tighter turns than other mid lengths that I’ve tried. So I rated it more like a shortboard on this category.
For duck diving even at 41.18L of volume, I didn’t have any problems duck diving this board (I’m about a 150lbs depending on a good day). Where I would’ve had problems duck diving my Firewire LFT Seaside and Beyond. Thunderbolt Red Flex aids both flex turning (and even duck diving!), & is a super durable construction (Duck diving & Durability 9)
Overall Scores
- Paddling /Wave Entry 9.25
- Speed 9
- Drive 9.25
- Maneuverability 8.5
- Duck diving / Volume Distribution 9
- Durability 9
- OVERALL 9
Whose it For?
The CJ Nelson Milo Fish Surfboard is one I could easily recommend to a beginner to learn on and have fun tons of fun on! Adding the third fin in the back could help stabilize the board to make it easier to ride, and this board has tons of glide and paddle power to catch tons of waves.
Intermediate surfers & advanced surfers can still have tons of fun on this board and could use it as a small wave grovel machine.
Wave Range
When I want small waves to feel alive. I like to ride the CJ Nelson Milo Fish. From knee high waves to head high this board was tons of fun!
Recommended Fins/Accessories:
For maximum fun, free, and looseness 100%:
Keel Twin Fins
When the waves get a little bit bigger or if you want more stability:
Power Twins + Trailer
My go to tangle-free Leash (FCS Helix) & FCS Sharkbanz pod for protection & peace of mind from any sharks while out in the water.
Conclusion/Summary
In conclusion, the CJ Nelson Milo Fish Surfboard is an excellent choice for beginners seeking an enjoyable learning experience, thanks to its flat rocker profile and generous volume (41.18 L) which make paddling remarkably easy. The board’s single to double concave enhances glide, particularly beneficial in smaller waves (1-3 feet), where wave entry is effortless with just a few strokes (wave entry 9.25). The board’s exceptional speed (9) and drive (9.25) make highline riding a joy, effortlessly maneuvering through sections and delivering fast, buttery turns.
While the board’s beefy rails near the chest mark may feel slightly cumbersome, it still maneuvers surprisingly well, aided by a V bottom near the tail that facilitates engaging turns. The hard edge adds to the board’s agility, resulting in fast and smooth turns (maneuverability 8.5). Overall, this versatile surfboard caters not only to beginners but also to intermediate and advanced surfers seeking a grovel machine for smaller waves.
Video Review
You can also check out my video review on the CJ Nelson Milo Fish surfboard here.
Other Alternatives
Check out my review on the Seaside and Beyond here!