Whether you’re a shore-bound fisherman getting into a kayak to reach new waters or a boat fisherman who recognizes a fishing kayak as an exciting way to get out on the water, there’s something in kayak fishing for just about anyone. Will you be fishing small ponds, open ocean, or both? Do you want to paddle or pedal? Do you value the stability of a stand-up platform or is a light and nimble hull more important to you? There are dozens of kayaks built specifically for fishermen, and each one offers a unique combination of stability, size, speed, and fishing features. While there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to fishing kayaks, with all the different models available today, there’s a better chance than ever that you can find one to fit your fishing needs.
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Which Fishing Kayak is Right for You?
The bottom line in choosing the best fishing kayak for your needs is that there is no one-size-fits all. Before you decide on purchasing a kayak for fishing, the most important thing you can do is to take stock of where and how you plan to do most of your paddling and fishing. Identify your needs: Will you be fishing in freshwater ponds for largemouth bass? Navigating streams and rivers to catch smallmouth bass and trout? Poking around saltwater harbors, estuaries and flats for striped bass and bluefish? Or do you plan to venture out into the open ocean and launch through surf? Also, will this kayak be strictly a fishing vessel, or do you plan to use it for relaxation and recreation with your family?
Once you’ve thought about what you want from a fishing kayak, it’s time to select a handful that appear to match your desired criteria. At that point, try them all! Always demo a kayak before you buy it!
Before you can evaluate the fishing kayaks at your local paddlesport shop or marina, it’s helpful to understand some of the important characteristics of kayaks. Most fishing kayaks can be used for a variety of activities, but no one kayak excels at every activity. Choosing a kayak, like choosing a boat or a car, means mulling over a long list of specifications and deciding what features are “must-haves” and which ones are compromises. Once you understand your options, you can start down the path of choosing the right kayak for your intended purposes. These are some of the basics to consider before you buy your first, or next, fishing kayak.
What Kind of Kayak is Best for Fishing?
Pedal kayaks have become very popular for fishing because they free up your arms for holding a fishing rod. There are several options in pedal-powered kayaks by Hobie, Old Town, Native, Ocean Kayak, Pelican and others. Check out our guide on picking the best pedal-powered fishing kayak. Electric-motor-powered kayaks are also becoming a popular option. Paddle kayaks tend to be less expensive than pedal kayaks, and some anglers prefer the simplicity and lightweight of paddle kayaks.
What’s the most stable fishing kayak?
Fishing kayaks are remarkably stable. In general, wider kayaks are more stable and can support more capacity, which is often advantageous when fishing. However, width is far from the only factor that affects stability. Hull design can have a big effect, so test a fishing kayak before buying.
Is a longer kayak better for fishing?
In general, the longer the kayak, the faster it will be and the more easily it will cover distances. The trade-off is a loss of maneuverability in tight spaces and difficulty in transporting the kayak to launch sites.
Can I stand up and fish from a kayak?
Extra-wide and stable fishing kayaks allow an angler to stand and fish. If you are a fly-fishermen, or if you enjoy sight-casting to fish in the shallows, stand-up capability might be very important to you in choosing a fishing kayak.
Do I need a fish finder on a kayak?
A fish finder can be very helpful when fishing from a kayak, but it isn’t necessary. It depends on what types of fishing you will be doing, and if knowing the depth and detecting fish under your kayak would be helpful.
What else should I consider when buying a fishing kayak?
Weight: Consider your cartop capacity and what you can carry when choosing a kayak. A heavy kayak might require a wheeled cart to move it down to the launch site.
Storage and Extras: Consider how much storage you’ll need on board your kayak. Will you be keeping fish? Is live-bait storage important to you? Will you be doing any kayak-camping? Many kayak fishermen use milk crate systems to store tackle and extra rods.
Seat: Less expensive kayaks have molded-in seats or basic removable seating pads. More fishing kayaks are now offering adjustable “lawn chair” style seats with excellent back support. Test them out to see what you find comfortable.
Best Fishing Kayaks of 2022
Bonafide EX123
Length: 12’3″ | Width: 29.5″ | Weight: 67 lbs. w/seat | Capacity: 375 lbs. | Retail: $1,199
Bonafide RS117
Length: 11’7” | Width: 33.5” | Weight: 77 lbs. rigged | Capacity: 425 lbs. | Retail: $1,149
Bonafide SS107
Length: 10’7″ | Width: 34.5″ | Weight: 84 lbs. rigged | Capacity: 425 lbs. | Retail: $1,449
Bonafide P127
Length: 12’7” | Width: 34” | Weight: 120 lbs. fitted | Capacity: 475 lbs. | Retail: $3,099
Bonafide SS127
Length: 12’7” | Width: 33.75” | Weight: 94 lbs. rigged | Capacity: 475 lbs. | Retail: $1,799
Feelfree Lure 11.5 V2
Length: 11’6” | Width: 34” | Weight: 87 lbs. (hull only) | 425 lbs. | Retail: $1,399
Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 360 Series (12/14)
Length: 12’/13’8” | Width: 36”/38” | Weight: 132.5 lbs./148.5 lbs. (rigged) | Capacity: 500 lbs./600 lbs. | Retail: $5,299/$5,499
Hobie Mirage Lynx
Length: 11’ | Width: 36” | Weight: 47 lbs. fitted | Capacity: 350 lbs. | Retail: $2,999
Hobie Mirage Passport (10.5/12)
Length: 10’.5” / 12’8” | Width: 34” / 34” | Weight: 65 lbs. / 73 lbs. fitted | Capacity: 325 lbs. / 400 lbs. | Retail: $1,649 / $1,864
Hobie Mirage Compass
Length: 12’ | Width: 34” | Weight: 87 lbs. (rigged) | Capacity: 400 lbs. | Retail: $2,349
Hobie Mirage iTrek (9/11)
Length: 9’5”/10’8” | Width: 40”/40” | Weight: 20 lbs./28 lbs. fitted | Capacity: 350 lbs./400 lbs. | Retail: $2,449/$2,799
Hobie Mirage Outback
Length: 12’9” | Width: 34” | Weight: 85 lbs. (fitted) | Capacity: 425 lbs. | Retail: $3,449
Hobie Mirage Revolution (11/13)
Length: 11’6”/13’5” | Width: 29”/28.5” | Weight: 64/70 lbs. fitted | Capacity: 275/350 lbs. | Retail: $2,999/$3,199
Hurricane Skimmer 116 First Class
Length: 11’6” | Width: 30.5” | Weight: 43 lbs. rigged | Capacity: 300 lbs. | Retail: 1,449
Jackson Bite FD
Length: 11’6” | Width: 35” | Weight: 82 lbs. (hull only) | Capacity: 400 lbs. | Retail: $2,849
Native Watercraft Slayer Propel MAX 12.5
Length: 12’6” | Width: 34” | Weight: 95 lbs. fitted | Capacity: 500 lbs. | Retail: $2,899
Native Watercraft Slayer Propel Max 10
Length: 10’ | Width: 34.15” | 75 lbs. fitted | Capacity: 400 lbs. | Retail: $2,299
Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 10
Length: 10’ | Width: 34” | Weight: 62 lbs. (w/o drive) | Capacity: 400 lbs. | Retail: $2,299
Native Watercraft Titan Propel (10.5/12)
Length: 10’9”/12’ | Width: 37.5”/39″ | Weight: 97/109 lbs. fitted | Capacity: 500 lbs. | Retail: $2,799/$2,999
Native Watercraft Falcon 11
Length: 11’ | Width: 32.5” | Weight: 60 lbs. fitted | Capacity: 325 lbs. | Retail: $999
Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120/136
Length: 12’/13’6” | Width: 37”/37” | Weight: 152 lbs./158 lbs. (assembled) | Capacity: 558 lbs./660 lbs. | Retail: $3,999/$4,199
Old Town Sportsman BigWater PDL 132
Length: 13’ 2” | Width: 36” | Weight: 96 lbs. hull only | Capacity: 500 lbs. | Retail: $2,899
Old Town Sportsman 106
Length: 10’6” | Width: 37” | Weight: 121 lbs. assembled | Capacity: 525 lbs. | Retail: $2899
The Old Town Sportsman 106 motorized kayak is simple and intuitive, getting you on the fish faster in a compact, low-profile kayak you can fit on your car top.
Old Town Sportsman Salty PDL 120
Length: 12’ | Width: 34.5” | Weight: 104 lbs. assembled | Capacity: 450 lbs. | Retail: $1,999
Old Town Sportsman PDL 106 | 120
Length: 10’6’/12” | Width: 36”/36” | Weight: 107 lbs./116 lbs assembled | Capacity: 450 lbs./500 lbs. | Retail: $1,999/$2,349
Old Town Discovery 119 Solo Sportsman
Length: 11’9” | Width: 32.5” | Weight: 56 lbs. | Capacity: 354 lbs. | Retail: $1,099
Pelican Catch PWR 100
Length: 9’9” | Width: 39.75” | Weight: 75 lbs. | Capacity: 450 lbs. | Retail: $1,099
Pelican Catch 110 HyDryve II
Length: 10’6” | Width: 34” | Weight: 67 lbs. | Capacity: 350lbs. | Retail: $1,429
Pelican Catch 100
Length: 10’ | Width: 34” | Weight: 58 lbs. | Capacity: 350 lbs. | Retail: $719
Sea Eagle 350fx Fishing Explorer
Length: 11’6” | Width: 39” | Weight: 51 lbs. | Capacity: 575 lbs. | Retail: $1,099
Sea Eagle 385fta FastTrack Angler
Length: 12’6” | Width: 36” | Weight: 45 lbs. | Capacity: 635 lbs. | Retail: $1,199
Sea Eagle FishSUP 126
Length: 12’6” | Width: 40” | Weight: 45 lbs. | Capacity: 500 lbs. | Retail: $999
3 Waters Kayaks Big Fish 105 | 120
Length: 12’6” | Width: 40” | Weight: 89 lbs./100 lbs | Capacity: 380 lbs/400 | Retail: $849/$999
3 Waters Kayaks Big Fish 103 | 108
Length: 10’6” / 11’ | Width: 35” / 38” | Weight: 110 / 135 lbs. (without seat and drive) | Capacity: 397 lbs / 450 lbs. | Retail: $1,979 / $2,089
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120
Length: 12’3” | Width: 31” | Weight: 63 lbs. | Capacity: 350 lbs. | Retail: $1,099
Wilderness Systems Recon 120
Length: 12’2” | Width: 38” | Weight: 95 lbs. | Capacity: 450 lbs. Retail: $1,199
