What Is The Best Kayak For Fishing? There is no particular kayak that can fit all the needs of different people so, you should have at least a collection of requirements to find the right one for you. Fishing kayaks are shorter and lighter compared to traditional touring kayaks. They are easy to maneuver in the water and usually offer storage to keep your catch.
What is the best kayak for fishing? Among the best includes Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Angler, Perception Pescador Pro 12.0, Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12 Golden Papaya, Lifetime Sport Fisher Kayak, Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 10, Sun Dolphin Excursion SS, Old Town Loon 120, and others.
A Must-Read: Fish Tank Accessories
For those who are not sure where to start, make sure to remember that fishing kayaks come with a handful of unique to advanced features that may or may not suit your needs. Here is a guide that can help you choose the best kayak.
The Anatomy Of Kayak
To make searching easier, you should first learn the basic parts of Kayaks. Check out some of the standard parts that you can find on Kayaks below:
- Deck – This component is located on top of the kayak. As you can see on traditional sit-side kayaks, the deck is the area of the boat that serves as a cover to the legs of the paddler. Also, it is the part of the boat behind the paddler, exposed to the sky. Bu for sit-on-top kayaks, the deck refers to the whole flat area on the top corner of the boat and where the paddler is located.
- Cockpit – It is the large opening where the paddler sits.
- Bow – This part is on the opposite side of the stern. It is the front side of the kayak.
- Hull – It is the main or bottom body of the kayak that sits on the surface of the water. You can find kayak with a displacement-style hull, having a V-shaped kneel as well as a planning hull that is shaped with steep sides and a flat bottom. This hull type compromises speed while gaining maneuverability.
- Stern – This component is located at the rear part of the kayak. It is the opposite side of the bow.
- Grab Or Toggle Handle – Toggle handles or grab a handle that is connected to the kayak’s stern and bow by rope. This component is intended to make launching, carrying, transporting, or towing the kayak easier.
- Kneel – It is the middle part of the hull that usually has V shape underneath the entire length of kayak. Take note that the depth of kneeling is parallel to the amount of water displaced by the kayak.
- Hatch – Usually, it refers to the gear-storage compartments underneath the deck of the kayak. This component is typically covered by bands of elastic to stay closed and is waterproof.
Among the optional parts of kayaks are as follows:
- Cockpit coaming – It is a rim of rubber or plastic connected to the edges of the cockpit.
- Foot pegs – This component is screwed into the kayak’s edges. As its name suggests, it is where the paddlers rest their feet to have a comfortable ride.
- Drain plug – Every kayak should have a drain plug on them. It is a tiny hole where water can be drained out from the boat.
- Bulkhead – It is an internal, watertight wall that divides the boat into different internal parts. This kayak component is integrated to make watertight gear storage hatches and create buoyancy using the pockets of air. Aside from that, it increases the stability of the kayak.
These are only some of the possible kayak parts that you may encounter when buying the best kayak for your needs. Make sure to break down the features that you want your kayak to have before finalizing your decision.
Top 10 Kayak You Can Find
Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Angler
This sit-on-top fishing kayak is ideal for its efficiency and speed. It comes with a long and narrow hull that helps with its speedy performance. You can use it for ocean or lake fishing. If you are opting for better stability, you should head straight to this kayak.
Among its unique features includes the large oval hatch at its bow and its six-inch hatch with insert. Since storage is essential when fishing, the spacious rear tank of Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Angler is considered as advantageous. Not to mention that it also comes with flush-mounted rod holders behind the seat where you can keep your rods.
Perception Pescador Pro 12.0
This kayak might not be suitable for those people with tight budgets, but it comes with advantageous features that everyone opts for. Perception Pescador Pro 12.0 has a multi-chine hull that is intended to add stability to the kayak and help with tracking. It is twelve inches long, so expect that it is an efficient kayak in the water.
One of the issues that you may encounter when riding fishing kayaks is the discomfort of sitting for long hours. But with this high-end kayak, you can change your sitting position from upright into recline. And in terms of storage, it comes with a tank well at the end of the bow, protected by fine mesh.
Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12 Golden Papaya
As suggested by its name, Hobie Mirage Pro is ideal for anglers who wish to enjoy a huge weight capacity and a lot of storage options. For those who love to go on a multi-day fishing trip, these features are advantageous. It also boasts a Mirage Drive pedal system, which is foot pedals on the deck that allows you to have more time in fishing by removing the need to paddle.
When choosing a kayak, the one that allows more integration is also a plus. Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12 will enable you to add more accessories to them with the H-rail and store up to six fishing rods. You may also install a large bow storage hatch, tackle tray management system, and a sealed rear hatch.
Lifetime Sport Fisher Kayak
You can use Lifetime Sport Fisher Kayak for single or two-person use. It is a ten-foot PVC kayak for fishing that can also fit three-person on board. With its extreme stability, those people who prefer long hours of standing up can enjoy this fishing kayak. It also prevents water from the boat with its scupper holes for draining that is located in its cockpit area.
This kayak also features shock cord straps and ditty trays where you can store your things. It also comes with a six-inch storage hatch as well as four fishing pole holders that are conveniently installed to keep everything organized.
Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 10
Another high load capacity makes it on our list. Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 10 is designed to handle a high load capacity to keep all the things you need for several days of fishing. It also has a rational pedal drive system that will allow you to have more time to fish than paddle. This feature is also an advantage for those people who are planning to take good photos of the water.
And to maneuver the kayak easily, it integrates a hand-controlled rudder. It also offers a good storage option with its small dry hatch and bungee cords.
Sun Dolphin Excursion SS
Durability is among the most important qualities that you should look for in a fishing kayak. To break down your options, Sun Dolphin Excursion SS is one of the best kayaks that is equipped with a durable UV-stabilized PVC body for heavy-duty performance.
This kayak is thirty inches wide and ten feet long. And with its weight, which is forty-one pounds, people who experienced riding it says it is easy to paddle around. The same reason allows it to provide excellent stability and is not easy to flip over.
Aside from that, it also comes with two flush mount holders and one swivel rod holder. You may also access its storage compartment where you can keep some of your fishing essentials and have a comfortable ride with its adjustable footrests.
Old Town Loon 120
Old Town Loon 120 is one of the best sit-in recreational fishing kayaks that boasts versatility. It offers a spacious cockpit that will allow you to move freely and experience comfortable fishing. It also has a removable work deck where you can keep some accessories or your catch. And if you are planning to go for several days of fishing, make sure to buy separate batteries since this kayak features a USB port to charge up your electronics.
Sevylor Coleman Colorado
You may also want to experience fishing using an inflatable fishing kayak. If you do, Sevylor Coleman Colorado is the best that I can recommend. It is made of eighteen gauge PVC that is designed to last, and it is equipped with multiple air chambers that will keep the kayak inflated when one part of it is punctured.
If you wish to add an engine on your kayak, Sevylor Coleman Colorado has motor fittings on them. No more paddling if you install a motor on your kayak.
Advanced Elements Straitedge Angler Kayak
Another inflatable kayak that offers a wide range of advantages is Advanced Elements Straitedge Angler Kayak. It is designed for fishers who want to go solo during their fishing trips.
This fishing kayak may be inflatable, but it comes with an aluminum ribbed frame to keep its good shape. It only measures nine inches and eight millimeters. On the other hand, its capacity is quite impressive, allowing it to carry up to three hundred pounds.
Brooklyn Kayak Company’s BKC UH-TK181
If you are into pair fishing, Brooklyn Kayak Company offers this tandem fishing kayak that can accommodate two anglers. It can carry up to four hundred fifty pounds with its heavy, stable body so you can enjoy worry-free fishing.
Also, it comes with carrying handles at the stern, bow, and sides. It also includes an open storage space where you can keep your things organized.
How To Find The Best Kayak For My Needs?
Before buying a kayak, you should know the characteristics of the best one. Having the basic knowledge on the qualities to look for in a product will allow you to end up with the right solution for your needs.
Here are some of the things you should consider when buying a kayak:
Storage
A kayak with a useful storage option can contribute to your overall fishing experience. If possible, find a kayak that provides a decent amount of space where you can store your things as well as the fish that you may catch.
Meanwhile, many kayaks offer front and rear storage and hatch that you may use to organize your fishing equipment. Among this equipment are tackle, bait, rods, paddle, and many more. It is also a plus if a kayak comes with a secure rod holder.
Stability
For those who prefer standing up when riding a fishing kayak, make sure to check the balance of the product you will get. There are fishing kayaks out there that are designed for an extended period of standing and sitting.
Weight
Another thing that you should consider when buying a kayak is its recommended capacity. If you are planning to bring tents and other camping essentials on your ride, estimate a sum of everything and check if the kayak can handle it. Also include your weight, the food you will bring, and other things that may occupy the overall capacity of the kayak.
Turning And Speed
If you are opting for a faster kayak, choose longer kayaks over the shorter ones. It is because shorter kayaks are easy to maneuver and better in terms of turning while longer kayaks are more efficient in the water.
Conclusion
To conclude, the best fishing kayaks come with a collection of specs that suits a fisher’s needs. It means that every person can have a different kayak in mind when looking to buy the best. For this reason, you must determine the particular functionalities that you want a kayak to have. When you are done with your list, you will be able to come up with a specific fishing kayak to buy.
