Any experienced kayak fisherman knows that ONLY AN IDIOT would buy an inflatable kayak as the best fishing kayak for the money! I’m going to show you the best fishing kayak for your needs and the money, while putting the recreational kind aside.
So whether you want to fish on a lake or voyage out to the ocean, my guide will help you find the best kayak to fish in for the money and your needs! Click On PHOTOS or Button and See The Best Price On Amazon
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Parameters
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Sun Dolphin Excursion
|
Lifetime Sport Fisher
|
Perception Pescador 12
|
Malibu Two XL Angler Tandem
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 | 4.6 | 5 | 4.9 |
| Maximum Passengers |
1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Stance | Sit-In | Sit-On-Top Stand-Up |
Sit-On-Top | Sit-On-Top Stand-Up |
| Rod Holders | 3 | 3 | 1 | Up To 6 |
| Length | 10 Feet | 10 Feet | 12 Feet | 12 Feet |
| Warranty | 2 Years | 1 Year | 1 Year | Life Time |
| Suitable for Water Type |
Lake River |
Lake | Lake River Ocean |
Lake River Ocean |
How many sites have you come across that recommend an inflatable kayak as the best fishing kayak for the job?!
Kayak fishing is an expensive sport, but it doesn’t have to be when you know what to buy.
A great example is the Perception Pescador
, which is my personal favorite. This kayak is very popular by many, and is recommended as the best fishing kayak for the money by experts.
Ok, so the Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12 is known as the World’s Best Fishing Kayak and the Ocean Kayaks brand is a close second!
However, we can’t all afford $1000+ for the best of the best. You can still choose the best kayak for your fishing needs, without spending a boatload (No pun intended)!
From my table above you will find that I have selected 5 of the best fishing kayaks(the fifth being at the bottom of this page) for you to take a look at, and please check out my fishing kayak reviews for more options. Whether you are a complete beginner or a veteran in this sport, I will do my best to help you and show you what’s out there.
It can be tough to decide which is the best kayak to buy and fish in, as there are lots of factors to take into consideration. This is why I’ve created this website and put together a one-stop-guide to help you find the best that fits your needs and bill!
How to Choose the Best Fishing Kayak (Check List)
From our list above we have created the perfect selection of kayaks for fishing to choose from, that are suitable for all experience levels with different uses.
However, before considering on any kayak to go fishing with you must take some factors into account first.
These are the main factors to consider when choosing your fishing yak:
- How much money you have/want to spend
- Weight + Size of kayak
- Single Or Tandem?
- How much do you weigh and how tall are you?
- Maximum load capacity taking into account the weight of your gear and yourself as well
- Where do you intend to fish the most? On a Lake, in a river or in the Ocean?
- Do you prefer to paddle or peddle?
- How often do you intend to fish? If not very often then choosing a simple and light weight model is advisable
Make sure you take all of these elements into consideration before purchasing your kayak, then you will have a much better idea of what you want and what you will be getting with no annoying surprises!
Now our check list here is self explanatory mostly, but these are necessary tips and questions to help and guide you with your choice.
How to Determine which one is best for you
After going through our checklist above, you should get a much better idea of what you are looking for and what’s best suited to you.
When choosing your kayak these important details will help you understand what works for you. The weight of the kayak will determine how well it performs on the water and how much weight it can hold as well.
What adds to the weight are the fittings like rod holders, extras, gear and of course you! Generally a lighter model makes lighter work of hauling around when on land and is also easier to paddle for longer periods.
Paddle Or Peddle
This is a little bit like the difference of having wind-up or electric windows in your car! Ok not quite like that perhaps, because we would all prefer electric windows!
It is up to you whether you choose a model that is peddle power or operates by you paddling.
The benefits of peddling are better however, simply because you then have the use of your hands as you fish.
Most professionals swear by peddle power these days.
Length
Generally, the longer the kayak is, the faster it can go. A longer kayak also tracks better which basically means it is easier to paddle in a straight line without traversing off to one side. There is a downside to long kayaks, being they are more difficult to turn and maneuver, whereas you can turn a short kayak much more easily which is ideal if you’re on a narrow river or small lake.
As a rule, long kayaks are more suitable and appropriate for sea fishing and shorter ones are best for lakes and rivers.
The length will range from 8 feet to 15 feet long, and 12 or 13 feet long fishing kayaks are the most suitable for ocean fishing.
Anything below 12 feet is much better for lake and river fishing. Also remember that you need to store your kayak somewhere, so check to see what space you have in your garage or where you plan to keep it safe when not in use.
Weight/Load Capacity(Maximum)
The weight of the kayak will determine how well it performs on the water and how much weight it can hold as well. You must get an overall idea of the maximum weight of all your gear and yourself combined together.
What adds to the weight are the fitting, extras, gear and of course you! Generally, a lighter model makes lighter work of hauling around when on land and is also easier to paddle for longer periods. So just make sure you check the maximum load capacity of the kayak before buying.
Price
Now the price of a fishing kayak 99 percent of the time will justify the quality that you are getting as well as the features and benefits that it will provide you.
You can get decent kayaks starting at around the $600+ mark, but don’t expect to get the best fishing kayak for less than this!
Yes there are models below the $500 mark, but don’t expect to be wowed by it’s capabilities. Having said that, we do recommend the Sun Dolphin Excursion as a great model to get started with and obviously it is a little fish compared to a shark like Hobie per say.
As a rule with anything you buy, only buy what you can afford!
Best Fishing Kayaks for 2019
Kayak fishing is expensive as I said earlier, but you don’t necessarily have to spend more than $1000 for the best fishing kayak.
From my personal experience, the Perception Pescador is my all time favorite.
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It really is up to you how much you want to spend, but just make sure you set yourself a budget and stick to it, because how serious a kayak fisherman you want to be is up to you, but don’t blow your boat load-darn it I said it again, on something you can’t afford!
If you have more than $1000+ to spend then definitely go for the Hobie Pro Angler or an Ocean Kayak brand as you won’t be disappointed with either of these as the best fishing kayak for the money!
1. Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12 Kayak Review – Top Rated Fishing Kayak
If you are looking for top rated fishing kayaks, then the Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12 is the ultimate choice for all water types, since it takes an incredible load capacity with many different setups and is an absolute luxury to fish in, not to mention it is peddled power which is a bonus.
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However, as much as the Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12 is an amazing choice, we would not advise a complete beginner on buying one simply because it’s too big and bulky for beginners, weighs a lot and is very expensive to be starting out with. Plus you need a decent vehicle and trailer to get it around with!
2. Sun Dolphin Excursion 10 Fishing Kayak Review – Best Beginner Fishing Kayak
For beginners, we highly recommend and rate the Sun Dolphin Excursion sit-in Fishing Kayak as the best choice.
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This is the perfect small fishing kayak to get started with, it’s light, easy to maneuver, has a decent amount of different setups available and is worth the money too!
Although this model is not suitable for ocean fishing, as a beginner we strongly advise you to stick to flat water fishing to start with anyway!
Best Ocean Fishing Kayaks (Handles All Types Of Water)
As fishing enthusiasts addicts, we love to show off our catch of the day, and what better way to do that than with a shipshape beautiful and stealthy model such as the Perception Pescador 12 or the Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Angler Sit-On-Top Fishing Kayak
1. Perception Pescador 12 Angler Kayak Review
As we’ve stated in our guide, you must know what your maximum load wait is going to be and that includes how much you weigh! If you are quite a big chap then it is recommended to choose a model with high load capacity.
We’ve picked the Perception Pescador 12 Kayak as the perfect all round kayak to fish with for several reasons.
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This is an absolute understatement really as the Pescador is the ultimate choice and is one of the best all versatile sit-on-top kayaks, is very stealthy in the water and also comes at an affordable price range.
Weighing at just 60lbs (27kg) and able to take a maximum load capacity of 350lbs (159kg), not only is this one of the best kayaks for fishing in, but it is also adaptable for recreational use as well.
2. Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Angler Review – Best Fishing Kayak for the Ocean
How much money you have to spend has a big factor on what you can get. As the saying goes “you get what you pay for”!
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Yes there are loads of fishing kayaks available to choose from online, but we have managed to slim it down to the 5 overall, that we believe give you the best value for the money. At the end of the day there’s no such thing as a perfect kayak that is capable of doing everything, and so it is up to you to rule out what you want your kayak to be capable of doing and what you can live with out.
Once you have decided on what type to choose you can get a better idea on the overall price.
First off though, lets give a reasoning why the sit-on-top is the better of the two types to go for when fishing.
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Sit-On-Top Fishing Kayaks
Advantages
- Generally much lighter than sit-in models
- Much more maneuverability all round
- Most are suitable for all water types
- More agile and stealthy
- Easy to roll back over should you tip over
Disadvantages
- Are generally more expensive than sit-in kayaks
- Not ideal if you don’t like to get too wet!
Sit-In Fishing Kayaks
Advantages
- Your more secure (ideal if you don’t like to get too wet!)
- Ideal in very cold waters
- Generally range is cheaper than sit-on-t0p kayaks
Disadvantages
- Less maneuverability around the kayak
- Some models can be quite heavy and awkward to move around when on land
- Much harder to roll back over should you tip over!
Ok moving on now.
I believe that you can spend less than $1000 and still get a top rated fishing kayak as their are many great models below this price range. At the end of the day though it is up to you which model you go for, as I can only show you my experience and guidance.
Just remember to use my check list which will help you decide on what is the best fishing kayak for you.
On a side note also. Have you noticed how I’ve NOT… I repeat NOT, recommended any inflatable kayaks for fishing! This is because they are really not that great for fishing in! They may be good fun for recreational activities, but for fishing they are a no go simply because there is no where to put your gear and yes you get attachments added on to hold all your gear but they are simply a waist of time and simply NOT the best to go fishing with! My guide rates the best only and not the average!
I hope you use my guide and easy to navigate website to your own advantage and hope it helps you choose the best fishing kayak for your needs.
Above all else, stay safe and enjoy your kayak fishing, and please feel free to comment below or ask me any questions regarding the best fishing kayak for the money.