The best fishing kayaks can take your favorite pastime to new places. You no longer need to be confined to the river bank, lakeside or seashore and can instead paddle out into new waters for a fresh fishing experience. Similarly, if you usually fish from a boat, a kayak offers a new, self-propelled and more flexible way onto the water to find your catch.
When choosing a fishing kayak, it’s important to consider where and how you will want to use it. Most anglers favor sit-on-top kayaks as they are safer and more stable and give you more room to move around when handling a fish. Generally, the longer a kayak, the faster it will be to paddle but you can lose out in ease of transportation and maneuverability on the water. Don’t underestimate the importance of the seat in your kayak. You will often be on the water for extended periods so good quality seating systems will make it more comfortable. Here are the fishing kayaks we would recommend.
Lifetime Triton Angler 100 Fishing Kayak
Durable and fully featured
This 10-foot sit-on-top kayak has an adjustable quick-release seat back and seat pad for comfort. An integrated skeg and stable hull design make it a very balanced paddle. There’s storage for all your fishing gear including a platform with bungee cords. Self-bailing scupper holes will drain water from the cockpit and tankwell and there are multiple footrest positions for every paddler.
Pelican Sit-on-top Fishing Kayak
Lightweight and comfortable
This lightweight sit-on-top kayak has an open cockpit and a flat-bottom hull design for extra stability. Your gear fits into a quick lock hatch, day hatch or storage platform, secured with bungees. A swivel rod holder and two flush mount rod holders plus paddle tie-down make it ideal for fishing. A padded seat cushion and an adjustable backrest provide all-day comfort on the water.
Perception Pescador Pro 10
Lawn chair seat and plentiful storage
Leak-proof one-piece construction with built-in buoyancy makes this all-rounder sit-on-top kayak a safe option for fishing. It has a removable lawn chair-style mesh seat with two levels of adjustment for all-day comfort. Large front and rear open storage areas are good for holding your gear. The accessory rails will come in handy for attaching fish finders and rod holders.
Intex Excursion Pro Kayak
Inflatable convenience but ultra-tough
Made from a super tough laminate PVC with polyester core this inflatable kayak is lightweight but highly resistant to damage from impact and abrasion. High-pressure spring-loaded valves make it easy to inflate and deflate and it’s a rigid, stable craft. There’s storage space in the bow and stern plus removable mounting brackets for additional accessories like GPS and rod holders.
Bottom line
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The best fishing kayaks will free your fishing from the bank and add an exciting extra dimension to the noble art of angling. The fishing kayak we recommend to most people is the Lifetime Triton Angler 100 Fishing Kayak. It’s a dependable, well-designed kayak that has all the stability you need and no end of handy features for fishermen and women.
If your want the convenience of an inflatable kayak for ease of storage and transport, the Intex Excursion Pro Kayak is worth a look. It’s extremely durable and well made with rigidity and stability of a non-inflatable craft. Yet being able to throw it in the car and inflate when you get to the lake or river means you will probably get more opportunities to fish.
