Tips on Choosing a Fishing Kayak

Buying a fishing kayak is an exciting prospect. It’s your gateway to getting out on the water, casting at the local lake, or getting in a fishing adventure down the river. But it’s also an investment — you want to know that you’ll get your money’s worth. So, how do you choose the best fishing kayak for you? Here we provide a few things to consider:

• What’s the best fishing kayak for where you’ll be paddling?
• Is a sit-on-top or a sit-in kayak better for you?
• What is the best fishing kayak shape for you?
• What type of fishing will you use your kayak for?
• Will you want a single kayak or a tandem kayak?
• What about a pedal kayak?

Here are some tips on how to choose the best fishing kayak for you and the experience you’re looking for.

What’s the best fishing kayak for where you’ll be paddling?

Though kayaks aren’t usually classified by water type, thinking about what kind of experience you want to achieve can help you answer the other questions on this list and find the best fishing kayak for you.

Do you envision exploring the coastline of a beach, or the quiet backwaters of a sheltered pond? Will there be wind and waves? What about sharp bends that could cause you to tip over? These questions will help determine the stability, durability, and accessibility of your fishing kayak.

In general, short, wider kayaks offer more stability and maneuverability for casting, reeling, and retrieving fish. If you want the most stable platform, you will want a wider kayak. 

Small Lakes, Ponds, & Rivers

If you will be concentrating your fishing on small ponds, backwaters, or slow moving rivers, then you will want to look at a kayak that is short and wide with a sit-on-top design. Most fishing kayaks fit this bill and they are excellent for general recreation.

Big Lakes & Oceans

If you are contemplating larger bodies of water with potential for rough water and a need for extra gear, consider a longer, higher-weight-capacity kayak. A longer kayak helps track better over longer distances on more expansive waters. A bigger kayak usually allows for significant weight as well. If there is potential for numerous waves and you want a more protected cockpit, consider a sit-in kayak with a spray skirt. 

What will you use your fishing kayak for?

Kayaks present a wealth of options for outdoor activity, so it’s helpful to narrow down how you might be using your kayak.

Stand-up fishing

If you plan to stand up in your kayak to cast and reel, you will want to prioritize stability.  A wide deck with a secure platform offers the best option for stand-up fishing. You will want a wide kayak with good primary and secondary stability. 

Trolling & Casting on the Go

If you plan on trolling, you will want to look for a fishing kayak with plenty of rod holders and a sleek enough design to maintain movement. Look for a kayak that combines stability and tracking. You might want a longer kayak. If you like to fish on the go, you might also consider a pedal system or trolling motor to free up your hands while you cast, troll, and reel. 

Travel & Transport

Another consideration when buying a fishing kayak is your ability to care for it out of the water as well as in. Inflatable and foldable kayaks are possible for tight storage or transportation issues. However, they aren’t always the best for rougher waters. 

Kayaks aren’t one size fits all, so it’s important to consider how you’ll be using your boat when searching for the best kayak for you.

What is the best style kayak for you?

Sit-On-Top Fishing Kayaks

Sit-On-Top kayaks are generally considered to be the best kayaks for beginners. They’re stable, easy to get on and off, and self-draining, making them ideal for recreational use. However, be prepared for a little spray — the exposed seat means that you’ll always get wet while paddling.

Sit-In

Sit-in kayaks offer more protection from the elements, making them ideal for longer trips and cooler temperatures. They also offer more efficient paddling and faster speeds than sit-on kayaks. However, the cockpit may flood if you capsize, making for a more difficult exit.

What are the best kayak dimensions for you?

The shape of your kayak will affect its speed, maneuverability, and stability during paddling and launching. Choosing the right shape is crucial for selecting the ideal kayak for your experience level.

Hull Shape 

Kayaks with rounded hulls offer greater maneuverability, making them ideal for navigating challenging rivers and coastlines. The best recreational and fishing kayaks tend to be broader and shorter — you give up some speed, but they offer far more stability, perfect for casual paddling and casting a line.

Length & Width

• Shorter Kayaks: Kayaks in the 9-11 ft range are considered short. They are great for making turns in rivers, creeks, and tight spots. But they are also more squirrelly and don’t track as well.
• Longer Kayaks: Those kayaks, measuring 12-14 ft, are better suited for open water, such as large lakes or oceans. They track straight and cover water, but they aren’t as maneuverable in a tight spot.
• Wider Kayaks: Kayaks with a width of over 30 inches are considered more stable. They are great for standing, casting, reeling, and retrieving fish. They are also great for bigger bodies and more gear as they generally have a greater weight capacity. 
• Narrow kayaks: A kayak that is 22-28 inches wide may feel more unstable, especially whale launching and landing. However, they cut through the water beautifully so they tend to be faster and excellent for long-distance or ocean kayak fishing.

Proper Fit

Picking a fishing kayak means combining comfort and performance. When deciding on the proper dimensions of a kayak, consider the 25% rule. Aim for the total weight of the passenger(s) AND gear not to exceed 75% of the weight capacity of the kayak. The more you overload the kayak, the harder it becomes to maneuver and paddle.

Taller and heavier paddlers will need to consider wider decks and generous leg room for more stability and comfort, especially on longer outings.

 

Do you prefer a single-person kayak or a tandem kayak?

Tandem Kayak

When thinking about the best kayak for you, consider whether you’ll be paddling / fishing alone or with a partner. Tandem kayaks, which have two seats in the cockpit instead of one, are naturally the best kayaks for paddling pairs. You learn to work together and enjoy the kayaking adventure together. Tandem kayaks are a great bonding experience with your paired paddler. However, even if you wanted to fish solo, you can still use a tandem kayak! A solo paddler might like a tandem kayak if they want the flexibility of adding a passenger or the ability to pack more gear. However, they are more unwieldy, heavier, and more awkward to fish with two. Ensure you communicate effectively with your fishing partner. 

Single Kayak

Single kayaks provide you with the freedom and flexibility to go whenever and wherever you want. You can enjoy the serenity of the open waters alone and on your own terms. Single kayaks are typically a lighter weight kayak, so loading and unloading is more effortless — and you can travel a bit faster if you want to paddle off some of the day’s frustrations!

What about a pedal kayak?

Pedal kayaks are more and more popular among kayak anglers. 

For anglers, pedal kayaks free up your hands, allowing you to adjust your fishing line or tie on different bait. They also cover more water in a shorter time, making them ideal for long trips. If you foresee multi-day treks or kayak fishing in your future, a pedal kayak might be the best kayak for you.

If you are kayaking for the heart-health benefits, a pedal kayak is a fabulous form of aerobic exercise!

 

Avoid getting caught up in all the bells and whistles of fully-loaded fishing kayaks until you’ve answered these questions. Get the basics right, and then you can continue to build out your rig with the additional components you need.