Fishing Kayak Buying Guide & 3 Best Kayaks

Kayak fishing is an awesome activity to partake in out on the water and if you’re fortunate, possibly nab a fish for your supper.

Some kayak fishermen do it solely because they enjoy it, but others depend on whatever they manage to bring back with them when they finish.

Kayaks used for fishing are usually broader and less likely to tip over than other kinds of kayaks. A few of them let you stand up easily, so you can get a clearer look at the action underwater.

It can be difficult to choose which fishing kayak to buy, as there are so many on the market right now.

In this article we’ll deep dive in the various key features to look out for and also discuss the 3 best fishing kayaks on the market today…

So let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Fishing Kayak Buying Guide

It could be argued that fishing kayaks possess the most accessories of any type of kayak available. This Buying Guide can assist you in figuring out what features and accessories would best suit the style of fishing that you intend to participate in.

Inflatable Versus Hard Shell

An initial choice you can make to reduce your options is if you desire an inflatable or a solid hull kayak.

Advanced developments in inflatable technology have enabled the most up-to-date inflatable kayaks to function similarly to hard shell kayaks.

Inflatables provide the benefit of being lightweight and able to be deflated and packed away in a very small area. This is why they are the optimal pick if you go on trips with your kayak or reside in a compact dwelling.

In other words, some kayak fishermen tend to avoid purchasing an inflatable model since they are concerned that a hooked fish may puncture it.

If you opt for an inflatable fishing kayak, ensure that it has a nylon covering that is protecting the inflatable material, avoiding the situation in which you find yourself in the water with not enough air in your kayak.

Most fishermen tend to go with hard-shell kayaks due to their toughness and steadiness. Hard shell fishing kayaks offer the advantage of allowing you to stand up, making it much easier to cast your line. This feature is not available when using an inflatable fishing kayak.

A significant disadvantage of hard-shell kayaks is that they are generally heavier than inflatable versions. It can be more difficult to move kayaks around, and this is why it is beneficial to invest in one of the best kayak carts available to transport your fishing kayak.

Sit On Top or Sit Inside

The following decision you will need to make is whether you want to ride on a sit atop kayak or a sit within kayak. Most kayak fishermen opt for the earlier option, though that is contingent on the kind of surroundings they typically traverse with their kayaks.

Kayaks that are designed to be sat upon are favored for usage in sleepy rivers, lakes, and protected harbors and areas close to a coast. Kayaks designed with an enclosed cockpit are usually better suited for extended trips and can be quite helpful in areas with frequent rainfall or choppy waters.

An issue with picking a sit-in kayak for fishing is the challenge of getting back in if you capsize unintentionally. Furthermore, they provide less space on top of the deck for your fishing equipment.

Many fishermen prefer to have a sit on top kayak for a variety of reasons. There is more area available for bringing along or affixing necessary items and these boats are much steadier compared to the sit inside type.

Propulsion

Fishing kayaks are different from whitewater kayaks because they have the ability to be customized with a pedal drive propulsion system, which whitewater kayaks do not use and instead require only maneuvering through the use of a paddle.

This system can enable you to drive your kayak with your legs, enabling your hands to remain engaged with your fishing rods.

Many kayak fishers favor a propulsion system that is operated by pedals since they can move around a lot more easily without having to put down their fishing rod.

If you like to move between different angling spots while out on the water, you must have a kayak that uses pedal drive propulsion.

Kayaks that are propelled by leg power tend to be more costly than the ones that don’t. You’ll need to be ready to put in more money if you are wanting a kayak that has a pedal propulsion system.

Kayaks that need to be paddled with a traditional oar are much more economical.

Do not overlook that having a kayak equipped with flush-mounted rod holders will enable you to have a line in the water as you travel in your kayak to a different spot while your hands are taken up with that task.

Attachments and Accessories

Kayak anglers love to get into their accessories. The kayak you choose must have sufficient room to contain any fishing equipment, GPS systems, tackle boxes, coolers, or other items you may need.

Be sure to take into account the various storage features in the kayaks you’re considering. Many fishing kayaks have big storage units accessible from both the front and back of the kayak.

The spaces should be big enough to hold your fishing gear container or an ice chest.

You should be certain that the rear of your kayak is well-suited for a motor drive system if you ever want to put an electric motor on it.

Additionally, most fishermen need to have an assortment of tackle and equipment available to them while they are rowing and angling.

For this reason, an excellent fishing kayak requires an extensive amount of tiny compartments or rails to affix accessories and equipment.

You should think about getting certain key kayak extras for your apparatus, such as fishing mitts, a tackle box, and an emergency first aid kit.

Top 3 Best Fishing Kayaks

1. BKC PK13 13’ Pedal Drive Fishing Kayak

The Brooklyn Kayak Company has been an iconic manufacturer of top quality boats, particularly of pedal-driven kayaks, for many years. They claim their PK13 13’ kayak has a number of features:

?Pedal Drive System — utilizes a rotational pedal drive system that drives a propeller beneath the kayak. No paddles are needed, and you can even have an optional trolling motor for more fishing capabilities. The propulsion system can also be removed to allow for easier transport.
Designed for Maximum Distance and Stability — the 13-foot-long sleek, lightweight design, coupled with the efficient propulsion system, provides the ability to pedal for miles without exhaustion. It is quick and comfortable to use.
Ergonomic Seat — lightweight, padded, and adjustable. This seat provides maximum comfort; perfect when out for long hours on the water.
Rod Holders — flush mount rod holders make for hands-free fishing whilst paddling or trolling. The pedals come in handy for control too when holding your rods.
Storage Areas — built-in storage hatches provide watertight storage, whilst the two front and rear surface cargo areas have bungee straps to hold down any additional items (bags and fishing boxes).

All the features of the kayak worked perfectly. Several characteristics of the PK13 kayak are noteworthy.

Exceptional Propulsion — the pedal system makes moving the kayak effortless, like riding a bike but much quieter and arguably more relaxing. It’s easy to pick up speed and maintain control without sacrificing too much energy. Compared with push paddle kayaks, it’s easy to see how easy it is to go further in the PK13.
Great for Fishing — the ultra-quiet operation makes the PK13 great for sneaking up on fish. With rod holders and plenty of cargo space for equipment and tools (or a cooler for beers), it’s the ideal kayak for many different types of fishing.
Comfortable Experience — the pedals have adjustable straps for your feet and the chair is adjustable in position as well as padded, making everything extremely comfortable and effortless.

In conclusion, the BKC PK13 Angler 13′ Solo Sit-On-Top Fishing Kayak is ideal for individuals who like to cast off and fish for a long duration. It is specially designed for rod fishing and light trolling. It is appropriate to use boats on the ocean or on still ponds – whichever you prefer. The peaceful sound of the motor and easy pedaling make it ideal for long fishing trips.

2. Bonafide SS127 Fishing Kayak

The Bonafide SS127 Fishing Kayak stands out due to its special structure. The Bonafide SS127 Fishing Kayak has been skillfully manufactured to deliver the most reliable balance and operation. This kayak comes with all of the typical characteristics a fisherman would look for when shopping for a fishing kayak.

The SS127 from Bonafide was crafted with fishing in mind, and provides ultimate fishability. It also features a comfortable design which features ergonomic contours which make it effortless to navigate the water.

You can trust that this fishing kayak from Bonafide will provide top-notch quality. It is an attractive model. The only color this product comes in is a shade of grey, which might be inconvenient, but the combination of two different hues of grey creates an attractive appearance.

This item of Fishing Kayak is made of the best materials and lightweight – the Bonafide SS127 clocking in at just 75 pounds. This fishing kayak is 12 feet 7 inches long and 33.5 inches wide.

The Bonafide SS127 Fishing Kayak incorporates a Hybrid Cat Hull style that is characterized by angular contours instead of curved arcs.

This kayak has been created to hold the maximum amount of equipment while still allowing it to travel through the water with ease. Nothing compares to a kayak for a fishing outing in terms of comfort, space, and extravagance. The Bonafide SS127 performs on every front.

Features

The Bonafide SS127 Fishing Kayak is equipped with beneficial characteristics for fishermen such as a Fat Grip bow handle with a plush insert and a Fat Grip pull-out stern handle with a comfortable insert.

You also have the option of utilizing the YakAttack Aluminum GearTrac, which allows you to secure any type of fishing supplies, beverage cooler or backpack.

The seat has a secret hidden compartment for items and comes with a DryPod container that has a transducer installed in the hull outlet.

There is also a hatch door with Doubleheader openers and locations to store multiple rods and paddles.

You can always count on a Bonafide to provide a lot of room for storage and have considerable worth, and the SS127 is no exception. The Hybrid Cat Hull design has a maximum load of 475 lbs.

Performance

The Bonafide SS127 Fishing Kayak provides optimal performance on the water. The Hybrid Cat Hull is the best option for gliding through water with minimal energy from paddlers.

This 75-pound fishing kayak requires minimal effort to operate, despite being driven by paddles, and can easily make its way through the water. It is simple to gain momentum and start pedaling quickly, to the extent that you can travel miles in only a couple of hours.

Arrive at your much-loved campground quicker than ever in the Bonafide SS127 Fishing Kayak.

3. Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 10 Pedal Fishing Kayak

One of the handiest kayaks for sale is the Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 10, built primarily for fishing in lakes.

This product reflects the high-quality standards of Native Watercraft, one of the foremost companies in its industry, and their proficiency and know-how can be seen. This kayak has unbeatable maneuverability as well as great stability, making it ideal for high-paced aquatic activities. The Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 10 is an incredibly versatile watercraft.

Key Features

The Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 10 is the lightest pedal fishing kayak available in a 10′ size, with a weight of only 62 pounds (not including the drive unit). This kayak is incredibly light, making it easy to move and incredibly easy to transport and store. It could be placed in the back of a truck or on top of nearly every type of automobile.

This is a guide to help you with transporting a pedal kayak, if desired.

A kayak of this size and weight is both swift and efficient; it can make up to 4.2 miles an hour with minimal effort and can reach a maximum speed of 5.2 miles per hour with more vigorous pedaling.

The pedal system operates both in a forward and reverse motion, eliminating the need to make clumsy changes in direction during time spent in the water.

One may find this kayak to be extremely comfortable to sit in and remarkably solid in terms of stability. This kayak is made to fit people of all sizes, guaranteeing that no one will feel awkward or uneasy. The seat can be changed horizontally to accommodate everyone.

You can tie the paddle to the side of the kayak with bungee cord to make sure it stays close by and doesn’t get lost. The Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 10 includes an open trunk in the front for storage and it has scuppers installed in it which aid in draining any water if the vessel encounters choppy waters.

One of the most impressive characteristics of the Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 10 Pedal Kayak is its light weight. It is simple to move around and it moves quickly in the water. It should be taken into consideration that this item is exceptionally constrict and secure, and can hold up to an impressive 400 pounds.

This implies that everyone can feel at ease on this kayak and various add-ons and other items can be brought along for the fishing trip.

in conclusion

Thank you for reading our comprehensive fishing kayak buying guide. We hope that this guide has provided you with valuable insights and helped you make an informed decision when purchasing your fishing kayak.

Remember, when looking for a fishing kayak, it’s important to consider factors such as size, weight capacity, stability, maneuverability, and features. By taking these factors into account, you’ll be able to find a fishing kayak that best suits your needs and fishing style.

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, a fishing kayak can be a great investment that allows you to explore new waters and catch more fish. So, get out there and enjoy your new kayak!

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to us. We’re always happy to help fellow fishing enthusiasts.

And don’t forget to share this guide with your friends and family who might be in the market for a fishing kayak. Happy fishing!

Fishing Kayak Buying Guide & Top 3 Fishing Kayaks 2023