Welcome to our review of the Perception Outlaw 11.5 Fishing Kayak! If you’re on the lookout for a high-quality kayak that can handle all your fishing adventures, you’ve come to the right place.
In this review, we’ll dive into the key features of the Perception Outlaw 11.5 and give you our honest opinion on its performance. From its durability and stability to its maneuverability and comfort, we’ll cover it all.
So grab your fishing gear and let’s hit the water with the Perception Outlaw 11.5!
The Perception Outlaw Fishing Kayak review
Perception are in good company.
Confluence Outdoor owns them, which is one of many great kayak and canoe companies, including Wilderness Systems, Mad River, and Dagger.
Between the two of them, they have manufactured some of the highest quality kayaks and canoes that the world has experienced.
But is the Outlaw included in that assessment?
The Outlaw 11.5 is a boat measuring 11.6 feet in length and 35 inches across its greatest width.
This is a sit-on-top kayak specifically designed for fishing, with a firm outside and a seated area that recalls a lawn chair. It provides a notable amount of storage space, plus a well-cleared deck.
Since its introduction in 2019, this fishing kayak has earned lots of enthusiastic reviews, and it is currently one of the most popular kayaks for fishing available.
Its great value considering what is being offered.
What’s it For?
It is believed that the ideal situation to take advantage of the Outlaw is when paddling and fishing on lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water with slow-moving rivers or streams.
The boat is fine to take out in coastal waters as well, and one can fish in open sea under normal conditions.
The Outlaw is a great choice for casting and retrieving your reel, as it shows great balance. It’s perfect for fly fishing.
This kayak has been crafted to suit people of all shapes and sizes, so beginners and experienced alike should enjoy its use.
Standout Features Of The Perception Outlaw 11.5
Walkability
The Perception Outlaw has walkability as one of its fundamental characteristics. This has been created to provide a larger fishing area, making it simpler and more comfortable for you to toss your line.
For extra security and comfort on the deck surface, there are grip pads present. The pads not only improve traction but also lower the sound produced by the deck, ensuring that the fish don’t become startled.
A useful bonus is the foldable seat, enabling you even more room for standing up.
Due to the flat, smooth surface of the deck, there is a reduced likelihood of having your line become tangled during a cast. This can be useful when fly fishing and needing extra space to cast.
Standing Stability
This is a very stable kayak. This product, measuring an expansive 35 inches, incorporates two deep canals along its length, offering a pontoon-like experience during its use.
Beginner level practitioners may especially appreciate the sturdy nature of primary stability.
Due to the large size of its hull, this kayak is not as speedy as the skinnier kayaks. If you plan to go fishing, having a boat that goes fast might not be a top priority for you.
This has been made mainly with placid water in mind, like lakes and languid rivers. However, its design also enables it to maneuver through tranquil shoreline waves and ocean environments. This kayak may not be the most suitable for whitewater conditions so it is not suggested for that purpose.
Removable Seat
Having a chair that you can detach fully can give you that additional area for fishing, allowing you to move about more freely. It can also indicate that storing your kayak and taking it with you will be much simpler. The place where one sits can be moved into a specifically designated space on the kayak.
The ergonomic seat is designed to offer all-day comfort. You have all the time in the world to wait for the special fish you’re hoping to snatch up with your lure. However, there are no footrests for support.
The chair is elevated higher than the boat’s main surface, giving you a better view for searching for fish. Nevertheless, the seat cannot be repositioned, so if you don’t actually take it off, you will have to remain quite high above the level of the platform, which may not be what some people want.
This chair is outlined and includes mesh material to promote ventilation and shedding of liquids.
Excellent Storage Space
The Perception Outlaw is a large kayak, with a considerable quantity of space available for saving angling hardware or outdoor items.
The substantial back tank well is perfect for keeping a fishing box. When the detachable seat has been locked into place, the spot it was occupying can be used to keep a 35L cooler (available separately). You could also use your cooler as a seat.
Customizable
You can tailor this kayak to suit your needs.
The side carry handles have very useful built-in gear tracks. This allows for greater efficiency in space and provides you with a simple, no-drill way to connect your fish finder, GPS, and other items.
You have the option of three Solo Mount slots for attaching extra equipment.
Easy To Paddle
This fishing kayak is short and can be more easily controlled in restricted water areas compared to larger kayaks. It’s easy to control and easy to turn. This board also has satisfactory navigation, which can help one remain in a smoothly aligned trajectory.
The Perception Outlaw Sit-on-Top Fishing Kayak Review
Durability 4.7
Durability is another watch-word in Perception’s lexicon. They make kayaks that are built to last.
Made from high-grade polyethylene, the Outlaw clearly meets these requirements, and if looked after properly, can last a lifetime.
The construction of the kayak is reliable and robust, providing the user with peace of mind when taking it from one place to another.
Bungee cords are constructed from materials of high quality, giving the sense that they will not be falling apart any time soon.
A kayak’s lifespan is determined by how well it is maintained.
Performance 4.2
The Outlaw 11.5 fishing kayak offers lots of features and storage options beneficial to fishing, but don’t think that this means it compromises on performance – we’ll cover that part in-depth soon.
Let’s take a look.
Tracking
The exterior of the Outlaw is remarkably eye-catching. It is a boat shaped like a flat-bottomed dock having a pronounced abdomen and a durable fin that spans the entire length of the vessel.
It’s very flat, with almost zero rocker.
This suggests that it will perform successfully on placid lakes and ponds, but won’t do as well in rough waters.
However, if you want to move from point A to point B with little effort, the Outlaw is extremely effective, and follows a course that’s as straight as a line.
Speed
The Outlaw is an obvious example of how pontoon hulls are not created for quickness. This kayak is potentially among the slowest of its kind.
This kayak was built with steadiness in mind, not quickness, which is perfect for fishermen.
You can always equip a trolling motor or power pole to increase your speed if you want to go faster.
Stability
You can count on achieving absolute steadiness if that is what you are looking for!
This is where the Outlaw really demonstrates its capabilities.
This vessel was created to function as a standing platform for angling. It features an ample amount of deck area and a large hull, so you have the assurance to stand up with ease and feel safe while doing so.
The boat will be significantly aided by using a pontoon-style hull.
Maneuverability
A fishing kayak that is 11.5 feet long may give the ideal combination of ease, sensible storage room, and the capability to move whenever needed.
The Outlaw is agile and can maneuver swiftly, making it an ideal boat for angling near water’s edge, the edges of rivers, and any constructed features.
This boat might not do its best in an extreme competitive kayak-racing situation, but it will handle most angling needs quite well.
Comfort 4.7
The Perception Outlaw 11.5 has a notably elevated seat, compared to other fishing kayaks available in the market. From the bottom to its highest point (where your knees will be) the height is an impressive 16 inches.
That gives you a fantastic view of the water from a high level.
This generous, tidy deck and higher seating position come together to give the canoeist a feeling of unconstrained movement.
There are no adjustable or multiple foot braces. You will locate two secure foot braces located near the seating section.
Depending on your dimensions, you may find this tolerable or slightly uneasy.
If you are a kayaker who prefers features like adjustable foot pegs or multiple shaped foot braces, and your paddling technique relies on these features heavily, then the Outlaw kayak is not going to be the ideal selection for you.
Storage 4.9
From one end to the other, the Outlaw optimizes the use of every bit of area accessible.
Starting with the bow, there are two paddle-holding parks that have been constructed in a way that enables an individual to attach a paddle quickly while they are either standing or seated.
Right behind you, you will spot a compartment that has a bungee webbing stretched across the top to make sure your things remain secure. The bungee is constructed robustly, yet it’s easy to undo so it’s possible to get to the well below.
The expansive deck is clear of any mess, and it can be used for additional storage if desired.
On both sides of the spot where you sit, there are shaped holders for drinks along with trays for other items, which enables you to keep necessities such as fishing pliers right within reach, as well as whatever drink you want to fish with.
Perception Outlaw 11.5 Alternatives
1: Perception Showdown 11.5
If you’re seeking something comparable to the Outlaw but with extra features, the Perception Showdown could be the perfect solution. This is the upgraded version of the Outlaw. This vehicle has a pedal operating system that makes it hands-free and allows more speed.
This item offers most of the same excellent characteristics that can be found on the Outlaw product, as well as being an inch wider and having a maximum load capacity of 450 pounds. This item is significantly more massive (85 pounds) and significantly pricier.
The Showdown possesses a plus in that it has a compartment for housing bows, offering an unobstructed shelter which is not present in the Outlaw.
You can utilize a helmsman system to aid in guiding your way through flowing water. The standing platform remains spacious, but the space is reduced somewhat due to the pedal drive.
Pros
- Pedal drive system
- Fishing platform
- Covered storage
Cons
- Expensive
2: Jackson Bite Angler
The Jackson Bite Angler is similar to the Outlaw kayak. But it’s a little more expensive. This vessel offers a deck that is accessible to walk on, and has an abundance of space to store equipment. Like the Outlaw, there’s no dry storage. However, the extra spacious area on the boat allows for the storage of a couple of waterproof sacks in addition to your fishing stuff.
There are no grip pads on the surface, but there are footrests that can be adjusted. The seat made of netting is padded and raised so that it’s comfortable and you can see well.
The deck of the Bite is rather small and unobtrusive, which makes it suitable for fly-fishing and other kayak-fishing activities.
There are two rod holders on the wall, a container for fishing equipment, and big storage places at the front and back of the boat to keep items safe.
Pros
- Very stable
- Standing deck
- Lots of storage space
Cons
- No dry storage
3: Perception Hi Life 11
The entire deck of the board is lined with cushioning, just like a SUP. It has a comfortable, elevated seat with padding. The backrest folds down when you want to stand. There is a space beneath the seat for a cooler, but the cooler is not provided.
The built-in gear track down the middle is a fantastic element, enabling you to attach your personal accessories.
This vessel is 6-inches shorter than the Outlaw, which makes it simpler to navigate and move around. On the front portion of the vessel there are straps for tying objects down, and at the back of the ship there is an area of the deck which is accessible from the water, which can also be used for keeping items. But it has a lower capacity of 280-pounds.
Pros
- Very spacious
- Hybrid design
- Elevated seat
Cons
- Lower capacity
Conclusion: The Perception – Is It Any Good?
Pros
- Standing platform
- Spacious deck
- Incredibly stable fishing kayak
- Removable seat
Cons
- Not very fast
- No in-built storage hatches
You can’t go wrong with the Perception Outlaw 11.5, as it is a superb angling kayak that comes at an affordable cost. This could be a superb pick for novice and new kayak fishers who need a lot of steadiness.
This kayak is characterized by its sturdy construction and its walkable surface. The fishing platform is cozy and straightforward to stand on.
You’ll have plenty of room to stockpile all the tools and materials needed for a successful fishing outing due to the Outlaw 11.5 large storage and considerable capacity.
