Last Updated on March 24, 2022 by Afsar
Fishing kayaks are one kind of kayak which is best used for fishing purposes. Our today’s article will focus on the best fishing kayaks available on the market. Even though any kayak can be used for fishing purposes, but these best fishing kayaks will enhance your fishing experience with extra support.
Choosing the best kayak for fishing is not an easy task as there are many variables in this and these need to be cross-checked before getting one. However, we have researched a lot on the best fishing kayaks for sale, and we have compared them below.
Table of Contents
Best Fishing Kayak Reviews 2022
Image | Model | Length | Material | Editor's Rating | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vibe Kayaks Sea Ghost 130 | 13 foot | polyethylene | 4.9 | ||
Vibe Kayaks Skipjack 90 | 9 foot | polyethylene | 4.8 | ||
BKC UH-TK181 | 12 feet 5 inches | Polyethylene | 4.7 | ||
Sevylor Coleman Colorado 2 | 10 foot 9 inches | 18-gauge PVC | 4.7 | ||
Lifetime Sport Fisher Single or Tandem Kayak | 10 Feet | Blow-molded polyethylene | 4.7 | ||
Lifetime Tamarack | 10 Foot | Polyethylene | 4.3 | ||
Sun Dolphin Journey SS Kayak | 10 ft | Rugged UV-stabilized Fortiflex® High Density Polyethylene | 4.7 | ||
Perception Kayak Pescador Pro | 12 foot | Polyethylene | 4.4 | ||
BKC UH-FK184 9' | 9 foot | Polyethylene | 4.5 | ||
Hobie 2019 Mirage Outback | 12 ft 9 in. | Polyethylene | 4.9 | ||
Feelfree Lure 10 Kayak | 10 foot | Polyethylene | 4.6 |
Vibe Kayaks Sea Ghost 130 Angler Kayak
I am a big fan of Vibe kayaks. If you are serious about kayak fishing and wants to have the best experience, I would suggest you get the Sea Ghost 130 without any hesitation. Sea Ghost 130 comes with all the features an angler could ever ask for in their lifetime. 13 foot long Sea Ghost 130 kayak weighs 75 pounds, and has a maximum weight capacity of 550 pounds. Vibe Kayaks used Rotomolded single piece high-density polyethylene to make this kayak. This single person kayak comes with an extra wide hull which offers incredible stability and handles anything from rivers to surf. Primarily, this kayak is best suited for fishing and recreational purpose.
It comes with two flush mount rod holders, four integrated gear tracks for customized rigging, four easy grip carrying handles for easy carrying, pre-installed toe controlled rudder system, built-in cup holder and more features. Vibe Kayaks understand the need for storage, and you will have a large center console, 20 inches front oval hatch, rear hatch, and large bungeed tank well for easy access to your favorite fishing gears.
A lot of anglers love to start fishing from the morning until dawn. For them, it is mandatory to have a good kayak seat or the day will be ruined. Sea Ghost 130 comes with the dual position Vibe hero seat. The dual position Vibe hearo seat will provide the user with excellent comfort and support for the days on the water. I can go on, but I think I have made the points to announce this as one of the best fishing kayaks of the market.
Length: 13″Weight: 75 poundsMaximum weight capacity: 550 poundsMaterial: Rotomolded single piece high-density polyethylene
- Dual position vibe hero seat offers great comfort
- Four easy grip carrying handles to carry
- Extra wide hull ensures amazing stability
- Rear cargo storage area
- Large sealed center console with accessory mounting points
- Built-in cup holder
- Available in two different colors
- Pre-installed toe controlled rudder system offers great control
- 10 scupper holes
- Four integrated gear tracks
- 2 flush mount fishing rod holders
- 2 side bungee paddle parks
- Expensive
Vibe kayaks Skipjack 90
Vibe Kayaks SKipjack 90 is a great fishing kayak which comes with a reasonable price tag. This nine-foot long fishing kayak weighs only 46 pounds and has a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds. Skipjack 90 offer amazing maneuverability and stability. If you are a seasoned kayak angler, you already know that the maneuverability is a very important thing, and the Skipjack 90 delivers that to the users. Due to the size and weight of the kayak, it is easy to handle, and it fits in the back of most SUVs.
There are four capped flush mount rod holders with a mounting point for Scotty, Ram, and Vibe mount accessories. Two paddle parks can be used to secure the paddles if they are not in use. There are multiple storage options with two sealed hatches with bag inserts, large bungeed rear tank well, front storage for easy access. There are other features like adjustable deluxe kayak seat, 4 easy grip carrying handles, built-in cup holder, and more. If you want a good fishing kayak, but don’t want to spend a lot, Skipjack 90 is a great option for you.
- Rotomolded polyethylene
- 6 Scupper holes
- Excellent maneuverability
- Great stability
- Adjustable Vibe deluxe kayak seat
- Built-in cup holder
- Vibe journey paddle
- 4 Flush mount fishing rod holders
- Rear cargo storage area with bungee tie down
- Colorful design
- 4 easy grip carrying handles
- Tackle toss tray can be used for easy and quick tackle change
- Small and compact design might annoy some people
BKC UH-TK181
Brook Kayak Company’s BKC UK-TK181 might not have the catchiest name to remember, but its fantastic feature will definitely put a smile on the kayak angler. BKC tried their best to make this sit on top tandem kayak one of the best fishing kayaks for tandem use. It comes with 7-rod holders to maximize your fishing experience. There are three articulated fishing rode holders with 4 flush-mounted rod holders. You can use the waterproof storage hatches to keep essentials. The twin watertight storage can be used to keep wallet, keys, snacks, cellphone, and other essentials. It has been strategically placed between the paddler’s legs to access the things quickly and easily. There is two secure paddle rests to help you free up your hands while eliminating the risk of your paddles. You can move your hands, and catch as many fish as you can.You can use the secure cargo area with the secured bungee tie-down system to keep a lot of large gears. There are four carrying handles available in the kayak to carry it quickly and easily. You can buy this kayak in four different colors at a very reasonable price.
Length: 12 foot 5 inchesWeight: 68 poundsMaximum weight capacity: 440 poundsMaterial: Rotomolded single piece high-density polyethylene
- Available in four different colors
- 7 Rod holders: 3 articulated rod holders & 4 flush-mounted rod holders
- Waterproof storage hatches
- Twin paddle rests for hands-free movement
- Secure cargo area
- Multiple carrying handles
- Secure bungee tie-down system
- Tandem kayak
- 34-inch beam offers great stability and tracking
- Can be used for solo paddling too
- Eight scupper holes will drain the water splashes
- includes 86-inch aluminum paddles
- Two deluxe kayak seats
- Expensive
Sevylor Coleman Colorado 2-Person Fishing Kayak
Coleman’s Sevylor Colorado is a two-person inflatable fishing kayak which comes at a very reasonable price. Coleman used 18-gauge PVC construction which is rugged enough for lake use. The 1000D tarpaulin bottom and 840D nylon cover provide great protection from punctures. People are skeptical about inflatable kayaks about the security, but the multiple air chambers will keep you floating if another chamber gets punctured. However, the Airtight System is guaranteed not to leak.You will find the adjustable Berkley quick-set rod holders for enhanced hands-free fishing. Sevylor trolling motor fitting can expand your fishing capabilities. Also, You can use the paddle holders to secure the paddles out of the way. As you can see in the picture, there are two adjustable seats which can be moved to fit your properly. Boston Valve is double threaded which allows easy inflation and deflation. You can use the mesh storage pockets to keep the gears and snacks close to you. This 10 feet 9 inches long kayak weighs 41 lbs and has a maximum weight capacity of 470 lbs. You can also use the D-rings to attach more gears to your kayak.
Length: 10 foot 9 inchesWeight: 41 poundsMaximum weight capacity: 470 poundsMaterial: Rotomolded single piece high-density polyethylene
- 18-gauge PVC construction
- Great for lake
- 1000D tarpaulin bottom with 840D nylon cover
- Multiple air chambers
- Airtight system
- Tandem use
- Adjustable Barkley Quick set rod holders
- Cheap
- D-rings to attach more fishing gears
- Double threaded Boston valve for easy inflation/deflation
- Mesh storage to keep essentials
- Paddle holder to secure the paddles
- Compact
- Storage could be better
Hobie 2019 Mirage Outback Camo
Hobie has proven time and time again that they know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to fishing kayaks. Hobie 2019 is the successor of the Hobie Mirage 2019. If you are a serious kayak angler who wants to have the best fishing kayak, Hobie 2019 Mirage Outback Camo is the perfect option for you. This fully-loaded fishing kayak is capable of almost every fishing expedition. No matter if you are thinking about fishing on open water or the closest river, Hobie Mirage 2019 Outback Camo got you covered.Hobie Mirage Outback has been thriving on the market for a very long time, and this is the first significant redesign we have seen in decades. Its extra-wide standing deck offers an incredible and improved casting platform to the users. You can also do sightseeing, thanks to the fantastic stability. The design allows the rider to have a greater vision than regular kayaks while the revolutionary Guardian Transducer Shield provides a multidimensional vision below.There are four molded-in rod holders with multiple deluxe H-track mounts. It comes with the new Vantage CTW seat which provides extra width for greater comfort. There are several high-capacity storage compartments to secure your fishing gears and essentials. Hobie Mirage 2019 Outback comes with the Kick-up Rudder system with dual steering capabilities fighting the drift and navigating on tight water becomes much easier. Numerous features can be used to describe how awesome the Hobie Mirage 2019 outback is. If you have the budget and want the absolute best, the Hobie Mirage 2019 is the best fishing kayak for you.
Length: 12 foot 9 inchesWeight: 103 poundsMaximum weight capacity: 425 poundsMaterial: Rotomolded single piece high-density polyethylene
- Vantage CTW seat offers great comfort and support
- The extra-wide standing deck offers improved casting platform
- Revolutionary Guardian Transducer Shield
- Four molded-in rod holders
- Multiple Delux H-tracks mount
- Several high-capacity storage compartments
- MirageDrive 180 with ARC Cranks + Turbo Fins
- Kick-Up Rudder system with dual steering capabilities
- Includes outback loader
- Lowrance-Ready capability
- Crazy Expensive
Vibe Kayaks Yellowfin 100 Angler
Vibe Kayaks Yellowfin 100 is a ten-foot long sit on top kayak which offers excellent features for an angler. It weighs 57 pounds and has a maximum weight capacity of 375 pounds. You will find four capped flush mount rod holders and mounting point for Scotty, RAM, and VIbe mount accessories. Yellowfin 100 includes the Vibe Hero seat which offers excellent comfort and superior support for long days of fishing on the water.You will find multiple storage options in the YellowFIn 100. The two 9″ sealed bag inserts can be used to keep snacks, cellphone, fishing gear, or other essentials. Two tackle tray holders can fit Plano 3600 tackle tray. Also, the large bungeed rear tank well offers easy access to your things. FOur easy-grip carry handles make it easier to transport and portability.There are other basic features available like the built-in cup holder, adjustable foot braces, two side bungee paddle parks, and more. Yellowfin 100 is available in three different vibrant colors which are easy to spot on the water. If you want a premium fishing kayak but at a reasonable price, YellowFIn 100 is an excellent choice for you.
Length: 10 footWeight: 57 poundsMaximum weight capacity: 375 poundsMaterial: Rotomolded single piece polyethylene
- Four flush mounted fishing rod holders
- Vibe hero seat offers superior comfort and support
- Vibe journey paddle
- Multiple storages
- 4 easy grip carrying handles
- Adjustable foot braces
- 2 side bungee paddle parks
- Two tackle tray holders
- Available in vibrant colors
- Lightweight design
Feelfree Lure 10 Kayak
Headquartered in Blue Ridge Mountian of Western North California, FreelFree US, LLC is one of the industry leaders when it comes to angler kayaks. FeelFree kayaks are designed to offer incredible features with superior comfort, stability, and versatility. FeelFree Lure 10 is a ten-foot long fishing kayak for shorter trips on rivers and lakes. It is just the smaller version of the FeelFree Lure 11.5 while boasting all the features of it.A lot of anglers keep complaining about how the seat of their kayak sucks. FeelFree Lure 10’s multi-level and multi-position extra wide Gravity seat can help you concentrate fishing with a superior comfort than traditional kayak seats. This patent-pending kayak seat offers a wide range of seat heights which ensures a better vision to the angler.The 36″ wide hull with the padded standing platform allows the rider to paddle or cast in both standing or seating position. You will find two fishing rod holders, several storage options, and more features. There is a wheel in the keel which offers easy transport. You can also use the bow, stern and side carry handles to transport it with ease.FeelFree Lure 10 angler kayak is available in several amazing colors including lime camo, blue camo, orange camo, and more.
- Multi-level and multi-position extra wide gravity seat delivers incredible comfort and viewing ability
- Keel and Uni-Track system
- Available in exciting colors
- Super stable 36″ wide hull
- Casting or paddling can be done in both standing or seating position
- Stable
- Handy flip up console
- Two fishing rod holders
- Storage in the rear for quick access
Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Fishing Kayak
Lifetime makes a lot of outdoor stuff, and kayak happens to be one of them. Despite their broad range of products, they managed to make this amazing fishing kayak for anglers. Tamarack Angler is made of using UV-protected HIGH-density Polyethylene. The flat bottom is quite stable, and the deep hull offers nice tracking. There are multiple footrest positions for different size riders. The adjustable padded seat back and the seat pad offers great comfort.
For anglers, they can utilize the two flush-mounted fishing rod holders to keep fishing rids. Also, one top mount fishing rod holder also available on the kayak. There are two 6″ storage compartments both in rear and center for easy access. You can keep a lot of fishing gears and essentials in these compartments. There is a paddle keeper on the left with shock cords to secure it.
- UV-protected High-density polyethylene
- Deep hull-tracking channels
- Multiple footrest positions
- Adjustable padded seat back and seat pad for comfort
- Two flush-mounted fishing rod holders
- One paddle keeper with shock cords
- T-handles for easy transport
- Two 6″ storage compartments
How To Choose Best Fishing Kayak For Anglers
It’s not a tough job to find the best kayak for fishing purpose. You need to understand your requirements first, and thus you can easily pick the best kayak for fishing. See the points below, and you will understand which will be good for you.
Sit on top vs. Sit in kayaks
One of the most important thing about choosing a fishing kayak is to understand whether you need a sit on top or sit in kayak. Both have their own facilities.
Sit in fishing kayaks
Sit-inside kayaks are best for less warm places as they keep your body warm. If you are fishing in a cold area, then these sit-inside fishing kayak is best for them. These are more like vehicle stuff. One of the biggest con of using a sit inside kayak is that you don’t get the freedom of moving easily. If you are fishing, then you need to move or get in or get out of kayak quickly. This is what is missing from sit inside fishing kayaks.
Sit on Top Fishing Kayak
Sit on tops are very user-friendly regarding fishing. You can easily get in the sit on top fishing kayak, and you can easily get out also. These types of kayaks have to scupper holes to drain out the water from the cockpit. If you love to stand or sit while fishing, then this is the perfect choice for you. I love to use sit on top kayaks for fishing as this gives me extra space for moving on my kayak. The only cons of using a sit on top fishing kayak are that you might get wet or the cockpit will surely get wet while paddling.
Length
Length is another important thing that you need to check while getting a fishing kayak. If you are a tall person, then you might need enough space to keep your legs. Thus you need a lengthy fishing kayak with proper leg management or foot braces. Note that, a long kayak will be heavier than small kayaks.
Stability
If you are fishing on your kayak, then you need to check whether the kayak provides good stability or not. Since you are fishing, it is highly important to have a kayak with good kayak stability.
Mounting option
A great fishing kayak will allow you to mount your fishing gears like Fish Finder. Some of the fishing kayaks have already mount installed for easier usage.
Rigged vs Unrigged:
Usually, all kayaks are the same unless you have rigged it. Regular kayaks don’t come with fishing rod holder. However, fishing kayak comes with rigged units. As our primary purpose is to catch fishes, we will be using rods on our kayaks. Thus we need to find fishing kayaks with rod holder. However, you can mount rod holders on many kayaks and turn them into a fishing kayak. If you want to save some buck, then you can do the rigging process by yourself. It might require some skills, but if you are handy then you can do this.
Price:
Definitely, price plays a significant role in purchasing a kayak for angling. One thing that you need to understand that you get what you paid for. To get maximum support for fishing, you need to pay more. However, if you can check the features, then you will find a lot of good fishing kayak for the money. We have mentioned some good fishing kayaks under $500.
Storage:
Since we are fishing, it’s good to have a good storage system where we can keep catch cooler bag or catches itself. Having good storage will allow you to keep the fishing gears also.
Motor Or Paddle
My suggestion is to buy a trolling motor for fishing kayaks. As our primary target is fishing, then why would we waste our times & energy on the paddling while we can use trolling motor. Check some best trolling motor here. However, if you feel like using paddles then check these Best Paddles for kayaking.
Final Verdict
My vote will go for Old Town Predator 13 Kayak. It’s made for fishing, and it really provides excellent performance on the water. However, if you are looking for cheap fishing kayaks then go for Sun Dolphin Journey (amazon link). If you are looking for a tandem fishing kayak, then go for Lifetime 10 Foot.
I hope that our report on the best fishing kayak will help you to get the best fishing kayak. Life is short, go fishing and don’t forget to share this article with your friends.
Afsar is an avid kayak blogger born near the coast. He has a passion for kayaking and started as a child. He has paddled in various conditions and locations and promotes responsible kayaking. Afsar’s blog is widely read, and they are a respected voice in the kayaking community, offering valuable content on kayaking trips, gear, tips, and tricks. Afsar collaborates with other bloggers and brands and continues to inspire others through their writing and social media.
Very extensive review article. It has covered almost everything necessary to be perfect. It’s a gateway for the beginner kayakers to understand what to do and choose! I like the angle of analysis. Thanks for your effort.