Do you want to find the best fishing kayak out there for your needs? Bass Fishing on lakes and creeks? Cobia on the oil rigs? Whatever you need, let our chart show you what the best fishing kayak is for you then read our reviews!
Why fish from the shore and not get to the best spots or spend huge money on a boat when you can get into the best fishing from a kayak? When fishing from a yak, you get the best of everything. Fish where the fish are, whether you want to get out to the rock piles where the lunker bass lie, go 10 miles out to hunt tuna or maybe just troll a lure to catch some fresh lunch while paddling from place to place.
If you’re reading this, you’re obviously someone who seeks adventure and wants to be close to the action. Trust me when I say that a 10lb fish from yak is like a 50lb fish from a boat. Compare how un-special 60mph in an SUV feels is to how fast and fun 60mph is on a go-kart!
Have you ever been fishing from the shore with not a fish to show for your efforts, watching the birds crash diving and fish leaping only 300 yards offshore and wished you could be there? Well with a kayak you can glide stealthily into the madness, no engine to spook the shoal.
With so many kayaks out there on the market and a bewildering amount of information it can be hard to make a decision on what really is the best fishing kayak for you.
The chart below and the analysis that follows will help you decide.
We are all different shapes, strengths and have different needs for the kayak so the guide will help you make the best decision so that you have a kayak that suits you perfectly.
Check out this article on how to choose the right fishing kayak for you!
Comparison Guide and Key
Included in the matrix are 13 columns:
- Kayak brand and name/model – (click to view more details or to purchase from the cheapest possible source)
- Overall Length – Feet
- Width – Inches
- Weight – kayak weight in lbs
- Number of paddlers
- Capacity – The maximum weight that the kayak can safely support in the water
- Propulsion – Kayaks aren’t just paddled anymore!!
- Tracking – The method that keeps the kayak straight when you paddle it.
- Best for– The ideal waters for the kayak
- Pros – The best thing about the kayak
- Cons – The drawbacks
- Fish standing? – These are kayaks that are actually designed so that you can fish standing up!
- Price – These are approximate prices on Amazon.com and Backcountry.com These change frequently based on availability, special promotions, and more. But generally speaking: $ = under $699, $$ = $700 to $899, $$$ = $900 to $1099, $$$$ = $1100 to $1399
I’ll be the first to admit that there’s too many columns with information that it wont fit on the page!
This makes it hard to use online because it wont all fit!
You can go down to the bottom and then scroll right to access the other columns!
Make & Model
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Length
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Width
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Weight
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No. Of Paddlers
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Capacity
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Propulsion
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Tracking System
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Best For
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Pros
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Cons
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Fish Standing Up?
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Price
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Riot Kayaks Escape 12![]() |
12′ | 30″ | 68lbs | 1 | 300lbs | Paddle | Rudder | Lakes/Rivers | 5 Rod Holders, Great Rudder | Better Out There for he Money | No | $ |
Perception Sport Pescador 12![]() |
12′ | 28″ | 60lbs | 1 | 350lbs | Paddle | Keel | Lakes/Rivers | Rebadged 2008 Wilderness Tarpon at a Cheaper Price! | A Jack of all Trades | No | $ |
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100![]() |
10′ | 30.5″ | 55lbs | 1 | 325lbs | Paddle | None | Lakes/Rivers | Stable | Not so Good in the Open Ocean | No | $ |
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120![]() |
12’3″ | 30″ | 64lbs | 1 | 350lbs | Paddle | None | Lakes/Rivers | Stable | Hard to Paddle for Lighter Users | No | $$ |
Ocean Kayak Malibu Two XL Tandem![]() |
13’4″ | 34″ | 61lbs | 2 | 500lbs | Paddle | None | Flatwater, Rivers,Inshore | Can be Paddled Solo or With a Partner | Very Slow When Paddled Solo | No | $$ |
Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game![]() |
12’9″ | 34″ | 69lbs | 1 | 600lbs | Paddle | None | Open Water | Enough Spare Capacity to Carry Home That 300lb Tuna! | Not Too Nimble on Small Rivers and Streams | No | $$$ |
Jackson Kayak Cuda 12 Kayak![]() |
12’6″ | 31′ | 68lbs | 1 | 350lbs | Paddle | Optional Rudder | Absolute all Rounder | Great all Round Kayak for Ocean, Lakes and Rivers | Not as Good as Bigger Brother for Long Distance | No | $$$$ |
Jackson Kayak Cuda 14 Kayak![]() |
14’3″ | 30.5 | 80lbs | 1 | 400lbs | Paddle | Optional Rudder | Absolute all Rounder | Great all Round Kayak for Ocean, Lakes and Rivers | Not as Manouverable as Smaller Brother for Small Waters | No | $$$$ |
Native Watercraft Slayer 12 Kayak![]() |
12′ | 31″ | 70lbs | 1 | 400lbs | Pedal | None | Great for Ponds and Intercoastal Waterways | Standing Up and Sight Casting | It’s great Stability is a Trade off for Speed Which it Lacks | Yes | $$$$ |
Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12![]() |
12′ | 36″ | 120lbs | 1 | 500lbs | Mirage drive | Optional Rudder | Everywhere | Very stable, Mirage drive | Heavy to Lift onto Roofracks | Yes | $$$$$+ |
Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14![]() |
14′ | 38″ | 110lbs | 1 | 600lbs | Mirage drive | Optional Rudder | Everywhere | Very stable, Mirage drive | Heavy to Lift onto Roofracks | Yes | $$$$$+ |
Wilderness Systems Ride 115 Kayak – Sit-On-Top![]() |
11’6″ | 33″ | 76lbs | 1 | 500lbs | Paddle | Movable Seat, Optional Rudder | Rivers | Super portable and stable | Not Great on Bigger Waters | No | $$ |
Wilderness Systems Ride 135 Kayak – Sit-On-Top![]() |
13’6″ | 31.5″ | 82lbs | 1 | 550lbs | Paddle | Movable Seat, Optional Rudder | Rivers, Estuaries, Lakes | Fast Cruiser for Longer Distances Than the 115 | Bit less stable but not really. | No | $$$ |
Ocean Kayaks Torque![]() |
13′ 10″ | 29″ | 86lbs | 1 | 475lbs | Motor/ Paddle | Rudder | Open Water, Long Distances | Allows You to Go Further and faster than before | Very Heavy to Load on to Car etc. | No | $$$$$+ |
Hobie Mirage Revolution 11![]() |
11’6″ | 29″ | Hull 57lbs Rigged 70.3lbs | 1 | 275lbs | Mirage Drive/Paddle | Rudder | Rivers, Lakes, Inshore | Perfect for Lighter People, Ladies and Teens. | Too small for anyone under 180lbs | No | $$$$$ |
Hobie Mirage Revolution 13![]() |
13’5″ | 28.5 | Hull 69.5lns Rigged 82.8lbs | 1 | 350lbs | Mirage Drive/Paddle | Rudder | Rivers, Lakes,Inshore, Offshore | Fast Yet Manouverable | Outback is better for people over 200lbs | No | $$$$$+ |
Hobie Mirage Outback![]() |
12’1″ | 33″ | Hull 75lbs Rigged 88.3lbs | 1 | 400lbs | Mirage Drive/Paddle | Rudder | Rivers, Lakes,Inshore, Offshore | Stable, Great All Rounder for Bigger Yakkers | Needs a User of 190lbs to Sit Properly in the Water | No | $$$$$+ |
Hobie Mirage Adventure Island![]() |
16′ | 42″ or 9’4″ with the Amas | Hull 86.5 Rigged 115lbs | 1+ | 350lbs | Mirage Drive / Sail / Paddle | Rudder | Open Water | The Absolute Ultimate Open Water Cruiser, Deep Sea Big Game? NO PROBLEM! | Not So Good in Small Bodies of Water Due to Size | Yes | $$$$$++ |
Sea Eagle SE370 Inflatable Kayak![]() |
12’6″ | 34″ | 32lbs | 2 | 650lbs | Paddle | Skeg | River/Lake/ Very Calm Conditions | Light and Portable, Cheap, Good Way Test the Waters | Very Easy Blown About by the Wind | No | $ |
Lifetime Sport Fisher Kayak![]() |
10′ | 36″ | 60lbs | 1/2/3 | 500lbs | Paddle | None | Flat water, River,Lakes, Inshore | Versatile family day out or fishing boat. | More of a first kayak to test the waters. | Yes | $ |