The advantages of the fishing kayak speak for themselves: instead of being annoyed about occupied fishing spots on the bank, you can maneuver quickly and easily to the fish hotspots on the water. Which kayak is best and where can you even find the perfect fishing kayak? The selection that the Internet offers us is huge and confusing. In order to find the right fishing kayak, you can spend a few days doing research. We’ll save you time and give you a guide that will help you find the best fishing kayak for you!
How does the kayak become a fishing kayak?
What distinguishes a kayak from a boat is clear. It is extremely agile and small. If your angler’s nose sees a collection of fish, you can paddle quickly from one place to the next – without engine noise, without hasty movements. But what is the difference between a fishing kayak and a normal kayak? If you want to find the right fishing kayak, you have to ask yourself right from the start: “Do I want a kayak that I can fish with, or do I want a fishing kayak?” The answer will show what priorities you set when buying a kayak and thus also what price range you will end up in. In general, the more expensive the kayak, the more features can be found in fishing kayaks that are tailored to the angler. We summarize which features you should pay particular attention to in order to be sure to find the perfect fishing kayak for you.
Greater stability
All fishing kayaks that circulate in the lower price range are actually inflatable kayaks designed for normal recreational and outdoor use. However, these are often recommended in guidebooks as inexpensive fishing kayaks, as the larger the width, they also provide more volume and thus a little more stability when fishing. However, if you want to find a fishing kayak that you can fish while standing, you have to dig deeper into your pocket. Inflatable kayaks are not stable enough for this.
Sit-in or sit-on-top
If you’re after a cheap fishing kayak, you’ll have to settle for the sit-in variant. Here you sit in the Michael Schumacher position, just like in a conventional leisure kayak. Getting in and out is not that easy. This is different from the sit-on-top models. With these, the angler, as the name suggests, does not sit in the body of the kayak, but on top of it. You enjoy the freedom of movement that you as an angler need when switching to a different fishing technique or a different bait.
Kayak with paddles or pedals
If you can afford a good kayak but don’t want to use up your annual savings right away, you won’t get around paddling. Because good pedal drives are only offered from a price range of around 1500 euros. The advantages speak for themselves, of course: you can cover several kilometers here with less effort. The kayak can even be maneuvered while fishing. This is important if you want to fish in rivers with currents. Some kayaks even allow reverse gear and are therefore a lot more agile.
When buying a kayak without pedals, you should definitely pay attention to the quality of the paddle. If the kayak is already good enough, but the supplied paddles are not suitable for your fitness or body type, then invest in a high-quality paddle! Helpful for a carefree fishing day on the water is also paddle holders. The change between the fishing rod and paddle should be smooth, without the two of them getting in each other’s way.
Fishing rod holder
Most fishing kayaks only have one or more fishing rod holders from the middle price range. These are found mainly in float fishing and pole fishing use, but also the rapid change of position. With a paddle kayak, the fishing rod has to be put down. A missing fishing rod holder shouldn’t necessarily be a reason to choose a more expensive kayak. Because even with cheap hardshell models, ordinary boat rod holders can be attached, which do the same service. So with a little more sweat, you can save money here.
Material and transportation
While inflatable fishing kayaks are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the most common type of hard shell kayak construction is made of polyethylene (PE). Inflatable models have the great advantage that they do not have to be transported on the car roof. At around 8 kg to 16 kg, they are still quite light, fit in a 40-liter backpack, and can be inflated within 10 minutes. While it is better to be equipped with a repair kit for models made of PVC, with PE kayaks you can approach the fishing trip more relaxed. They are robust and resilient, and even shallow rivers with stony bottoms cannot harm them.
Storage space
An ambitious angler wants to be prepared for anything. And that needs a lot of storage space! You won’t find it in an inflatable kayak. Only sit-on-top models offer a dry place for your fishing equipment and everything that makes a fishing trip on the water perfect. Pedal-powered kayaks offer the largest storage space, as the cavity in the kayak body is used for this.
Prepared for every fishing technique
To find the perfect fishing kayak, you should always keep in mind which fishing techniques you prefer or want to use. While all models allow vertical fishing from the seat, only the more expensive models offer enough balance to stand. If you want to find a fishing kayak to catch predatory fish while trolling, you should make sure that it is possible to mount a fishing rod holder.
Find the right kayak
To make the evaluation of different kayak models more structured, we have divided them into 3 groups. Before you buy, you can see what requirements you have for a perfect fishing kayak and what price range you will find yourself in when buying. This division is the result of long research on various fishing forums, online shops, and customer reviews.
Find inflatable fishing kayaks
Inflatable fishing kayaks are considered entry-level models, as they are inexpensive to purchase with a price range of 80 euros to 300 euros. You will find the perfect kayak in an inflatable model if these priorities suit you:
It shouldn’t be an expensive purchase.
The kayak should fit in a rucksack when folded, but must never come on the car.
You don’t need a lot of luggage or gear when fishing.
In addition to these advantages, you should of course also be aware that the lack of equipment and quality also has disadvantages. The models are said to have:
- the water runs in quickly from the side
- higher speeds are not possible
- they are difficult to maneuver
- Beware of shallow rivers with stony bottoms
- there are not always paddle holders
- there is no fishing rod holder
- Our tips for inflatable kayaks that also work well as fishing kayaks are the Intex Challenger and the Bestway Hydroforce Ventura.
The middle class of fishing kayaks with the best price-performance ratio:
This group includes the kayaks that already offer more comfort for the angler, but are still below the 800 euro limit. These sit-on-top kayaks consist of a PE hard shell and, with a weight of around 16 kg to 21 kg, are considerably heavier than inflatable kayaks. Pre-perforated areas allow you to attach mounting plates for fishing rod holders, which is a great advantage over inflatable models. Other features that mid-range fishing kayaks bring with them are:
- They are ideal for small rivers and lakes.
- Pre-installed rod holders are standard.
- There is a luggage compartment in the bow and/or stern.
- They are easy to maneuver.
- The Kitts Kingfisher touring kayak or the Seaflo fishing kayak offer the best value for money. If you want to and can spend more than 400 euros, you should also give the Winmax or Pelican Sentinel kayak a chance.
Find fishing kayaks with pedal drive
The advantages of the pedal drive speak for themselves:
- When paddling, you have your hands free for fishing.
- The equipment often contains more than 2 fishing rod holders.
- Tipping over is almost impossible.
- They offer the most storage space.
- They make fishing in larger bodies of water and even in the (calm) sea possible.
- The fishing kayaks from Grapper and Native Watercraft are real all-rounders here. Only in the end you still have to catch the fish yourself.
Where can I find fishing kayaks?
Of course, it is always worth paying a visit to the nearest outdoor shop. But the largest selection can be found on the Internet. Above all, read the customer reviews of other anglers, this will help with decision making. Advanced fishing kayaks are usually only available from specialist dealers or manufacturers. You can also have other specific questions answered directly by the respective customer service and make sure before buying that it is the perfect fishing kayak for you.
