One of the activities you can do while kayaking is fishing. If you are a hardcore fishing fan you should own your own fishing kayak. A fishing kayak is different from a regular kayak, most fishing kayaks have a built-in feet paddles where you can use it to get around instead paddling by hand. When buying a fishing kayak there is a lot of things to consider. You will have to consider the weight, size, storage space, and much more of each kayak when buying one. We will cover some major pros and cons of the top fishing kayaks.
The best part of owning a fishing kayak is that you can practically go fishing anywhere you desire. Another great thing about owning your own fishing kayak is that when you fish you do not have to worry about being tangled up with other fisherman unlike fishing at a pier or on a fishing charter boat.
One of the reasons of fishing is to experience the outdoor in peace and quiet. A fishing kayak will give you a peaceful and quiet fishing experience because its either just you or with your friends in the open water. You don’t have to deal with other people while fishing, unlike fishing on a pier or fishing charter boat where people can be blasting their music or yelling.
List Of The Best Fishing Kayaks:
- Feelfree Moken 14
- Ocean Kayaks Trident 13
- Hobie Mirage Outback
- Native Watercraft Slayer 14
- Wilderness Systems Ride 115X
- Bonafide SS127
- Feelfree Moken 14 Fishing Kayak
Pros:
- Lots of storage
- Center console
- A wheel in the keel
- Can attach a lot of accessories
- You can stand on this kayak
- Cost under 1k
Cons:
- Some of the material is made from materials in proposition 65 for California
The Feelfree Moken 14 is very popular with fisherman because it comes at a basic model where you can add more add-on when needed. This kayak is easy to transport around with one person because it has a hard-plastic wheel in the keel where you can wheel it around. It has molded front and side handles for you to carry and drag the kayak to and from the water with ease.
One noticeable thing that the Feelfree Moken 14 has is the rod holders. These holders are molded into the paddle park and center console, this make it hard for the rod holders to break. Feelfree Moken 14 fishing kayak weight 76lbs. and has a length of 14’8” and a width of 30”. With this size its easier for one person to carry and drag around.
This kayak comes with a stand-up leash, standing pad, quick release uni-track rail system, and a kingfisher seat. With the uni-track rail system you can add more rod holders, fish finder, or other accessories. The standing pad allows you to stand while fishing or paddling on the kayak. This kayak has a ton of storage spaces, there is one in the front and rear with hinge hatch to close. It has a center console. The center console will give you easy access to storage and you can place and mount your fish finder.
When you are done paddling to your fishing spot you will need to put the paddle away so it won’t get lost while you fish and luck for you the Feelfree Moken 14 has a spot on the kayak called the paddle park system where you can put the paddle away securely.
Once you catch your fish, depending on the fish you may need to measure it to make sure its legal size. On this kayak there is an integrated ruler that measure up to 15” for that.
The overall built of this kayak is long and slim, this figure helps with cutting through the water better than other fishing kayaks. It will help you get far, quick and smoothly in the water. The Feelfree Moken 14 model comes in 5 colors/designs: blue camo, desert camp, pink camo, winter camo, and limo camo. With all these different colors you are sure to find one you will like.
With all these awesome features you are sure to have a blast fishing with this kayak.
2. Ocean Kayaks Trident 13
Pros
- This kayak is lighter than most, weigh 67lbs
- You can get the rudder system (optional)
Cons
- The beam is low
- Cost a little over 1k
The Ocean Kayak Trident 13 is 13ft long, its design for the professional kayak anglers. So, you know you are getting the best kayak for fishing since its design with the professional fisherman in mind.
If you are a huge fishing fan a know about the fishing community than you would have heard about this brand because they have a great and long-standing reputation with the fishing community.
The Ocean Kayak Trident 13 is built for the open ocean. When you are using this in the open ocean you will see this kayak’s abilities in action.
The Ocean Kayak Trident 13 has a comfortable seat that is made for lumbar support and backrest so that you can be out in the ocean for long period of time without being in pain from sitting. The kayak has spots on both sides to store the paddle when not in use. There are two flush mounted rod holders, a scupper hole molded in the hull just for the fish finder. It also has a sonar shield storage area just for storing the fish finder.
3. Hobie Mirage Outback
Pros
- You can pedal around
- Fins can pivot 180 degrees
- You can kayak hands free
- Lots of storage
- You can stand and fish
Cons
- It’s expensive, it cost $2,799 dollars
The Hobie Mirage Outback is one of the most comfortable option if not the most comfortable fishing kayak out in the market.
You may ask how it is so comfortable well, this kayak comes with the Vantage CT seating systems which means it allows for flexibility and adjustability. That is why this fishing kayak is so comfortable. With that seating system you have wide range of opportunity and visibility while fishing.
One of the best features of this kayak would be the option of kayaking hands free. This option alone is worth the money. With this hands-free option you can fish and paddle around at the same time and you could chase after you fish too. In order to give you this option they used the 180 bluefins pedal drive with the forward and reverse propulsion. This means you can do a 180 degrees pivot while fishing by using the shift cables.
4. Native Watercraft Slayer 14
Pros
- The helm is more responsive
- It has a seat and foot brace system
- You can securely mount your electronic gears
- There a wheel at the stern of the kayak
Cons
- It’s expensive, it cost around $2,500 dollars
- The beam is narrow
One of Native Watercraft Slayer 14 feature that stands out with fisherman is the console cover with groove track insert. This help keep rod holders and other accessories like fish finder in place and its easy to change them in and out. With this groove track you can lock the accessories down in any area.
The Native Watercraft Slayer 14 has a wheel attached to the stern of the kayak. This will help you transport the kayak to and from the water. With this wheel one person can maneuver the kayak easily.
It has tons of space for storage, like the electronics console aka the dry console where you can keep any electronics or anything else you want to keep dry.
The Native Watercraft Slayer 14 has an amazing seat where you can recline. Its great for back support so that you can sit out there and fish all day long. The seat has an aluminum frame made with HiFlo 3D suspension mesh. With this all these types of materials, the seat is very sturdy and comfortable from high or low position.
5. Wilderness Systems Ride 115X
Pros
- It has a lot of storage
- Foot braces is adjustable
- Has a rudder system
Cons
- Cost a little over 1k
- There is not a lot of room to stand
The Wilderness Systems Ride 115X is a great option if you are looking for an extremely stable fishing kayak. This fishing kayak has great storage for all your fishing gear. The storage space comes with sealed latches to keep things from getting wet.
In the front of the Wilderness Systems Ride 115X there is a handle for you to grab and a place for you to secure your paddle when not in use.
Each side of this kayak has a track system for you to mount rod holders and fish finders. The center console is removeable. This is great because you can attach your transducer, fish finder, or GPS onto the center console. When you are putting the kayak in storage or transporting it you can remove the whole center console with your electronic still attached. This will make it easier for you to keep your electronic safe from being damage or stolen while transporting and storing the kayak. It will also make it easier for you to set up your electronics when you go kayak fishing.
The Wilderness Systems Ride 115X seat is very comfortable and higher than most. You can adjust the seat by moving it forward or backward. Under the seat will have more storage for your bait box.
6. Bonafide SS127
Pros
- You can stand or sit
- Comfortable seat
- Capable of carrying 475lbs
Cons
- Cost around $1600
- Weigh around 94lbs when its rigged up
The Bonafide SS127 has a length of 12’7”, width of 33.75”, and weigh about 94lbs when its rigged up. This fishing kayak can support up to 475lbs. The Bonafide SS127 is designed for standing or sitting for fishing which means that this kayak is very stable. The seat for the Bonafide SS127 is high end and very comfortable, it allows you to sit with your knees bent. When your knees are bent it helps take pressure off your lower back which means you can sit for longer period to fish and you will be more comfortable while fishing. This fishing kayak, the Bonafide SS127, can be use in all water environments since it’s so stable.
Whichever fishing kayak you end up buying you won’t regret your decision because the goal of it all is to be out in the open water and to be free from your hectic everyday schedule to enjoy fishing without being crowded by other people. Fishing kayak is a must if you are tired of always getting tangled with other fishermen on piers or on fishing charter boats. One of the best feelings of kayak fishing is that you can go anywhere unlike being confined to just the pier or fish only where the fishing charter takes you. Have a blast with your fishing kayak, stay safe, and always wear your life jacket.