Best Fishing Kayaks: 7 boats to serve the needs of any angler
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Loading... - Emilia Salo
- 28 Jun 2022
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When my wife and I moved to the coast several years ago, I finally got the opportunity to use my sit-on-top kayaks in the environment for which they were designed.
Initially, we moved to pursue our interest in sailing. As it turned out, the sounds, marshes, and bays surrounding our new home were a kayak angler’s dream.
In between learning the lines on a small centerboard sloop, I spent countless hours paddling through the tidal creeks and bays in search of speckled trout, flounder, and striped bass.
I also envied the specialized fishing kayaks launching at the local boat ramp, those pedal-powered warships bristling with enough rod holders and electronics to outfit a center-console powerboat.
While those vessels are state of art in kayak fishing, any reasonably stable kayak will serve the angler well, especially with a few modifications. Here are some points to consider when adding a fishing kayak to your fleet.
What to look for in the best fishing kayaks
Fishing from a kayak can be precarious, so if angling is your primary use, make stability the first consideration. As with any nautical design, stability often comes at the expense of speed. But for ‘yak anglers, the only reason to go fast is to get to the next fishing hole. So, favor beam over length.
As far as hull style, sit-on-top (SOT) kayaks are the way to go. Leave the sit-in kayaks to coastal cruisers and whitewater paddlers.
Decked vessels simply are not as practical for fishing. You will get wetter in a sit-on-top kayak, but you will also catch more fish.
Seat height is another important factor. Many sit-on-tops have fixed seats that are flush with the cockpit floor, which can feel too low. An adjustable seat height will give you the proper platform for repetitive casting, along with better visibility.
My Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140 is a touring kayak with an angling package. While it is an excellent overall boat, I often wish I had a little more seat elevation.
Most dedicated fishing kayaks feature pedal propulsion. These nifty devices slide in and out of a slot, similar to a daggerboard. They pedal like a bicycle and offer hands-free maneuvering while casting. To cover water faster or traverse the shallows, raise the pedal unit and grab your paddle.
If you opt for a paddle-only kayak, you need an adjustable anchoring system to hold the boat at the desired angle to the wind. I simply cleat off my anchor line forward or aft to change the attitude of my boat, but I plan to install an aftermarket anchor trolly to make the adjustments easier and safer.
With these thoughts in mind, here are 7 vessels that offer good value and performance for serious fishing, casual exploring, or for keeping on the deck of a larger vessel.
7 of the best fishing kayaks on the market
Old Town Sportsman Bigwater 132
The earliest pedal kayaks used a flipper system to move the boat. Old Town utilizes a sophisticated propeller drive that offers instant power in forward or reverse.
The PDL system easily deploys in deep water and swings out of the way on the flats. Old Town’s pedal assembly also features a built-in dry box for storing personal items.
The Bigwater’s sharp hull entry cuts through swell to keep you dry when offshore. And while this boat is fast, it is still beamy enough to stand in. You can easily turn around to access tackle boxes, coolers, or other storage. A padded cockpit floor minimizes hull noise.
The fast-draining mesh seat is adjustable fore and aft and high or low. The high setting is great for fishing, while the low position is best for plowing through wind and chop.
The Bigwater features two built-in rod holders behind the seat. Additional tracks and pads are customizable to almost any aftermarket rod holder, electronics, or camera gear.
A voluminous forward hatch gives access to the entire hull interior. Side nooks along the inwales are great for maps, pliers, or other small items.
A retractable rudder deploys and steers from the cockpit. If you are chasing big fish on open seas, the Sportsman Bigwater 132 will get you there and back in style.
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120/140
I have owned a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140 for about ten years. My wife paddles a Tarpon 120. I can recommend either as an all-purpose paddler that can be modified to create an excellent fishing vessel.
I ordered my 140 with the “angling package”, which included a small anchor, one adjustable rod holder, and T-tracks for mounting accessories. The hull has two built-in rod holders.
Although the stern will accept a rudder, the Tarpon 140 tracks very straight without one. The biggest flaw is that the deck hatch leaks in stiff seas, but perhaps Wilderness Systems has rectified this problem in newer models.
Other than that, I’ve fished, hunted, and paddled hundreds of miles in my Tarpon 140 and loved every stroke along the way. It is a classic among SOT kayaks.
Old Town Sportsman Salty PDL 120
Old Town’s Sportsman line boasts seven boats, including the high-end Bigwater mentioned earlier. The Sportsman Salty PDL 120 offers many features of Old Town’s larger boat without the sticker shock.
At 12 feet, it’s big enough to accommodate all but the tallest anglers, yet it won’t swallow those of slighter build. The Salty comes with the same propeller drive as the Bigwater. This boat is intended for coastal use but is at home on any lake or stream.
There is an open tank well for storage in the bow rather than a hatch. The tank well is less protective than a hatch, but an open well makes it easier to access tackle, coolers, and other gear.
With loads of tracks, pads, and other installation points for custom touches, the Salty 120 will meet the needs of hardcore and entry-level anglers alike. Read More...
