Getting to the ideal location on the lake, casting, and reeling are all made simple by the stability and ease of maneuverability of fishing kayaks, some of which even let you stand up. Additionally, these boats include a lot of unique features that were created with fishing in mind, such integrated rod holders and accessory mounts that may be utilized with trolling motors or fish finders.

Based on factors like size, weight, gear storage, hull type, and unique features, we determined which fishing kayaks were the best. We considered expert kayak fishing advice, user feedback from each kayak, and our own on-the-water expertise. Below, you’ll undoubtedly discover a fishing kayak that suits your demands.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: Hobie Mirage Passport 12.0 R Sit-On-Top Kayak  
• Best Budget: Pelican Sentinel 100XP Angler Sit-On-Top Kayak  
• Best Inflatable: Elkton Outdoors Steelhead Inflatable Fishing Kayak  
• Best Sit-In: Old Town Loon 126 Angler Fishing Kayak  
• Best Tandem: BKC TK219 Tandem Fishing Kayak  

(Image credit: cornwall-canoes)

1. Hobie Mirage Passport 12.0 R Sit-On-Top Kayak

Best Overall

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

The Mirage Passport 12.0 R Sit-On-Top Kayak, a pedal-driven kayak that can pick up speed so quickly you’ll leave little wake behind you, is a product of legendary kayak manufacturer Hobie. The Mirage Passport can turn sharply and quickly because of its hand-operated rudder, which is simple to lift when you need to stow the boat or approach shore. This makes it simpler to position yourself for casting and increases safety when navigating a congested harbor or downriver. You won’t even notice that this 83-pound kayak is heavy until you’re out on the lake.

Features like the three rod holders integrated into the hull will catch your attention. These make fishing rod storage simple while you’re traveling between locations and allow you to keep your lines in the water hands-free, which is advantageous if you’re also biking. A tackle box or cooler can be secured in cargo sections with bungee tie-downs at the kayak’s front and rear, while a watertight storage hatch located right before the seat protects items like a phone, camera, or snack dry. The seat angle is easily adjustable, and trolling motors, camera mounts, and fish finders may all be mounted on the accessory rails on either side of the boat.

(Image credit: amazon)

2. Pelican Sentinel 100XP Angler Sit-On-Top Kayak

Best Budget

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Though it’s less than a quarter the price of our overall top pick, the Pelican Sentinel 100XP Angler Sit-On-Top Kayak is still a good and capable kayak because it’s constructed by a seasoned manufacturer. With its weight of only 44 pounds and its shorter length of 10 feet, the Sentinel 100XP Angler is quite nimble when paddled by an experienced paddler. Remember that the maximum weight limit is just 250 pounds, and that weight does include the weight of any dry bags or equipment you want to bring. You can maintain your lines in the water while holding hands-free thanks to a set of flush-mount rod holders.

Additionally, you may use your phone hands-free thanks to an innovative smartphone holder area that comes with a bungee tie-down strap. Additionally, there are bungee cords in the front and back storage portions to help prevent your belongings from falling overboard. However, they are not waterproof, so if necessary, purchase some dry bags. The handles included into the hull on both sides as well as the front and rear of the boat make it simple to carry the Sentinel 100XP Angler on land.

(Image credit: amazon)

3. Elkton Outdoors Steelhead Inflatable Fishing Kayak

Best Inflatable

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

One of the few excellent inflatable kayaks that is made for fishing rather than just marketed as such is the Elkton Outdoors Steelhead Inflatable Fishing Kayak. Its sturdy PVC hull contains five hard mounting points that may be equipped with accessories like bait trays, fish finders, rod holders, and more. Moreover, this seat-positioning-assisted kayak’s low center of gravity and nearly 11-foot length and 3-foot width make it an extremely stable option for challenging encounters with large fish.

There is no fishing-related hardware included with this boat; instead, rod mounts, bait trays, and other accessories are available separately. However, you do receive a hand pump for inflating the kayak, a removable fin that helps with tracking, an adjustable and detachable seat, a paddle, and a backpack-style bag for storage. Go ahead and paddle out even when the white caps are up since the Steelhead sheds splashes that pass over the gunwales in the water.

(Image credit: shakerhilloutdoors)

4. Old Town Loon 126 Angler Fishing Kayak

Best Sit-In

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Many features of an open-water touring kayak that makes it ideal for multiday trips are present in the Old Town Loon 126 Angler Fishing Kayak. Its long, angular hull form and sit-in cockpit enable quick, stable paddling even on rougher water; it weighs only sixty pounds with a 450-pound weight capacity; and it has plenty of dry storage room. However, this is a fishing kayak, not a touring yak, as evidenced by the removable work deck, anchor system, and flush-mount rod holders, which may be used to store hooks, lures, bait, and other items.

There is even a built-in USB charging connector on the detachable work deck, although you will need to buy the appropriate USB charger separately. This makes it an even better multiday touring kayak since you can leave your phone, lights, camera, or fish finder charged for hours at a time with it in place. Author Steven John has spent many years using an Old Town kayak that is very similar to the Loon 126, and he has always enjoyed using it on both calm and stormy waters.

(Image credit: amazon)

5. BKC TK219 Tandem Fishing Kayak

Best Tandem

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

This huge kayak, the BKC TK219 Tandem Fishing Kayak, has an outstanding weight capacity of 595 pounds. This implies that two persons, cargo, and even a dog or child can join in on the fun. At almost 12 feet in length, it is both large and hefty. With two watertight storage hatches and a rear luggage area with elastic tie-downs, you can bring lots of supplies along and stretch out comfortably when not paddling or fishing. To help you lay lines more accurately while holding your hands free, the TK219 features two articulating rod holders, one before each of the adjustable seats, and four flush-mount rod holders built into the hull.

Even while this kayak is great for two or three people to use together, it’s not very enjoyable for one person to paddle alone. It is difficult to steer if one person sits in the middle, and it becomes unbalanced if someone sits in back. All things considered, it’s a great fishing kayak with plenty of features—as long as you always navigate the waters in pairs. It’s also one that gives you an advantage over the fish because of the numerous rod holders.

Things To Consider When Buying a Fishing Kayak

Kayak Type and usage Case: While a larger boat appropriate for the ocean would be a dumb decision for that lazy river, the greatest fishing kayak for usage on lakes or ponds might be a bad choice for turbulent open waters. According to Brent Torgeson of Kayak Fishing Supplies, “Kayak hull design is something to consider to match the type of body of water you will be fishing in.” “Kayaks designed for enclosed bays and lakes will have different hull designs than those used for open ocean fishing.”

Kayak Size and Weight Capacity: Selecting a kayak that is appropriate for the water conditions in which it will be used is just as important as choosing one that will fit its user and all of their gear in comfort. A kayak should be able to support a lot more weight than you want to put into it, but it should also be appropriate for a smaller pond, narrow river, or inlet.

Features and Accessories Particular to Fishing: The majority of the kayaks we highlight here come equipped with features and accessories that come in pretty handy when fishing. These consist of items such as watertight storage hatches and rod holders. However, keep in mind that any fishing kayak you are thinking about can be enhanced and further modified, such as by adding articulated rod mounts, trolling motors, or fish finders that can be mounted to already-existing accessory mounting points.

Comfort and Adjustable Features: Make sure you have enough seating and footrest options on your kayak so that you can use it for hours at a time. You should also look for handy extra features like paddle parks, which let you strap down your paddles without worrying about them floating away or falling off.

Storage Capacity and Equipment Arrangement: A kayak’s capacity to hold a greater amount of equipment and tackle enables you to transport a larger haul of fish back to your house. When deciding how much watertight storage you need vs storage spaces that provide bungee tie-downs but no splash or spray protection, think about the kind of water you’ll be paddling on. It is more crucial that you be able to store your equipment in sealed hatches in the rougher the water.

Portability and Storage: If you can’t easily move your yak to and from the water, it won’t be much use to you. Therefore, consider all the storage and transportation options while choosing a vessel. According to Torgeson, “make sure your vehicle can handle the size and weight of the kayak you’re looking to purchase.” You should also make sure you have enough room at your home or at a designated storage facility to accommodate your boat.

How We Chose the Best Fishing Kayaks

Steven John is a contributor to U.S. News and World Report and an enthusiastic paddler. He own three kayaks, two stand-up paddleboards, and a canoe as of this writing. He and his family frequently navigate the waters of the Long Island Sound and its numerous bays, in addition to freshwater lakes located upstate. Although John is a skilled kayak user, he is not a serious angler, so he sought the counsel of various kayak fishing authorities and product recommendations.

Among these specialists were Brent Torgeson of Kayak Fishing Supplies and Matt Fed of Barb Catch Fishing. In addition to offering broad guidance on which fishing kayak would be appropriate for different customers and use scenarios, Fed and Torgeson also had recommendations for particular brands and products. John used their feedback when he carried out additional research on this piece.

After compiling a list of fishing kayaks that warranted further examination, John also examined evaluations written by verified owners of each boat, assessing their opinions and rankings in order to narrow the selection process to the kayaks that are included here. Thus, a combination of years of first-hand experience, professional analysis, and sincere consumer feedback went into selecting the top fishing kayaks.

WHY SHOULD YOU TRUST US?

As previously mentioned, Steven John, a contributor to U.S. News & World Report, has long been an enthusiastic paddler. His experience on the water, including in bays, lakes, rivers, and the open ocean, greatly influenced this piece. He owns and routinely uses a variety of personal watercraft. John has worked as a commerce journalist for almost 13 years, during which he has evaluated and tested a large number of products. John writes for a number of publications in addition to U.S. News & World Report, including Forbes, Architectural Digest, Dad Gear Review, New York Magazine, and The Daily Beast.

FAQ

How do I determine the right size and type of fishing kayak?

First and foremost, confirm that a kayak can comfortably support the weight of its user or users and all of their equipment without going over its weight restriction. Second, choose one that isn’t too big for the narrower, smaller canals or too little for the rougher open water. Third, consider logistics: “A significant challenge faced by numerous fishermen is moving their kayaks around,” adds Fed. “It is very stressful and difficult to even get a bigger kayak to the water unless you have a big truck.” Purchase no more boats than you can transport and store with ease.

What safety considerations should I keep in mind when selecting a fishing kayak?

Wearing a personal flotation device that has been certified by the Coast Guard can add some girth to your frame, so make sure you can fit properly in your kayak. When it comes to fishing kayaks, sit-on-tops are usually the safer option for inexperienced paddlers because, even in the event of a capsize, they are nearly impossible to sink. Having said that, more skilled kayakers may find that longer sit-in kayaks, with their lower center of gravity, are more stable, particularly in choppy waters.

How do stability and maneuverability impact the performance of a fishing kayak?

Stability in a kayak is crucial for fishing. You can cast in your line more precisely and exert more force while reeling in a huge fish in a kayak that is more stable. An angler may stand up for casting and reeling in many of the greatest fishing kayaks, and they feel almost as steady as they would on the pier.

The significance of agility primarily relies on the fishing location. You don’t need a boat that can turn on a dime if you fish in big, calm lakes or on slow rivers. A quick kayak is vital for safety if you fish in bays or ports where there might be a number of other boats around, especially faster sailboats or powered boats.