9 Best Fishing Kayaks Available Online (and Which One I’d Choose!)

Fishing kayaks are one of the best ways to fish, and they are simply a blast. If you have been in search of which one you should get, look no further. I have found 9 of the best fishing kayak.

So what are the 9 best fishing kayaks? The best kayaks for fishing are:

1. BKC Angler Sit on Top Fishing Kayak
2. Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120
3. Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120
4. Elkton Fishing Tandem Kayak
5. Perception Kayak Pescador Pro
6. Native Watercraft Slayer
7. Hobie Mirage Outback
8. Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14
9. Wilderness Systems 115

Buying a new fishing kayak can be really difficult. There is a lot to take into consideration. I will touch on the pros and cons of each kayak, weight, size and so much more.

1. BKC Angler Sit on Top Fishing Kayak

The BKC Angler is one that seems to be a crowd favorite. It’s lightweight at only 20 pounds and has everything an angler needs for a great fishing trip.

With a total of four storage compartments, you’ll have room for all your fishing gear and personal items. Three of the four are water-proof, so no need to worry about damaging your phone and other items. The fourth storage is open and can hold larger items that can be secured with bungee tie-downs.

If you prefer to cast and reel while standing, then this kayak is perfect for you. This sit on top kayak is stable enough to stand. The bungee paddle rest will keep your paddle safe and secure when you’re busy reeling in that fish.

The BKC Angler is ideal for one person and is for the fisherman who wants to cover plenty of distance over open water or downriver. The Kayak also features a foot-operated rudder allows you to steer the kayak around obstacles.

Something else that is notable is the rod holders. It comes complete with three rod holders. Two of them are flush-mount rod holders and one is an adjustable rod holder. This allows you to place your fishing line where you want them.

This kayak is really well made and popular for fishing. If you are interested in purchasing the BKC Angler Sit on Top Fishing Kayak, click here.

2.Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120

Overall details:

• Length: 12’3″
• Width: 31″
• Weight: 63 lbs.
• Cost: around $1,000 shipping varies

The Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 is a little less serious of a fishing kayak then some of the others that I will or have listed. Regardless, it is a lot of fun. It comes off as a kayak used for recreation usually but was taken out fishing.

This kayak can get through tough water fast. Basically, if you plan of standing at all you should probably go with a different kayak. If not, then this may be an awesome option for you.

One of the best things I have heard is that is a really good kayak for those who are beginners with fishing while floating. It’s easy to maneuver.

There are a few other things to know about this kayak. It uses slide traxTM accessory system, keepers XL foot brace system and the Phase 3 AirPro sit on top seating system comfortable with complete adjustability.

Other features include a storage hatch that is located in front of the seat, paddle holding bungee, paddle holder, gear storage pockets, billing scupper holes, and a cup holder. The seat is not high or low, it is raised just a bit off the bottom of the kayak.

There’s a lot of storage room for tackle box and supplies. It’s a fantastic kayak to start off with, especially if you want to move quickly through the water.

The kayak comes in different colors, all of which are very visually appealing. To take a look, or by a Tarpon today, click here.

3. Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 w/ Trolling Motor

Overall details:

• Length: 12″
• Width: 37″
• Weight: 85 lbs.
• Cost: around $4,000 (shipping varies )

This kayak will take your kayaking experience to the next level with its Minn Kota Trolling Motor. It was specifically designed by fisherman/women for other fisherman/women. For that reason, many pros prefer it over others. It was designed to handle a lot! It is made for large bodies of water, be it, coastal, lakes or bays.

Not only does is it equipped with a trolling motor, but also comes complete with AutoPilot navigation and Spot-Lock to mark your favorite fishing holes fo the next time. It also comes with the I-Pilot remote the will control your kayak with ease.

This Kayak is great for comfort. It’s premium seats have the ability to be removed if you choose to do so. The seats have high and low positioning with great lumbar support, so those hours on the water won’t break your back! Many people have recorded that the seat has given them more comfort than the majority of other sit on top kayak seats have in the past.

Something really awesome about the Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot is its two front-facing and two-rear-facing flush-mount rod holders for maximizing your angling options. Furthermore, its nonslip EVA foam deck pads give important traction and stand-up comfort for safe and easy fishing.

Catching large fish in this kayak is not a problem with all of the storage and the stability the Sportsman AutoPilot gives you. Storage located under the seat for all your tackle, and as an added bonus it comes with a custom Old Town tackle box.

A few last comments about this kayak is that it has a kill-switch key and the console floor plus keeps water out of the kayak when the motor is removed.

It may be a lot of money, but it’s simply top-tier and totally worth it. If you’re interested in this kayak, click here.

4. Elkton Fishing Tandem Kayak

The Elkton Fishing Kayak is perfect with fishing on lakes, rivers, and the ocean. It is very durable with its rotomold injected body. This kayak will never crack or puncture to ensure you have years of fishing fun ahead of you.

Although, many people have complained that it is a heavy piece, the kayak comes handles for easier transportation in and out of trucks or trailers.

This Elkton Kayak comes with adjustable mounted rod holders which allow for a versatile fishing experience any day. Similar to the other kayaks mentioned, this one is equipped with airtight storage compartments to see to your items are not damaged from the water.

Leisure is a huge part of the kayak fishing experience so the company included premium kayak seats along with cup holders to ensure the best experience possible. At each end of the kayak additional storage can be found to ensure you have room for your fishing gear and personal items.

In the middle of the kayak there is a platform that fits ice chests to ensure not only your catchings stay cool but also to keep your drinks chilled as well.

There’s really a lot that went into this kayak, which is why it is highly reviewed. To purchase, or see more, click here.

5. Perception Kayak Pescador Pro

Overall details:

• Length: 12′
• Width: 32 1/2″
• Weight: 64 lbs.
• Cost: Under $1,000

This particular kayak is for those who are ready to be or have been, really serious about fishing from kayaks. It’s designed for slower moving river, flat water lakes and ocean water with smaller waves. One other best parts about it are that all of the storage and rigging that it has, that so many other makes in its size do not.

There are also rod holders that are molded into the kayak. This makes it easy to put the rods down in a way that won’t cause a mess when you are working with a fish you just caught. There is also a molded in a tackle storage box in the center console that you can use for storing fish finding electronics.

The Perception Kayak Pescador Pro was created to have, along with many other things, serious tracking and stability.

Because of the previously mentioned amount of storage space you can take all of the things you may need and be able to find them in a none cluttered way. There are a bow and rear tank well.

The last really awesome part about this specific kayak, the Perception Kayak Pescador Pro, is that the seat can recline and is able to be adjusted into the most comfortable position for yourself!

If you are interested in purchasing a Pescador Pro, you can click here.

6. Native Watercraft Slayer 12.5

Overall details:

• Length: 12.5′
• Width: 34″
• Weight: 95 lbs.
• Cost: Around $2,900 shipping varies

This kayak is a favorite for many people that spend a lot of time fishing. One of the popular features it has is the console cover that has a groove track insert. This is there to help keep equipment and rod holders in an accessible place. It also allows them to be changed out, exchanged or added without the fuss!

Another awesome thing about the Groove Track is that it makes it so you can lock them down and in place in any area.

This is a sit-on-top design kayak. This allows for the person paddling to get in and out of the kayak in a way that will be overly strenuous.

The Native Watercraft Slayer also has a Tag Along Wheel. This is a wheel that is hard and plastic that is attached to the stern of the kayak.

This is done so that all you have to do when you are transporting the kayak from your car to the water and vice versa, all you have to do is take the kayak by the padded bow handle, lift it up, and pull. It makes things really simple.

The Native Watercraft Slayer 14 also has super great seating. The seating, which can recline, has an aluminum, rigid, frames made with HiFlo 3D suspension mesh. This makes it so that the seat can be adjusted to a high and dry position or a low and stable position that comes with really nice support for your back.

Along with the Groove Track, there is an electronics console. This space provides a place of dry storage for phones, batteries or anything else you may want to keep particularly dry.

If you’re interested, you can view the site here to get more info or to purchase.

7. Hobie Mirage Outback

Overall details:

• Length:12’1″
• Width: 33″
• Weight: 81 lbs
• Cost: $3,000 to $3,600 – shipping varies

This is an extremely comfortable option. Probably the most comfortable option. A handful of things go into this, I promise I will touch on them all!

It comes with Vantage CT seating systems. This is a piece that really and truly adds wonderful comfort that leaves the door open for flexibility and adjustability.

Because of this, you have the option of optimal comfort while also being able to have a wide range of opportunity and visibility while fishing.

One of the nicest things is the hands-free option that the MirageDrive offers you. This is done with 180 bluefins pedal drive that comes with forward and reverse-propulsion. The fins can pivot 180 degrees and do it with shift cables to keep you in a hands-free fishing and kayaking mode.

Click here to see the 2022 Hobie Mirage Outback.

8. Hobie Mirage Pro Angler

Overall details:

• Length: 13’8″
• Width: 38″
• Weight: 130 lbs.
• Cost: $3,849 shipping varies

This kayak is the same brand as the Outback we just talked about. As I go on about it, it will sound very similar. But from what I learned is that to an experienced kayaker and fishing eye, there are a number of serious differences.

This mainly lies in the hull design. The Pro Angler can come off to resemble a flatboat, the Outback is a conventional kayak hull.

The Pro Angler has a wider design and a more squared bow and stern. The Outback is significantly shorter in length and a lot lighter because of how slim it is in comparison to the Pro Angler.

People seem to love this option! The Hobie Mirage Pro Angler seems to meet all the marks. The one thing to really keep in mind though as you consider purchasing this kayak is the weight. It is significantly heavier than most options.

This makes loading, unloading and transporting this specific kayak a little more difficult. But, if you have the ability to handle this weight, this could be a really fun option.

The Hobie Mirage Pro Angler comes with midship rails instead of the general stand assist straps. Because of this standing and sitting back down is a lot easier than on other kayaks.

The Angler has bluefins pedal drive with a forward and reverse propulsion system. These fins have the ability to pivot 180 degrees due to the shift cables. This allows all of it to be done hands-free so you can enjoy your kayak experience.

There is a retractable rudder system that makes it extremely stable for any type of standing, paddling, and fishing. Because of this, the Hobie Mirage Pro Angler is an awesome option for all types of fisherman and fishing locations.

Another nice extra addition is the rail you can mount your cup holder on. You are generally out fishing for a number of hours. Because of this, you will get thirsty. Having a drink accessible so you don’t have to go into a storage area and miss an opportunity to of a great catch!

In addition to all the previously listed pluses, there is a mesh storage pocket that can hold up to two Plano tackle boxes in the center console. The hatch in front has a removable liner.

The last thing I will mention about this kayak option is the rod holders and rod storage. There are six horizontal rod holders and vertical rod storage that is molded in. There is a Lowrance Ready fish finder mount, tow Plano tackle boxes, and a Rectangular Hatch that has Pivoting Tackle Management Systems.

These kayaks are super elite which is why the price is high for them. If you are interested, visit this site right here. They are super worth it.

9. Wilderness Systems 115

Overall details:

• Length: 11’6″
• Width: 34.5″
• Weight: 82 lbs.
• Cost: Less than $1,500 shipping varies

The Wilderness Systems Radar 115 is not the most favored or popular opinion choice if we are comparing it with other kayaks on the list. But It is still a highly rated option.

This kayak has the capability to be maneuvered by paddle, power, or pedal so you can set it up for however you please. Great if you want options.

The wilderness systems Radar 115 is a great beginner fishing kayak that provides good stability when sitting or standing. Not only is it stable it is really built for comfort. The seat and backrest are contoured, which is a special design to increase the comfort of your fishing experience.

This kayak is compatible with the Helix PD™ Pedal Drive, Helix MD™ Motor Drive and has many other features that are thoughtfully incorporated for any scenario a kayak angler might encounter.

Some of the features it offers are SlideTrax rails for accessories, front paddle park, and a number of hatches. Lastly, it features large adjustable padded foot rests to accommodate any rider.

Click here find a location to purchase your Wilderness Systems 115X.

Which One Would I Choose?

Looking into all of the different online kayak options I had was a bit overwhelming. Figuring out how much you can get for your budget, what features you want and what you can do without if you have to, what you can make on your own and what is good for a beginner.

I hope I helped shorten up that process for you a bit.

As promised before, I will tell you what kayak I would pick out of all of the available options. I would choose the Perception Kayak Pescador Pro. There are a few reasons I would do this.

All of the options were super noteworthy and all of them had awesome qualities. I liked the Perception Kayak Pescador Pro because of the seat comfort, a serious amount of storage and reasonable price.

Some did say it was not as stable as others but in all honesty, I have no plans to stand fish or get into rough waters while kayak fishing. I assume that standing while fishing is for people that truly know what they’re doing. Or people that are working on getting to that point, and I know that I am not. If that is something you are doing, go for it!

I also know that I rarely travel light. This carries over into my fishing trips. Because this kayak, in particular, is said to pack while and keep you organized with all of the compartments offered, and rod holders I feel confident that I won’t misplace the rods while I am doing something else and end up stuck or without some of my belongings.

So it seemed like a really great fit for me!

Related Questions:

Is fishing from a Kayak Hard? – Fishing from a kayak is not regarded as hard. Using a kayak for fishing can be advantageous, as your boat draws less water and is quieter so you can catch more fish. However, the lack of space makes fishing from a kayak difficult, as does the fact that it’s hard to stay dry. Click here to read the full article.

Is fishing from a Kayak Safe? – Fishing from a kayak is common practice and considered safe if you follow safe precautions. Click here to read the full article.