Fishing Kayak Buyer’s Guide

Buying a fishing kayak can be fascinating, but choosing the perfect fishing kayak for you is tough. You can be very confused when you see multiple types of fishing kayaks with different styles and accessories.

If you don't follow a good buying guide to buy a fishing kayak, you will face some difficulties. For instance, you might not sit appropriately to your kayak, or control the fishing kayak easily.

So the whole situation will cost you money, and you can't even correctly enjoy your fishing time. The worst part is your boat might capsize and sink.

So you have to follow proper guidelines to research and buy a perfect fishing kayak for yourself. It will help you find out what type of kayak you need, the best size for your kayak, what accessories you can install, or how to transport, or how to store your fishing kayak in your house.

Fishing Kayak Buyer’s Guide

Now let’s dive into the main buying guide to pick the best and most suitable fishing kayak for your needs.

Types of kayaks

Fishers mainly choose three types of kayaks. 1st is sit-on-top kayaks. These are easier to get in and out of. They have better storage options for accessories and customization. In these kayaks, you sit higher than the water surface so you can enjoy a better view of the water.

Next is sit-in kayaks. Our ancestors used them for hunting and fishing. So they are the original kayak style. They are usually smaller than sit-on-top kayaks, so they are cheaper than sit-on-top kayaks.

Nowadays, pedal drive kayaks have become very popular. This leg pulled pedaling helps you save your energy because using the legs is more suitable for heavy working than hand. This allows you to turn the propeller underneath easily.

Kayak Length

The length of the fishing kayaks determines their speed. The speed of a kayak is connected to what kind of water you will be in for fishing. Less than 11ft fishing kayaks are recommended for small ponds, creeks, and backwaters. Small fishing kayaks will help you turn quickly in these places.

On the other hand, when you go fishing in giant lakes or rivers or oceans, you need speed to cover more distance. The length is also essential for you to get comfortable in the kayak.

The width of the kayak matters a lot

The wider your fishing kayak is, the more stable it is, but it also limits your mobility. When you buy a fishing kayak, you have to buy a fishing kayak that is the most petite wide but the most stable.

Space inside the kayak

When buying a fishing kayak, you should consider having a large space for sorting all kinds of gear in the kayak. The storage of a kayak also depends on your fishing style. If you have multiple rods with hooks and a couple of bags for baits, you need more space. So you should buy a large kayak.

Choosing the best kayak paddle

If you want to choose the best kayak pedal, you have to consider three significant aspects. First, the length of the paddle. If it is too long, your kayak will start zig-zagging, but you have to put the whole blade in the water when the paddle is too short.

Also, you can't buy a very heavy paddle for yourself because it will make you tired. You should not choose a cheap paddle for your fishing kayak. Buy at least a length of 210-260 c.m. paddles which cost about $200-$500.

A necessary instrument for inshore fishing kayaks

You can add different types of accessories to your fishing kayak. But it is good to keep it as simple as possible, with the best effectiveness. These are some top accessories that will help you to have a significant inshore fishing kayak:

Front-mounted rod holder: It will help you to put your rod in an easily attainable position. When you de-hook fish or try knots, you can make them more accessible.

Back rod holder for storing extra rods: You can attach a rod holder to your back so that you store your extra rods.

Tackle Storage: You can use the milk crate in the rear tank to keep your tackle boxes.

Tools: You must carry pliers, scissors to cut the braid, fishing grips, and a landing net for your fishing.

Anchor trolley: It will help you change the anchor's position by simply pulling on a rope. If you are fishing in wind or current, it is preferable.

Anchor pin: Usually, when fishing inshore, the water depth is less than 5ft. Use an anchor pin combined with an anchor trolley to anchor most quietly in the shallows.

Attaching Equipment to your kayak

Take the fishing kayak in the considerable run so that you can feel what kind of accessories you need and the proper placement of the accessories. Saltwater rusts the screws and bolts. So use stainless steel hardware to install your accessories.

Use marine-grade silicone sealant before installing them. You need to install your accessories on the flat surface to don't crack a hole in the fishing kayak.

Don’t forget about the comfort

It is essential to take into consideration the comfort you feel in your fishing kayak. If you are well bodied but buy a smaller kayak, you won't fit in it. Again if you are short in height and purchase a 13ft kayak, it will be hard for you to manage it. Make sure you buy a suitable kayak size that provides seating comfort and is also easy to operate.

Weight limit should be considered

Before buying a kayak, you must calculate the weight of your bags and fishing tools. If you have to check the maximum weight restrictions of the kayak so that you can ensure it can hold all your gear, catch, and weight. Please don't buy a cheap fishing kayak without making sure the weight limit is to save money, or it may cost you your life.

Transportation of the fishing kayak

You can transport your fishing kayak by strapping it down to your vehicle's roof rack. Use foam on the roof-rack crossbar so that the metal of the roof rack doesn't crack a hole in the kayak. Or you can manage a small trailer to transport your fishing kayak.

Storing the fishing kayak

Your kayak is going to spend most of its time in its storeroom. So mount the fishing kayak to the wall, and it works great. You should not store the kayak in an open place outside the house because UV rays can weaken your kayak’s body, so the fishing kayak becomes very fragile and more vulnerable to cracking.

Safety always comes first

Buy a fishing kayak that can handle all of your weight provides proper safety for you. The seating position must be comfortable, so your muscles don't restrain.

Body of water

Choose different fishing kayaks for other bodies of water. Use recreation kayaks for small rivers or calm lakes. But when you travel in the ocean or a big lake, use specialized sea fishing kayaks.

Resale potential

If you are thinking of buying a beginner kayak for a temporary situation or just learning how to catch fish in a kayak, you will soon need to upgrade your fishing kayak.

It will require more money, so selling the previous kayak may help you. Buy a fishing kayak that holds its value to the market and take good care of it so that it allows you to get more money.

FAQ

Still have some questions in mind? Then have a look at the section below.

How much should you spend on a fishing kayak?

It is an individualized question that depends on what you need to do with your fishing kayak. The more expensive the fishing kayak is, the better quality materials are used to build it.

The price of the fishing kayak also depends on the size and the features. It is best to buy at least a 400$ fishing kayak for better quality and useful features.

Is it worth it to buy a fishing kayak?

Yes, buying a fishing kayak is worth it. Fishing kayaks are easier to carry to fishing spots, and the cost of the fishing kayak and its accessories are more minor than buying a boat.

These kayaks can move different water bodies that give you a feel of versatile fishing to catch different kinds of fish. The maintenance cost of the fishing kayak is very low and you can easily customize it when you need it.

Can one person use a two-person kayak?

One person can use a two-person kayak. However, it will feel awkward for them. Though there are some tandem doubles kayaks where you can move the seats by using aluminum poles. If anyone wants to ride these kayaks, he has to put some weight in the front row to control the kayak easily.

Conclusion

Fishing with a kayak is undoubtedly great leisure and fun activity you can have. You can spend some quality time and enjoy your day.

They are less costly than boats, easier to carry and store. So to buy a fishing kayak, you need some proper research. The fishing kayak buying guide will secure your safety and help you to cost less money.

You should buy the best boat that suits your style and also comforts you properly. Don't install a large number of accessories in your fishing kayaks. Instead, keep it as straightforward as possible with the least useful accessories.