BUYING GUIDE
Every kayak fisherman knows how essential the task of finding the ‘right’ kayak is. It’s the piece of equipment that sets the tone for the activity and determines the likelihood of you making it a weekly or – in case of not complete satisfaction with the boat – a yearly occurrence.
To find out what kayak meets your requirements the best, you have to closely evaluate the main characteristics that distinguish one kayak from another.
In the pool of hundreds of different kayak models available on the market –pedal kayaks,inflatable kayaks, sit-on-top kayaks, sit-inside kayaks, – confusion is a natural reaction. To get some clarity, take a look at the buying guide we created. It has all the data you need for making a weighted decision about what kayak to settle on.
Type
As just noted, there are sit in kayaks, ones you sit on, and inflatable models too; there are fishing kayaks with pedals that are hands-free. Generally, sit on top kayaks have more storage possibilities and more flexibility with the option of additional accessories like rod holders. What is important is determining whether or not hands-free fishing is necessary, your transport and storage needs plus the amount of leg-room you require are priorities for your angling dreams. A model likethe Perception Pescador Pilotwill give you pedal drive, rudder-steering and plenty of storage on a stable kayak, but you’ll be paying for it too.
Design
The hull design on fishing kayaks are all generally going to be similar to one another, but there are some differences to be aware of depending on where you plan on fishing. It comes down to stability and maneuverability. Most will have compact lengths with good primary stability (sitting steadiness in calm water) through a flat or pontoon hull type.
What are Chines?
Chines are the lateral lines that run from tip to stern, generally separating the hull from its side, but there are many variations on the design. These determine hull design, affecting stability, tracking and maneuverability. Chines are separated into two categories: hard and soft types.
Hard chines feature a crease that breaks up the bottom and the side of the hull. This helps the boat to retain better speed, tracking and good primary stability.
Unlike hard chines, soft chines don’t have any creases that would soften the transition between the parts of the hull. Instead, the transition is more progressive or rounded, which makes the boat less speedy and tippier in open waters.
Material
The type of material a kayak is built from has a direct impact on the performance you get. To ensure the functionality of the fishing boat is just as good as its appearance, you need to invest in one whose construction is made to last.
The most commonly used material in manufacturing fishing kayaks is rotational molding. It’s achieved by heating up the plastic onto the deck and the hull of the equipment and molding the two parts together. This leaves you with a sturdy kayak that isn’t prone to leaks or cracks.
Another construction method is known as the ‘fusion method’. It (quite literally) implies fusing the two halves to one another via welding or heat. This build type isn’t the most impact-resistant piece of equipment, but it does the job well and is affordable.
Lastly, we have composite-framed kayaks. These foot-pedals-powered small vessels can be made from either fiberglass, carbon fiber, or Kevlar, all of which make the vessel super lightweight. They typically cost the most out of all kayaks and are, therefore, not the top choice for fishing.
Weight
Every technological advancement inevitably makes kayaks heavier. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you factor in the innovative features the watercraft becomes abundant with. But that also isn’t always good either – at the end of the day, you want to be able to transport your kayak from A to B without relying on someone else to help you carry it.
With fishing, in particular, the most logical choice would be a relatively lightweight kayak that can be easily brought to the water in one go. That said, this becomes redundant as soon as your car is parked next to the water where carrying a kayak doesn’t seem like a chore anymore.
Keep in mind that a lightweight kayak is more susceptible to flipping, which is a frequent worry for beginners. This means that you’ll be better off with an average (if you’re a semi-skilled kayaker) or even heavy-ish kayak (if you are a beginner) that is able to withstand harsh weather conditions without taking away the enjoyment of paddling from you.
Here’s the thing: depending on whether you want a sit-on-top or a sit-in kayak, – the former generally being heavier than the latter – your list of kayak options will naturally narrow down a substantial amount. And this will quickly become your top priority when making the final decision.
Storage
For fishing kayaks, storage is the second most important feature after the performance. You need all the space you can get for keeping the catch on-board, and this calls for better-than-average storage capacity (unless, of course, you’re planning on releasing your catch as soon as you seize it).
If choosing between sit-on-top and sit-in kayaks, the second option tends to offer a lot more storage space. This is due to the enclosed construction of the vessel that is designed to accommodate kayakers and their paddles without restricting their body movements. You can thus store your rods and other fishing equipment and still maintain a comfortable sitting position.
Note that kayaks with large storage areas translate into additional weight – the hull needs to balance everything out to keep you afloat at all times.
Accessories
While recreational kayaking thrives on weight reduction, fishing puts a huge emphasis on sufficient space in the hull. This space can’t be compromised when there are a dozen fishing tools you need to bring on board with you.
The most obvious one is rods and straps. For rods, you need your fishing kayak to have rod holders that will free your hands from holding the rod when paddling. It will also allow you to have a couple of different rods in the kayak all at once.
With straps, it’s more straightforward – you want to make sure your kayak has them so that you’re able to keep the catch with you until you reach land. This applies more to bigger fish that require more handling.
Look at this guy’s take on accessories:
Mounting rails and paddle holders should also be integrated into the kayak you choose. The first matters a lot to those fishing with multiple rods. It helps to free up your hands and get a snack or a can of beer while in the middle of fishing.
The second is ever more essential as it prevents you from losing the grip on your paddles when switching between paddles and rods. It gives you a secure place to rest your paddles while concentrating on catching that big fish or taking a break from the activity altogether.
Lastly, we have chines. Recognized as a part of the kayak that submerges under the water and serves as a transitional piece between its bottom and the side, chine is an essential bit of the boat. It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes and is further divided into two categories – hard and soft.
Hard chines feature a crease that breaks up the bottom and the side of the hull. This helps the boat to retain great speed and good primary stability. Unlike hard chines, soft chines don’t have any creases that would soften the transition between the parts of the hull. Instead, the transition is more progressive, which makes the boat less speedy and rougher in open waters due to the great secondary stability.
Tips
Check out this video of kayak angler Fishing with YakPak for his top 5 tips for finding success on the water. The sit-on-top fishing kayak he uses is theOld Town Topwater 106we review in this guide.
If you already have a fishing kayak or you just bought one, leave a comment in the comment section below and share your experience with it.
