As kayak fishing continues to explode in popularity, some of the top brands in the industry are producing new models that are better equipped to deliver just what anglers are looking for in 2021. There’s no shortage of kayaks that offer exciting new features, as well as impressive capabilities that will enhance your fishing experience.
Anyone searching for a decent fishing kayak in today’s market has a vast array of different styles and feature-rich options to choose from. With so many different kayak brands and models, it can be tough to determine which one is best for your needs and budget.
We’ve combed through some of the most popular fishing kayak reviews and narrowed down our own list of the best fishing kayak for every price range!
Overall Best Fishing Kayak for the Money
Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12
Hobie has been at the top of the kayak industry for many years thanks to their exceptionally well-made models that offer outstanding performance on the water. The Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12 was released last year and is arguably the best fishing kayak on the market today. The company tasked its engineers and design experts with producing a fishing kayak that gives anglers the ability to enjoy a mostly ‘hands-free’ experience.
All of the Mirage Pro Angler 12’s features are made to let you focus more on fishing and less on the usual efforts required to maneuver your kayak into position and stay there. The MirageDrive 180 propulsion system gives anglers the ability to travel forward and backward with relative ease.
One of the most popular features of the Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12 is the Vantage ST seat that is said to be one of the most comfortable of any kayak model to date. The seat is made with plenty of padding and adequate lower back support while allowing anglers to sit up higher off the kayak.
This kayak is also packed with high-level features like the oversized dry storage hatch on the bow and six rod holders that allow you to bring along a pre-rigged rod for every scenario you might anticipate. One of the only drawbacks to the Mirage Pro Angler lineup is the expensive pricing. If cost is not a limiting factor, there’s no denying that the Mirage Pro Angler 12 is one of the best kayaks over $2,000 in today’s market.
Best Pedal Kayak for Fishing
Hobie Mirage Outback
Our list of the best fishing kayaks for 2021 wouldn’t be complete without mentioning another one of Hobie’s most popular models. The Hobie Mirage Outback provides anglers with more than its fair share of features, as well as the same stellar on-the-water performance that Hobie is known for.
Unlike the Mirage Pro Angler 12, the Mirage Outback is a slightly scaled-down version that’s a bit more affordable for most kayak enthusiasts. The main downsides to the Mirage Outback are the expensive price and the fact that it’s quite a bit heavier than most other kayaks of similar stature.
This is mainly due to the fact that the Outback is powered by the Hobie MirageDrive 180 that features the brand’s Kick-Up Turbo fins, which are designed to retract upon impacting anything you might encounter just under the water’s surface. The Kick-Up Turbo fins allow anglers to venture deeper into waters where standard propulsion systems might be susceptible to being seriously damaged by stumps or rocks.
Best Tandem Fishing Kayak
BKC TK122 Angler
Being able to share your kayak fishing experience with another person is always an added bonus when it comes to spending time on the water. The BKC TK122 Angler makes a strong case for being one of the most appealing tandem kayaks on the market in 2021 that also has the capability to be used by a single angler.
This kayak offers a surprising 770-pound capacity that makes it possible for two larger-sized angler to comfortably fit in both seats along with the usual amount of fishing gear. The Brooklyn Kayak Company also designed a specialized molded seat just behind the front user seat that is ideal for small children to ride along in.
The BKC TK122 Angler is considered by many to be perfect for couples or small families who prefer to fish together in one vessel as it’s perfectly capable of handling two adults and one child. With many of the same premium features you might find on a high-end kayak, it’s’ no wonder why the BKC TK122 Angler is considered one of the best kayaks for $1,000 on today’s market.
Best Fishing Kayak Under 2000
Bonafide Kayaks SS127
One of the fastest growing kayak brands in the last few years is Bonafide Kayaks. The company is fully devoted to creating kayaks that are solely designed to do one thing: catch fish. The Bonafide Kayaks SS127 is the latest model from a brand that has quickly risen through the ranks to become one of the most popular names in the kayak fishing industry.
The Bonafide Kayaks SS127 is designed to offer an overall comfortable experience that is anchored in performance and stability. One of the most noticeable differences between this kayak and other top models is that it’s offered at a significantly lower price than some of the other top brands on our list. In fact, this is likely the best kayak under $2,000 on the market today.
The SS127 is able to deliver unmatched stability thanks to its hybrid catamaran hull design which is even more impressive when one considers the kayak’s 33.5-inch width. Bonafide went to extra lengths to ensure that the SS127 would be one of the most comfortable and capable models on the market and their efforts certainly paid off.
Best Kayak Under 1500
NuCanoe Frontier 12
NuCanoe has established a solid reputation in the kayak fishing industry as a company that blends the open, spacious deck of a canoe with the quickness and maneuverability of a kayak. The NuCanoe Frontier 12 is among one of the best kayaks for the money that you’ll find in 2021 and it’s overall performance has lived up to much of the hype surrounding this model so far.
Anglers will have no problem fishing from either a standing or seated position as the NuCanoe Frontier 12 offers exceptional stability, as well as one of the most popular seat designs in recent years. The kayak certainly lives up to its namesake when it comes to carving a path and a new frontier with the 360 Pinnacle Seat design.
Having a seat that allows anglers to sit up higher greatly alleviates much of the cramped feeling you get with most fishing kayaks. In addition to this, the 360 Pinnacle Seat model is an ergonomic feature that lets you pivot to face any direction while fishing. This feature can be a significant game-changer as most kayak anglers know that a decent-sized fish can easily pull their kayak off course and require them to continually work to get their kayak back into position.
Best Fishing Kayak Under 1000
Old Town Topwater 120
Many brands are working towards creating new models that are even more compact than ever while still offering much of the same performance and feel of a full-size kayak. The Old Town Topwater 120 is an excellent example of just how far these new compact, lightweight kayak designs have come in recent years.
Old Town is known for producing some of the most stable kayaks in the industry and the Topwater 120 is no exception. This kayak’s DoubleU hull design is crafted to deliver nearly unmatched stability, as well as the capacity to slice through the water in a way that lets users maintain a relatively high speed—especially for a compact kayak that’s only 12 feet in length.
Anglers who are trying to stay within a reasonable budget will find the Old Town Topwater 120 to be one of the best kayaks under $1,000. It provides users with plenty of dry storage and an impressive 500-pound capacity that gives you the ability to haul quite a load of gear on your fishing trips. More Info >>
See a full guide to more of the best fishing kayaks under $1000 here!
Best Fishing Kayak Under 700
Vibe Yellowfin 100 Fishing Kayak
Our pick for the best fishing kayak under 700 is a no-brainer with the Vibe Yellowfin 100 fishing kayak. It maximizes comfort with it’s sit on top style and Vibe Hero seat, is lightweight but full of features and enough space to carry all your fishing needs.
Sporting 4 rod holders, carrying handles, a built-in cup holder, foot braces, gear track, rear cargo and internal storage, it is one of the most affordable yet comfortable and stable fishing kayaks you can get!
[…] the type of kayak. There are small ponds and open oceans you can opt from. When looking for the best fishing kayaks there is a huge variety to choose from. Kayaks come with peddling and paddle control and you can […]