How to Choose the best Fishing Kayak

The very first kayaks were made of wood and covered in sealskin. They have since evolved into light, sturdy vessels made mostly of fiberglass. Arctic people, known as Inuit, designed the kayak for the purpose of hunting.

Today they are greatly popular in sport and recreation. In 1936, multiple kayaking events were included in the Olympic Games.

Both singles and pairs 1,000 meter and 10,000 meter races as well as the eventual addition of the white-water and slalom events have a huge following.

If you’ve never had the pleasure of kayaking before, don’t fret; you don’t have to take part in the Olympics to enjoy all the fun and excitement a kayak can bring.

There are many people out there who love to take vacations to specific areas and partake in a little white-water rafting on a recreational level.

Another great sport and recreational use of kayaks is kayak fishing. Being as kayaks are an inexpensive, accessible way to get out there on the water and catch a big fish, fishing kayaks have dramatically grown in popularity.

Fishing kayak reviews show that today’s kayaks are an easy to paddle and stable way to travel on the water. There are basically two distinct styles of fishing kayaks.

One you rest on top of the vessel and the other you actually sit down in. Both styles are effectively designed to allow for the easy addition of various kayak accessories. For instance, rod holders, anchor systems and GPS mounts can be added to any kayak.

So, how does one choose the right fishing kayak? It all depends on where you intend to fish and the type of water you intend to fish in!

Although all kayaks are made to be durable, sturdy and safe, some kayaks are obviously a little more compatible than others in certain types of waters.

The key to picking the right kayak is paying attention to the size of the boat. The longer boats become a lot less maneuverable in busy waters. Longer boats are, however; significantly faster in speed than that of the shorter boats.

There is also more speed to the sit-in styles. It is probably best to conduct you’re own fishing kayak reviews when choosing you’re fishing kayak.

Always think safety and comfort first. Consider your height and weight. Obviously a bigger man would not be as comfortable in a sit-in style kayak with limited leg room! Consider the vehicle you intend to transport your kayak to and from any water source on.

Smaller vehicles make it that much harder to fit the kayak to the roof of your car. Consider how much room you need in your boat for all your gear. But, most importantly, when planning to purchase a fishing kayak you must consider the water source.

Although most people typically picture themselves in the sit-in versions when a kayak comes to mind, in rougher waters these boats are known to fill with water much more easily if you don’t have the skirt attached.

In order to choose a kayak you should consider where you are going to use it for fishing the most.

If you’re going to be using it in salt water instead of fresh water or in water that has a strong current instead of flat water those factors will make a difference in what type of kayak will work best for you.

You will also need to choose between a kayak where you sit on top of the boat and a kayak where you sit inside the boat. Some kayak fishermen prefer to sit on top because that makes it easier to get out and wade.

But if you don’t plan on getting out to fish then a sit-inside kayak might be a better fit for you because they have a lower center of gravity. The lower center of gravity will make the boat more stable.

There’s a lot of information to process when you’re buying a fishing kayak. Here are some reviews of top fishing kayaks to help you choose. Some common questions to answer are below which will help you with the initial decision making process.

Do you prefer a sit-in kayak or a sit on top kayak?

The sit-in kayak has been around since the beginning and for that reason is a very popular go-to kayak. These kayaks limit your mobility while sitting inside and you forego storage space on most of these.

The sit-on top kayaks tend to be more agile and you can move around mucheasier without your legs being restricted to the inside of the kayak. There is room inside for storage and you can move around while casting and retrieving much easier.

What type of water will you be using the kayak in mostly?

Some kayaks are designed for stability and some are designed for maneuverability and speed. Wider, flatter kayaks will be more stable but you’ll lack speed due to their design.

Other kayaks are narrow and have fine contours that are designed for agility and speed. These are for moreexperienced kayakers who plan to be encountering rough water or fast, rolling currents.

If you plan on fishing calm ponds and lakes, you will likely want a more stable kayak so you can move around without tipping. If it’s a wider kayak, you may even be able to stand and fish.

Of course there are a wide range of both kayaks from high end to low end beginner kayaks.

Beginner level low end range: $150 - $500

These beginner level kayaks under $500 will have few amenities such as waterproof storage compartments and rail guides. The seats are not designed for long term kayak trips and are not as comfortable as the high endmodels.

The construction of the kayak will likely be a hollow hull design which can make it a little tougher to steer in a straight line.

Experienced/Advanced level high end range: $500+

Once you get in this range your options open up greatly. Common amenities include ample storage, a solid constructed hull, rail guides, superior seat design and more.

These kayaks are designed with the avid kayaker in mind so you will notice a difference if you are an experiencedpaddler.

If you plan on using your kayak on a regular basis its probably worth spending the extra money for one that will grow with you. If it’s going to sit in the garage most of the year, the cheaper kayaks will be just fine.