By Ron Strauss, President Of The Minnesota Kayak Fishing Association
There are different types of kayaks designed for different uses
It seems simple. A kayak is a kayak. They’re all the same, right? Like cars, there are many different price points and models designed for various use with different features. You can certainly fish from a touring or white water kayak, but they’re not designed for fishing. Premium fishing kayaks will deliver better boat control, fish handling and easily accessible storage to the stuff you’re going to need on the water.
Sea / Touring Kayaks are narrow and long, they’re meant to cut through waves easily and handle large bodies of water. You sit inside them and the cockpit is close to the water, making paddling easier and more efficient.
Sit On Top Fishing Kayaks are usually 12 or 14 feet long, wide through the mid section and feature a large open deck and cockpit. This open space makes it easy to land and unhook fish. You can stand and fish or stretch out. Many come equipped with popular fishing accessories built in. They’re ready for you to customize for how you like to fish and whatever species you like to target.
Sit Inside Fishing Kayaks are usually lower cost than sit on top models and have less deck space. Since your legs are covered, they can be warmer on chilly days and prevent sunburn on sunny days. They are made to add fishing specific accessories.
Freestyle / Whitewater Kayaks are designed for fast moving rapids and water falls. They are very short. maneuverable and designed to take the abuse of crashing into rocks. They’re not meant to be paddled long distance. They’re not made to carry rods and tackle.
The best fishing kayak is the one that meets your budget, intended use and engagement level in the sport
Many people get into kayak fishing on a, I’ll “try it and see if I like it” mode. They gravitate toward low cost kayaks, thinking that minimizing costs is important if they don’t like kayak fishing. The problem with that thinking is you’re also minimizing the experience. Some problems with low cost kayaks are:
- They leak and you wind up siting in a puddle of water
- They don’t track well, go straight or turn responsively
- They’re tippy, not stable
- They have seats that aren’t comfortable, you’re back gets sore
- They lack buit-in fishing specific features
When you’re looking to purchase a fishing kayak, my advice is to demo all makes and models so you understand what makes them worth the price. Most dealers have on the water demos where you can take different fishing kayaks out a get first hand experience how they perform. Try pedal and paddle models. Try entry level and top of the line models. Starting out with an entry level kayak is a great way to get into the sport. I’ve watched many people start this way and eventually upgrade to a premium fishing kayak once they fall in love with the sport.
A kayak designed for fishing makes for a better experience on the water!
A kayak designed for kayak fishing will make your time on the water more enjoyable. The spacious room, comfort, stability, and design intended for the sport draws people to specialized fishing kayaks. The pace of innovation in fishing kayaks has been incredible. I’ve been in marketing for a fishing kayak dealer for over 20 years. The market has grown and the options available to consumers has also. Now is a great time to get into kayak fishing.
How do you know what fishing kayak is best for you?
There are basically three different categories of fishing kayaks. I’ll explain some strengths and weaknesses of each
Paddle Fishing Kayaks. These are the most affordable. They also work well in shallow streams and rivers since they will float in less than two inches of water depending on how much weight is onboard. The paddle you choose makes a big difference, like kayaks, not all paddles are the same. You need the correct size and some paddles are lighter and more efficient than others. Don’t underestimate the effort needed to paddle for 6 to 8 hours on the water, a lighter, more efficient paddle is important if you have a paddle kayak.
Pedal Fishing Kayaks. Decades ago Hobie developed a “fin” style pedal drive for kayaks. It was and still is revolutionary. Your hands are free to hold a rod while trolling. Pedaling also uses your leg muscles (versus paddling which uses your arms). Propeller style pedal drives are made by many manufacturers also. Pedal drive fishing kayaks are extremely popular with kayak fishing enthusiasts. The downside to pedal drives is very shallow water situations, the drive sticks out below the hull and hitting underwater objects can damage the drives.
Electric Motor Fishing Kayaks. These are really gaining momentum. Standard trolling motors with the shaft shortened are used by many people and mounted front, back or middle of their kayak. There are also specific models that come with electric motors built-in like the Old Town Auto Pilot line. Third party sources make electric motors that have a very clean installed look. The use of electric motors on kayaks is being boosted by the fact that lithium batteries are lighter and last longer. The benefits are hands free trolling, quicker moves from targeted spots and less fatigue. The downside is motors and batteries add weight. If you need to manually transport you kayak any distance, the extra weight matters.
Shown above, Hobie Pro Angler with 360 technology drive. Photo credit, Michael Thompson, MT Outdoors Photography.
Get help learning about what fishing kayak is best for you!
The MN Kayak Fishing Association (MNKFA) has been helping newbies learn about kayak fishing for over 10 years. You can join on our website for FREE! You don’t need to be a tournament angler to join. We care about having fun kayak fishing and helping others learn about the sport. Once you signup, you’ll be on our email list to learn about deals, events and more! Plus, if you’re on Facebook, get in our group, you can post questions and get answers. Make sure you read the rules once you’re in the group.