Fishermen enjoy a great deal of kayaking while fishing, seeing how popular kayaking is amongst anglers, kayak manufacturers have designed kayaks specifically for fishing to meet the needs of fishermen and make their fishing experience perfect.
The most important factor to consider while buying a kayak for fishing is stability.
You do not want to lose your balance on the kayak and end up falling right after getting that really big catch. The kayak should have a firm base that you can rely on. Here is a list of the most stable fishing kayaks out there that can make your fishing experience safe, comfortable, and enjoyable.
Vibe Kayaks Sea ghost
This specific kayak is perfect for ocean surf. Stability is the key component it offers. You can stand confidently on this boat and get the biggest catch of your life without losing your balance or falling. It can be steered fast while providing excellent stability. It features optimum control so that it is easier to drive in strong currents and windy days. It has a toe controlled rudder system that requires very little energy. It also comes with plenty of storage options and is ideal for sea touring as well as fishing.
This kayak is designed for fishing and has superior stability. It is spacious and has a removable captain’s chair. The kayak is designed to optimize weight and is light and ventilated. When on the waves, it does not rock or cause too many tilts. It comes with an accessory holder that can hold a fish finder and a scupper that can hold a transducer. This makes it ideal for fishing. You can easily set sail and throw baits for plenty of catches. It is suitable for slow-moving rivers or lakes.
Pedal Drive Kayak
This pedal kayak provides maximum stability because of its sturdy build. The drive is very smooth and low impact. It is a great choice for tall paddlers because of the perfect stability it provides. It has rod holders as well as a tank in the front. There is a pilot drive pedal system that you can use when you need to throw baits. It also has a steering mechanism on the side.
Vibe Kayak Skipjack
This kayak is best for anyone taking their first trip to the water and also for anyone who is a beginner when it comes to fishing as well as fishing kayaks. It has many plus points. The first being that it is very stable and does not rock or tilt easily. It is ideal for long excursion trips because of the extra cargo storage it provides. Being lightweight makes it faster and easier to transport. The seating gives great back support. It is ideal for rivers, lakes, and ponds.
Wilderness Systems Tarpon
This kayak is designed specifically for anglers and for fly fishing. It has a very pronounced edge on both sides that provides perfect stability which makes it the best choice for fly fishing. Because in fly fishing you need to keep your stance as balanced as you possibly can. It features 4-rod holders and plenty of room for fishing gear. It is ideal for kayaking on the water with light waves.
Hobie Mirage Outback
A super stable kayak, this craft is very easy to navigate. It has a preinstalled rudder system that is very useful in shallow water. It features 4-rod holders, two steering handles, a bungee cargo area, and a square hatch. It even includes a Guardian Transducer Shield. All of these features make it the perfect choice for fishing. It is designed for lakes, rivers, ponds, oceans, and whitewater.
Hobie Mirage Revolution 11
This is a lightweight fishing kayak. Being lightweight it is aster and can save time. It weighs 64 pounds and is almost 11 feet long. It has an attractive sleek design. The kayak comes with a standard paddle so if you do not feel like pedaling and your hands are not required for other activities then you can start paddling instead. It can easily be transported on the roof of a car as it is lightweight. It features two rod holders and bungee tie-downs to accommodate your fishing gear.
Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 13
When it comes to pedal kayaks designed for fishing, this craft is definitely the first pick. It not only offers perfect stability that allows you to stand up and cast but also can maintain the perfect casting distance. You can travel up to 4.2 mph in this kayak. It is quite large and can hold up to 400 lbs of weight. This makes it ideal for anglers who are overweight because of it. It also comes with a storage hatch and has a durable stem rudder.
Hobie Pro Angler 12
This kayak will save you a lot of money because of its small size. It can easily fit in the back of your pickup truck and you will not have to buy another trailer to transport it. It can hold weight up to 500 lbs and is ideal for professional anglers. It comes with a sail mount, anchor trolley, dual steering, and a skeg as well. It has a lot of storage space so it is a good choice for longer trips.
Hobie Sport Pedal Kayak
This kayak is a lightweight compact kayak with a length of 9 feet and a weight of 61 pounds. If you want a lightweight, short kayak then this kayak is the perfect fishing kayak for you. It can hold up to 225 lbs. It comes with an optional paddle. For storage, it has a seal-hatch that you can use to store valuable items. It has a rear cargo which can be used for extra storage. The rear cargo also has bungee tie-downs. You can easily strap all your fishing gear to these bungee tie-downs.
Hobie Mirage Revolution 13
The Hobie Mirage Revolution 13 is quite similar to the Hobie Mirage Revolution 11. But there are some things that sets this vessel apart from the other craft. It has two feet of extra space. It is considered as one of the best pedal kayaks because of its ability to carry almost 350 pounds when it weighs only 70 pounds itself.
There are plenty of stable fishing kayaks that you can choose from to find the perfect fishing kayak for yourself before starting having your kayaking experience with fishing.
Broad and sturdy kayaks provide more stability as well as room to stand while storing fish in extra spaces. It is better to choose a pedal kayak as they are more stable and faster as compared to paddle kayaks. Moreover, their hands-free feature makes pedal kayaks perfect for fishing. Pedal kayaks also come with electric motors and other advanced features that can improve your fishing experience.
The larger and wider kayaks are the most stable. There are two types of kayaks depending upon size and shape of kayaks.
1)FLAT WATER KAYAKS:
It is the type that are rideable only on flat body of water. They are not used in rough waters and windy conditions. They are further of 5 types which are as following:
I-Sit -On-Top Kayaks:
They have sitting seats on tops and don’t have close cockpit. This makes easiness for person to get into and out of it. They are above the water level so it’s center of gravity is higher, to attain stability it is made wider than others.
Advantages:
● It is best for fishing and SCUBA diving as it is easy to get into and out of it.
● All the fishing gear and accessories are easily accessible.
DISADVANATGES:
● The open cockpit sometimes gives wet ride which is not good in winter.
● All luggage can be ruined by water.
● Due to its wideness its speed is reduced.
● Terr is no bailing system so we have to drain out the water ourselves.
II-RECREATIONAL KAYAKS:
It is a type that has closed cockpit and it opening his large enough to put a child in there too. It is 10 feet in length or less.
Advantages:
● It is cheaper than others because it is made up of less expensive materials like polythene
● A casual paddler cane easily uses it for fishing and photography or for recreation.
● It is best for peaceful and dry tour as in the summer the cockpit can be kept open for cool ride and in winter it can be closed for dry and warm trip.
● Due to shorter length they are easy to transport.
Disadvantages:
● Due to shorter length they are not good in tracking (in going straight).
● Its speed is less than the touring kayaks due to shorter length.
III-TOURING KAYAKS:
These are 12 feet or more in length and they have small sized cockpit. They are narrower in area
Advantages:
It is faster than other kayaks due to longer length and narrowness.
● It has rudders foe sharp turning.
● It has thigh braces so if kayak rolls over, the paddler can easily roll himself upright.
● It can be easily used for longer trips.
Disadvantages:
● These kayaks are very expensive, new kayaks of$1200 and the used ones are $800.They are very long so they cannot be easily transported.
● It is not useful for the family recreational trips.
IV-PEDALING KAYAKS: It is useful for the people with backbone problem or for old people with less energy, as legs are used for paddling.
Advantages:
● Its one type uses propeller like the bicycles do it is easy to ride.
● Other type uses flippers like the divers.
● It is good for long adventures as arms muscles can be twitched faster than the legs muscles.
● Arms are only required while pulling it into the shore.
Disadvantages:
It is expensive than all the kayaks due to propelling system.
V-INFLATABLE FLAT WATER KAYAKS:
These kayaks are made up of Hypalon (Neoprene type). They can easily be transported in a small bag.
Advantages:
● They can be inflated so can e carried n a small bag while on a trip.
● They have multiple compartments.
● It uses low pressured air always below 3 psi.
● It is useable on rivers and calm waters.
● It is stable.
● It does not dent and does not break while it bounce on rock.
Disadvantages:
● Some types have lower speed and requires more effort to paddle.
● They are not sturdy as traditional ones.
2)WHITE-WATER KAYAKS:
These types of kayaks are used on then moving water bodies. They can even handle extreme windy condition and water waves. They are further of 5 types:
I-PLAYBOATS: These kayaks are mainly used for tricks performance. It is very short about 6 feet in length.
Advantages:
● It is an alternative to gym, as tricks perform in it have same effect lifting weights.
● It is good for waves and holes water are.
II-CREEKERS:
Creekers are usually 8 feet or more length. They are very comfortable, and usually built to withstand drops a little more heavily. See if you are a beginner. Some creek boats have a displacement hull. Displacement is good for rudder droplets but they can be a little difficult to cross the pores and cross the heel lines, using one to drive the rivers. If you are a beginner then. Displacement hull is best for creeks and large drops. Of course, this is just my opinion, and I’m sure you will find someone who thinks otherwise.
Advantages:
● It has large volume which make them more stable.
● It is faster and have higher floating.
● It has displacement hull.
III-OLD SCHOOL KAYAKS:
They are longer than the usual ones about 10-12 feet in length. These are the kayaks that were used in the late 80’s and 90’s. They are commonly used kayaks.
Advantages:
● It is a cheaper ones, $200 is enough to buy this kayak with paddle and skirt.
● It is good for flat water bodies with some rapids.
Disadvantages:
● Its length is problem for sharp and tight turns.
● It has smaller cockpits.
● In any crises, it is difficult to get out of the boat.
IV-INFLATABLE WHITEWATER KAYAKS: They are inflatable wide kayaks. They have large cockpits.
Advantages:
● It is very stable due to its wideness.
● It is very easy to use and just 2 hours course is enough for riding it.
● It is very comfortable because it is easy to shift the position periodically.
Disadvantages:
The only disadvantage is that they are not best for a lot of sharp turns.
V-RIVER RUNNERS:
It is usually about 7-8 feet long. It has a large apace to store the gears. Its length is enough for the small tracking but it is not enough for the sharp and tight turns.
The best colors for kayak fishing are solid bright colors like yellow and orange to be visible on the water. A blue colored bottom on the underneath side is preferable to not spook fish.
The most important consideration while buying a color kayak is beyond elegance. Kayakers should consider their safety as the first and foremost factor in water. There’s a lot of talk on kayak’s colors for fishing.
Following are the most important factors to consider:-
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Safety
Safety should be taken as the major consideration when it comes to choosing a kayak’s color for its visibility to other boats, swimmers, or kayakers into water bodies. Some color kayaks like bright red and blue are not navigable in the ocean when there’s dim light. Many colors like white, camo, and green may be mistaken as surf or a crashing wave.
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Visibility
Visibility comes next as a vital factor after a kayaker’s safety. Solid bright colors like yellow and orange are said as the best safest kayaks’ colors because they stand out even in dim light, at the times of dawn and dusk in the sky. Out of two, yellow kayaks are the best choice because they can easily be seen by others.
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Bright Color Kayaks
While fishing, bright colors stark a contrasting effect to the environment and make it possible for kayaks to be more visible on the water in certain circumstances. Sometimes, bright color kayaks create confusion in the surrounding area because many people opt for bright color kayaks. You may not be easily navigable to the approaching water-boats if you need help in deep blue ocean waters.
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Colors and Fish
When it comes to choosing a color for your kayak, many people may argue that bright colors will spook a fish, but recent research studies suggest that fish can neither see a lot of colors nor they can get attracted or repelled by any color. However, the study indicates that most often fish can react to the shadows in certain conditions.
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Yellow Kayaks May Cause Difficulties
As studies have indicated that colors do not attract fish. There are also some kayakers’ sayings that yellow kayaks may be troublesome near sea-lion habitats. The reason not to get yellow kayak is that it may attract sea-lions. Their attraction may cause a kayaker to lose the bait off-a-line while fishing. Plus, the animal can also steal fish you’ve just got.
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Kayaks’ Underneath Colors While Fishing
While fishing, many prefer to have a blue color bottom on their kayaks hoping that it will blend in blue water. In order not to be seen on water by the fellow kayakers or fisherman when you’re on a productive hole on a sunny day, prefer white, blue, and sandy color kayaks’ underneath for better fishing experience far away from crowds.
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Measures to Cope Up Landing Encounters
No need to worry about landing encounters and ocean swells, choosing the right color kayak will get you through this. A pre-planned solution for finding help in danger is to attach a bright green or orange flag on the stern of your kayak. This would be vital because the higher or brighter your flag, the safer you’re in the deep ocean.
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Don’t Opt Reflective Color Kayaks
It’s the worst idea to choose a reflective or metallic color for your kayak when you plan to go fishing in large water bodies. Everything which has a reflective appearance attracts sharks and other predators in the ocean. The reason is metallic kayaks reflect light near water-surfaces. Kayakers suggest not choosing the metallic color kayak because fish scales also have reflective appearance underwater.
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Know about Safest Color Kayaks Before You Go Fishing
In many areas, there’s a risk to go before knowing the best color option for your kayak because of the predators there. Sometimes, meddling to nature brings disaster to men. So, you should be well aware and well informed before going fishing in a risky area. Color choices vary according to the water bodies like river, ocean, etc. Choose wisely.
As the bottom lines, it is best to choose the solid bright colors like yellow and orange to be visible on the water. This choice will be a better option for your safety as well as visibility in the ocean.
