Kayaks offer access to waters larger watercraft may have trouble reaching. Their low profile and stealthiness enable surprise attacks on fish. (Photo courtesy of Old Town)
April 18, 2025
By Wesley Littlefield
I slid across the water with no more sound than the rippling caused by my kayak’s momentum. Though I was on a public waterway, I had the old strip pit I was fishing all to myself. It backed up to private property, and with the lake’s water level down, I knew boats wouldn’t be able to get in there. I proceeded to enjoy both the solitude and the hefty bass I brought to hand that morning. That is why I love kayak fishing and why you might want to consider it as a way to expand your angling horizons.
I first tried kayak fishing aboard a recreational model and quickly decided it was too limiting for me. Luckily, a buddy introduced me to his quality sit-on-top fishing kayak, and it made quite the impression. The comfort and features made a world of difference, and it didn’t take me long to purchase and outfit one of my own.
Nowadays, I prefer fishing from a kayak over any other type of watercraft, and over the years I’ve been fortunate to test many different brands and models. Those experiences, along with my fishing successes and failures, helped me determine the factors an angler should always consider when shopping for a fishing kayak.
An elevated kayak seat affords a more comfortable sitting position and a higher vantage point for better visibility when sight-fishing. (Photo courtesy of Old Town) 1. STABILITY While many manufacturers tout the stability of their various kayak models, I’ve learned not to trust the hype. Stability is one of the biggest concerns when it comes to kayak fishing, so I always encourage people to first test any kayak they intend to buy. Many kayak shops will allow you to demo a ’yak, so it shouldn’t be difficult for you to tell if the one you’re looking at meets your stability requirements on the water before pulling the trigger.
Advertisement
Most modern fishing kayaks are pretty stable, but some are more so than others. Inflatables, the fastest-growing segment in kayaks, are generally very stable thanks to the air chambers stretching along both sides. Many sit-on-tops are also quite stable, some of them enough to enable you to fish while standing up, thus enhancing your ability to spot fish. Even if you don’t plan to stand, a stable kayak is a safer and more enjoyable fishing platform that one that wobbles easily.
While there’s no exact formula, a hull’s width and length play major roles in determining a kayak’s stability. In general, a broad, flat bottom tends to be more stable than one that is V-shaped. Some kayaks, however, achieve the desired stability through alternative hull designs. Twin-hull or catamaran types are good examples, but they are often more difficult to turn, and the added surface drag on the water can make paddling more laborious.
2. COMFORT When you spend hours on the water, both paddling and fishing, comfort is also a must. No matter how good the bite is, you won’t stay out long if you are uncomfortable. The seat and footrests are the primary contributors to a kayak’s comfort level, but so is having enough leg room to stretch now and then, especially if your plans include long fishing days or extended trips.
Advertisement
A quality seat design and build are essential. I prefer elevated seats made of breathable materials. The extra height, an often overlooked feature, enables you to sit in a more comfortable position and also comes in handy for sight fishing. A breathable material, like mesh, will keep you cooler on warm days. A low seat, no matter how cushy, is rarely very comfortable on your legs and back when you’re stuck in it for lengthy periods.
Once again, I strongly urge you to test out any kayak before buying, and that includes checking its seating and overall comfort for more than a few minutes. Ideally, the seat and footrests will allow for some adjustment to best fit your dimensions.
3. HANDLING How well a kayak handles is another important factor to take into account. I’ve come across various fishing kayaks I thought were great until I had the chance to actually paddle them out on the water. Without getting into the weeds of hull design, finding the right balance between stability and handling is critical.
In general, a kayak that tracks straight is best because you won’t exert unnecessary effort making constant course corrections. But, it also must be able to turn quickly in both calm and moving water. Although some ’yaks handle better in rivers and others do best in lakes and ponds or salt flats, there are some that perform admirably in most scenarios. Checking how well a kayak tracks and paddles before you slap your credit card down on the checkout counter is the key to avoiding buyer’s remorse.
4. RIG-ABILITY Even when a kayak is stable, comfortable and handles well, it could still be a poor choice if it doesn’t suit your style of fishing. You might be able to find one already set up perfectly for your needs, though it’s more likely you’ll need to configure it yourself. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of accessories for rigging a fishing kayak to meet your needs, but starting with a ’yak that features the space and design you desire will make things considerably simpler.
Some kayaks come with rail or track systems that let you add and adjust the positions of seats, rod holders, electronics, storage and even a small motor. You may still have to install a rod holder or piece of gear exactly where you want it, but it sure is nice to have some easy mounting options provided by the kayak’s manufacturer.
Since I primarily target bass, I set up my kayak with the fish finder in the front and my rod holders and storage crate in the back. If you sight-fish saltwater shallows, however, you’re bound to sit or stand about midship, often using the paddle as a push pole while searching for redfish, speckled trout or whatever species you favor. In this scenario, I recommend keeping plenty of open deck and cockpit space and placing a couple of rod holders within arm’s length near the front.
I love rigging a kayak and firmly believe that it’s the best way to make it your own and ensure the most pleasant and productive angling experience. While much of the tailoring can be done with the aforementioned gear track or rail systems, there’s always room for creativity and customization. Sometimes I come up with my own ideas, and other times I get them from other anglers’ kayaks and adapt them to fit mine. If you’re rigging your first kayak or aren’t positive that your chosen locations for rod holders, fish-finder transducer and other gear will be final, I encourage you to not screw anything permanently into the hull. I like to mock up where I think something should go, then head out for a quick paddle and fishing session to determine if my initial plans require any adjustments.
Don’t worry if you’re not handy or don’t enjoy the rigging aspect. Many kayak shops can take that off your plate or refer you to an expert who will.
5. PORTABILITY The easy access to fishing spots that kayaks provide begins with their portability, though some are more portable than others. Inflatable kayaks can be transported in the back seat or trunk of a small sedan, but hard-sided ’yaks require a more sizeable form of transportation. The bed of a pickup truck or the back of an SUV with the hatch up and the rear seats down will do, but a trailer or a support bracket that mounts to a trailer hitch will let you haul the kayak even with a small economy car (assuming it has a hitch).
There are roof racks designed for kayaks as well. Most are removable and don’t have to become a permanent fixture on your vehicle. If you would rather not have to clean-and-jerk your ’yak onto the car roof every time you use it (a fishing kayak can weigh as much as 100 pounds), there are spring-loaded racks designed to assist with the loading process.
A number of companies make simple and lightweight, two-wheel carts to get your kayak to and from the water’s edge by yourself without scuffing the bottom. Some are collapsible for easy storage and some can be mounted atop the kayak to deploy or retract as needed.
The bottom line is, if the kayak is too heavy or difficult to transport, it’s bound to just sit in the garage, collect dust and give you something else to trip over. If you’re going to take the kayak plunge, be sure to get one you’ll want to use.
This article was featured in the March 2025 issue of Game & Fish magazine. Click to subscribe
