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Getting Yourself The Best Fishing Kayak
When it comes to fishing, there is something to be said about the simple relaxation of enjoying the great outdoors; a chance to take part in a primal activity that has been going on for thousands of years.
What better way to enjoy the glory of nature, and the thrill of the unknown, than by taking yourself fishing; and what better way to access those fish than by using a fishing kayak, in order to access places that might not be so easy to reach otherwise.
We all know the thrill of fishing. That sense of the unknown. That ability to be outside, not knowing what could happen next. The problem is that not all fish will conveniently be found close to the shore, at easily accessible places.
This is where a fishing kayak can prove to be a low-cost investment, that will make the fishing experience much better. Suddenly, you will find yourself getting to the places where others cannot easily get to.
Basically, your best chance for an incredible time fishing, is if you can reach the places that are not overfished; whether that is difficult to reach shores, or parts of the sea that others will not easily get to.
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Best Fishing Kayak
When it comes to finding a fishing kayak there are several options available, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. We have looked at the different fishing kayaks available, to find the ones that we think are the best, so that you do not need to. Here are the best fishing kayaks that we found.
Winner – Sun Dolphin Journey Fishing Kayak
The Sun Dolphin Journey Fishing Kayak was our easy winner in the Best Fishing Kayak category.
Sun Dolphin would have to be one of North America’s leading manufacturers in the kayak and recreational outdoor equipment market. Having been founded in 1982, in Muskegon, Michigan, this family owned business is still located in the same lakeside town today.
When it comes to purchasing outdoor equipment, there is something reassuring about knowing that Sun Dolphin has been around for many years and will continue to be around for many more.
The Sun Dolphin Journey Fishing Kayak is a lightweight kayak that is easy to carry about. Given that not all fishing locations are conveniently located, being lightweight is important.
One of the things that really attracted us to the Sun Dolphin Journey Fishing Kayak was that we would consider it to be the best fishing kayak for the money. Frankly, the Sun Dolphin Journey Fishing Kayak is remarkable value for money.
When it comes to fishing kayaks, you could easily spend thousands of dollars, but if your budget doesn’t reach that far, or if you haven’t used a fishing kayak before but want to try one out, then the Sun Dolphin Journey Fishing Kayak is definitely the best value for the money.
The Sun Dolphin Journey Fishing Kayak is great for lakes, rivers and difficult to reach places.
It is worth noting that the hull of the Sun Dolphin Journey Fishing Kayak has been designed for the stability and performance that is required from a fishing kayak.
Some of the design features that are worth noting are the inclusion of the following items:
With all of these great features, and at such a remarkable price, it is easy to see why the Sun Dolphin Journey Fishing Kayak from one of the United States, well established outdoor companies, was our easy winner.
Runner Up – Vibe Kayaks Sea Ghost Fishing Kayak
Our runner up is the Sea Ghost Fishing Kayak from Vibe Kayaks.
While Vibe may be a new comer to the outdoor market; this United States company from Kennesaw, Georgia, has managed to make a niche for itself in the kayak fishing arena. Understandable when you consider that the company was founded by a kayak fisherman addict, and a saltwater junkie.
The Vibe Kayaks Sea Ghost Fishing Kayak has been designed for speed and stability, allowing it to be used on flat water and rivers easily. With a length of 11 feet and weighing in at 62 pounds, this is a good lightweight kayak for the keen fisherman.
Amongst the design features that are worth noting are the following:
Paddle Holders – there is a paddle holder with a bungee cord on each side of the kayak plus another one on the bow as well.
Two capped, flush mounted rod holders and four integrated gear tracks – the two flush mounted rod holders will provide places for holding rods, while the integrated gear track allows for the customized rigging. The gear tracks use the standardized GearTrack® system, meaning that it will be easy to find a solution, no matter what your needs.
Four firm plastic handles – there are four firm handles to make carrying and moving the kayak easier.
Made from single molded durable polyethylene – the kayak is made from durable polyethylene. Single molding means that the kayak has been made in its entirety as a single piece, which makes it strong.
Four storage spaces – this kayak has a large storage space at the front and at the rear. The bow storage space has a lid and bag for waterproofing. There are also two smaller storage spaces. There is a center console that has a built-in cup holder and fish rulers. There is also a small storage space located just behind the seat that also has a lid a bag for waterproofing. When it comes to storage space, this kayak definitely has several options available.
Rudder system – the rudder system provides an easy way to control the kayak, energy efficiently. The rudder system comes with adjustable pedals, tilt control and with the rudder pre-installed.
Raised removable seat – the raised removable seat is adjustable, and has been noted as being very comfortable by reviewers.
The Vibe Kayaks Sea Ghost Fishing Kayak has many great features that make it our easy choice for runner-up.
Alternative – Lifetime Fishing Kayak
The Lifetime 10 Foot Tandem Fishing Kayak is one alternative to consider when looking for a fishing kayak.
Olive green in color the Lifetime 10 Foot Tandem Fishing Kayak, is able to carry two people and is backed by a five-year limited manufacturer warranty.
While in theory it could seat up to three people (maximum weight 500 pounds), realistically you would not easily fit more than two adults on it.
The Lifetime 10 Foot Tandem Fishing Kayak is made from high density blow molded polyethylene for strength and durability.
The hull has been specifically designed for extra stability, which is important while fishing.
The Lifetime 10 Foot Tandem Fishing Kayak has multiple foot rests for different sized riders. Unfortunately, these are not adjustable but there is certainly variety in sizes.
The Lifetime 10 Foot Tandem Fishing Kayak is ten feet long and weighs sixty pounds.
Other features of the Lifetime 10 Foot Tandem Fishing Kayak include the following:
Overall this is a good fishing kayak, capable of carrying two people.
Alternative – Vibe Kayaks Shipjack 90 Fishing Kayak
Another alternative fishing kayak from our winner and its runner-up is the Vibe Kayaks Shipjack 90 Fishing Kayak.
The Vibe Kayaks Shipjack 90 Fishing Kayak is a one-person fishing kayak that is nine-foot-long and weighs in at a lightweight forty-six pounds. It comes with a deluxe kayak seat that provides for comfort when being used.
The design of the Vibe Kayaks Shipjack 90 Fishing Kayak means that it has great stability, making it ideal as a fishing kayak. There are paddle holders/parks on either side of the kayak, allowing for the storage of the paddle when not being used.
The Vibe Kayaks Shipjack 90 Fishing Kayak comes with four capped, flush mounted, rod holders as well as a mounting point for suitable accessories. With four rod holders, this has clearly been designed with the keen fisherman in mind.
Other features of the Vibe Kayaks Shipjack 90 Fishing Kayak include the following:
The Vibe Kayaks Shipjack 90 Fishing Kayak truly is a good little fishing kayak, designed for those looking for a dedicated fishing kayak.
Alternative – Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Fishing Kayak
A third alternative to our winner and runner-up that you may want to consider is the Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Fishing Kayak.
Lifetime makes a variety of outdoors equipment, including the Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Fishing Kayak. Lifetime was started in 1986, in Riverdale, Utah and has been growing since then. Their commitment is to manufacture “durable, lasting products for consumers and their families”.
The Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Fishing Kayak is no exception. It is made from high density polyethylene and has flat bottom for the stability required from a fishing kayak.
There are multiple foot rest positions for comfort, providing suitability for different sized people.
Amongst the design features that are worth noting are the following:
This kayak is lightweight at less than fifty-seven pounds, and though basic in nature, it is good value for money.
What To Consider When Choosing A Kayak
Construction Materials
When it comes to choosing a kayak, there are a variety of different materials available that a kayak may be made from. There are four key qualities that you will want from the construction material.
Firstly, the construction material should be lightweight. When you are going to need to move your kayak into and out of water at different locations, you are going to appreciate every pound of weight saved.
Secondly, the material should be durable. The last thing you want is to scrape a hole in the bottom of the kayak, when travelling in shallow waters, or dragging it onto shore.
Thirdly, ideally the construction material should be UV resistant. UV radiation is part of sunlight, and unfortunately, can also make some construction materials go brittle and fragile over time. Unless you are planning on never taking your kayak out in sunlight, you will want to have a UV resistant construction material.
Fourthly, different construction materials have different costs. We would recommend a common construction material, as common materials are generally cheaper than highly specialized ones.
When it comes to choosing a construction material for a fishing kayak, we would recommend a high-density polyethylene.
Weight
The weight of the kayak is important. Once the kayak is in the water, the weight may not be as important, however when it comes to easily getting the kayak into and out of the water, you will want a solid but lightweight kayak.
Some kayaks have removable items on them, such as the seating. If items are easily removed, this can help to lighten the kayak, making it easier to carry when being moved into or out of the water.
At the end of a long days fishing, when you have the satisfactory tiredness from a good day on the water, the last thing you need to be doing is struggling to get the kayak out of the water and stowed away.
Size
Kayaks come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Generally, when it comes to a fishing kayak you will want a short but wide kayak.
While length is important for speed, that is not generally something that is as important for a fishing kayak. Extra length really just means extra, unnecessary weight.
The important feature regarding the size of the kayak, is to have a good width. This slows the kayak down more than for a narrower kayak, however, width also means greater stability.
When you are in the middle of reeling your catch in, you are going to appreciate that extra stability.
Seating
Different kayaks come with different seating options. Some are more comfortable than others. When it comes to choosing a kayak, it is important to remember that you could be seated in it for several hours.
For this reason, you may want to consider some of the following. Is the seat fixed, adjustable or removable? How much padding is provided? How much back support does the seat have? Is the seating suitable for your size and build?
While you have probably heard the saying – “no pain, no gain”, when it comes to enjoying your time fishing, avoidable back pain is not going to add to the experience.
Paddles
Some kayaks are sold with paddle/s provided. Ultimately, you are going to need a paddle, so make sure to check if one is provided, especially if you do not already have a paddle.
There is also a range of different length and styles of paddles available. If you are going to choose a kayak with a paddle provided you may want to be sure that it will be suitable for your build and body size.
Rudder System
A rudder system has the benefit of providing extra stability, easier control and reduced energy needs when used. Understandably, though a rudder system adds cost to a kayak. When considering a kayak, check to see if a rudder system is provided.
If one is not then you will want to consider whether a rudder system is important to you and how much it would cost to add one. Many kayaks are capable of having rudder systems added to them post-production but you should check beforehand if you are going to want to add one.
Storage space
Most good fishing kayaks come with storage space for your various pieces of equipment. Some will come with storage space for a crate, while others may have more elaborate waterproof storage compartments.
Some storage containers may even be removable. You will want to store some gear on your kayak, even if it is just some food, drink, bait and the normal bits and bobs.
Consider what your storage needs are and then consider which kayaks will meet those needs. If in doubt, choose a kayak with several different storage options. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry, as the old cliché goes.
Conclusion
A fishing kayak allows you to access places others cannot. When you can get to the places that others cannot, you will have a better fishing experience as a result.
There are several things that you should consider when investing in a fishing kayak. You will need to consider the following.
A fishing kayak can enhance a days fishing in ways that are difficult to imagine, if you have never used one before. You will be delighted with the difference it makes to a day’s fishing.
If you are looking to invest in a fishing kayak, then we would recommend one of the kayaks above. When you choose one, you will understand why they are so popular for fishing.