A fishing kayak provides millions of fishermen with access to great fishing points without spending too much on a full-sized boat. Today, kayaks are durable, stable, and comfortable, offering almost as many properties as regular fishing boats.

We spent almost a year rigorously testing many of the best fishing kayaks on the market. Our tests cover large kayaks, small kayaks, pedal drives, electric motors, paddle boards, inflatable kayaks, foldable kayaks, hybrid kayaks, and more. We tested these kayaks in various conditions, from calm lakes to rough ocean waters, to ensure we provide you with the most comprehensive guide. This guide will help you find the best fishing kayak 2024 that matches your fishing style.

Choosing a fishing kayak is a personal decision. Someone weighing 250 pounds, like me, carrying a lot of equipment, will look for different properties than a smaller fisherman who weighs 150 pounds and carries only a rod and some bait. Some fishermen prefer ample water, while others prefer small lakes, ponds and rivers. Some want maximum stability, while others wish for maximum usability, so choosing a perfect fishing kayak depends on personal preferences.

We aim to help you provide all the information you need to choose your perfect fishing kayak according to your needs.

Best Big Kayaks:

• Old Town Sportsman Bigwater ePDL+ 132
• Old Town Sportsman Bigwater ePDL+ 132 is a top-level fishing kayak with a built-in battery pedal system. It offers incredible flexibility and versatility by combining pedal power, power-assisted pedalling, and motorized cruise control. You can easily switch between these modes using the keys and screens on the drive. The Kayak comes with a lithium battery that gives it power, allowing you to enjoy the water in any condition. It also includes safety features such as a life jacket and a whistle for emergencies.
• This Kayak is fully equipped with everything you need: paddle, pedal, auto drive, and ePDL. It also has custom screens that show your speed and how far you can go without pedalling. Our team personally tested this Kayak, and we were very impressed with its performance. As fishermen, you can easily switch between four travel modes if you enjoy paddling or pedalling.
• The Old Town Sportsman Bigwater ePDL+ 132 is one of the best fishing kayaks available on the market. It is also an excellent choice for ocean fishing. For all of these reasons, we classified it as the best fishing kayak of 2024.

• Jackson Big Rig FD:

Jackson Big Rig FD is the newest introduction to the Jackson kayak lineup, bringing their fan’s favourite kayaks back with modern improvements. This giant Kayak is equipped with flex drive Mark IV, an EZ Hi-lo seat, track mounting systems, storage wells, rod holders, transducer ports, and easy mounting for electric motors. This is one of the most stable kayaks we’ve tested.

Jackson Big Rig FD is a flat and a wide-bottomed boat. You can easily move, stand, and sit without worrying about losing your balance.

By 40 inches wide, it is a very stable fishing kayak. Despite its size, it provides good pedalling, and you can carry a lot of equipment on it. If you want ultra stability in a larger kayak, Jackson Big Rig FD is a great choice.

• Wilderness Systems Radar 135

Wilderness Systems Radar 135: Versatile and Stable in Saltwater

This Kayak provides 13 feet and 6 inches long and 34 inches wide platforms for comfortable and consistent fishing. One of the best features of Radar 135 is its tri-power design, which allows you to paddle, pedal, or add a motor. This feature allows you to adapt to different fishing points and multiple water conditions. The helmet can gently cut off the waves, making it a nice row in the ocean.

Convenience is a big concern when you are in the water all day, and this Kayak features a highly comfortable AirPro MAX seat. The large cabin area gives you a lot of space to move, so you won’t feel tight while fishing. This Kayak also provides great storage options. There is a big rear tank well for larger gear, a small centre hatch for quick access, and a front-sealed hatch to keep things safe and dry.

Wilderness Systems Radar 135 weighs 90 pounds, so it’s a bit heavy to move, especially on long beach launches. It’s a good idea to use a kayak cart.

Best Small Water Kayak:

• Jackson Bite FD

Jackson Bite FD is another excellent choice from Jackson Kayak. This kayak is 11 feet and 6 inches long and adapts well to the bed of a truck or trailer. It weighs 95 pounds when wholly loaded and less without a seat and a pedal drive. Despite its compact size, it can hold up to 400 pounds.

This 35-inch-wide Kayak is very stable, providing you with plenty of room to stand and fish. It can pedal fast and is manoeuvrable as well. It is equipped with rod stagers on the deck for quick and efficient rod swaps, allowing you to go smooth over obstacles. The comfortable seat is ideal for long fishing days.

This Kayak checks all the boxes for those fishermen who want an affordable pedal kayak with many features. Jackson Bite FD is a great option if you have a boat but also want a kayak for simpler fishing in smaller water.

Budget-friendly kayaks:

• Magellan Outdoors Pro Pedal Drive Kayak

Magellan Outdoors Pro Pedal Drive Kayak is an excellent option for fishermen looking for an affordable but feature-rich kayak. We tested this Kayak for about a month, both with and without a pedal drive, in small and large waters alike, and it showed impressive results.

Its remarkable features include dark blue and black details, an easily removable pedal drive, padded floors, covered storage in the back and front, a mesh cargo hold, an adjustable seat with under-storage, and metals for mounting gear and fish finders. This Kayak is 10 feet long and 6 inches wide, offers great stability, and can carry up to 400 pounds.

This pro pedal kayak is designed with a flatter hull, perfect for creek fishing or throwing in the back truck to reach remote areas. Despite its compact size, it is still stable, fast, and agile, which makes it a pleasure to fish. With 88 pounds, it can be manageable for transportation and setup.

Magellan Outdoors Pro Pedal’s Kayak provides outstanding value, stability, speed, and multiple storage points with high-end features commonly found in more expensive models.

• Vibe Makana 100

Vibe Makana 100 is a wonderful fishing kayak that offers good value under a very reasonable budget. It has a stable and comprehensive platform of 33 inches, facilitating fishing. The kayak can withstand much weight and has a pedal drive, many carriers, and a comfortable two-hero seat 2.0. There is also a lot of space for storage, a Viber rudder with easy hand steering, and the option to add a motor. In addition, it is lightweight, weighing only 55 pounds on its own (77 pounds with the drive, seat, and other equipment).

With all these qualities at an affordable price, the Vibe Makana 100 is a fantastic option for budget-conscious fishermen and serious tournament fishers.

• Bonafide EX123

Bonafide Ex123 is often called the “SUV of kayaks” for a good reason. This Kayak features a unique sit-in design, making it perfect for exploring hidden spots. Whether planning a quick fishing journey after work or a multi-day trip, EX123 provides a stable, comfortable and lightweight solution.

Bonafide EX123 is 12 feet 3 inches long and 29.5 inches wide, providing stability in various water conditions. This Kayak is very lightweight, weighing 67 pounds with chairs, making it easy for you to load and unload by yourself. Despite its lightweight design, you can carry 375 pounds, allowing you to take a lot of equipment for longer trips.

The Kayak also has much storage space, including a large rear storage area and a front hatch, making carrying all your fishing essentials convenient. The design is optimized for stability, ensuring you can fish confidently whether you are on calm lakes or smaller bodies of water.

Pedal Kayaks:

• Jackson Knarr FD

Jackson Kayak Knarr FD is one of the best fully equipped fishing kayaks available. It has an advanced flex drive mark IV, which facilitates pedalling. The shaft propeller glides nicely through underwater obstacles. During the trial, it maintains the balance on shallow areas at full speed, showing excellent stability and speed.

This Kayak is designed to cut waves and rough waters, making it perfect for large-water fishing. Its unique hull design helps it climb over the waves and provides stability.

It has tall gunnels with rod storage pipes to protect and flatten your rods. Plus, you can enjoy TriTrak track systems, which make it easy to add accessories such as fish finders, cameras, rods, and paddle holders where you want them. You can also add a trolling motor to the front or back if you prefer.

The EZ Hi-lo system is very comfortable and adjustable, so you can fish throughout the day without discomfort. The Kayak has steering systems on both sides, which facilitates turning in any condition, whether you are pedaling or rowing, forward or backward.

• Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12 360

Hobie Mirage is known for making some of the best high-end fishing kayaks, and the Hobie Mirage Pro Angler series is top-rated among serious fishermen. This Kayak is full of high-end features that attract many tournament kayak anglers. It is stable, fast, and easy to pedal with the unique Hobie pedal system. It provides plenty of space to carry gear and flexible enough to sit or stand while fishing in any water.

Mirage Drive 360 ​​with kick-up fins allows you to move firmly through water and barriers without any problems. It features six 6-rod holders, an elevated Vantage ST seat with BOA lumbar support, a Guardian transducer shield, an H-Rail for quick accessory additions, and storage hatches in the front and rear. It also has stain-resistant grip pads, offering dedicated anglers a complete high-end package who want a wide and stable platform with many features.

How we tested fishing kayaks?

To find the best fishing kayaks for you, we carefully examine the latest models of major brands in the fishing industry kayak. We focus on what most fishermen across the country need from a kayak, ensuring that these options adapt to a wide range of fishing styles and locations. We aim to choose kayaks that any fisherman can bring to their local water and enjoy a successful fishing day.

When choosing these kayaks, we considered multiple factors, including how well they fish (fishing), price, weight, basic features, and the brand’s reputation. We also trust the practical experience of our editorial team to make knowledgeable decisions. We took this task seriously; we reviewed all of the leading brands and products available for fishermen today to ensure that we recommended the best.