Types of Kayaks for Fishing

The best kayak for you will depend on several factors including your body size, type of fishing, fishing locations, storage options, transportation options and personal preference. Below, we outline the most common types of kayaks used for fishing.

Sit-On-Top Kayaks

Sit-On-Top (SOT) kayaks are the most popular type of kayak for fishing. They are generally shaped like traditional sit-in kayaks, but instead of sitting inside the cavity of the kayak, you sit in a molded or attached seat on top of the kayak. The rotationally-molded hull is hollow and more-or-less airtight and thus, unsinkable (assuming there are no holes in the hull and all the hatches are closed). Many SOT kayaks have scupper holes that allow water to drain from the top deck.

Easy to use
Affordable
Comfortable
Stable
Rugged
Good for larger body types
Easier to self-rescue
In-hull storage
Many available models
Easy to accessorize
Standing possible
Heavy

Sit-Inside Kayaks

This traditional watercraft dates back 4000 years, when the Inuit, Yup'ik, and Aleut peoples developed them for hunting and fishing on inland lakes, rivers and coastal waters of the Arctic Ocean, North Atlantic, Bering Sea and North Pacific oceans (Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayak). These kayaks require the user to sit inside the hull, and often utilize a skirt to waterproof the opening in case of rain, splashing or even flipping over. Today these kayaks are used mostly in whitewater, but there are some very good sit-inside kayaks designed specifically for fishing.

Lightweight
Affordable
Low center of gravity
Fast
Warmer in cold weather
Little storage
Less comfortable
Difficult self-rescue
Limited accessory mounting

Canoes

Although not technically a kayak, a canoe is a popular type of fishing watercraft. Very versatile, you can fit a lot of stuff in the open hull. Canoes are best for rivers and lakes, but not recommended for bigger waters.

Traditional
Low-tech
Affordable
Lots of storage
Comfortable
Heavy
Difficult self-rescue
Limited accessory mounting

Stand-up paddleboards / hybrids

Although technically not a kayak either, more and more anglers have turned to stand-up paddleboarding as their prefered method of fishing. Not the easiest method to master, paddleboarding is certainly a worthy way to fish back-creeks and flat waters.

Lightweight
Portable
Low-tech
Affordable
Zen
Not hands-free
Limited range
Limited speed
Limited maneuverability
Limited accessory mounting option

Different modes of propulsion

Paddle

This traditional type of watercraft propulsion needs little explanation. Versatile and practical, it it is by far the most widely-used type of kayak propulsion. Paddles can be relatively inexpensive, durable and easy to use. Because nothing extends below the kayak (other than an optional rudder), this method is best for all shallow water fishing.

Paddles range in cost from less than $50 to more than $500. The difference in cost relates to the materials (aluminum shafts with plastic blades are inexpensive but heavy; carbon fiber shaft and blades are much lighter and more costly). Other features to consider when choosing a paddle are the shaft length and surface area of the blade. Shaft length should be determined by the height of the paddler (distance from shoulder to water), the width of the kayak (wider kayaks need longer shafts), and the primary style of stroke used (vertical stroke uses shorter shaft; horizontal stroke uses longer shaft). The blade surface area is a matter of personal preference. Greater surface area provides more thrust per stroke, but requires more effort to pull the paddle. Typically paddles with larger blade area are used by paddlers preferring a vertical stroke pattern, whereas paddles with smaller blade area are used by those with a horizontal stroke pattern.

Traditional
Low-tech
Affordable
Excellent maneuverability
Perfect for shallow water
Weedless
Not hands-free
Limited range

Pedal

Pedal-powered kayaks are becoming increasingly popular amongst kayak anglers. Their most notable advantage is the ability to fish while moving, since hands are not used for propulsion like traditional paddle kayaks (only one hand is required for steering the rudder). Additionally, since our legs contain the biggest muscles in our body, pedal-kayakers can go farther, longer and faster without getting tired.

The 2 most popular pedal kayaks are the Hobie Mirage and Native Propel kayaks. Hobie uses an innovative "fin" assembly that acts much like a seal's flippers. The fins can be "fluttered" in shallow water, allowing for decent propulsion without hitting bottom. The Native Propel uses a pedal-driven propellor, which has the advantage of allowing backward pedalling to go in reverse. Both drives can be removed from the kayak for beaching and transportation.

Hands-free
Less tiring
Increased range
Best in wind and current
Redundant propulsion (w/paddle)
Expensive
Breakable
Requires maintenance
High turning radius
No reverse (Hobie)
Not ideal in shallow water
Not weedless

Electric

Adding electric power to a kayak extends your range and speed. You get to the fishing grounds faster and fish longer. There are several options available, from do-it-yourself installations of traditional electric trolling motors, to purpose-built kits made specifically for certain types of kayaks.

Click here for a review of the Hobie eVolve Torqueedo on SnaggedLine.com.

Hands-free
Less tiring
Increased range
Increased speed
Best in wind and current
Better maneuverability than pedal drive alone
Redundant propulsion (w/paddle or mirage drive)
Very Expensive
Breakable
Requires maintenance
Not weedless
Short battery life
No exercise