Fishing Kayak reviews from Reddit

Summary

We analyzed 218 Reddit reviews across 8 subreddits and 57 posts to rank the best Fishing Kayak brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/kayakfishing, r/Kayaking, r/Fishing, r/Fishing_Gear, r/FishingOntario. Top-rated brands include Old Town (4.4/5), Hobie (4.5/5), Lifetime (4.0/5).

Stats

Reviews218

Subreddits8

Posts57

Brands46

Products72

Top communities

r/kayakfishing163 r/Kayaking17 r/Fishing13 r/Fishing_Gear12 r/FishingOntario5

218 reviews from

and

By Brand

By Product

Old Town

4.4

(40)

"I just bought one with a Garmin Striker 4 and a Wilderness Systems cart off Marketplace for 1700 last week. It is by FAR the most stable kayak I've ever been in."

"Great kayak for sure if you get something like that I can assure you it's not a mistake."

"More reliable and all around better kayak for less money."

"I dont think its even a discussion, but thats just my opinion. If you can try to support a small local dealer [old town bigwater]"

"I own an Old Town 106 PDL (pedal drive) and love it."

"If u are going off shore the old town big water 132 pdl is going to be hard to beat."

"Used Old Town will be your best bet for standing."

"You can’t go wrong with Old Town, Native and Hobie."

"From what I have read, the old town pdl system is pretty user friendly."

"I have the slayer propel 10 and I love it. Old town 106 is a better kayak though."

Hobie

4.5

(36)

"I did just upgrade about a month ago to a Hobie PA 14 footer since the extra length helps with tracking and speed."

"I have a Hobie PA 12 with the 360 drive that I got in 2019, have had no issues with it."

"Definitely see if you can get a second hand hobie."

"For your budget, these are great yaks."

"I use the hobie passport 10.5 . It's 34" wide. Just have to get used to it's balance, but I stand up often. The pedal drive is the best you can get for the price."

"I fish from a Hobie i-Trek 9 and it's been revelatory for me...it's quick and easy to set up, fits in the back of my small Mazda and can be launched practically anywhere you can get to."

"Check out the Hobie iTrek. I fish from the 11' one but they make a 9'. Since it is inflatible, it would work for your apartment. It is durable and stable for fishing from standing positions."

"I would go with Hobie Outback. I agree with a prior post that the older models with seat on hill is SLIGHTLY more stable than the newer seats, especially in high position."

"I bought a 2021 Hobie outback 2021 in the fall of 2022. Came with a 800 fish finder and a Dakota battery for $2300."

"2019+ Outback if surf launching"

Lifetime

4.0

(15)

"I have a Lifetime Tamarack Pro. The seat is amazing, and comfortable."

"Absolutely love it. I think some people give it crap because they can't believe such an inexpensive kayak could be so good."

"Hands down the most stable, comfortable, and reliable fishing kayaks for around $300."

"Two of my buddies have Yukons and love 'em, hope you do too!"

"Solid choice. I've been fishing off of mine all summer."

"Hit up Facebook marketplace, I got a Lifetime Yukon this weekend for less than $300."

"Get a Lifetime kayak and enjoy learning on an affordable and fun kayak."

"Would be a good option."

"Are better quality and value."

"Lifetime tamarack."

Jackson

4.3

(14)

"I just picked up a Jackson Bite. Love that the peddle drive can be pulled up with a lever and is protected from logs and shallow water."

"He LOVES IT!!! Has had it since April and has fished every weekend in it."

"Given your size and no pedal power preferred, Jackson is for you!"

"I just picked up a Jackson Bite FD, pedal drive."

"Jackson bite FD is a minimalist kayak that can handle some chop."

"If you are looking at Jackson, take a look at the Coosa or the Coosa FD."

"Jackson Bite is 11'6"."

"I have 2. Perception Crank and Jackson Bite FD. The Jackson drive is superior and the boat is more stable."

"Jackson, Vibe and Crescent Kayaks are also good ones."

"Jackson kayak."

Bonafide

4.1

(11)

"If you don’t mind spending a little I’d recommend Bonafide."

"Other brands I would look at would be Jackson, Nucanoe, Native, Old Town, and Bonafide."

"Those stability videos of the Bonafide SS127 have always surprised me."

"I'm a big fan of bonafide but picking out the right kayak what you looking to spend."

"Look at a used Bonafide SS127, SS107."

"Bonafide SS127, Crescent Kayaks or Wilderness Systems Recon 120."

"Bonafide or Jackson."

"SS127 sounds like a good fit."

"Id go bonafide theyre bout to have a pedal drive available in Oct I belive."

"It’s so stable."

Perception

4.1

(10)

"Perception Outlaw hands down 6”4 230."

"Perception outlaw 11.5 pretty stable and four rod holders."

"Sturdy, comfortable seat, lots of room."

"I really enjoy it."

"I run this one for two years and love it, it's definitely not 5k boat slayer but it works great for me."

"All great choices."

"1500 for a new kayak plus accessories I would say perception outlaw."

"I recommend maybe looking at that."

"The Perception Pescador is a great boat for someone who is on a budget."

"Check out the perception pescador."

Crescent

4.3

(8)

"Bought a used Crescent Lite Tackle and it is without a doubt the most bang for your buck."

"Awesome fishing features, should do well in a river and can mount a trolling motor in the future."

"I have moved onto a Crescent Lite Tackle, which is amazing how well it paddles and stable it is."

"Crescent Shoalie/lightTackle 2."

"I’d definitely take a look at what crescent has to offer."

"I like crescent kayaks."

"Jackson, Vibe and Crescent Kayaks are also good ones."

"You may want to look at Crescents, but generally speaking light and stable enough to be ocean-capable is a pretty tall order."

Pelican

4.1

(7)

"I bought two pelican brand kayaks and I love them."

"I got a pelican catch 100 for $325 with a $100 paddle included free."

"It's pretty stable for a sit on kayak and it's roomy."

"I got a basic sit on top pelican can't remember the model but wasn't a fishing one made 2 rod holders in a milk crate."

"Pelican Kayak from Costco. See Angling Spiders' review on YouTube."

"Great first yak and around $600 usd."

"I personally just got a cheap pelican from academy and I love it."

Vibe

4.3

(6)

"Vibe Makana 100 comes with drive for around $1600. I have the 12 foot version, Shearwater 125. Amazing kayak"

"Vibe makana, upgrade the pod to the YakGadget one and buy a hobie 180 drive. Native Slayer 10. These would be my 2 recommendations for you."

"Been a great rig."

"Vibe sells a good kayak."

"Look into vibe kayaks, multiple styles all relatively lightweight and great quality."

"Fantastic Yak - only thing lacking is an anchor trolley."

#10

Wilderness Systems

4.0

(6)

"If you have a wilderness systems and like it, then they are always an option."

"Good compromise all around."

"Look at native watercraft and wilderness systems."

"Go used and get a decent rig. Trusted names are wilderness systems, native, and hobie."

"Thank you narrowed it down to Wilderness Systems, Old Town and Jackson"

"I’ve had a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 for a few years now and swear by it."

#11

NuCanoe

4.0

(5)

"Other brands I would look at would be Jackson, Nucanoe, Native, Old Town, and Bonafide."

"NuCanoe has the Unlimited 10 they just launched. $1500"

"They make a great kayak and there are made in the USA."

"If you are looking for something light weight but good quality, and can spend an extra 200 or so, check out NuCanoe and Crescent kayaks."

"You might be able to get a used nucanoe for about that much."

#12

Ocean Kayak

4.0

(5)

"Get a used ocean kayak trident or cobra fish and dive and then buy a shark shield and youll still be under budget"

"I like my Ocean Kayak Prowler 13, the kayak is only 56lbs."

"My first ever yak. Ocean kayak big game prowler two. First launch Pacific Ocean off the coast of manzanillo Mexico."

"Used Ocean Kayak prowler 13 off of Craigslist."

"The Ocean Kayak Malibu is made by Old Town as well."

#13

Native

4.8

(4)

"Native slayer propel! If you’re going to be storing it on a balcony, a huge selling point was the weight, 62 lbs without the seat and drive."

"It's amazing, tracks perfectly, tons of space."

"Is hard to beat!"

"Native Slayer Propel 10."

#14

NRS

4.8

(4)

"Go for an NRS pike or kuda."

"The NRS Pike which is similar in design to the 350fx is currently on sale for ~700 dollars."

"I love my NRS Chinook! It's extremely comfortable and has a decent amount of storage/pockets."

"NRS Chinook or Kokatat Leviathan."

#15

Kaku

4.0

(4)

"It's a 12ft and great on lakes."

"Kaku Zulu."

"I might add the Kaku Wahoo 10.5 to the list."

"Kaku Zulu."

#16

Ascend

3.5

(4)

"I’ve got one, bought it 3 years ago for 499 before they went up during Covid."

"Sit on top."

"I love my ascend 10T. I have better balance than most and can comfortably stand and fish."

"The quality of the hull material in Ascend kayaks are lacking imo."

#17

Nucanoe

4.3

2.0

(1)

"I fish all the time out of $300 tamarack and I hate it."

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