Topic: The Best Ocean Kayaks of 2022 (Read 148 times)
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Key Features
Why It Made The Cut
Offshore anglers demand a lot of their fishing kayak, but mostly they rely on the boat for stability and speed. The Hobie Mirage Revolution 13 blends both of these characteristics of a fishing kayak perfectly, with a long, slim hull design that can cut through the waves and pedal long distances. It’s also stable enough to troll co*fortably, fight and land fish, or simply relax after a successful catch.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
If you ever see a race between the best ocean kayaks and there is a Hobie Mirage Revolution 13 in the running, put your money on the Revolution 13. This is one of the faster ocean kayaks on the market, with a hull designed to cover serious distances easily. Pair that with turbo Kick-Up Fins and within just a few strokes of your legs you’re moving at full speed towards that distant pod of busting fish.
The open cockpit is large enough to handle long battles, difficult trolls, or landing large fish. The seat is co*fortable and adjustable, to keep your boat feeling right, as well as breathable to keep it cool after many hours in the direct sun. Anglers sit up fairly high in the seat, and pair that with a narrow 28.5 inch width, this is a boat better for more experienced anglers. It is possible to stand in the boat, but it’s best to remain seated most of the time, especially when miles from the beach when fishing offshore.
Why It Made The Cut
Diablo Paddlesports is a smaller brand based in Texas, but their special lineup of fishing kayaks is definitely unique. Their Adios is an interesting blend of ocean fishing kayak and standup paddleboard, making it the perfect tool for stalking fish in shallow, clear waters. If stealth is of top priority, the Adios will be able to sneak up on fish more quietly, and on skinnier water, than many other fishing kayaks available on the market.
Key Features
Why It Made The Cut
The Hobie Mirage Outback is more than capable of taking the position of any of the fishing kayaks on this list. It’s proven itself to be a reliable boat for both saltwater and freshwater year after year, and as Hobie updates its product line, it continues to get better.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
Inshore anglers need to stand up tall on a stable platform in order to spot and stalk their target species in skinny, clear water. Some anglers try fishing from a standup paddleboard but are left wanting with their storage and stability. Kayak anglers have plenty of rigging capabilities, and so does the Diablo Paddlesports Adios. Multiple rod holders mean anglers can carry many rods at once. The superior stability means that you can even fly fish from this kayak.
The Tri-Hull design of this fishing kayak means that while it’s one of the most stable boats on this list, it may not cut through the waves and tides as well as some others. If anglers are fishing in a location with steep, powerful tides, it’s best to avoid peak tidal swings and stick to the marshes or backwaters where fish will be waiting in the skinniest of water. The co*fortable seat also sits high up off the deck to provide a better view into the drink, so you can spot fish earlier than anglers sitting flat on the decks of their kayaks.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
The Hobie Mirage Outback is light enough to be carried by one person and is a proven performer for inshore and saltwater fishing.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
There are some kayak anglers that upgrade their Hobie Mirage Outback every year to keep up with the latest updates to the boat’s design and for good reason. The Mirage Outback continues to get better every year, and anglers everywhere love its speed, its versatility, and its co*fort. The turbo Kick-Up Fins also mean you can move across the water quickly with ease, covering long distances with just a few kicks.
The Mirage Outback handles itself equally well in large bodies of water or smaller ponds and lakes, but it really shines in the bay, when you need to move spots constantly to follow fish or adjust to the tides. Standing in the Mirage Outback is not as co*fortable as Hobie’s Pro Angler kayak, but experienced kayak anglers won’t have a problem. Beginners should likely avoid standing in any kind of chop or while fighting fish. t through the waves and tides as well as some others. If anglers are fishing in a location with steep, powerful tides, it’s best to avoid peak tidal swings and stick to the marshes or backwaters where fish will be waiting in the skinniest of water. The co*fortable seat also sits high up off the deck to provide a better view into the drink, so you can spot fish earlier than anglers sitting flat on the decks of their kayaks. Another plus is the Hobie Outback is easily rigged with Lowrance electronics, one of the best kayak fish finders.
Key Features
Why It Made The Cut
Just because you’re just starting out, that doesn’t mean you don’t still need all of the features that a serious kayak angler needs. Rather than buying a simple, barebones boat, it’s better to buy a fishing kayak that will support your growth in skills over the years. The Wilderness Systems Radar 135 is a serious fishing kayak designed for anglers who like the option to paddle, pedal, or motor their way to the fish. The versatility means it can change along with your fishing tastes and skills.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
Wilderness Systems didn’t pull any punches when they were designing the Radar 135. A boat that is versatile enough to paddle, pedal, or even motor to the fish with its Fled Pod OS system in the center of the hull, beginner anglers have the luxury of choice with this boat. The SlideTrax rail system throughout the deck means anglers can spend time getting to know the boat, and the sport, by spending some time rigging gear to their hearts content. Word of warning, you likely don’t need everything you think you need to get started.
The giant rear tankwell holds enough gear for a full day of fishing, even an overnight stay, and the front or center hatch provides even more storage. The boat is stable enough to access any of the hatches on the water, though standing is tougher in this boat, especially for beginners. Wilderness Systems Kayaks are a joy to paddle, and the Radar 135 is no exception. The co*fortable seat is a dream to sit in for hours on end, so the first thing to wear out is your arms from improper paddling technique, not your backside.
Key Features
Why It Made The Cut
Fishing kayaks often get a bad rap for being heavy boats. Their rotomolded plastic construction means that they’re durable but definitely heavier than the boats typical of sea kayakers and touring paddlers. The Eddyline Kayaks Caribbean 14 Angler is the antithesis of that. Built with Carbonlite material, a blend of ABS and acrylic material, this fishing kayak is only 50 pounds, making it a joy to carry to and from the truck or car, and it handles like a dream on the water.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
Lightweight fishing kayaks are few and far between, as fishing kayak designers tend to go heavy on features, rigging, hatch options, and of course, pedal or motor drive systems. The Eddyline Kayaks Caribbean 14 Angler is a lightweight fishing kayak designed for paddlers first, and anglers a close second. Kayak fishermen looking to fish on the ocean in a kayak that’s a joy to paddle and carry off the water will be pleased with all 50 pounds of this hull.
The fishing features of this boat are simpler, with two small hatches located close to the seat, and one larger hatch towards the bow. The seat is also the classic seat that is familiar to kayakers, but anglers that have fished on more traditional fishing kayaks are sure to miss those co*fortable, ergonomic seats—this is not. Two flush mount rod holders behind the seat mean you can troll for target gamefish at high speeds, which might be the difference between catching fish that day and going home empty-handed.
Key Features
Why It Made The Cut
Finding the best 2-person ocean fishing kayak takes careful consideration from both paddlers, as each of their needs has to be taken into account before finding the right boat. Paddling a tandem fishing kayak is also trickier than going solo, as frustrations tend to flare more easily when you’re both responsible for moving the boat and fishing at the same time. The Ocean Kayak Malibu Two XL Angler solves that problem by offering a simple, stable platform to fish in the ocean.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
Tandem kayak fishing can be tricky, but it’s often the best way to introduce a new paddler or angler to the sport, especially if they’re one of your kids. Dogs also love the extra room that a tandem fishing kayak affords, as they can spread out without getting in the angler’s way. The Ocean Kayak Malibu Two XL Angler offers plenty of room and capacity in a simple, stable platform that will let two kayak anglers fish in the ocean at the same time.
The fishing kayak’s design features a center hatch for storing essential gear, as well as a small hatch in front of the bow paddler’s seat. A rear tankwell and small bow tankwell add to the storage, although there are no other sealed hatches, only simple bungees to store your gear. The fishing kayak’s seats are also the older style kayak seats, which may be unco*fortable for long days on the water, especially in rough conditions. Still, the Malibu Two XL Angler was one of the first tandem kayaks to solve the problem of two anglers wanting to fish together, and it continues to be a successful boat today.
Sit-on-top kayaks are good for the ocean, in fact, they were designed specifically for the ocean. Sit-on-top kayaks have scupper holes in the bottom of their hull which allow water, from waves crashing over the desk, from paddling, or any other kind of water, to pass through the bottom of the hull and return to the ocean. This means sit-on-tops won’t sink no matter how wet your surf landings get, so they’re generally safer for fishing on the ocean.
In theory, yes, any kayak can be used in the ocean, however, some are much better suited for fishing in the ocean than others. The best ocean kayak is designed with enough length to make long-distance paddles and paddling against heavy currents or tides, much easier. They also generally have more capacity than freshwater kayaks, for example, since offshore anglers tend to spend long hours, and multiple meals for example, on the water. Do you need a special kayak for the ocean? Not necessarily, but as a general rule, even the best sit-in kayak is likely to be less suited for saltwater fishing than a budget sit-on-top fishing kayak.
One of the beauties of a quality ocean kayak is that you can use your saltwater kayak in freshwater as well as in the ocean. While your ocean kayak may feel a little large in some of your smaller ponds or lakes, especially narrow rivers, there’s no reason you wouldn’t be able to fish in freshwater with it. What is the difference between a river kayak and an ocean kayak? If you are fishing narrow, fast-moving rivers, however, the longer saltwater kayak may not be as nimble as necessary to navigate around rocks or other obstacles.
The best ocean kayaks for saltwater fishing need to blend a lot of crucial features required for landing larger, more powerful saltwater game fish, all in a package that’s a joy to paddle, transport to the water, and rig with all of your fishing gear.
The Wilderness Systems A.T.A.K 140, for example, has just the right length to be a long-distance paddler, without being a bear to handle in smaller, inshore conditions. It’s heavy, but not so heavy that it’s impossible to car-top, even on a lifted truck. It’s also co*fortable, and versatile enough to handle any style of fishing you need for a successful day on the water.
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