Kayaking is certainly an exciting and exhilarating way to enjoy the scenic outdoors. If you've been thinking of getting yourself a kayak and going on a fishing trip, then you've found yourself in the right place. You'd also be glad to know that you can find the best fishing kayaks without having to cash out thousands of dollars.
Thanks to the advancement in technology, several companies now offer cheap fishing kayaks without compromising on quality. Because the market is full of different options, we understand that it can be a daunting task to find the right fishing gear for yourself. Fortunately, you won’t have to worry about that as we've rounded up the best cheap fishing kayaks.
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Below are the reviews of the best inexpensive fishing kayak to help you make an informed decision:
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If you’re looking for an excellent inflatable fishing kayak without the huge price tag, you can’t go wrong with the Intex Inflatable fishing kayak. Intex has been in business for years now and as such, they’re known for producing quality kayaks at an affordable price and this model is no different.
When opting for an inflatable model, the construction material needs to be strong and durable otherwise it risks getting punctured. The Intex excursion kayak comes with 3-layered construction. Both the top and bottom features a tough PVC construction while the middle part has a polyester core, making the boat both durable and lightweight. Also, its construction is abrasion and UV- resistant.
Measuring 37” in width and 171” in length, this kayak is spacious enough to store your accessories and still sit comfortably. With two seatings at the front and back and a weight limit of 400 pounds, it can fit two people perfectly. Plus, the padded seats are removable so if you’re kayaking alone and want more space, you can simply remove the other seat.
Weighing 17.6 kg, which is a bit heavier in comparison to other inflatable models, however, its compact storing and folding bag makes it easier to carry. The Intex Excursion features a rod holder, an essential feature to have for those who need a kayak for fishing. The rod holders in this kayak are placed appropriately so that the won’t get in the way and allow you to paddle smoothly.
Intex understands the importance of having a comfortable footrest, which is why the Intex Excursion kayak comes with an adjustable footrest that offers three resting positions. This means you can adjust it as per your need and place your feet comfortably.
It is also packed with additional features like the I-beam floor, 3-air chambers, drain plug, direction skeg, and a removable bracket.
On the downside, the Intex Excursion kayak tends to deflate after some hours of inflation. Also, the oars aren’t high-quality. That being said, it’s still the best fishing kayak for the money.
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Next, we have the Angler Fishing Kayak from Lifetime, which is another excellent choice, hence our runner up. The Angler Fishing kayak may not offer all of the features and components as our no.1 pick, it still offers incredible performance.
Despite being a cheap fishing kayak, the Angler Fishing Kayak is a well-constructed craft. It’s made of high-density, UV-protected Polyethene which makes it rigid, strong, and highly durable while still being lightweight.
This kayak features both chine rails and deep hull channels, which helps in ensuring a stable kayaking experience. With a weight limit of 275 lbs, the Lifetime Angler Fishing kayak is sturdy and offers enough space to fit an adult comfortably.
As mentioned earlier, this kayak doesn’t offer all the features, however, for its price and size, it offers plenty of storage space. You get two round compartments and has room to store small tools and tackle. It features one large deck at the stern and a small one at the bow and each deck has bungee cords.
The kayak also comes with 3-rod holders, which include an articulating rod holder and 2 flush-mount holders. For such a small craft, it offers a relatively spacious cockpit and several footwells, allowing to paddle comfortably.
Thanks to its chine rails and deep tracking channels, this model is incredibly stable. It’s so stable that you can fish comfortably giving you a great fishing experience. Measuring just 10 feet long and 31” in width, this fishing kayak is pretty easy to maneuver. Weighing just 50 pounds and with four carrying handles onboard, most anglers say that they can easily carry it around without help.
While it’s an excellent fishing kayak, it’s not without flaws. Most reviews suggest that the seats aren’t quite comfortable. Additionally, this kayak isn’t ideal for rough waters.
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If you’re looking for an affordable two-person inflatable fishing kayak, then the Intex k2 Kayak is a great choice. It is packed with all the essential accessories that make for a great kayaking experience.
As for its construction, it’s made of high-quality puncture-resistant Vinyl making it strong and durable. it can also withstand corrosion, rust, and is moisture and abrasion-resistant. While the material quality isn’t super strong, for the price, it does a pretty good job.
Since it’s wider as compared to average kayaks, the Intex K2 kayak offers exceptional stability and prevents the boat from flipping or wobbling. However, it doesn’t perform well on choppy waters. This is because of its lightweight which is just 30.60 lb. However, it shouldn’t come off as a surprise considering its price.
Nevertheless, it’s a perfect kayak for calm lakes and its lightweight design makes it much easier to maneuver around. It also offers decent speed, making it an excellent option for recreational trips. The Intex K2 Kayak features two detachable inflatable seats that are sure to provide a comfortable kayaking experience. As its seats are removable if you ever decide to kayak alone, you can simply remove the other seat and enjoy a spacious seating area or you can remove both seats and just lay on the boat.
With a carrying capacity of 400 pounds, this kayak can fit two adults easily. However, it doesn’t have any specialized storage compartments, which means you’ll have to place your accessories in the cockpit. You’ll also need additional dry bags to store your electronic gadgets and wallet.
Because it’s easy to use, assemble, maneuver and offers smooth tracking, the Intex K2 kayak is perfect for beginner-level anglers. It’s also quite simple to inflate the boat thanks to its easily operable pump. The kayak features five different pumping points and will take you about 10-15 minutes to assemble and inflate the boat.
Likewise, deflating the boat is quite simple. you just need to eject the air plugs. Plus, other components on the boat like its skeg and seats are easy to assemble and remove. It comes with a carrying bag, paddle, inflating pump, and puncture patches. Its paddles, however, aren’t the best.
All in all, the Intex K2 kayak is a great choice for such an affordable price. It’s compact, lightweight, stable, and has an excellent weight capacity.
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The Skipjack 90 kayak from Vibe kayaks is also a great choice that’s worth checking out. It’s highly affordable and is packed with great features. Measuring 9 feet long and 32” inches in width, the Vibe Skipjack 90 sit-on-top kayak is quite easy to maneuver.
It’s also highly portable because of its lightweight which is just 46 lbs. It’s a one-seater kayak featuring a deluxe seat with additional back support, which means you get to enjoy long hours of kayaking without getting exhausted.
The seats also feature 4 adjustable safety straps. The boat also comes with a removable water-resistant bag for keeping your personal items. You also get two lightweight paddles that are comfortable to grip and are ideal for slow-moving water because of its asymmetrical blades.
As for its carrying capacity, the Vibe Skipjack 90 has a weight limit of 300 lbs. It has four carrying handles that allow you to easily mount four fishing rods. Additionally, it has a cargo storage area at the rear which is large enough to store crates and coolers.
This kayak from Vibe Kayaks is ideal for recreational activity. It performs well in sheltered or flat water. It’s also suitable for newbies, intermediate, and professional anglers. It offers great stability in calm waters, making it perfect for ponds, canals, rivers, and lakes.
On the downside, it isn’t suitable for tracking as it moves at a slow pace and can be quite unstable in choppy waters.
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Finally, we have the Sundolphin Bali SS, which is a great choice for beginners and comes with additional features. It sports a hull design that offers great stability and its exterior is made of high-density polyethylene, making it highly durable and resistant to abrasions.
The construction material is also UV-resistant, which means it won’t lose its color due to sun exposure. The polyethylene construction enhances the kayak’s tracking and paddling ability to allow you to easily cruise the river or lake with stability.
It also comes in a variety of colors, including pink, orange, green, blue, and more. The Sundolphin Bali SS measures 30” in width and is 10 feet long and weighs just 40 lbs. It quite lighter in comparison to other polyethylene material built kayaks.
The Sundolphin Bali SS also provides enough storage room to keep your essential accessories. It also comes with a dry storage area for keeping your electronic devices or wallets. On the downside, while the polyethylene material is sturdy, it’s also prone to flexing and scratching. Its hull design makes it quite stable, however, it moves at an extremely slow pace.
Before making a purchase, there are some important considerations worth keeping in mind so as to ensure that you make the right purchase. To help you with that, we’ve listed a couple of key factors you need to consider when looking for the best fishing kayak under $500.
The length of the fishing kayaks plays a huge role in its performance. To determine the ideal fishing kayak’s length, you’ll have to factor in the place you’ll be using it on. For starters, shorter kayaks( 11 feet or less) are more portable while longer kayaks(12 feet or longer) are much faster. Opt for a longer model if you’re getting it for fishing on rivers, bigger lakes, or the ocean. For small ponds, backwaters, and creeks, go for one that’s maneuverable.
Different fishing kayaks offer different weight capacities. There are some that have a weight capacity of 500 pounds while there are others that offer a maximum capacity of just 200 pounds. Also, you not only need to consider your own weight but also the weight of all the accessories you'll be carrying. This will help you pick one that allows you to remain safely under the weight limit of the kayak.
When looking for the best cheap fishing kayak you'll also need to consider whether you want an inflatable kayak or a regular model. Both of these kayak types have their own advantages and drawbacks. Unlike regular models, inflatable kayaks are generally lightweight, offers easy storage, and easy to maneuver. The one major downside of inflatable kayaks is it’s puncture issues, unlike regular kayaks.
In this segment, we’ll address some of the most frequently asked questions about fishing kayaks.
The weight of the fishing kayak depends on factors like width material, accessories, and length. On average, the weight of fishing kayaks ranges from 50 to 100 pounds or more.
Some “must-have” fishing kayak accessories include fishing-specific PFD, fishing paddles, tackle crates, kayak karts, fish grips, and landing nets.
For ocean fishing, the size of the fishing kayak should fall between 15-20 ft long. This makes it easier to ascend large swells.
This concludes our review of the best cheaper fishing kayaks. While there no one-size-fits-all kayaks, the products mentioned in this article will certainly help you in finding the one that’s perfect for your needs and preference.
Cheap kayaks don’t necessarily mean poor quality and the aforementioned picks are proof of that. They’re all high-quality, compact, durable with their own pros and cons. Nevertheless, you won’t be disappointed with any of them.
