10 Reviews: Best Beginner Fishing Kayak (Apr 2024)

Designed specifically for anglers, the Elkton Outdoors Steelhead Inflatable Kayak is the perfect choice for beginners. It has a solid drop stitch floor for a stable bait casting position. Likewise, its sturdy drop stitch floor allows anglers to stand steadily and position themselves for better bait casting.

This kayak can hold up well on rough waters. In addition, it has a self-bailing floor with well-positioned ports for water drainage in case of excess splashing. Also, this kayak has 1000D Reinforced Layered PVC, so it safely bounces off obstacles like rocks and logs.

"I have been in some inflatable kayaks and they feel really flimsy. This inflatable kayak feels like it was made out of hard materials and I keep the side pressures at 2PSI and the floor at 4PSI. Walls are rated at 3 and the floor at 6PSI. Easy to paddle and tracks well. Seats are very comfortable."

by Bob S.

Featuring 18-gauge PVC, a thick tarp, and a strong nylon cover makes, the Elkton Outdoors Cormorant Kayak is perfect for beginner anglers. In addition, it comes with two full-action rod holders, two vertical rod holders, and two trolling rod holders. Hence, fishermen can arrange their rods in various combinations for the ultimate catch.

Aside from that, the manufacturer made this kayak tear-resistant with its 1000D 18-Gauge PVC material. So you don’t have to worry about it leaking while on the lake. This inflatable fishing kayak is compact and lightweight without sacrificing performance, making it a great alternative to traditional kayaks and paddlers.

"The cormorant inflated easier than I expected! First time set up took me less than 10 minutes and I’m sure next time I’ll be even quicker. It’s durable and incredibly stable. So far I am very pleased. I did a lot of research on inflatable fishing kayaks and decided to fork the extra buck for this one. Definitely worth it."

by KeeneW

Pelican Sit-on-Top Kayak provides a comfortable fishing experience for hours on the lake. It features an adjustable ergo lounge seating system. Hence, it gives extra thick padding and a high and wide padded backrest.

Likewise, you don’t have to worry about stability, as this kayak features a multi-chine hull with double bends. That offers exceptional stability that gives you a safe and stable ride. Also, this kayak can hold a maximum capacity of 275 lb, making it suitable for those of you who have a relatively large body size.

"Love this kayak. Lighter and comfortable. Compartment holds towels etc which can be easily reached when out on the water. Feels stable, easy to get in and out. Took a little while to get it, but friends who also purchased one got it quickly. Would buy another one for sure."

by Gillian Joseph

Oru Foldable Kayak makes it easy to build a kayak in less than 5 minutes! This kayak pioneered the foldable, origami-inspired structure of Bay ST. As a result, you won’t spend a long time setting up or waste time dragging the boat.

Furthermore, the manufacturer made this kayak sleek, lightweight, durable, and reliable. It has undergone extensive strength and durability testing. Thus, you will experience an easy and enjoyable fishing experience.

"This kayak was the answer for me! I didn’t have a place to keep my kayak at our marina where we keep our yacht. Now I can easily fold it out and use then fold it back and store it in the cockpit hatch on the boat. It is very lightweight and very sturdy.
Love it!"

by Amanda G Williams

Specially designed for comfort and your long paddling or fishing adventures, the Lifetime Tamarack Angler Kayak has a padded seat and comfortable backrest. Additionally, it also has a stable flat bottom with deep tracking channels and sturdy chine rails for extreme safety and stability.

On the other hand, the manufacturer made this kayak with blow-molded high-density polyethylene (HDPE), making it durable, UV-protected, and impact resistant. Besides, its 52-pound design and rear front carry handle make it easy to transport to and from the waterfront.

"Very stable kayak. Looking forward to trying to fish from this kayak. We’ve taken them out 3 times so far and had a lot of fun. Haven’t been on any rough water yet but great on calm lakes. Paddles are a bit cheap and will probably upgrade them but ok to start out. Paddles don’t come with drip rings so as your paddling water runs down your arm and get you wet."

by Christopher S. Bartley

The Driftsun Rover 120 Inflatable Kayak provides unrivaled stability in rough water compared to low-pressure folding kayaks for adults. Consequently, this kayak is constructed with reinforced double-layered PVC, allowing the one-person kayak to handle obstacles in rugged waterways without puncturing.

Additionally, this folding kayak can handle class III & IV rapids with speed & control. It has eight self-bailing ports, multiple tie-down points & a front action camera mount. Not only that, but this kayak can also maneuver & navigate through calm or rough water with less tracking.

"Well built, easy to inflate and assemble. First time out on water, very sturdy, easy to maneuver, very responsive. Excellent kayak. I am 70 years old and found this unit very comfortable and easy to use."

by Lawrence J Barhorst

The Pelican Sit-on-top Fishing Kayak offers exceptional stability for a safe and stable ride with its multi-chine flat bottom hull. This kayak is perfect for beginner anglers. It gives you the balance you need when casting a line and reeling in fish while making it very easy to get in and out of the kayak.

Moreover, this kayak features G2 ergofit seating with thicker ergonomic padding to provide targeted cushioning and better airflow. Also, the additional scupper hole at the bottom of the kayak is safe and helps drain excess water that may get into your boat.

"It is a very sturdy and comfortable kayak. I have had plenty of room for my tackle and rods. I just use a fish stringer and clip on the side of kayak to keep what I’ve caught. Very lightweight and easy to carry to get to water."

by Lance

Perception Pescador Pro 12 gives you stable kayak performance and serious fishing comfort. It comes with a sit-on-top design, offering great storage and accessory mounting options that make it easy to equip the boat for all-day trips. Additionally, the easily replaceable skid plate lets you drag the kayak without fear of damage.

In addition, the removable and adjustable camp seats give you all-day fishing comfort. Also, the lighter weight increase maneuverability to ease transportation. Thus, it allows you to fish in calm waters beyond the reach of other boaters.

"I’m really happy with this kayak, it has all the features of a high end model. The seat is amazing. Very comfortable for hours of paddling/fishing. The built in accessory tracks are perfect for adding the customized features I want. It is very stable and tracks quite well. Moves along nicely, have plenty of room for my legs and gear and was easy to maneuver."

by Adair Borges

Offering you the deep stability required in windy weather, the BlueCoastline Inflatable Fishing Kayak is the perfect choice for your fishing and paddling experience. In addition, it features removable fins on the bottom of the inflatable kayak, thus helping you move forward in a straight line in deep waters.

Furthermore, the manufacturer made the bottom of the inflatable canoe with 0.55MM PVC fabric and a high-quality hull. In addition, it is made of 840D polyester, which is resistant to salt water, oil, ozone, low temperature, and wear-resistant. Likewise, the EVA seat and footrest of the inflatable kayak are adjustable and designed for comfort and space-saving.

"The accessories included were more than I expected, great packaging! It was lightweight, easy to carry. What I like most is the color. The floor felt rigid and solid. It was maneuverable and I’m positive that I made the right decision."

by Wei Zhong

The Intex Excursion Pro Kayak Series is made of super rigid laminated PVC with a polyester core, extremely lightweight and perfect for whatever your outdoor activities. It is highly resistant to damage from abrasion, impact, and sunlight. Additionally, this kayak features high-pressure inflation, providing extra rigidity and stability.

Moreover, the manufacturer made this kayak with a super rugged 3-layer construction using high molecular PVC. Thus, it is unaffected by gasoline, oil, and salt water. All in all, this kayak is highly resistant to damage from abrasion, impact, and sunlight. It also allows more air pressure for rigidity.

"Love the portability and it's quick to inflate and deflate with the double action pump it comes with. Obviously, when it comes time to stowing it away, it's better if it's already dry, but you don't always have time for that, so you might have to do that later to avoid mildew forming. This is really the only way you can compactly go kayaking with two people and I'm not aware of any other options that are sturdier/tougher than this."

by James Tetazoo