Top 10 Fishing Kayaks

[Iceman]

What, no Scrambler XT? I would take the new X13 over any other kayak on the market

[PAL]

Fact of life. The only major East Coast brand we regularly see on our Pacific Shores is Wilderness. If you can't buy it, it can't be a west coast classic. That knocks out Emotion, FeelFree, RTM, Hurricane, even Native (although at least one SoCal shop sells a couple of their models).

[speedydk]

I'll back up Iceman on the X13 ! I love mine!

[RockyRaab]

"Best" can have soooooo many definitions that a list like this will always be contentious. Just as one glaring example, your question seems to assume that all kayak fishing is SoCal ocean fishing. That's hardly true. It may be all that YOU do, but for folks in the other 99.44% of the country, it is not.

Another example: I've only owned one kayak, so by definition it is the "best" one ever - for me. It's a ProAngler 14.


Finally, one of my pet peeves: The word is "pedal" not peddle (which means to sell door-to-door.) You only peddle a kayak if you schlep them around selling them.

[WildernessWanker]

Originally Posted by RockyRaab

"Best" can have soooooo many definitions that a list like this will always be contentious. Just as one glaring example, your question seems to assume that all kayak fishing is SoCal ocean fishing. That's hardly true. It may be all that YOU do, but for folks in the other 99.44% of the country, it is not.

Another example: I've only owned one kayak, so by definition it is the "best" one ever - for me. It's a ProAngler 14.


Finally, one of my pet peeves: The word is "pedal" not peddle (which means to sell door-to-door.) You only peddle a kayak if you schlep them around selling them.

You're taking terms out of context, "seaworthy." The word itself is defined as being capable to sail the sea. If something is capable of performing in the ocean than use in any freshwater lake is automatically deemed as safe and within the capabilities of the vessel. We don't ask which kayaks are the best for freshwater because on the chance we want to expand our fisheries than that vessel may not perform safely in an ocean setting. I don't know about you but when I buy something I look for something that may be more than what I want in the chance I will need it. Plus I want to add the fact that the majority of talk on here is saltwater fishing, seemed like the thread appeals to the masses of saltwater fisherman. Not trying to pick a fight, just explaining my approach if I offended any freshwater purists.

Sent from my SPH-L520 using Tapatalk

[Cbad Mike]

I've only owned a Stealth 14 so I may be biased but I think the built in front bait tank is a great design and helps keep it on the list.

[GregAndrew]

Originally Posted by RockyRaab

"Best" can have soooooo many definitions that a list like this will always be contentious. Just as one glaring example, your question seems to assume that all kayak fishing is SoCal ocean fishing. That's hardly true. It may be all that YOU do, but for folks in the other 99.44% of the country, it is not.

Another example: I've only owned one kayak, so by definition it is the "best" one ever - for me. It's a ProAngler 14.


Finally, one of my pet peeves: The word is "pedal" not peddle (which means to sell door-to-door.) You only peddle a kayak if you schlep them around selling them.

Got to agree with your first point, it is entirely dependent on what you want out of it. As for your last point, you rarely find someone that does pedal that doesn't peddle (whether they are making money at it or not).

[FISH11]

X FACTOR by far the best for surf launching and stability on the water. My X13 is a little easier to paddle and goes a little faster. But when your weight is on the + side of 220lbs the top heavier center of gravity makes it so any quick move to reach for another pole in the back or get something out of the crate in the back of the kayak it rocks a lot more and you have to be a little more carefull not to lean if you don't want to get wet. There is only about a 6 lb difference in weight between the 2. In either case that is like a 45% less weigh with 65% more weight carying capacity than a Hobie. As far as PA's go if I wanted to haul around that much weight and needed a little more deck space, than I would just buy a center console skiff. the X FACTOR is still the best because of all the Hatches and storage room. If I was shopping for a new Kayak the X FACTOR would still be my choice.

[William Novotny]

Originally Posted by FISH11

X FACTOR by far the best for surf launching and stability on the water. My X13 is a little easier to paddle and goes a little faster. But when your weight is on the + side of 220lbs the top heavier center of gravity makes it so any quick move to reach for another pole in the back or get something out of the crate in the back of the kayak it rocks a lot more and you have to be a little more carefull not to lean if you don't want to get wet. There is only about a 6 lb difference in weight between the 2. In either case that is like a 45% less weigh with 65% more weight carying capacity than a Hobie. As far as PA's go if I wanted to haul around that much weight and needed a little more deck space, than I would just buy a center console skiff. the X FACTOR is still the best because of all the Hatches and storage room. If I was shopping for a new Kayak the X FACTOR would still be my choice.

it's kinda hard to make that claim without owning several other brands and models to refrence from. From my experience from owning an xfactor, I can say that in all honesty, that it would not be my first choice in kayaks. But that's my opinion and I'd be the only person that that matters to. I've owed cobras, ocean kayak, hobie, feel free, malibu...... In my personal opinion all of them had there individual merits. Not one of them was the end all be all and all of them had their draw backs. It's all personal preference. It's a bit of a feudal discussion because there are so many personal tastes, fishing styles, etc. that it would be impossible to give any one kayak the title of "best".

[tacmik]

If paddling, the trident for me. stable, lots of storage, goes thru the surf with no problems, fairly dry and easy to paddle.

[JDW]

I vote for the Hobie Outback.

[skunked]

Hobie Outback