How to Choose a Fishing Kayak Based on Your Fishing Style

Fishing kayaks aren’t one-size-fits-all. The right kayak depends less on the 'sickest' build you've seen on YouTube or Instagram and more on how you fish, where you fish, and what you like to fish for. A bass angler flipping docks needs something very different than a coastal angler chasing redfish or a river angler navigating shallow water and swift currents.

Before you click submit on your cart only to find out you've bought an epic fishing kayak that doesn't fit your needs at all, let’s break down how to choose a fishing kayak based on YOUR fishing style. Our goal at Eco Fishing Shop isn't just to put you into an expensive fishing kayak, it's to help you find a perfect match that maximizes your love of the sport every time you hit the water.

Fishing Styles & Factors to Consider When Buying Your Kayak

Fishing on Small-Medium Lakes & Reservoirs

If you'll be fishing on small ponds to medium sized lakes and reservoirs you will be less likely to encounter wind and larger waves. This gives you more options to choose for your fishing kayak as larger lakes that are more exposed to the elements and larger waves command specific fishing kayaks to keep an angler safe.

What to prioritize:

• Sit or stand?: Do you want to stand and fish? If so, look for a kayak with high primary stability (stable while at rest)
• Propulsion type: If you plan to fish smaller bodies of water, you may be able to save some money by buying a paddle fishing kayak vs. one with a pedal drive that often includes a much higher entry cost. You could opt to spend that savings on kayak accessories like fish finders and gear storage.
• Accessory rails & gear planning: How much gear do you think you'll want to bring with you? Are you a person who prioritizes maximum gear or do you prefer minimal gear and less clutter? If you need lots of gear, you'll need more space and accessory rails to store it.
• Electronics: Will you be using electronics? If so, think about how you'll want to mount it and consider a fishing kayak with built-in electronics and thru-hull wiring.

Best kayak traits for ponds to medium lakes:

• Hull width: If you prioritize standing, a hull width of 32" and above is recommended. It is possible to stand with narrower kayaks but many anglers find narrower kayaks more 'tippy' feeling.
• Hull shape: On smaller bodies of water, flat, pontoon-style or hybrid hulls offer better standing platforms while at rest. Combine this hull shape with a wider hull and you'll have an extremely stable platform to stand on when in calm water.
• Hull weight: Anglers looking to fish smaller bodies of water often prefer lighter kayaks so they can more easily transport their fishing kayaks without expensive, bulky kayak trailers. When fishing smaller bodies of water that aren't as susceptible large waves, anglers can opt for smaller fishing kayaks that are lighter and more easy to maneuver on dry land.
• Budget: Fishing smaller water requires less gear, less features and less kayak itself. This all lends itself to smaller, more nimble kayaks both on the water and with your wallet. Anglers fishing smaller water can opt to spend less on a kayak and more on the gear they plan to pair with their kayak and fishing style.

Fishing Offshore, Inshore & Big Water

Unlike fishing smaller lakes and reservoirs where you can buy just about any fishing kayak that you prefer, fishing large, open water commands specific attributes in a fishing kayak to stay safe. Size, weight, propulsion type and hull shape play a massive role in choosing the right kayak for big water.

What to prioritize:

• Safety: Life jackets, radios, dry bags and float plans are a non-negotiable when fishing large lakes or offshore ocean.
• Speed & efficiency: Unlike smaller bodies of water, you'll be covering a lot of ground and fighting a kayak not built to cover distance will tire an angler out and leave them vunerable.
• Storage: Bigger water, more elements and more distance to cover mean you'll need more gear like safety equipment, food and dry bags. Smaller kayaks are not only not safe on large bodies of water, they simply don't have the space to accommodate all the accessories needed for big water.
• Secondary stability: Bigger bodies of water pose a threat because of their ability to produce large wakes and waves. Anglers need a fishing kayak with high secondary stability while moving to help prevent flipping and rolling when cutting through waves.

Best kayak traits for big water fishing:

• Hull shape: Look for fishing kayaks with a V-shaped bow. This helps a kayak 'knife' through oncoming wakes. Pontoon-style hulls tend to cut into waves and wakes and angle down rather than cut through oncoming wakes. This can result in taking on water.
• Length: 12' kayaks and longer. Longer fishing kayaks with a V-shaped bow track (keep a straight line) better and can better get on top and through waves rather than ride them and take on water.
• Pedal and/or power: When covering large bodies of water where conditions can change quickly, it is highly recommended to have a pedal drive as a bare minimum propulsion type in addition to paddling. Adding a motor is best case so anglers have an alternate way to combat changing conditions, waves and large distances on big open water.
• Sealed storage hatches: Taking on big water often means literally taking on water. Having sealed, dry storage hatches can help keep safety equipment and other gear both secure and dry.
• Scupper drainage: When you take on big waves and water gets into your kayak, having proper drainage helps clear water quickly. Look for kayaks with multiple scuppers to help drain any water you make take on when hitting waves.

Rivers & Water with Strong Currents

Some of the best fisheries are rivers. The water tends to stay cooler and depending on the river size the multispecies angling opportunities can be great. If you are going primarily kayak fish in rivers, you are going to want an entirely different type of kayak than those fishing ponds or big open water.

What to prioritize:

• Maneuverability: Both on and off the water. A kayak you can move around easily on land is also going to be easier to carry, drag, and portage. In the water, you'll need to make quick decisions and maneuver around obstacles in the current. Getting hung up on a branch in current can create an extremely dangerous scenario. You need a kayak that reacts and turns quickly.
• Durability: You are going to bang, scrape and drag your kayaks over logs and rocks. Make sure you get a brand known for river fishing and known to build durable kayaks.
• Simplicity over loaded with features: This means a few things. Kayaks that come standard with tons of track and built-in features tend to be heavier and therefore more difficult to handle. It also means that you should prioritize being nimble and lightweight over loading your kayak down with tons of gear. Prepare for each trip as if you ARE going to tip by bringing your safety gear and strapping everything down.
• Hull shape & size: Flat bottom hulls may not respond as well in current as a kayak with a more traditional V-shaped hull. Primary stability for standing becomes less important because standing while paddling in current is both difficult and more dangerous and less of a priority.

Best kayak traits for river fishing:

• Length: Typically kayaks in the 10-12 foot range offer quicker turning - but the hull shape needs to be right as well.
• Hull shape: V-shaped bow to track better in current with a more rounded hull for quicker banking and turning.
• Paddle-ready: Unless you are fishing a large, deep river, pedal drives just add weight and take up space in your kayak. Prioritize kayaks that are easier to paddle and respond quickly to different paddle strokes.
• Gear storage & organization: Bonus if you can find a fishing kayak with horizontal rod storage vs. vertical. You'll want to manage your gear in a way that limits snag or catch points.

Casual, Multi-Species & All-purpose Fishing

If you are not a tournament angler that frequents similar lake types with very consistent and purposeful fishing tactics, you may be looking for a kayak that is well-rounded and adaptable. There is no true 'unicorn' fishing kayak perfectly made for every type of water and every weather condition. Each brand, hull style, propulsion type and build are unique and have their own pros and cons.

What to prioritize:

• Versatility: A kayak that balances weight, size, and has some features but is overloaded with unnecessary/specific features.
• Comfort: If you are a casual angler, focus on something that has a mix of a comfortable/elevated seat and leg room.
• Affordability: Fishing kayaks can get expensive. If you are a more casual angler, you don't need all the bells & whistles which typically carry an increased cost. Focus your budget on a kayak that has what you need and maybe the ability to add more later if you choose to expand on your kayak fishing.
• Easy transport: Tournament anglers load their kayaks with motors, electronics and every accessory that has ever been created. Tournament kayaks are large and heavy and typically require a modified or kayak-specific trailer. If you are a casual angler, try finding a kayak you can transport more easily to help keep you more agile and mobile on and off the water.

Best all-purpose kayak traits:

• Length: 10-12ft kayaks are easier to move on and off the water and are typically lighter while still offering good stability and versatility.
• Width: A wide range of 30-40" can be found in the 10-12ft long fishing kayak lineup. This width range should offer enough stability to stand in calm water.
• Accessory mounting: As a casual angler you shouldn't need excessive amounts of built-in features like wire management, battery storage and rod staging. Keep it simple. Look for fishing kayaks with a moderate amount of accessory rails and some standard features like built-in rod tubes. If you don't see yourself becoming an all-in tournament angler, don't overpay for features you'll likely never use.

Other Factors to Consider

Pedal, Paddle, or Motor: Choosing Your Propulsion

If you've honed in on an area we discussed above, then another important factor to consider is how important is your propulsion type? Let's quickly look at the different types and how that may effect the choice you made from above.

Paddle

As mentioned above, if you plan on fishing rivers or small ponds where you don't need to cover a ton of water or need to be nimble and react quickly in current, paddle only fishing kayaks are typically more lightweight. With less hardware, paddle fishing kayaks are easier to load onto a car and transport off the water. Another added benefit of paddle fishing kayaks is that they often carry a lower entry cost and are significantly cheaper than pedal and powered fishing kayaks. If you are going to primarily fish rivers or are a casual angler, a paddle fishing kayak is a great place to start.

Pedal

Perhaps the biggest benefit to choosing a fishing kayak with pedals is the ability to be hands-free for fishing. You can maneuver and power your kayak while keeping your hands on your rod & reel. Pedal drive fishing kayaks also offer the ability to cover more ground and to balance your upper and lower body to prevent fatigue. Pedal kayaks typically offer better boat control because you power your kayak with your pedals and steer with a rudder system giving you multiple kayak control points. Pedal fishing kayaks can be heavy and difficult to maneuvre on land as well as far more difficult to load/unload for transport. Pedal fishing kayaks are also significantly more expensive because of the hardware needed to produce them.

Power

Fishing kayaks with a motor offer the maximum range and ultimate hands-free fishing. Much like a boat, fishing kayaks with a trolling motor can help cover the most water and protect against changing weather conditions and fatigue. Kayak anglers fishing bigger water often have motors to help navigate changing conditions and getting to fishing spots. Motors have become a must for most kayak fishing tournament anglers. The obvious drawbacks to fishing kayaks with motors are cost, weight and complexity. Adding a motor to your fishing kayak requires a large budget, making modifications (drilling) into your kayak, batteries and proper wiring kits as well as additional accessories. Most anglers start with a paddle/pedal fishing kayak and add a motor much longer down the line once they know it will be useful to them.

Match the Kayak to the Angler

The biggest mistake anglers make is buying a kayak based on looks or hype instead of fishing style. Start with how you fish and where you will fish, then choose the hull, propulsion, and layout that supports that style. As we mentioned earlier, there is not a single fishing kayak on the market that is perfect at everything. Every brand and fishing kayak has pros and cons.

If you are still confused, why not ask the experts? Kayak anglers with experience can offer far more valuable input than most sales reps. Jump into the Kayak Anglers Resource community and ask other kayak anglers any questions you may have about a specific brand or fishing style.

Hooked! The Kayak Anglers Resource: What We are About & Links

Hooked! The Kayak Anglers Resource is your one-stop resource for all things fishing kayaks. Watch, listen and engage with kayak anglers like you. Our experts cover everything from kayak fishing for beginners, fishing kayak accessories to fishing kayaks with a motor. Whether you are new to the sport or an experienced kayak angler looking to learn new tricks, the Kayak Anglers Resource aims to help every kayaker of all levels of experience.

Learn More From Our Blogs

• What Size Fishing Kayak is Right for Me?
• Fishing Kayak Hull Guide
• How to Choose a Good Paddle Fishing Kayak
• Our top 25 Paddle, Pedal & Powered Fishing Kayaks of 2025

Join Our Online Community of Anglers

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