{"id":3276,"date":"2018-07-22T18:31:24","date_gmt":"2018-07-22T18:31:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fishingyaks.com\/?page_id=3276"},"modified":"2021-03-08T06:52:22","modified_gmt":"2021-03-08T11:52:22","slug":"how-to-choose-a-fishing-kayak","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/fishingyaks.com\/how-to-choose-a-fishing-kayak\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose a Fishing Kayak! – A Common Sense Approach Plus Buyers Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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How to Choose a Fishing Kayak! - A Common Sense Approach...<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Kayak fishing has become very popular over the past years. Kayak manufacturers have noticed and are now making some great fishing kayaks to choose from. The question is which one is right for you. In this guide we\u2019ll explore what you need to consider when buying a new or used fishing kayak. We hope that we can help you end up with a fishing kayak that is best for you considering how you fish, your health, your budget and realistic expectations.<\/p>

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Should I buy a new or used fishing kayak?<\/h3>

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I often get asked which is better used or new? As an experienced fishing kayaker, my experience is that\u00a0if they are serious about getting on the water and catching fish\u00a0<\/span>most people don\u2019t end up keeping their first or even their second fishing kayak<\/p>

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If you are the type of person who likes to do research, buying a used kayak will allow you to try out whether a certain kayak will work for you and sell it for little to no loss.\u00a0<\/p>

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If you are not comfortable with buying used stuff or something expensive that has no warranty or guarantee, we recommend buying a new kayak from a dealer but talk with them because they can help you cover the pros and cons of the fishing kayaks you are looking at and help you buy the best kayak for you.<\/p>

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Whether you buy a new fishing kayak or used one no one should give you any grief. The only thing that matters is whether you can catch fish… and be safe while doing it!\u00a0<\/p>

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Buying used kayaks is for people who want more kayak for less but are also willing to risk whether they will find unexpected issues. Be aware of kayaks that may have a small cracks or collect water through hatches and covers. Most kayaks these days can be repaired if they leak.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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What type of fishing kayak should I buy?<\/h3>

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Sit-In, Sit-on-Top (SOT) or Hybrid? Each has their own pros and cons but it comes down to personal preference. If you have not had a chance to use each type of kayak, we suggest going to your local fishing kayak dealer<\/a> and demo each type to learn which one you like the best. Sit-in and hybrid kayaks may provide more stability but many of the newer SOTs are wider and more stable. SOTs also get a little higher and provide a better ‘view’ of the water.<\/p>

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\"Ascend-A10-1.jpg\"<\/strong><\/h3>

Sit-In Kayaks<\/strong><\/h3>

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When people who are not familiar with kayaks think of kayaks, they think of sit-in kayaks. You sit in the kayak with your butt is right on water. Sit-in kayaks are generally not the best for fishing because it is harder to store fishing gear, deal with your fish, etc. People start kayak fishing using an inexpensive sit-in kayak, but they quickly realize the challenges and upgrade to a SOT or hybrid kayak.<\/p>

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Sit-on-Top Kayaks<\/strong><\/h3>

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SOT kayaks are becoming the most popular type of fishing kayak. There are several reasons but mostly, SOT\u2019s give you more room to store your fishing gear, are better when fishing for bass and inshore because it is better to be higher or standing, and many people feel safer because SOT\u2019s are wider and less likely to sink. Many won\u2019t sink even if you fill them with water.<\/p>

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Hybrid Kayaks<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Some people are not comfortable sitting higher on the water and prefer being surrounded by the kayak. Hybrid kayaks are an excellent alternative to a sit it. Hybrids are canoe-like. They allow you to sit lower to the water while the kayak has more accessibility for storing rods, gear, coolers and fish. A great example of a hybrid kayak is the Native Watercraft Ultimate FX 15<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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How much should I spend on my fishing kayak?<\/h3>

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\"Which<\/a><\/figure><\/div>

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Whichever fishing kayak you buy, enjoy it and tight lines. As with everything, price dictates quality and features. The more you spend, the higher quality and more features you will get.<\/p>

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Lower price fishing kayaks typically hold less weight. Check the capacity of any kayak you are buying to be sure it can handle you, your gear and anything else you plan on bringing with you.<\/p>

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The hulls on lower cost kayaks will be thinner too but today’s kayaks should handle most things you encounter as long as you don’t drag them around too much or strap them down too tightly with ratchet straps.<\/p>

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If you think you will end up selling your kayak you may want to consider a more expensive one.\u00a0More expensive fishing kayaks tend to hold value better than lower priced ones. More expensive used fishing kayaks will attract more discriminating buyers. Keep this in mind if you are buying a used fishing kayak which you think you will sell later on.<\/p>

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\"How<\/h2>

How big of a fishing kayak do I need?<\/h3>

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If you are buying your first kayak you may be wondering what size you should buy? There are several factors to consider. You can see that Jackson Kayaks offers a large selection. Other manufacturers do the same. You can expect that kayaks dedicated to fishing will start at 10′ and get bigger. Most cap off at 13′.\u00a0 Which one is right for you depends on several factors but capacity should be your number one priority. If you are a big person, or you plan on using a trolling motor, you need a kayak that has the capacity to handle you, your gear and anything else you are bringing with you. Here are several important things to consider when trying to figure out what size fishing kayak to buy.<\/p>

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What size kayak do I need?<\/h4>