The 5 Best Ocean Fishing Kayaks in 2018: Saltwater Fishing Kayak Reviews

The best ocean fishing kayaks are highly manoeuvrable and agile. Gliding over the water, fishermen can remain undetectable to the trophy fish below. However, it is important to carefully select a kayak for ocean that offers the best features and design as there are so many available for purchase.

The Inuit created the sleek hunting boats called Kayaks to hunt for seals, walruses and even whales. Kayaks have now been improved and developed with modern designs and materials to perform as the perfect craft to angle for saltwater kayak fishing as well as freshwater kayak fishing.
Kayaks have been admired by fishermen all over the world for their portability, ability to reach remote locations where a large never could. It’s relatively cheap cost encourages fishing enthusiasts to try out this effective and challenging way of fishing. For people living in the coastal region, ocean kayaking can be a refreshing and rewarding experience.

Our Pick: Top 5 Ocean Fishing Kayaks

After a reasonable research on saltwater kayaks and looking extensively at various parameters, we have shortlisted some for making your decision easier.

(Clicking on these links will take you to Amazon)

• Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Angler Sit On Top Fishing Kayak
• Vibe Kayaks Skipjack-90 9 Foot Angler Sit On Top Fishing Kayak with Paddle, Deluxe Kayak Seat
• Vibe Kayaks Sea Ghost 130 Angler Kayak
• BKC UH-TK181 Sit-On-Top Tandem (2 Person) Fishing Kayak with Paddles
• Perception Pescador 10.0 Pro Sit On Top Fishing Kayak

Saltwater / Freshwater Kayak Fishing?

Don’t be confused by saltwater / freshwater. Basically if you are thinking of kayaking in oceans / seas then it would be saltwater. For rivers it is freshwater. The Kayaks used on open oceans and seas are larger from freshwater kayaks as they need to be more durable and less susceptible to saltwater corrosion. The oceans and seas (obviously) have a lot more aquatic life, providing an opportunity to make a greater catch. But with thousands of miles long coastlines, you need more mapping than  freshwater kayak fishing.

The fishing rods used in saltwater fishing are usually longer and heavier. Additionally, the baits required for freshwater and saltwater fishing are not the same. The lines used for freshwater fishing are lower in density and larger in diameter, however saltwater fishing lines are lower in diameter, but have higher density.

Top 5 Saltwater (Ocean) Fishing Kayak Reviews

Here are the top 5 ocean fishing kayak reviews to consider when upgrading your fishing experience or buying a best fishing kayak for the first time:

Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Angler Sit On Top Fishing Kayak

Standing 13 ft. 4 in. tall and weighing 56 lbs., this vessel is a fast, agile and hardy choice for an ocean fishing kayak. The hull is strong and handles rough waters with ease while supporting up to 325 pounds. The Kayak Prowler-13 also features a large bungee well for storing gear and equipment, as well as scupper holes and numerous places to connect bungee cords.

The stable design of these sea fishing kayak ensures it will handle on all types of waters, both rough and calm so no matter the body of water, the Prowler-13 will be ready for all types of fishing. This kayak also features a lifetime warranty on its hull, fishermen will be greatly pleased with the value of this vessel.

This kayak is equipped with the Prowler 13 Angler’s spacious and easily accessible Click Seal-hatch to secure internal storage and support multiple rods along the sides of the kayak’s hull.

We have also reviewed this ocean fishing kayak in detail here.

Features to look out for

• The Comfort Plus kayak seats are fully adjustable. Adorned with a great deal of padding, the seat is designed to accommodate long fishing excursions while supporting the fisherman for as long as they are in the craft.
• This vessel comes with a wide assortment of storage options from the oversized tank well at the end of the kayak to the two cup holders in the middle. Two paddle latches on the sides of the vessel ensure the paddles will not slip into the water unsuspectingly.

Vibe Kayaks Skipjack-90 9 Foot Angler Sit On Top Fishing Kayak with Paddle, Deluxe Kayak Seat

If you are just starting out, look no further than the Vibe Skipjack 9-Foot Angler. This offshore kayak features agility, manoeuvrability. It is easy to transport since it is only one piece, and the package comes with everything needed to get stared, from the paddles to the storage units. 

Standing at 9 ft. tall and weighing 46 lbs., this kayak is designed for portability and stability in all types of waters.

Features to look out for

• The kayak has three sealed hatches along with several bags and a bungeed rack tank to support any belongings required for that offshore kayak fishing excursion.
• The 5 easy-grip handles on both sides of the kayak allow the boat to be picked up and carried easily and efficiently.
• This kayak comes in three tri-color patterns to choose from: blue camo as well as hunter camo, and sea breeze.

Vibe Kayaks Sea Ghost 130 Angler Kayak

The Vibe Sea-Ghost kayak is a one-person fishing kayak measuring 13 ft tall and weighing 75 lbs. This kayak is aerodynamically crafted to provide the maximum amount of speed and stability when gliding through the water. The kayak also features a Vibe Hero seat for ultimate comfort during long fishing excursions. We have also reviewed the Sea Ghost 130 Angler Kayak in detail.

Features to look out for

• The vessel supports 2-rod holders which are carved into the sides of the kayak along with 4 gear tracks to accommodate various types of rigging configurations.
• The toe-controlled rudder system is already installed into the kayak and is optimised to save the fisherman energy by navigating the waters more efficiently.
• The boat features a 20 in. front-facing oval storage unit and a rear tank well that comes complete with bungee cords to secure any and all belongings for the trip.

BKC UH-TK181 Sit-On-Top Tandem (2 Person) Fishing Kayak with Paddles

The Brooklyn Kayak-Company’s BKC UH-TK181 features two seats for 2 person kayaking and also can operate as a single operator kayak. This versatile vessel also can be equipped with a motor for faster speeds. Standing at 12 ft. 5 in. and weighing 68 lbs., this hearty offshore kayak fishing vessel has a great capacity for storage no matter the occasion or length of time on the water. 

Designed as a fishing boat powerhouse, this kayak can handle up to 7 fishing rods allowing the fisher with a maximum amount of opportunity once on the water.

This kayak bears 3 fishing rod-holders and 4 mounted rod-holders allowing more lines to be in the water than typical kayaks.

Features to look out for

• Water-proof hatches allow for easy storage of belongings and items while on the boat. These compartments are located beside each of the fisherman’s legs and can be easily and conveniently accessed once seated in the kayak.
• This vessel features paddle rests on either side of the kayak allowing the fisherman to secure the paddles to the boat without fear of losing the paddles when transitioning from paddling to fishing.

Perception Pescador 10.0 Pro Sit On Top Fishing Kayak

The Perception Pescador-Pro 10.0 kayak is the latest and greatest update to the previous Pescador series boat and provides the ultimate tracking and stability enhancements fisherman need from their vessel. The boat checks in at 10 ft. 6 in. in length and weighs a total of 57 lbs. 

One of the best features of the craft is its comfortable set-up. It features a stadium-style seat with a back-rest to keep the fisherman sitting upright while paddling and fishing. This kayak is a comfortable option and can support both beginners and advanced anglers alike.

Features to look out for

• One of the major draws to this boat is its stadium style seating. Additionally, the stadium style seat can be configured into two seating positions adding to its versatility.
• The vessel has two gear tracks built into the body for easy storage solutions. There are also 2 rod-holders built into the frame of the kayak, as well as cup holders in the middle.
• Belongings can be easily stored within the kayak, thanks to a well-bungeed rear tank well as well as a mesh cover, and center console. The security of the boat’s compartments can give fisherman peace of mind when out on the water.

Prepare for An Upgrade to Your Fishing Experience

One of the main problems that fishermen deal with is the availability of so many different types of fishing kayaks, tools, equipment, and resources. 

There are countless saltwater fishing kayak reviews online, but this is a list of the top five best ocean fishing kayaks on the market. 

Hopefully this list gives you a great perspective of the best sea fishing kayak options available to you. We wish you the best of luck for the next time you are out on the water.

Things to keep in mind before starting

Testing Out The Kayak: In open waters, you need a kayak that is longer than the ones you would use on rivers. With a larger kayak, you get more stability on open waters and more space to store your accessories and equipment. Also you need to consider a sit in vs sit on top fishing kayak. Trying out a kayak before you purchase is advisable as it would save you further headaches :).

The Right Paddle: Out of the several types of paddles available for kayaking, go for the one which is light weight so that you do not fatigue on the open waters. It is advised that you select a bent shaft paddle so that it rests on your lap comfortably and its blades don’t get in the way when you are casting.

Knowing Your Fishing Ground: Kayaking in the open waters is exhilarating, but losing your sense of direction is quite easy. As you plan your fishing trip, make sure you know carry navigation equipment with you. A GPS marked with your desired fishing location and your location back to the coast can make all the difference.

Floatable Storage: The blade-like structure of the kayak makes it easy to flip sideways, so beginners must know how to roll it over. In such instance, all your equipment and accessories can sink down into the waters and retrieving them may not always be possible. With floatable plastic storage for the food, baits, reels, and other accessories, you lose nothing even if the kayak rolls over.

Basic Items Checklist

This is in no way a comprehensive checklist for items when you are starting out kayaking in ocean. But these would make sure that you have an enjoyable kayak fishing trip:

• A kayak that is larger in size.
• Bent shaft paddles which are light weight.
• Fishing rods and reels that provide the right amount of strength without added weight.
• High density mono fishing lines (for beginners) that can hold the weight of larger fishes.
• Hooks and lures such as bucktail jigs, Needlefish, soft plastics, casting swimmers and pencil poppers.
• Pliers for cutting fishing lines and removing the hooks.
• Waterproof footwear and a Life Vest.
• Some Communication device (In Case of emergencies)
• Lights (if fishing during the evening or at night).

Useful Kayak Fishing Tips For Beginners

• It is important to make sure that you buy (or make) a leash for the paddle so that you don’t lose it by accident.
• If your kayak did not come with a deck rigging, make one with cords and hooks. You can use the rigging to fasten your equipment and accessories, giving you more room to fish.
• With some hard foam cushion, deck the kayak so that you not only get additional floatation if the kayak flips over, but also avoid making noise that could scare the fish away.
• Do let us know if we missed out on anything 🙂

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

Most beginners make the mistake of not reviewing the weather forecast and end up with a dreadful fishing trip. Always carry a weather radio to avoid being caught in the middle of a storm.

Falling short of equipment can be a problem, especially in the case of water and food. Always carry more food than you would usually need.

Many amateur kayak fishers end up losing a catch as their lines entangle with the paddles. Make sure you have enough room to angle your lines and move about without any obstruction.

That said, do try out kayaking if you haven’t. It’s fun and gives you the chance to be one with nature.