Last Updated on July 9, 2022 by Ecorf
Kayak fishing is a nice way of spending a nice and relaxing time alone or with anyone. Kayak fishing itself, as the name already suggests, contains two interesting and fulfilling activities; kayaking and fishing. It is then not surprising that more and more people are kayak fishing every time.
However, one thing that could pose a little problem for someone who’s just starting out as a kayak fisher is choosing a perfect fishing kayak. This is expected considering the number of fishing kayaks that are on the market and how confusing it can be to choose just one of these from countless options.
Even if you manage to find a perfect fishing kayak that suits your preferences, the price of the kayak might be a factor that deters you from owning it. However, I’m excited to tell you that there are a good number of great fishing kayaks that you could get for less than 300 bucks. In fact, along with a short guide on choosing one, this article contains my list of the best fishing kayaks under $300.
Table of Contents
Short Guide
Things To Consider
Of course, there are always things to either ask yourself or know before arriving at the decision of buying a lot of things. But for fishing kayaks, the things to consider are:
Sit-in or Sit-on
Kayaks often come in these two categories. Sit-in kayaks have front coverings where you can hide your feet in while sit-on kayaks don’t have such. Usually, sit-on kayaks offer you more storage capacity than sit-in kayaks but with sit-in kayaks, you don’t have to worry about your feet getting wet or too hot from the heat of the sun.
Budget
The first thing you really have to consider is your budget. You could do a rough search of kayak prices on the internet so that you would have an idea of how much money you should prepare the kayak. You definitely do not want to go to the store and return home empty-handed because you didn’t budget enough money for the kayak of your choice.
Built-in Holders
One thing fishing kayaks have that tells them apart from other kinds of kayaks is the rod holder. If you buy a kayak that isn’t a fishing kayak, you can fix a rod holder on it if you want but you may be sacrificing a little stability that way. However, fishing kayaks normally come with this feature.
Multiple Rod Holders
This is a factor that differentiates fishing kayaks from one another. Some have enough space to hold a number of fishing rods while some others don’t have as much space. If you are a heavy angler, you would need a fishing kayak that holds multiple rods at once.
Stability
This also makes for an important factor to consider when choosing a fishing kayak. Because you might need to stand on your feet in your kayak from time to time whenever you’re fishing, it only makes sense that your kayak is well balanced enough to be stable.
Storage Space
This is another important factor that must be put into consideration before venturing out to get yourself a fishing kayak. In case you’re still new to this kayak fishing thing, I’m assuring you that you would be needing to pack a lot of stuff for your fishing trips, so you really can’t compromise on storage space.
Maximum Loading Capacity
Here again, we’re talking about loads and weight. But this time, we are considering the total amount of weight your fishing kayak should be able to carry without any risks of sinking or losing balance. Normally, fishing kayaks should have a minimum loading capacity of 350 to 400 pounds. Anything less than this might not be a good choice.
Number of Seats
If you think some or many of your kayak fishing trips would be done with a friend or a family, it just makes sense that you get a kayak that can seat at least 2 people. Some two-seater kayaks even have a little space left for a kid or a pet.
Comfort
This is an extremely important factor to consider as you wouldn’t want to complain about aches all over your body because of a long kayak fishing trip. Whatever fishing kayak you might want to buy should have convenient seats and footrests.
Best Fishing Kayaks
Enough talking. Let’s head straight to the list of the best fishing kayaks under $300.
Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable Kayak with Deluxe Package
Sea Eagle is always known to manufacture sporting products with wonderful qualities at really inexpensive prices. For this reason, it comes as no surprise that they have become one of the most popular brands in the market. The 330 Inflatable Kayak is just one of their many outstanding sporting products.
Being an inflatable kayak, the manufacturers of this kayak have gone the extra mile to make sure that there is no single bit of compromise on its durability. This is evident in the thick, puncture-resistant k-80 polyphony that is used to build the hull. It is also evident in the I-beam construction of the floor of the kayak; a feature that makes it float effectively and efficiently on all kinds of water bodies.
This kayak has the characteristic lightweight of inflatable kayaks and just weighs 26 pounds. However, the kayak has enough space to hold two adult paddlers, a kid or a pet, and still has enough room to keep your gear and catches. You may start to think that the kayak is being overloaded but when you know that it has a maximum loading capacity of 500 pounds, you don’t have to worry anymore.
Another interesting thing about this kayak is that despite its low price, the manufacturers still place a warranty of 3 years on every single one of this kayak. Isn’t that just great?
Pros
- Lightweight.
- 3 years warranty.
- Stable and comfortable.
- Easily transported.
- Reasonably priced.
Cons
- Inflating it might be time taking.
Sevylor Tahiti Hunt and Fish Kayak
Here is another kayak that is worth mentioning. The cool features that it possess are actually worth more than its price.
Firstly, it has a length of 10 feet and 4 inches while its weight is just 19 pounds. For this reason, you can easily get it around on the water and off the water. Also, the body of this kayak is made with PVC, and it is really tough and puncture-resistant when inflated.
One plague that often befalls inflatable kayaks is that they may start to leak after being used for a while. This kayak, however, has an airtight system that makes you forget about leakages for a long time.
Furthermore, the kayak possesses spray covers that help you remain dry when you’re paddling it. Finally, it has a maximum loading capacity of 360lbs which isn’t bad for an inflatable kayak.
Pros
- Comfort.
- Has spray covers.
- Inexpensive.
- Lightweight.
Cons
- It rates quite low in storage capacity.
Sun Dolphin Excursion SS 10-Foot Sit-in Fishing Kayak
Of all the kayaks that are priced under 300 bucks, only a few can compete with this kayak when it comes to reliability and durability. This kayak has a polyethylene hull that is known for its trademark strength and durability across different water bodies.
When it comes to stability, this kayak is one of the best. It has a weight and length of 18kg and 10 feet respectively, which help it to remain balanced on whatever water body you decide to fish in. The total loading capacity of this kayak is 113kg so you don’t have to worry about running the risk of sinking when you put all your gear and stuff in it.
Fishing sometimes takes hours, so the manufacturers of this kayak have made sure that not a single moment is spent in discomfort. They made the seat to be soft and adjustable so that it can easily accommodate different positions.
Finally, this kayak comes with a 2-year warranty which serves to assure you of the quality of your kayak.
Pros
- Really durable.
- Great maximum loading capacity.
- 2-year warranty.
Cons
- Quite heavy.
My Pick
These kayaks are all great kayaks but the Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable Kayak still catches my fancy the most and for some interesting reasons.
Firstly, not many inflatable kayaks are able to combine their lightweight well with a high loading capacity. This kayak, though, does just that with a maximum loading capacity of 500 pounds while weighing just 26 pounds.
Secondly, the durability of this kayak is never in question as to its construction and build material both suggest that the kayak is going to last for a long time. The 3-year warranty placed on it by the manufacturer also testifies to its durability.
Wrapping It All Up
I’m pretty sure that you now know that a tight budget should not necessarily be in your way of getting yourself a nice fishing kayak. You may now head to the store to select a fishing kayak without the cluelessness that you once had.
Remember, don’t stop fishing, don’t stop kayaking!
