What is the best kayak for fly fishing?
With so many different brands, shapes and prices on the market, how can you narrow it down to just a few or even one? Challenge accepted!
In this post, we are going to take a closer look at what makes a good kayak the best fly fishing kayak. We are also going to look at 4 of our favorites that are available right now at your finger tips.
Let’s get started…
What is the best kayak for fly fishing?
Here is a preview of the ones we are going to take a closer look at in this post. For more information on each individual yak, please keep reading.
- Vibe Skipjack 90
- Brooklyn Kayak Company Uh-Ra220
- Perception Pescador Pro 12
- Vibe Sea Ghost 130
Before we talk about the options that are available on the market, let’s take a look at a few tips to help you choose the right one for your fishing needs.
8 Essential Tips For Choosing A Good Fly Fishing Kayak
Length. Most fishing kayaks vary in length, from 9 feet all the way up to 13 feet long and in some cases, they can reach up to 15 feet. Before making your selection it is important to consider your fishing circumstances and what length is the best for you. For example, longer kayaks tend to be built for speed, while shorter ones are easier to maneuver. On the flip side, shorter yaks which are more nimble and easier to maneuver can be great for fishing on a river, but keeping the kayak going straight can be a challenge. So if you find yourself in the second situation more often, you may want to choose a longer yak.
Width. Most kayaks are available from 30 to 36 inches wide. Often times anglers associate the width of a kayak with its stability. While this is true, a wider yak will certainly be more stable, however, you also need to remember that the larger the width the slower it will perform on the water. For that reason, I think that choosing the width of your vessel really comes down to your preference and what is going to make you feel safe when fishing. For example, if you are the type of person that likes to do a lot of sight fishing and wants something that you will feel comfortable standing up in, that I would recommend choosing a wider boat. On the other hand, if you don’t mine a yak that can be a little tipsy and you have good balance, you could get away with a narrow design.
Hull Profile. Another thing to consider is the hull profile. What I mean by the hull profile is the shape of the boat from a side viewpoint. If it is rounded much like a banana it is going to be easier to turn. This is a great kayak for fishing rivers as often times you will need to maneuver your boat around obstacles in the water. The other end of the spectrum is a flat hull profile. This type of kayak is harder to turn and is designed for holding its course while on the water. This is a great kayak when you just want to coast along the bank and do some bank fishing with very little paddling or maneuvering involved.
Large Cock Pit Area. When choosing the right kayak for fly fishing it is essential to consider the deck space. Yes, you want a lot of space to store your gear, but this is especially important for the fly fishing angler as you need room to work your line and your rod. For this reason, I like to choose a kayak that has plenty of storage space behind me for all my gear and a wide open cockpit area where I have the freedom to stand and work the line without the fear of snagging my boat or something in my yak.
Comfortable seat. The majority of our time on the water will most likely be in the kayak seat. For that reason, it is important to choose one that is comfortable. There are many different designs on the market such as a lawn chair style or a cushion style seat. Of course, if you don’t like the seat that comes with the kayak you always have the option to purchase one separately. Many anglers choose this option as they like the idea of somewhat customizing their vessel to their particular needs. One popular option is the Leader Deluxe Kayak Seat, a very comfortable seat that can be mounted the most kayaks on the market.
Sit on top vs Sit in Kayak. This is a topic we could spend a whole article just talking about the advantages and the disadvantages of each type, but in this article let’s just highlight a few advantages. Sit on top kayaks generally, have a larger cockpit area which makes them easier to stand up in. With that being said, if you are the kind of angler that likes to do a lot of standing I would recommend a sit on top vessel. Sit in style kayaks also have their advantages. One in particular for the fly fishing angler is the ability to keep all your gear inside the vessel. If you are at times clumsy and find yourself dropping your gear in the water, I would recommend a sit in yak which allows you to keep your gear in the kayak itself. This will help you to worry less about your fishing gear and focus more of your attention on fishing.
Rod Holders. Today, most kayaks come with one or even several flush rod holders. These are great with baitcasting or spinning rods and reel, but they may not work with your fly fishing gear. With that being said, if you want to take advantage of the rod holders, you may need to attach an addition rod holder such as the Scotty Fly Rod Holder. This is a rod holder specifically designed to fit into those flush rod holders to hold your fly fishing gear.
Price. Lastly, it is important to take into consideration your budget. There are many different kayaks on the market and they range from very expensive to very affordable. Keep in mind the principle you get what you pay for. If you are looking for something to take on the water every other weekend then you probably would be satisfied with choosing a cheaper option. However, if you are the type of angler that does a lot (or planning on) fishing trips. I would recommend a more expensive model. These models tend to have more options to make them more customizable to meet your fishing needs.
With those tips in mind, let’s take a look at some kayaks.
The Best Kayak For Fly Fishing
Vibe Skipjack 90
Features
- Length: 9 feet
- Width: 32 inches
- Weight: 46 pounds
- Weight capacity: 300 pounds
- Comfortable seat included
- Sit on top
The first yak on our list is the 
One thing that I really like about this yak when fly fishing is the length. It is only 9 feet. First, that overall length makes it extremely easy to transport as it will fit on top of most vehicles. Also, as we mentioned earlier a shorter kayak is going to give you more control and make it more easier to maneuver.
This is perfect when fly fishing on a river and you want to get to that perfect fishing spot. In addition, keeping in mind that it only weighs 46 pounds makes it extremely portable making it easy to get to that secret fly fishing hot spot.
Another key feature is the comfortable seat. Long hours on the lake in an uncomfortable chair can be a fishing nightmare. Also having to make another investment into a chair after you have already spent a lot of money on a boat can be frustrating. That is not the case with the Vibe Skipjack 90 it includes what other yaks on the market would consider extras.
The large storage area in the rear also proves to be helpful in storing your gear so that you can have a wide-open cockpit area for working that fly line.
Lastly, let’s talk about the price. It sits at a very reasonable price range. I wouldn’t consider it an expensive option, but I definitely wouldn’t consider it to be cheap either. In my opinion for all the great features that are included, I think it is at the perfect price point.
Let’s take a closer look in the following video:
Brooklyn Kayak Company Uh-Ra220
- Length: 11.5 feet
- Width: 32 inches
- Weight: 70 pounds
- Weight capacity: 440 pounds
- Comfortable seat included
- Sit on top
- Rudder System
- 3 watertight storage hatches
Are you looking for a yak that you can feel comfortable staying up in? If so, we think the Brooklyn Kayak Company Uh-Ra220 might be the one for you.
This is an 11.5 foot, 32 inches, 70 pound sit on top option that is designed with the kayak angler in mind. In particular, I think it has what it takes to be the best kayak for fly fishing.
First, let’s take a look at the storage space and the cockpit area. There are 3 watertight storage hatches conveniently located on this vessel. Two located directly in front of you and one that is on the bow of the boat. These are great for stowing your valuables that you don’t want to risk getting wet such as your phone, camera or wallet.
Next, take a look at the very large cockpit area. For me personally, this is a key feature as it will allow you to cast your line without the risk of snagging the boat or other items on board. It also is a relatively wider kayak sitting at 32 inches wide giving you the comfort knowing that you can stand up without taking the risk of taking a dunk in the water. I also like how the seat sits up a little higher on the boat.
This can definitely give you the advantage to be able to see the fish better and allows for better casts in the seated position.
Perception Pescador Pro
- Length: 12 feet
- Width: 32.5 inches
- Weight: 64 pounds
- Weight capacity: 375 pounds
- Comfortable seat – 2 position seating
- Fish Finder Ready
- Sit on top
Another great yak for fly fishing is the Perception Pescador Pro 12. This is a 12 foot, 32 inches wide sit on top fishing kayak that we think would make any fly fishing angler happy. Let’s take a closer look at it by starting from the front and working our way to the back.
Located at the bow of the boat is a deep compartment with mesh netting. A great little area to have all your fishing essentials within an arms reach away. In the center is a small hatch-like compartment that serves two purposes. You can choose to either use it for extra storage (phone, camera, wallet) or you can use it for your fish finder.
Yes, this kayak comes fishfinder ready. Gone are the days when you need to drill holes for your transducer. Next, we have a very comfortable seat that has two seating positions. One is a higher seating position perhaps for fishing or paddling and the other is a lower more reclined position.
Lastly, in the rear, we have another deep compartment for extra storage.
Why is this yak this a great yak for fly fishing? For at least two reasons. The first is stability. Because of the hull design and the fact that it is just under 33 inches wide we can say with confidence that this is one stable kayak. This is great as it helps to make it easier to stand if needed and it is more comfortable to fish when in choppy waters.
Next, we really like the seat. As was mentioned, the seat has two seating locations which really helps to make it comfortable as well as adaptable for your fishing needs. It also has a very spacious cockpit area with plenty of storage located in the front and rear of the boat. With a cockpit like this, you will have plenty of room to cast your fly rod in the yak.
Let’s take a closer look at the Perception Pescador Pro 12 in the following video:
Vibe Sea Ghost 130
- Length: 13 feet
- Width: 33 inches
- Weight: 74 pounds
- Weight capacity: 550 pounds
- Comfortable seat – 2 position seating
- Customizable center console
- Sit on top
- Easy to use rudder system
As we have mentioned several times throughout this post, when fly fishing we want a yak that is going to give us maneuverability, but at the same time one that is going to be stable. For that reason, let’s conclude our search, by taking a closer look at Vibe Sea Ghost 130.
To begin with, let’s take a closer look at the follow video:
One feature that really sets this yak apart from the rest is the large console located in the middle of the boat. The lid is removable making it a great compartment to store your valuables, but it also gives you the opportunity to customize it to your specific fishing needs. For example, you can add a fly fishing rod holder to have your rod within reach at all times. Also located on the center console is a ruler for measuring those giants.
Speaking of storage, in the bow of the boat you have a 20-inch storage hatch, in the center, there is an 8-inch hatch and located in the rear is a large tank well. Conveniently located to keep your items close and yet dry at the same time. You also have two tackle tray holders located on each side of the seat to help keep that cockpit area clean of obstacles.
It is equipped with a wide and yet comfortable kayak seat that can be adjusted to two different seating positions for your ultimate comfort.
Best of all, the body design is 13 feet long, and 33 inches wide ensuring it to be a stable fly fishing vessel.
Check out just how stable the Vibe Sea Ghost 130 is in the following video:
Final Thoughts…
What is the best kayak for fly fishing? We hope that by means of this post we have helped to guide you to make the best decision.
After you buy your yak, please come back and tell us what you thought in the comments below.
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