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8 sit-on-top fish kayaks specially designed to help you land the big one By Matt Hansen

Despite the notable lack of cerebral processing power in fish, the sport of catching them remains maddeningly complicated. Not only do anglers have to collect hordes of equipment—hooks, lines, leaders, rods, reels, and more, all in a vast array of sizes, colors and weights—they must also consider wind direction, cloud cover, time of day, the seasons, and the frustrating fact that fish seem to sense frustration.

It makes perfect sense, then, that fishing be married to kayaking, a sport that’s easy to learn, easy to access, and in which it’s easy to get outfitted. While the boats reviewed here may not get you to the fish faster than a supped-up motor boat, getting there will be, in our eyes, more enjoyable. And playing a big fish from a kayak is literally like having a shark by the tail.

While it’s possible to throw line from most sit-on-tops, these eight boats are specifically designed and outfitted to help you catch fish. All readily accept depth finders, fish locators, bait buckets, and all of your tackle needs. They are also quite large and capable of handling ocean swells, small waves and boils (though none of these boats is intended for open ocean crossings.) The trade-off for their expansive size is weight. Roof-racking these boats will test your mettle, and stacking two by yourself is downright dangerous. The irony is that roofing your craft for an easy drive to the water is one of the greatest attractions of kayak fishing.

Each has some form of storage, either in the form of tank wells, enclosed deck storage, or both. We preferred models with ample dry storage in front of the seat. Fore-and-aft storage is good, too, but when it’s time for the victory surf on the way home, you’ll want to secure your most important items (fishing rod) below the deck. That’s much easier if the storage hatch is between your knees.

These boats also have rod holders, though none comes outfitted with a fly rod holder. All these boats also possess supreme stability. You’ll never appreciate this rock-steady feeling more than the first time you nervously cast your hook into the middle of a giant bait ball, knowing that fish as big as you lurk below. That’s when these boats suddenly feel very small, and the adrenaline rush very large.

Ocean Kayak Prowler 13

Ocean Kayak’s first Prowler measured 15 feet, which, though stable and fast between points A and B, was about as maneuverable as a manatee. The new Prowler 13 combines the speed and stability of its big brother with improved agility, a welcome feature when you’re paddling among rocks, sea lions and the deep undulations of the tide.

After a few minutes in this boat it’s obvious that Ocean Kayak has made fish kayaking a priority. With plenty of dry storage space between the knees (reducing the yoga flex to access rear storage), as well as paddle and tackle-box bungees and rod holders, the Prowler is a fish kayak that you can take seriously. While most fish kayaks have adjustable foot pegs, the Prowler instead employs molded foot wells. Whether or not this no-hassle feature works depends on the individual paddler, but my ankles banged the edges of the boat when I powered through the surf. The leg area was also permanently doused with a few inches of water, due to the self-bailing holes. Not a huge deal, but the cockpits of the other boats stayed dry.

Boat Beta:
Length: 13’4”
Weight: 54 lbs
Width: 28”
Capacity: 450 lbs
MSRP: $749
Info: (800) 8-KAYAKSwww.oceankayak.com

Cobra Kayaks Fish ‘N Dive

It’s no wonder that on the Southern California Coast, the Fish ‘N Dive is one of the most popular kayaks for serious anglers. A true fishing vessel, the Fish ‘N Dive has the stability, agility and speed to hunt lunkers. It’s got more rocker up front, so it’s better at going through the waves and chop than the others, but it’s also sleek enough to paddle with efficiency. The cockpit is very comfortable, and whereas most boats have a storage hatch up front, the Fish ‘N Dive uses the bow as a small reversed seat for another passenger or more deck storage. This is a great feature for parent-child outings, and couples who want to snorkel and fish at the same reef.

We really liked the Fish ‘N Dive’s cockpit storage compartment. While some boats only include small cubby holes with difficult screw caps, the Cobra is outfitted with a large rectangular storage area located between your knees. Accessing this commodious storage is a cinch.

Boat Beta:
Length: 12’ 6”
Width: 36”
Weight: 57 lbs
Capacity: 600 lbs
MSRP: $793 (additional features extra)
Info: (310) 327.9216, www.cobrakayaks.com


Malibu eXtreme

The Malibu eXtreme is noticeably flatter than most of the kayaks we tried, which gives it superior stability and helps when stacking multiple boats on a roof. The eXtreme kept us more than comfortable during multiple forays into big ocean swells off the California coast and in the Sea of Cortez. The eXtreme isn’t as tricked out as the Ocean Kayak, Wilderness Systems or Cobra, a fact reflected in its lower price. However, for its ability as a comfortable cruiser, stability and virtual indestructibility (the hull wall is a half-inch thick), the eXtreme holds its own as one the best fish kayaks in this group. Extremely user-friendly, with sliding foot braces, ample storage space, and a stern deck big enough to seat a 90-pound Labrador Retriever, the eXtreme is a serious contender for the serious angler.

Boat Beta:
Length: 15'
Weight: 57 lbs
Width: 31.5"
Capacity: 525 lbs
MSRP: $799
Info: (877) 9-KAYAKS, www.malibukayaks.com


Heritage RedFish

The fastest of the kayaks in this review, the Redfish helps you get to the honey holes when time is a factor. But for that speed, the Redfish sacrifices agility and accessories. There is no cockpit storage by your knees, although the bow has a sizeable hatch for other gear. Despite the boat’s great stability, crawling forward in choppy waters to reach the bow storage hatch requires the balance of a gymnast—not a trait blessing most fishermen. Though it lacks significant hull storage, there is ample space above the deck at the stern, where gear and bait buckets can be secured by bungees. The Redfish comes with scupper plugs to keep your seat dry and a paddle leash for those happy times when you’ll need both hands to land a thrashing yellowtail. The Redfish sports a shinier, more refined finish than other boats we reviewed. The padded backrest adds to the boat’s luxury look, though discerning anglers may elect to buy a matching seat pad.

Boat Beta:
Length: 14'
Width: 31"
Weight: 66 lbs
Capacity: 400 lbs
MSRP: $749
Info: (401) 253-3408, www.heritagekayaks.com

Hobie Cat Mirage Outback

During our first fish kayak test, an angler cruised by in a Hobie Cat, comfortably pedaling his boat toward fishier waters. His relaxed pedaling produced a noticeable wake, as if a silent motor were powering his boat. I experienced the same speedy advantage when I tried the Hobie Mirage system. The pedal-powered Outback generates more speed than any other kayak we tested. It also frees your hands to fish while moving, a great feature if you prefer trolling. Though a rudder is included, installing it is difficult, and seasoned paddlers will find it no substitute for the efficient turning the auxiliary paddle provides.

Due to the Mirage system, the Hobie’s cockpit is deeper than the others. We thought it looked like a beluga whale when we racked it on the truck. Also due to the pedal system, it doesn’t paddle as well as the others, and the high, squared-off cockpit rim is a real knuckle-buster. Hobie says you won’t need to paddle with the pedal system, and that’s true if you’re only interested in covering ground. But if you enjoy fishing in tight areas, the paddle will be handy. The Hobie’s deep hull feels a little less stable than the other kayaks we tested, but that’s not to say it’s tippy. You’d have to work pretty hard to actually flip over.

The Mirage Outback comes with more features than any other boat tested. It has three storage hatches, as well as a small mesh-lined storage wells along the cockpit sides. These make nice spots for gloves, line-snippers and forceps. The Outback comes with a paddle, two on-deck paddle bungees, a pair of drink holders and four molded rod holders. You also get a tackle box and a cooler. Our take: if you can’t catch a fish with this boat you should take up another hobby.

Boat Beta:
Length: 12’ 1”
Width: 34”
Weight: 57 lbs
Capacity: 400 lbs
MSRP:
Info: (800) HOBIE-49, www.hobiecat.com


Emotion Kayaks Fisherman

Emotion Kayaks owner Tom Strauss told us his new boat, the Fisherman, is built primarily for lake fishing. What he and other kayak fishermen should know is that this boat works just as well at sea. The Fisherman is also a great choice for fly anglers because it has a built-in console mount for a fly rod holder. With a huge cockpit and stern deck, the Fisherman easily accepts all your tackle, and even some non-essentials (like dog food). The large cockpit allows you to easily move forward and back, or slide sideways with your feet dangling in the water. This allows you to change casting and fighting positions without having to turn the boat. The kayak tracks fairly well, although wind causes some difficulty.

Cockpit storage is one of the Fisherman’s best attributes. The hatch is right where it should be, between the knees, and opens with an easy twist. At 11 by 15 inches, the storage area is large enough to accept small tackle boxes and also your fishing rod when you’re surfing home. The Fisherman is a simple boat that just plain works. And that’s pretty much all you need.

Boat Beta:
Length: 14’
Width: 31”
Weight: 65 lbs
Capacity: 325 - 375 lbs
MSRP: $699
Info: 866-EKAYAKS, www.emotionkayaks.com


Perception Caster
Of all the kayaks tested, the Caster most resembled a traditional sit-on-top. Its relatively short length made it very maneuverable, perfect for squeezing into tight places. But it wasn’t as fast or stable as other boats in our test fleet, though that didn’t stop us from paddling it through the surf and among the swell. Like the Emotion, the seat is big and wide, designed to allow you to shift positions while you fight the big fish. Dry storage is minimal, consisting of a bow day hatch and two six-inch dry hatches. But the rear tank well includes molded ridges to accommodate a bait bucket, tackle box or crate. The Caster was also the easiest kayak to load onto our rig—a feature that only reveals its true importance when the kayak is in the garage, the light is fading and the fish are hungry.

Boat Beta:
Length: 12’6”
Width: 29.75”
Weight: 62 lbs
Capacity: 400 lbs
MSRP: $679; $829 with rudder
Info: www.kayaker.com


Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140

A fast boat with a high level of maneuverability, the Tarpon 140 is Wilderness Systems’ do-everything fish kayak. Want to fly cast for trout, or drop a jig for yellowtail? You can do either from this craft, as well as everything in between.

Though Wilderness Systems claims that you can stand and cast from this stable kayak, you’ll want to make sure the water is calm, your cast mechanics pure, and your PFD snug before you try. The Tarpon has the requisite stability, but not every angler has the balance.

Like most Wilderness Systems kayaks, the Tarpon line comes with plenty of features. A full-size bow hatch and tank well come standard, as does our favorite feature, molded contours that secure a milk crate or bait bucket. The two six-inch day hatches are fine for small items, but we preferred the larger hatches on some of the other models. Also standard are rod and paddle bungees to park your gear when you need both hands for the fight, one rotating and two flush-mount rod holders, an anchor system, adjustable backrest, and carry handles. The only thing missing is a big, fat fish. This boat will help you get it.

Boat Beta:
Length: 14'
Width: 28”
Weight: 62 lbs
Capacity: 375 lbs
MSRP:
Info: www.wildernesssystems.com

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