Best Fishing Kayaks Under $400
Kayak fishing does not have to be expensive and with a little patience you can find one of the best fishing kayaks under $400. We have put in the research and below are our top choices for your new kayak!
You need to be able to spend long hours in your kayak to have a successful fishing trip. You must be comfortable all day long in your kayak. If you are not comfortable or in pain, you will be tempted to stop fishing early, ruining the entire trip. The wrong kayak can turn your long awaited trip into a nightmare.
What are the best Fishing Kayaks Under $400?
Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100
This is a great sit on top hard shell kayak that is perfect for beginners who is just staring to kayak fish and for experienced fishers. You will not be disappointed with this kayak.
Intex Excursion Pro Kayak
As far as inflatable kayaks go, this one is a good choice. It has a very affordable price tag and will perform well. The fact that you can deflate this and fit in a car trunk make it a winner.
The Intex Explorer K2 Kayak
This is a budget kayak. I recommend it only if cost is you main concern. You can use it to fish, but it will not win any speed contest. I would strongly recommend the Excursion
In the under $400 range most of the kayaks are inflatable. There is nothing wrong with these and they are tough and will provide years of service as long as you take care of them.
Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Fishing Kayak – Best Overall
- Dimensions: 10′ x 31″ x 14″
- Weight: 52 pounds
- Capacity: 1 person, 275 pounds
- Type: Hardshell, polyethylene
This is one of the few hardshell kayaks you can find under $400. This is a fantastic kayak for fishing.
The kayak is lightweight and durable making it easy to transport if you are fishing alone.
The seat is padded to provide comfort while fishing. The seat has an adjustable back rest to give support and keep you comfortable for the entire day.
The footrest takes the cake though. They are not adjustable, but there are 4 different footrest positions. This gives you different anchor points for your feet while you are paddling and fighting that monster fish.
This kayak comes with 2 built in fish holders right behind the seat and one top mounted pole holder. This lets you set out three poles at once and stay on top of the fish. The behind the seat holders let you troll through the lake for fish.
This kayak is not quite 36 inches wide, but at 31 inches it provides a very stable kayak that will allow you to stand up when needed. It also will let you stay out in rough weather longer without fear of flipping over.
There are two vault type storage areas that can be used to keep secure and dry. The front and back of the kayak have bungee cords for storing more gear. Your tackle box and fishing crate can be secured in these areas.
Bottom line:
This is the best fishing kayak under $400. It is perfect for someone who is just getting into fishing from a kayak and may not be sure this is for them. Or someone who only goes kayak fishing once or twice a year.
Pros
Cons
Intex Excursion Pro Kayak – Best Inflatable Kayak
- Dimensions: 12’6” x 32” x 18”
- Packed size: 26” x 19” x 19”
- Weight: 35 pounds
- Capacity: 2 people, 400 pounds
- Type: Inflatable, 3-Ply PVC Vinyl Laminate
The Intex Excursion Pro is a very good inflatable kayak for any fisherman looking for a dependable and durable fishing kayak. The 3 ply PVC material makes this kayak very resistant to punctures and other hazards. This kayak is designed for high pressure inflation making the kayak extremely rigid and stable.
This kayak includes a variety of features to provide you a successful fishing trip. For comfort there are adjustable seats and footrests. The seatbacks can be adjusted to provide all day comfort and the footrest can be adjusted to accommodate fisherman of any height or removed altogether.
One seat and footrest can be removed to convert this fishing kayak into a solo kayak.
This kayak comes standard with a phone mount and two flush mounted rod holders. There is a removable bracket allowing you to mount additional rod holders or other accessories to the kayak to make your trip a success.
There is plenty of storage in the stern and bow of the kayak. Your gear can be secured with the stainless steel D-rings.
The kayak comes as a package. Included in the package are a high pressure pump, two paddles, a repair kit, a phone mount, rod holders, and a pressure gauge.
Bottom line:
This is a great kayak for someone new to kayak fishing. It will not provide the same stability and rigidity as a hard shell kayak, but it is a great inflatable kayak. As an inflatable kayak, this packs down small and can fit in just about any car trunk.
Pros
Cons
The Intex Explorer K2 Kayak – Best Budget
- Dimensions – 10’3” x 36” x 20”
- Packed Size – 27” x 15” x 17”
- Weight – 26 pounds
- Capacity – 2 people, 400 pounds
- Type – Inflatable, Polypropylene
I don’t think this would be one of the best fishing kayaks under $400. The performance is underwhelming, and the quality of the build is not impressive.
This kayak is easy to use. There are multiple air chambers that will attempt to keep the kayak afloat if it is punctured. The nose is angled upward to help deflect spray outside the kayak.
The package includes the kayak, two paddles, a hand pump, repair kit, and a carry bag. The cost of the complete system is great and the cheapest one this page. However, you get what you pay for.
This kayak does not track well and the flat bottom makes it hard to steer and all but eliminates hard cornering. Part of that is because this kayak does not inflate to a hard and rigid kayak. Even fully inflated, it is still easily deformed.
This kayak sits low in the water, especially with heavier loads, making it difficult to fish and stay dry.
Bottom line:
This is the cheapest way to get a fishing kayak in a full package. If money is your driving factor, then you could make this work. I would strongly recommend saving up a little more for the Intex Excursion Pro or a hard shell.
Pros
Cons
The Rest of the best fishing kayaks under $400
Field & Stream Blade 97 Elite Angler Kayak
- Dimensions – 9’7”’ x 31” x 14”
- Weight – 45 pounds
- Capacity – one person, 270 pounds
- Type – hardshell, polyethylene
This is a great kayak for someone just getting into kayak fishing that doesn’t want to break the bank.
It is lightweight and easy to transport if you are fishing alone. At 9’7” this will fit inside many SUVs meaning you will not have to stretch and strain to get it on top of your vehicle.
This kayak is a sit-in kayak. The seat is padded for comfort. The seat has straps to make it adjustable, your back will likely rest against the body of the kayak. This will provide more support, but could lead to a bit more of an uncomfortable trip.
There are multiple footrests inside the kayak to provide different anchors points for paddling and fighting fish. They are not adjustable, but they do help you stay comfortable all day long. .
There are two flush rod holders behind the seat and no rod holders in front of the seat. The bottle holder is in the seat between your legs. I would rather have seen the bottle holder in the front dash area. I think in this location your water bottle will get in the way when you are fishing.
There are plenty of storage areas. There is one 6” vault in the front for dry storage. There are areas in the front and rear with bungees to tie down your gear. The back area has a recess designed to keep your 5-gallon bucket extra secure. The dashboard in front of the seat is a great place to keep small items.
It is worth mentioning that this kayak does not come with a paddle. A paddle will be an additional $40-50.
Bottom line:
This is a great option if you prefer a kayak where you sit inside. The small size makes it great for someone with a smaller vehicle. My one caution is this does not come with a paddle.
Pros
Cons
Pelican Mustang 100x Kayak
- Dimensions – 10’ x 30” x 14”
- Weight – 39 pounds
- Capacity – one person, 300 pounds
- Type – hardshell, polyethylene
This is a great kayak for beginners and anyone else that prefers stability over speed. This kayak is very maneuverable and stable, but you will not win any speed races.
At 39 pounds, this kayak is very lightweight making it easy for almost anyone to carry it easily.
The backrest is padded with Ergoform foam for all day comfort and the seat is cushioned for all day comfort. The foam is a great idea since your back will be pressing into the body of the kayak.
This is a sit-in kayak with multiple footrests that allow you to put your feet in different positions when paddling around to help you maneuver.
There are two flush mounted rod holders behind the seat. You get a dry storage vault in the front of the kayak. The rear storage area has a deeper well with bungee cords. It comes with a 17 liter removable storage compartment that fits inside the well.
There is a phone holder with a bungee cord in front of the cockpit. There is a bottle holder in the seat, but this one looks a little better designed than the one on the Field & Stream kayak.
Coming in at 30 inches wide, the kayak will provide plenty of stability for fishing but I would not recommend standing up in this kayak.
Bottom line:
Anyone new to kayak fishing who is looking for a good starter kayak will be happy with this. The light weight and handles make this easy to transport from your vehicle to the lake.
Pros
Cons
Sevylor Coleman Colorado 2-Person Fishing Kayak
- Dimensions – 10’9” x 39” x 18”
- Weight – 41 pounds
- Capacity – Two people, 470 pounds
- Type – inflatable, 18-gauge PVC
This is one of the best fishing kayaks for $400. It is an inflatable kayak designed specifically for fishing. The kayak is tough. It is made from 18-gauge PVC covered with 1000D nylon on the bottom and 840D nylon on the sides. This tough combination makes the kayak very resistance to punctures and cuts. It does have multiple air chambers so in the unlikely event it gets cut, you will not have to swim back to shore.
The Colorado is designed as a fishing kayak. It has four rod holders and comes with two Berkley quick set rod holders that can be placed in the rood holders. It even includes mounts for a trolling motor in case you get tired of paddling.
There are multiple mesh pockets around the kayak for storage of smaller items. Larger items can be secured to the kayak using multiple D-rings.
Sounds perfect so far, right? There are a few things I do not like. The package includes a pressure gauge and a carry bag. However, this kayak does not come with a pump. I mean how can you sell an inflatable kayak and not include a pump? It also does not come with a paddle, but this one is a little more understandable.
Bottom line:
This is a great inflatable kayak for fishing. It has everything you would need to jump in the car and go fishing, except the pump.
Pros
Cons
Sevylor Big Basin 3-Person Fishing Kayak
- Dimensions – 12’3” x 37” x 20”
- Packed Size – 24” x 18” x 10”
- Weight – 35 pounds
- Capacity – Three people, 490 pounds
- Type – inflatable, Heavy duty PVC
Unusual for an inflatable kayak, this one can hold 3 people. Well, more accurately, it can hold two adults and a kid or a large dog. It has three adjustable seats that attach with Velcro. This does make the kayak convertible to a one- or two-person kayak.
It is made with heavy duty PVC. The outer hull consists of a very tough tarpaulin bottom joined to tough nylon fabric upper. The hull covers the inflatable body of the kayak. This makes the kayak very tough and resistant to punctures. As a backup, the multiple air chambers will keep the kayak afloat while you paddle to shore.
The outer hull makes the kayak tough, but it does not fit tightly over the kayak. The loose outer hull increases drag in the water making this one of the slower kayaks. It also makes tracking in a straight line more difficult. One the plus side, it does create a spray cover in the bow and stern to help keep your gear dry.
This kayak is very stable making it easy to get into and out of. You will be able to stand up in the kayak without fear of flipping it over.
This kayak does have a few drawbacks. First, the separate outer hull increases the drying time before you can store the kayak. And when you do try to store it, the carrying bag is a little too small making it very difficult to cram the kayak into.
Like the Sevylor Coleman Colorado, this kayak does not include the pump or the paddles. When buying paddles, you will need a longer paddle due to the width of the kayak. I would recommend getting a 280 mm paddle.
Bottom line:
This is your kayak if you are looking for a kayak that can handle three people or more gear, although fishing with three in the kayak would be a little cumbersome. The loose out hull will decrease speed and make handling a little harder, but overall this is a great kayak for the money.
Pros
Cons
What are the Key Features to Look for in the Best Fishing Kayaks Under $400
There area lot of areas to consider when getting ready to buy your first fishing kayak.
Stability
I feel the feature to consider when picking the best kayak for you is stability. It is important for you to feel comfortable on your new kayak. Bigger people or someone who has suffered from a loss on mobility need a more stable kayak. Smaller people who are nimbler will do fine on a smaller and narrower kayak.
Generally speaking the wider the kayak is, the more stable it will be. However, with advances in hull design there are some narrower kayaks that have a lot of stability.
Being able to stand up in your kayak to fish is important. The more stable your kayak is, the easier it will be to stand up. If you want the option of standing up to cast, make sure your kayak is stable.
Seat
The second most important feature to consider is your seat. You will be in the seat of your kayak for very long stretches of time. It is uber important that your seat is very comfortable. The shape, size, and cushioning of the seat will really determine this. It is also necessary that your seat is adjustable. You want to be able to raise your seat, lower your seat, and recline your seat. Being able to make these adjustments is key to staying comfortable all day long on the lake.
Size
There are a couple of things to consider about the size of the kayak. We covered how a wider kayak is a more stable kayak above. Now let’s consider the length of the kayak.
A longer kayak will be faster, and it will cover more distance faster with less effort from you. This is great for large lakes and oceans where you will have to paddle a long distance to get to your fishing spot. On the flip side, longer kayaks are more difficult to maneuver and harder to transport.
Shorter kayaks will be easier to transport and will be much more maneuverable. This will work best along rivers and streams where tight turns are necessary.
Weight / transport
Please remember that bigger kayaks are not always better. You must be able to get a kayak from your home to your car and then to the water. Make sure you buy a kayak that you can handle by yourself.
You also have to store the kayak at home. You need to make sure you have a place large enough to keep your kayak and you need to be able to get the kayak to this place.
Capacity
The total capacity of the kayak is important. The majority of kayaks will be for one person. There are some that will hold two people, and a few that will hold three. If you want to hold more than three people, you should get a boat or a raft instead of a kayak.
The capacity is not just how much you weigh. You have to consider everything you will take with you. It’s the weight of you, your clothes, your PFD, your gear, food, drinks, and anything else you plan on taking with you.
The general rule of thumb is to only load your kayak to 80% of its capacity. That means for a kayak with a rating of 250 pounds, you and all of your gear needs to be less than 200 pounds.
Propulsion Method – Pedal, paddle, motorized
Paddle
This is the traditional method of propulsion for a kayak. Using a paddle results in a cheaper kayak set up. It also keeps your kayak lighter. It is easier to fish in shallow water since there are no fins or propellors under the kayak.
It is more difficult because you only have two hands. You need to hold your paddle, your rods, land a fish, steer the boat, etc.
Pedal
This method is catching on rapidly. It lets you keep your hands on your rod and landing fish. Controlling the boat is done with your feet. This has a learning curve, but once you get it, you are able to drive and steer your kayak without your hands. I would still recommend having a paddle onboard just in case.
Pedal systems will add cost to your kayak. None of the best fishing kayaks under $400 will have a pedal drive system. These types of kayaks are heavier. This is something to keep in mind if you frequently go fishing alone.
Having a propellor or fins under your kayak keeps you in deeper water, so shallow fishing will be off limits to you.
Motor
Some newer kayaks have a motor or have a place for a motor to be mounted. A few of the kayaks under $400 have mounts for a trolling motor. None of them will have accommodations for a center mount motor.
Type of Kayak
There are three types of kayaks. Which one works best for you is really a matter of choice and what you want to do with your kayak.
Sit-On-Top
I think these types of kayaks are the best for fishing. They are very stable making it easy to get in and out of. They usually have a higher, more comfortable seat that provides a better view of the lake or river leading to better fishing.
They usually have holes in the hull to drain water so you will not have to bail water out. There are usually more places to store gear and move around to access your gear will you are on the water. These generally have more places to mount accessories.
Sitting on top of the kayak means you will be more exposed to the weather. You will get wet, hot, and cold easier.
Sit-In
These kayaks will be better at keeping you out of the weather. With a spray skirt around the cockpit, you can stay very dry. These kayaks are more efficient to paddle.
However, you sit lower to the water making it harder to see the water when you are fishing. Most of your storage is inside the kayak making it impossible to access while on the water.
Inflatable
These can be sit in or sit on top style kayaks. They big advantage of these kayaks is portability. When they are deflated they pack into a small size making them easy to transport and store. They are lighter than traditional hardshell kayaks making it easier to get them to the water.
The downside is they are not as durable as a hardshell kayak. They are also not as stable making it very difficult if not impossible to stand up while fishing.
Storage
You will need places to store your fishing and / or camping gear. You will need dry storage vaults because some of your gear needs to stay dry. Most kayaks will have storage areas in the bow and stern with bungee cords to secure your gear.
You need to make sure that the rear well area is large enough to securely hold your fishing milk crate. Look for dashboard areas to keep small items like a wallet and phone. Many inflatable kayaks will have mesh pockets to securely hold your gear.
Accessories / addons
The last features you want to check out are the accessories. These are the little extras that do not necessarily make or break your trip, but they can provide help you get more from your trip. The best fishing kayaks under $400 will not include many accessories. You do want the ability to add accessories to your kayak.
You want to look for fishing rod holders, bottle holders, paddle keepers, and phone mounts. Many kayaks will have track systems already installed that can be used to add more accessories. You can easily add more rod holders and fish finders.
Hardshell kayaks will be easier to add accessories to. You can easily add tracks to your kayak to hold accessories. Inflatable kayaks are harder to add accessories too. If you are interested in accessories you will need to check that your inflatable kayak has a place to mount them before you buy it.
Conclusion
A lower budget should never keep you from enjoying the sport of kayak fishing. This article shows some of the best fishing kayaks under $400. With a little more money, you can get a fishing kayak with even more features.
In this price range it is important to carefully consider what you need to enjoy your fishing trips. Realize you will have to make sacrifices to stay in budget.
I would consider kayaks in this price range to be starter kayaks. If you invest $400 and decide you don’t like kayak fishing you are only out $400. If you decide you love it, you can go all in with a $2000+ kayak and trick it out.
