These kayaks all fall below the $1,400 mark.
Spring is finally here and now is the prime time to pick up a new kayak in advance of warmer months ahead. There is no better, or more fun way, to explore your favorite lakes and streams. Kayaks are also a great way to go fishing since their shallow draft allows anglers to get back into hidden pockets larger boats can never reach.
The recent release of $1,400 stimulus checks means that now is a great time to finally take the plunge and make an investment that will pay off in hours of warm weather fun this summer. Especially if you have long been wanting one, but simply could not justify the price of a kayak otherwise.
We scoured the Internet to find some of the best deals and top-rated kayaks on the market right now. Any of these craft will serve you well in your outdoor adventures this coming spring and summer.
Lost Creek Angler 10.4-foot Pedal
Pedal kayaks are all the rage with anglers these days. Being able to move the boat with your feet frees up your hands for casting and battling fish. The Lost Creek is a Sportsman's Warehouse exclusive and uses an Impulse Drive pedal propulsion and Pilot rudder system. There is one flexible rod holder and four flush-mounted ones, so you can have multiple setups on hand for when the situation changes in a hurry. This kayak includes plenty of storage options in the bow and stern sections. The seat back is cushy and adjustable. This one gets great reviews from users and the price is solid at $1,299.99.
Old Town Predator MX
The Old Town name is one built on dependability and reliability and it shows in the Predator series. This is a 12-foot kayak weighing in at 82 pounds with a 400-pound weight capacity. Old Town included six mounting plates for accessories, a slip-resistant deck, and dual tackle holders. Most users praise how stable the tri-hull design is. Old Town has also built in a strap that helps you to stand up and fish. It is important to be able to get up and stretch during a long day on the water. This kayak also includes a tank well, a comfortable Element seat, and a support track brace system for your feet. This an excellent choice for small lakes and streams.
Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Angler Sit-In
This is a longer kayak that is well-suited not just to rivers, but open-water paddles on the ocean or larger lakes. Ocean Kayak kept this 13-footer light at only 56 pounds, making it easy to handle at the launch. This kayak is built with molded-in features like a cup holder and seat well, but still gets high praise for its comfort. It has two flush-mounted rod holders, a large bow hatch with a click seal and an easy-to-access cam-lock hatch that is perfect for small items like keys and a cell phone. There is even a place on the back to mount an optional rudder and a scupper that is transducer capable. This kayak has a ton of features at a great $999 price point.
Ascend 128X Sit-On
This is a great option if you are planning on running some extra electronics or a trolling motor for propulsion. The Ascend comes with a Yak-Power system and three power plugs. Hook up a fish finder or GPS quickly and easily. This kayak measures 12 feet long and weighs about 96 pounds. A little on the hefty side, but this kayak is built for anglers who have a lot of gear. It has a 450-pound weight capacity, multiple drink holders, long accessory rails, and a bow storage area. Ascend included non-skid cushioned flooring to ensure your gear does not go sliding all over the place. At $999, they packed a ton of features into a serious fishing kayak at a bargain price.
Old Town Vapor 10 Angler Sit-Inside
If you prefer the comfort of a sit-inside model of kayak, the Vapor 10 is an excellent choice for both hunting and fishing purposes. This kayak is 10 feet long, which will help it reach narrower creek beds and marshy areas other boats cannot go. The 47-pound weight makes it a breeze to transport and store. This kayak includes two flush mounted rod holders, an adjustable foot brace system, a day well in the stern, and a comfort flex seat. One of the more useful features is a molded-in cockpit tray that is perfect for lures, tools, extra shotgun shells, or whatever odds and ends you need to keep close at hand. For $600, this is a great do-it-all design.
Perception Tribe 9.5 foot Sit-On
For the casual paddler looking for comfort and style in a smaller package, the Perception Tribe is a solid option. At 9.5 feet long, it is great for small streams and rivers. It weighs just 48 pounds and the open, sit-on design makes it great for longer paddles since you can stretch out without being cooped up in a cockpit sit-inside design. Perception added a center storage hatch for small, valuable items, multiple scupper holes, molded footrests, side and rear carry handles, and an adjustable seatback. They also offer this kayak in five different color schemes, so there is sure to be something for everyone. At $559.99, the price is right too.
Lifetime Kayaks Spitfire 12 Tandem
If you have been in the market for a tandem kayak but the prices were scaring you away, consider the Lifetime Spitfire. At 12 feet long and 35 inches wide, it is more than large enough for two people. It has a 500-pound weight capacity and the craft itself only weighs 83 pounds. This kayak comes with molded-in footwells, adjustable padded seat backs, and a in-deck storage system. The stern end has a cargo net over the tankwell for holding items like a cooler on a lazy summer afternoon float down a river. At $559, this one of the more affordable two-up kayaks on the market.
Dagger Axis 10.5 Foot
This kayak is a nice, simple design perfect for both casual and serious paddlers alike. This is a sit-in model, 10.6 feet long while weighing only 50 pounds. This kayak has a built-in TruTrak skeg system that helps it glide straight and true through the water. The ConTour seating system will help keep you comfortable on long paddles. Multiple bungee systems on the deck and stern help keep all your gear secure. A rear stern hatch also helps with storage of items you do not want exposed to the elements. This a solid mid-priced option for a do-it-all kayak at around $850. It is often far less if you catch a sale at the right moment.
For more outdoor content from Travis Smola, be sure to follow him on Twitter and check out his Geocaching and Outdoors with Travis YouTube channels.
NEXT: THE AXIS DEER AND HOW THEY'RE IMPACTING PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES
WATCH
