Blog Article · Kayak Fishing ·Jan 14, 2025

Our Favorite Fishing Kayak Makers

7-minute read

The kayak fishing industry has exploded over the past couple of decades. Anglers around the world have a wide variety of fishing kayak options to choose from at every price point.

Drew Gregory with a nice bass in his Crescent kayak

(Photo courtesy of Drew Gregory)

Before we get into our favorite manufacturers of fishing kayaks, though, what are some factors you need to think about before you finalize your choice?

What to Look for in a Fishing Kayak

Some anglers opt for a used boat—especially to save significant cash or if they’re still in the experimental stage with kayak fishing. Other anglers decide to invest in a new boat.

Either works. But whether you buy new or used, there are several factors to consider before you make your decision:

What type of water will you fish? Lakes? Rivers? Saltwater? Different water environments require different boat designs for performance and safety.
Do you want a sit-inside or sit-on-top model? Most anglers prefer sit-on-top models with their open design and extra stability.
Size of the boat in length and width. The type of water you plan to fish and your fishing style are important here. For example, will you want the option to stand while you fish? Then you’ll want a boat that’s wide and stable.
Weight capacity for yourself and your gear. If you overload your boat, you won’t be as stable in the water.
Space for gear storage…and maybe to bring a dog or child with you.
Adaptability for adding gear. Do you want the option to add gear items as you grow in the sport or for when your budget allows?
Pedal drive, motorized or paddle-driven? This decision is a big one for both price and weight. (Keep in mind that each of these types still require you bring a paddle along, at least for backup but also for better maneuverability in tight spaces and shallow waters.)
Price, which is heavily dependent on material and features.
How comfortable to do you want to be? Will you fish for an hour at a time, or all day long? The type of seat really matters for long days on the water.
Portability for transporting and storing. How much can you handle in weight and size for both?

kayak angler pulls up a fish using a Jackson Kayak boat

(Photo courtesy of Chris Funk)

If you haven’t asked yourself these questions yet, talk to a few experienced anglers or do some online research before you go shopping. Then you’ll be able to narrow down your choice much easier and not be so overwhelmed with all the options.

Fishing Kayak Makers We Recommend

For the sake of space, we’re only listing kayak makers that make kayaks specifically for fishing. Almost any kayak can be adapted to fish from. But these companies offer at least some boats intended for angling.

First, we’ll list companies based in the US, then branch out to Canada and around the world:

US-Based Fishing Kayak Manufacturers

Bonafide Kayaks (Fletcher, North Carolina)—Bonafide is a kayak fishing brand. That’s the only type of kayak they make, which says something about their dedication to the sport. They make kayaks for pedal, paddle or motor as well as many accessories. 2025 prices start at from $1,400-$2,900.

man fishes standing up on his Bonafide kayak

(Photo courtesy of Open Road Visuals)

Crescent Kayaks (Carrolton, Georgia)—Crescent has made a name for itself by specializing in sit-on-top kayaks, including a handful of models designed for fishing. All their kayaks are paddle-driven and budget-friendly. 2025 prices range from $799 to $1,749.

FeelFree Kayaks US (Old Fort, North Carolina)—FeelFree’s boats are designed by folks from Thailand, New Zealand and the US and manufactured in Thailand. FeelFree US makes boats for many kayaking environments, including more than a dozen models specifically for fishing. These range in price starting at under $1,000 to just over $2,000 (2025 prices). They also have a couple of tandem models.

Hobie (Oceanside, California)—The originator of the pedal drive kayak, Hobie makes a dozen fishing-specific kayaks. All include their pedal drive system. They range in price from $1,600 up to $5,600 (2025 prices).

Jackson Kayak (Sparta, Tennessee)—Though they have fewer fishing kayak models than many of their competitors, Jackson Kayak rates very high with many professional kayak anglers. They have boats for pedal, paddle or motor ranging from $1,599 to $4,199 (2025 prices). Their page offers a very handy chart so you can see at a glance which water environments each kayak is designed for.

Native Watercraft (North Carolina)—Native is the second on our list that only makes fishing kayaks and accessories and they’re very good at what they do. As of this writing, they offer eight different models ranging in price from $999 to $3,699. Paddle, pedal or motor are all available.

NuCanoe (Bellingham, Washington)—NuCanoe’s fishing kayaks are hybrid models designed for fishing and hunting. They have kayaks designed for paddle, pedal or motor that are all meant to be customizable. A couple of models can be used as tandems. Their (2025) prices range from $1,099- $1,899.

Old Town (Old Town, Maine)—Old Town began making canoes more than 100 years ago and has since expanded to many different types of kayaks (they’re now part of Johnson Outdoors). They have about 15 different fishing kayaks in their lineup for pedal, paddle or motor. 2025 prices start at $1,099 and go up to $6,000.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Sikora)

Perception Kayaks (Greenville, South Carolina)—Perception makes nine models designed for kayak fishing. They’re one of the lowest-price makers on our list, with most between $500 and $1,200. They have one pedal model at just under $3,000.

Vibe Kayaks (Kennesaw, Georgia)—Vibe is the only one on our list that doesn’t list their fishing kayaks separately, so it’s harder to narrow down your search on their website. They do have several models designed for fishing, though, so it’s worth a look if you don’t mind digging. 2025 prices start at about $800 and go up.

Wilderness Systems (Greenville, South Carolina)—Wilderness Systems is now part of Confluence Outdoors which is part of Pelican International. So not an independent business, if that’s important to you. Their fishing kayak line includes ten models (in 2025) with prices ranging from $1,100 to $2,750 for paddle, pedal or motor.

[NOTE: We’re not as familiar with these out-of-the-US brands, but want to include them for our international customers.]

Canada-based Fishing Kayak Manufacturers

Riot Kayaks (Montreal, Quebec)—Riot Kayaks makes a handful of boats designed for fishing that include paddle, motor or pedal capability. These kayaks are budget-friendly, starting at just CAD $650 on up to CAD $3,300 (2025 prices).

Europe-based Fishing Kayak Manufacturers

Galaxy Kayaks (Alicante, Spain)—Galaxy Kayaks is 100% employee-owned. They say they’re the first kayak company to specialize in kayak fishing, back in 2007. Their boats are now sold all over Europe. They offer more than a dozen kayak fishing options ranging from €500 to €3,800 (2025 prices).

NuCanoe hybrid fishing kayak rigged out

(Photo courtesy of Juan Gomez)

Point 65 Sweden (Stockholm, Sweden)—Family-owned Point 65 has a very unique offering in our list: three different modular fishing kayaks. Each model comes in a solo or tandem model from $1,459 to $3,059 (USD 2025 prices). These modular designs make storage and transport much easier.

RTM Kayaks (Bon-Encontre, France)—A canoe and kayak manufacturer that offers just one model specifically for fishing, but many more sit-on-tops that would be suitable for angling with some customization. 2025 price is €2,200 (pedal drive model).

Australia/New Zealand-based Fishing Kayak Manufacturers

Australis Canoes & Kayaks (Wollongong, Australia)—Australis offers many fishing kayaks, sit-inside and sit-on-top. These include several tandem models. 2025 prices range from AUD $870 to AUD $1,960. They’re all paddle-driven.

Finn Kayaks and Canoes (Perth, Australia)—Finn also offers sit-inside and sit-on kayak fishing models. As with Australis, the sit-in models can double as recreational kayaks. 2025 prices range from AUD $870 to AUD $1,620. They’re not nearly as decked out for fishing as what anglers are used to seeing in the US market, FYI.

woman with a large fish she caught kayak fishing from her Native Watercraft kayak

(Photo courtesy of Open Road Visuals)

Mission (Palmerston North, New Zealand)—Mission offers a half-dozen fishing kayaks designed for surf and flatwater, both sit-on and hybrid models. The 2025 prices range from NZD $600 to NZD $2,450, nice budget-friendly prices.

Viking Kayaks (Auckland, New Zealand)—Viking’s fishing kayaks are more specialized than the other brands in this part of the world if you’re a serious angler. They make five models of fishing kayak ranging from NZD $1,390 to NZD $2,199. All are paddle-driven boats.

We hope this helps you find your first fishing kayak or upgrade to your next one.

Happy fishing!

[This post was originally written in 2017 and has been updated.]

What paddling questions can our friendly Customer Service team help you with? Contact us at 715-755-3405 or [email protected]

More for you…