When we are searching for kayaks, most of the time we are looking for the same perks – durability, stability, comfort, and storage. But the one thing that is limiting us from choosing the perfect one is probably the price. So if you are looking for the perfect one that is still on a budget, see below the reviews of the best fishing kayak under 600 USD.
It is normal when we see a lower price to expect a lesser quality in a product. But, nowadays there are a lot of good kayaks on the market that you can still afford. We chose the best fishing kayaks under 600 USD, that you can barely even notice a difference with the more expensive ones. And if you have a problem with choosing a kayak for yourself, we are here to help you out, by giving you the best review possible.
Our Picks for the Best Fishing Kayak Under 600 USD in 2019
- Sun Dolphin Excursion 12-Foot Sit-in Fishing Kayak
- BKC UH-FK184 9′ Sit on Top Single Fishing Kayak
- Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Fishing Kayak
- Sun Dolphin Bali SS 12-Foot Sit-on top Kayak
- Sevylor Coleman Colorado 2-Person Fishing Kayak
- Sun Dolphin Aruba SS 12-Foot Sit-in Kayak
- Pelican Sport Strike 100X Angler Kayak
You may also like: Best Fishing Kayaks under 1000 USD
What to consider when buying a fishing kayak?
Construction and Material
The material of the kayak is a key consideration when it comes to choosing one. It often determines the weight and the size of the product. For example, if the kayak is lightweight, it can be easier to carry. This is one of the reasons most common kayaks are either inflatable or rotomolded.
Maximum weight capacity
When buying a fishing kayak its maximum weight capacity is one of the most important considerations. Try not to overload your yak. It is crucial for your safety and comfort. Pay attention to the buoyancy when you choose your new kayak and compare it to your own weight. It is also important to note that when you are fishing you will need to have some capacity for your gears, which are also adding weight.
Storage and Transportation
We mentioned above that nowadays, a lot of the kayaks are inflatable. And the main reason is that while they have enough storage, they are also really easy to be carried and transported around. And, if you deflate them, they can be stored easily. You also have to think about where you will store your kayak and how much space is going to take. As expected the hard shell kayaks are
On the other hand, hard shell kayaks require some planning in relation to transportation and storage. But in most of the cases they are more stable and durable than the inflatable boats.
Stability
When we speak about fishing in the water, no matter what we use, we should always be stable enough. So stability is something we should really consider when buying a kayak. Anglers often stand up in their kayak, so in most of the cases, stability is more important than the speed. Not only that, but a lot of people are adding kayak outriggers to increase it.
Comfort
We can’t buy a kayak or boat without feeling comfortable in it. Anglers often spend a lot of time on
Storage space
Another fundamental part of choosing a kayak is his storage space. Considering what we usually take on for our fishing trips – rods, fishing gears, bites, we better look for one with waterproof hatches or bulkheads. These compartments are most of the times built in.
Best Fishing Kayak Under 600 USD in 2019 – Reviews
Sun Dolphin Excursion Sit-in Fishing Kayak (Olive, 12-Feet)
Let’s start this list with our first pick, made by the well known Sun Dolphin Excursion. This sit-inside kayak is great if you are looking for cheap, yet well worth the money product. Sun Dolphin Excursion 12 has a length of 12 feet, a width of 29.6 inches and a maximum weight capacity of 395 lbs. What is great about this kayak is that compared to other kayaks with the same size, this one is only 47 lbs. That makes it really easy to be carried.
This Sun Dolphin fishing kayak is perfectly suitable for both lakes and rivers. It is really lightweight, despite the facts that it is made out of rugged UV-stabilized Fortiflex® High-Density Polyethylene. The comfort you will feel in this kayak is no doubt great, as it has both adjustable foot braces and backrest. Not only that, but it has protective thigh pads around the sitting area.
When it comes to storage space, this kayak offers a lot. It has a water-resistant storage compartment, as well as P.A.C. (Portable Accessory Carrier) which can be used as extra storage. Note that water resistant does not mean waterproofed and a small amount of water can still get in. But if we take that aside there is plenty of space for our gear.
This kayak has some great additional features. It has one of the best UV protection against the harness of the sun. Furthermore, it has
Overall, this kayak has so many great features that we are probably forgetting about something. The many reviews of people on Amazon prove that this kayak has everything a person needs and it is well worth its money.
PROS:
- High-quality and durable
- Stable and easy to control
- Easy to carry
- 3 fishing holders
- P.A.C. that can be used for extra storage
- Adjustable foot braces and backrest for full comfort.
Comfortable seating area with padded thigh guard.- Retractable carrying handles
CONS:
- Speed is not that great
- Water can get in compartments from time to time
BKC UH-FK184 9′ Sit on Top Single Fishing Kayak
BKC is another well-known brand that knows exactly what an angler wants. So this is another kayak that you should definitely not walk past by. BKC UH-FK184’s length is 9 foot with a maximum loading capacity of 330 lbs. The fact that it weighs only 44 lbs. and has 4 carrying handles is great as it can be transported easily. The kayak is made out of high-density polyethylene. Another great thing is that it is UV protected, so you shouldn’t be worried about your kayak peeling or cracking due to the harshness of the sun.
The stability of BKC UH-FK184 is more than great. The hull’s shape and design allow it to be as steady as possible and to have good tracking and turning. Even if you are padding over rough waters or going with full speed, the chances of you tipping over the kayak is from slim to almost none. You can be sure you will get the most
BKC made sure that every angler will feel comfortable in this watercraft. Starting with the spacious sitting area, the yak has a comfortable, supporting seat. And not only that. Overall, this kayak has everything for you to rest without worrying. There are paddle parks, that allow your hands to be free. It comes with two watertight hatches, where you can put small stuff like keys, your phone or fishing gears. Not only that, but it features a rear cargo area with bungee straps, where you can stash a kayak cooler, fishing gears or tackle box. BKC UH-FK 184 also has 4 Flush-Mounted and 1 articulating fishing rod holders.
And if that isn’t enough and you are
PROS:
- High-quality and durable
- Lightweight and easy for carrying
- Spacious sitting area
- Has UV protection
- Waterproof Storage
- Includes 5 fishing rod holders
- Has paddle park
- Has 4 Carrying handles
- Easy to maneuver
CONS:
- The polyethylene is a little bit thin
- Not that stable if you stand up on it
Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Fishing Kayak
Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 is another great yak included in our selection for the best fishing kayak under 600 USD in 2019. This kayak has so many features that we don’t know where to start from. Its length is 10 feet and a width of 31 inches. The maximum weight capacity is 275 lb. When it comes to carrying, the kayak weights 52 lbs, so overall you should not have that much of a problem with that. The material used in the making of this watercraft is blow-molded high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which makes this boat very durable. It’s UV protected and impact resistant, making it perfect even for extreme conditions.
When it comes to stability and maneuvering, this kayak is as good as it gets. Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 has a stable flat bottom and stability chine rails, making it easy to maneuver, as well as an extra safety. When it comes to tracking, you can be sure it tracks pretty well. There shouldn’t be a problem with standing up in the kayak for a stretch or to just fish normally. And with that stability and the comfort this kayak offers, you can be sure you are going to enjoy your trip both on the lake and river, no matter the conditions.
Speaking about comfort, Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 offers a lot. It has plenty of space around the sitting area. Both the padded seat back and seat pad are adjustable, making you feel as good as possible. Because of
Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 is a great choice for a kayak, no matter if you are a beginner or already into kayaking. It is one of the highest rated kayaks by anglers on the market, and the many and great reviews on Amazon by people who already own it. And we are sure there is a good reason for that.
PROS:
- Durable
- Incredibly stable in water
- Adjustable padded seat back and seat
- Offers multiple footrest positions
- Contains 2 Internal storages
- Made out of High-Density Polyethylene
- UV protection
- 3 Fishing rod holders
- Has front and rare handles for easy carry
CONS:
- Back scupper holes let water get in the kayak from time to time, so they better be covered with something.
- A little bit heavy for its size.
Sun Dolphin Bali SS 12-Foot Sit-on top Kayak
Number 4 on our best fishing kayak under 600 USD list is another watercraft made by Sun Dolphin. The length of this yak is 12 feet, width is 29.5 inches. What takes our attention is that despite its size, this kayak is only 48 lbs, making the transportation almost effortless. The maximum capacity is 395 lbs. It has UV protection and it’s made out of rugged Fortiflex® High-Density Polyethylene.
When it comes to comfort, there is nothing more you can want. The sitting area is large and comfortable. And, it has protective tight pads. There are adjustable foot braces that make it perfect for all sizes. The padded seat can also be adjusted. There is a paddle holder on the side. In the middle of the sitting area, there is a beverage holder for you to place a bottle. A small, but great detail for your journey.
Sund Dolphin Bali SS tracks and paddles with ease and at the same time offer incredible stability. It is suitable for both rivers and lakes and can handle rough water pretty well.
There is plenty of storage space, as it has a front storage area with bungee cords. There is also a front sealed storage compartment for your valuables like keys or cell phone and large, rear sealed hatch and shock cord deck rigging. When it comes to other features, Sun Dolphin Bali SS offers two flush mount rod holders and retractable carrying handles.
Concluding the above, this is not only a great kayak for all kinds of adventures, but it comes in 3 colors you can choose from.
PROS:
- High-quality and durable
- Spacious sit-on-top design
- Easy tracking and maneuvering
- Really comfortable for longer journeys
- Plenty of storage space
- UV Protection
- Includes
2 rod holders - Comes in 3 colors
CONS:
- Water can get in easy and there are no scupper holes for it to leave.
Sevylor Coleman Colorado 2-Person Fishing Kayak
Our next choice is Sevylor Coleman Colorado and this is the only 2-person fishing kayak on our list. And, the only inflatable kayak selected here. But don’t worry. If you like to go solo on fishing, you can use it alone, as well as carry it. It is really lightweight making it well usable even from a single person. The inflated dimensions of this yak are 10 feet. 9 in. x 3 ft. 3 in. The maximum weight that can hold is 470 lbs. It is made out of rugged 18-gauge PVC. This kayak is made mostly for lake trips. The 1000D tarpaulin bottom and 840D nylon cover provide durable protection from punctures. There are also multiple air chambers that allow the boat to stay inflated, even if it gets punctured.
When inflated, this kayak has a lot of extras to make you fully comfortable. The yak is spacious enough and you can move around freely if you are alone. You can adjust your seats. There are paddle holders for you to keep your paddle safe. The kayak contains Berkley® Quick Set Rod Holders who are specifically designed for hands-free fishing. They are also adjustable. Located right next to you are mesh storage pockets, where you can put gear and snacks for easy reach. There are D-rings that allow you to attach more equipment if you need to.
The 2-person Sevylor Coleman Colorado kayak comes with double threaded Boston Valves for easy inflation and deflation. So, you can be ready for the water just in minutes.
Last but not least, it could be easily used with a kayak trolling motor as it features Sevylor trolling motor fittings.
Overall, this is a great choice, if you want to enjoy lake fishing alone or with a friend. There is enough space and storage for both of you to enjoy a long day, with reaching and setting your equipment with ease.
PROS:
- Really easy to inflate and deflate
- Portable
- Durable protection from puncturing
- Great comfort for longer fishing
- Adjustable fishing holders
- Mesh storage pockets inside the boat
- D-rings for extra equipment
CONS:
- No pump and paddles included
- Because of its construction, it takes a long time to dry out
- Not so suitable for rivers
Sun Dolphin Aruba SS 12-Foot Sit-in Kayak
One more Sun Dolphin’s boat deserves our attention in the best fishing kayak under 600 USD list – Sun Dolphin Aruba SS 12-Foot Sit-in Kayak. The length of this kayak is 12 feet, a width of 29.5 inches and weighs around 47 lbs. The maximum capacity of this boat is 395 lbs. It is made out of High-Density Polyethylene and it has UV protection.
The guys from Sundolphin know well how to make both comfortable and stable kayaks, and the 12-foot Aruba is no difference. This yak has both an adjustable padded seat and adjustable foot braces, as well as protective thigh pads. It is pretty stable and is perfect for fishing journeys both on lake and river. You can also use the yak for fun and quick travels, as it generates really good speed.
And, it has a lot of great features. We know the storage space is really important. And, Sun Dolphin Aruba SS 12-Foot Sit-in Kayak has really generous storage where you can put a lot of your gear. There are front sealed storage hatch and rear P.A.C. (Portable Accessory Carrier). Additionally, this boat features rear and front bungee systems.
If you decided to buy this really fun to use
PROS:
- Durable and UV protected
- Stable on both lake and river
- Adjustable seat and foot braces
- It can go fast
- Great for free rides
- Large storage
- Different colors
CONS:
- Water gets easy in if you lean too much
Pelican Sport Strike 100X Angler Kayak
Last but not least on our list is Pelican
The length of Pelican
The multichine flat bottom hull of Pelican
When it comes to features, we don’t think there is anything else you can ask for. The comfort that this yak offers to its owner is as good as it can be. There is adjustable footrest for bigger people. It has ERGOFIT G2 Seating System, one of the best available on the market. The storage space of this kayak superior to almost anything on the market. It has an 8-inch day hatch with storage bag. There is a storage platform with bungee cords to store all of your fishing gear. There are a couple of flush mount rod holders, as well as one swivel rod holder. We can’t forget the angler ruler, the bottle holder, and the paddle tie-down, who are small, but meaningful features.
Overall, this kayak is so great, that you can hardly pick any flaws. If you pick to buy Pelican Sport Strike 100X, you should know you made a choice you won’t regret.
PROS:
- High-quality and Durable
- Great stability, maneuverability, and tracking
- It can go really fast
- Great comfort
- Supreme storage capacity
- Rod holders
- Angler ruler
CONS:
- A bit shaky when facing rough waters
Does the Aruba as 12 seat or seat back adjust? Wrote up said seat.
Hi Bill,
The seat back of Aruba 12 could be easily adjusted according to your needs.