Why? Well like much of todays modern equipment kayak designs differ radically according to there intended use. Sure you can get models that will suit the vast majority of water types but these will never be as good as those built for a specific purpose.

Recreational Kayaks

So for messing about on ponds, lakes, bays and rivers your choice would be a flatwater or recreational kayak. These boats are really all rounders and usually have large open cockpits for easy entrance and exit. A recreational kayak will typically be less than 12 feet in length.

For pacier rivers, with rapids and/or waves you would want to consider a whitewater kayak or surf kayak. The craft used in casual whitewater kayaking is

White Water Kayak

different from those used in competition. Competition boats are usually made from kevlar due to it’s light weight. Recreational boats are rotomoulded from a tough plastic that is slightly flexible and very durable. Kayaks range from around 6 ft up to 12 ft.

Sea Kayak

On the other hand if you were looking at long distance trips on open water a sea kayak or touring kayak more likely be suitable. These boats are much longer - between 16ft and 19ft. They are also narrower than recreational boats but more stable. They trade off the extreme maneuverability of whitewater kayaks for cargo capacity, ease of straight-line paddling, and comfort for long journeys. Sea kayaks can hold up to three paddlers together with room for camping gear, food, water, and other supplies.

Then there’s inflatable kayaks which are great because the hassles of storage and

Inflatable Kayak

transportation are significantly reduced. The quality of inflatables varies dramatically with prices ranging of $100 up to a $1000 or more. What you will get the more you spend is not just improved design but a greater resistance to scratches, abrasions and punctures. You can even use some inflatables on whitewater so don’t skimp on the cash and you will get an inflatable than can serve for many years to come.

Sit On Top Kayak

Sit-on-top kayaks are designed for fun. They’re easy to use and simple to get on and off. They are generally used in warmer climates because you tend to end up wet. This is a fun boat and can be used for snorkeling, fishing and surfing.

Once the decision on kayak type has been made, these are some of the other questions you should ask of yourself:

How heavy it the kayak? Can you lift it own your own or is it a two man job. How easy is it to get out of the water, place it on a trailer, put it into storage? These are very important and often overlooked considerations that should be taken into account.

Where will the kayak be stored? Will it fit in the storage area? Do you need to consider a different size craft or even, an alternative place to store your kayak.

What about a skeg and rudder? A skeg and rudder keep the kayak moving in a straight line in challenging weather. I remember trying to kayak in open water without a rudder once and found it incredibly draining. On the return trip with the rudder in place far less energy was required to keep the boat moving straight ahead.

Do you need hatches? If you plan on storing gear in your kayak then hatches are a must. These are water tight containers where gear can safely be stowed eliminating the need for a dry bag.

How about a knee brace? Knee braces are essential for ocean paddlers as they make it easier to both steer and paddle in challenging conditions. It is important that they fit properly and are comfortable especially if you’re making a long trip.

What’s your budget? - How much to you have to spend. It almost goes without saying that you get what you pay for. Better design, quality, maneuverability, speed, robustness etc. Don’t just splash the cash though as many cheaper models are as good or better than there more expensive brethren. Check out some reviews to identify a sort list of possible purchases.

Remember as well that it’s not just about the boat. To fully enjoy kayaking other gear is needed and you should include an allowance for this in your budget if necessary. You may also need, deck lines, tow lines, bungee cords, a trailer, wet suit, dry suit, gloves, pfd, paddles, dry bag etc.

So, if you’ve got this far you’ll see there’s a lot of information and options to take account of to ensure you buy the kayak that is right for you. I’d suggest you start out by renting and speaking to others about the equipment you need. Buy a couple of magazines and check out a few internet forums. Once you know what you want it’s time to consider whether to buy new or used equipment and with the purchase made get kayaking and start to really enjoy this great sport.

Anglers looking for the ultimate in adventure and challenge have discovered the joys of kayak fishing.  There’s nothing like hooking a 40 pound yellow tail, for example, and then being taken for a ride while your catch tires.  The lightweight kayak adds a new, exciting dimension to the fight.  Plus, kayak fishing offers great exercise and a reasonably affordable way – compared with most fishing boats – to get onto the water to enjoy your favorite hobby.

When you decide to get into the sport of kayak fishing the first thing to do is to find the right vessel for your pursuit of the next trophy catch.  In all other respects kayak fishing is like any other type of fishing in terms of the type of tackle, equipment and most of the accessories you use.  It is the kayak, the mode of getting to where the fish are, that sets kayak fishing apart.  In this guide we’ll offer tips for selecting the right kayak for the way you plan to fish.

1. Rotomold versus hull/deck combos.  What are we talking about, you might ask.  It really boils down to whether you want a one-piece design or a two-piece kayak.  In most cases the one-piece models will cost slightly more, but in every case they will perform better.  Rotomolding, short for rotational molding, is a fascinating process.  Plastic pellets are loaded into a mold, then liquefied with heat.  The mold is rotated at high speed in various directions to cause the molten plastic to coat the inside of the mold, producing a one-piece shell.  They are a better choice for kayak fishing because they won’t leak, having no seams.  If a one-piece kayak is in your budget you’ll be grateful you made that choice.

2. Inside sitting versus top sitting.  Traditional kayaks feature seating down inside the shell and offer good control to the paddler.  However, they lack characteristics that are essential to kayak fishing such as stability, weight capacity and mounting options.  For these reasons most anglers select a top-sitting model for their kayak fishing.  You enjoy much greater leverage when setting the hook on a big fish and wrestling it to the kayak.  They are typically more stable in the water and offer more mounting options for your gear such as bait holders, fish storage chests, batteries and more.  All that equipment mounted onto a traditional kayak would make it impossible to flip upright if it overturned and filled with water.  It is no wonder that kayak fishing uses top-sitting models almost exclusively.

3. Stability versus Speed. Unfortunately you cannot have it both ways.  A narrow kayak will cut through the water more quickly but will offer poor stability.  A wider model is slower but much more stable and that is why wider kayaks are used in kayak fishing.  When that fish is moving across the bow or diving under the kayak you’ll be glad you’ve got a stable vessel beneath you.

A one-piece wide top-sitter is the way to go when you head out kayak fishing.  These kayaks come with various deck layouts that allow you to arrange your gear the way that makes the most sense.  Have an idea of what you want to take along as you view the various deck designs available.  The last tip we have is to choose a kayak from one of the top manufactures in the business.  These include Hobie, Malibu, Wilderness Systems, Pelican, Ocean Kayak and a few others.   Hit the water atop one of these and your kayak fishing adventures will be maximized whether its tarpon on a flyrod off the Florida coast or taking bluegill out of the small lake in the north.