River fishing is one kayaking activity that blends the joy of water exploration and the enthrall of fast-running water with the peaceful tranquility of angling. That said, kayak fishing on a river requires unique and extensive knowledge about paddling and angling. Thus, you’ll need to know everything about how to read the water to know where to paddle and where to cast. Whether you’re an experienced angler or a novice, river kayak fishing also necessitates using a more specialized kayak. You need the best kayaks for river fishing that can handle the ever-changing variables that usually arise along a river. What’s more, they also allow you to enjoy all the intrepid opportunities a river adventure has to offer without needing to change boats any time.
However, river kayaks are so much more than the above. To begin with, they are beautifully amenuverable in low-class rapids while tracking really well in flatwater sections. What’s more, this maneuverability also translates to the ability to tackle tight corners and obstacles, which are a part and parcel of rivers. At the same time, good river kayaks provide all the fishing features and storage you need, while also being stable enough for you to stand and fish from. To help you understand, we’ve even put together a handy guide to buying such kayaks, besides listing the 13 best river fishing kayaks.
How To Choose The Best River Fishing Kayaks?
Kayaking jargons
To begin with, you need to know all terms when it comes to kayaking. We start with carving or edging or carving, which refers to the act of the kayak tilting to one side, lifting the opposite one out of the water. Secondly, there are holes, which areas of water created when water runs over a rock. Holes are best avoided since kayaks tend to get pinned and dragged into such holes. Next up is the dynamic forward stroke action of boofing that allows you to run a drop without getting pinned in the dreaded holes.
An important measure of how well the paddling kayak stays in a line is tracking. On the other hand, chine (soft/hard) is the sharp angular change in the cross-section of the hull. Stability (initial/secondary) is another important factor, which measures how well a kayak stays steady. Initial stability is when you first get into the kayak, while secondary stability is how well it feels when the kayak is on edge. Finally, we have boulder gardens are whitewater runs with numerous large boulders, thus creating many potential routes.
Rocker/Waterline
A kayak’s rocker measures how much the hull of the kayak curves from the bow to the stern. The more the rocker of a kayak, the more maneuverable it is. Waterline, on the other hand, measures how swiftly a kayak will cut through the water by measuring how much of the kayak’s hull is in contact with the water. While buying river kayaks, consider the kind of water that the river flows in. If it’s more gushing like whitewater, go for kayaks with more rocker. If it’s more of flatwater, then go for kayaks with more waterline for tracking and speed.
Weight capacity and storage
Whether you’re buying river fishing kayaks or any other kind, you need to consider the weight and storage capacities. To begin with, you need to make sure that your kayak is lightweight enough that you can carry it between the vehicle and the shore. If not, then you might want to invest in the Best Carts, Wheels, and Trolleys that make it easy to lug your kayak from the vehicle to the shore. Moreover, you need to check the amount of storage space on your kayak since you’ll have to go fishing with a ton of gear.
Stability
Stability is a rather important factor when it comes to fishing kayaks. Since you need to move around a lot during the activity of fishing, the kayak should be stable enough so that you don’t go into the water. Essentially, go for fishing kayaks with large widths, no matter the lengths. In addition, avoid kayaks that have narrow, V-shaped hulls and instead choose tunnel or flat-bottomed shaped hull kayaks.
Maneuverability
Finally, we have to consider the maneuverability of the kayak too, since river waters are unlike flatwater or lakes. A shorter kayak allows greater maneuverability and allows you to stay mobile. Most good river fishing kayaks have a low waterline and a high rocker. This lowers their tracking and top speed but keeps them nimble and quick to accelerate.
What is the best tandem river fishing kayak?
Without doubt, it’s the Sea Eagle 370 that’s the best tandem river fishing kayak out there. To begin with, the kayak is lightweight, and yet boasts a whopping weight capacity of 650 lbs. So, not only can you have a fishing companion with you, but you can also lug a ton of fishing gear along. Moreover, the kayak also comes with a paddle, a chair, and a multipurpose storage box with repair kit, carry bag, foot pump, and two rod holders!
Dagger Katana 10.4
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The sit-inside Dagger Katana 10.4 is one of the most spacious kayaks for river fishing, allowing you to stow a ton of overnight gear along with your fishing gear in your kayak. The removable bulkheads and reinforced hatches offer unmatchable gear storage. What’s more, it also boasts a spacious cockpit, which means you won’t feel confined and can move around to your heart’s content. Thanks to the balanced rocker profile, you get both speeds in flatwater and maneuverability in whitewater.
Going further, the kayak’s believed and flared sidewalls and well-designed hull lend it both initial and secondary stability. Plus, the rounded stern doesn’t stick to the water, shedding it quickly and allowing for speed in moving water. When the river slows to calm flatwater, the drop-down rear skeg keeps you paddling true and straight. Also one of the Best Crossover Kayaks, the Dagger Katana 10.4 is a great buy.
Specifications
- Length: 10 feet 4 inches
- Width: 27.25 inches
- Capacity: Single
- Style: Sit-In
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
Pros:
- Ideal for all kinds of waters.
- Excellent storage space.
- Comfortable.
Cons:
- None.
STAR Raven II Tandem Inflatable Kayak
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If you’re looking for a kayak for unending inflatable whitewater adventures, then the Star Raven II Tandem Inflatable Kayak is the one. One of the Best Inflatable Whitewater Kayaks, the Star Raven Tandem craft has a lot of likable features. To begin with, it boasts a self-bailing drop-stitch floor that lends it stability and drains any water entering the kayak. Secondly, you’ll find two adjustable folding seats that attach quickly to the D-rings and keep you comfortable all day long on the water. What’s more, the sleek, continuous curve tubes allow you to maneuver the kayak nicely in whitewater rivers.
Thanks to the PVC material and state-of-the-art seam welding technology, the kayak is anti-leaking and resistant to abrasions too. Furthermore, the top-quality Leafield C7 valves make sure that inflation and deflation are a hassle-free process. Rounding up the features are the additional loop and hook fasteners that keep the seats in a solid position.
Specifications
- Length: 12 feet 2 inches
- Width: 38 inches
- Capacity: Tandem
- Style: Sit-In
- Weight capacity: 400 lbs
Pros:
- Bow and stern carry handles.
- High-pressure drop-stitch floor.
- Comes with a carry bag, pump, and repair kit.
- Three-year retail limited warranty.
Cons:
- None, really.
Perception Hi Life
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Perception definitely gets bonus points for innovation when it comes to the Perception Hi Life, one of the most versatile kayaks for river fishing. The kayak craftily blurs the lines between stand-up paddleboard and sit-on-top kayaks, thus offering maximum versatility on the water. The sit-on-top craft sports a soft, adjustable seat, complete with a comfortable and durable back to keep you comfortable for a full day of fishing on the river. At the same time, all you need to do is fold the seat down to get into the “stow-and-go” stand-up paddleboard mode.
There’s a lot more to like about this kayak, such as the fact that the center fin at the rear of the craft keep you tracking straight in flatwater. Pair this with the 3-Piece Hi-Life Paddle from the same brand to use it in both modes, saving you the money of buying two paddles.
Specifications
- Length: 11 feet
- Width: 34 inches
- Capacity: Single
- Style: Sit/Stand-on-top
- Weight capacity: 250 lbs
Pros:
- Versatile, portable, and lightweight.
- Mounting rear fin betters flatwater tracking.
- Bow deck rigging allows quick access for gear.
Cons:
- Practically none.
Old Town Dirigo 120 Recreational Kayak
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Old Town is well-known for its durable and high-quality kayaks and is one of the most respected and popular kayak brands in the world. So, it’s no surprise that the recreational sit-inside Old Town Dirigo 120 is an excellent river kayak. To begin with, the kayak’s three-layered polyethylene rigid build ensures maneuverability, tracking, and stability. Weighing just 50 lbs, the kayak boasts a weight capacity of 350 lbs with a lifetime warranty on the hull. What’s more, the carry handles make transporting it between places very, very easy and hassle-free.
Thanks to the Glide Track foot braces and contoured Poly seat, you’re assured all-day comfort. In addition, the seat has a ventilated back that’ll keep you cool, complete with an in-molded cup holder for your beverage. Plenty of storage space, a waterproof glove hatch, and a bungee cord system for attaching extra gear round up this craft’s properties.
Specifications
- Length: 12 feet
- Width: 38 inches
- Capacity: Single
- Style: Sit-In
- Weight capacity: 350 lbs
Pros:
- Lots of storage space.
- Extremely comfortable breathable seat.
- Excellent tracking.
- Stable and portable.
Cons:
- The waterproof glove hatch is slightly small.
Sea Eagle 370 Pro
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Not only is the Sea Eagle 370 one of the best kayaks for river fishing, but it’s also amongst the Best Tandem Inflatable Kayaks as well. The rigid I-beam floor, three air chamber build, and high-frequency welded seams make this craft as durable as they get. An excellent 650 lbs load capacity aside, the kayak also features two adjustable and removable seats with equally good back support. It’s this generous weight limit that allows for even a third person to be on board if the need arises.
Thanks to the bottom skegs, the craft does really well in terms of tracking and maneuverability. The lashed-down spray skirts protect you from water splashes, while the self-bailing drain valves drain the whitewater that enters the craft. Rounding up the craft’s features is a repair kit and two included paddles, a foot pump, and one-way valves that ensure painless inflation and deflation.
Specifications
- Length: 12 feet 6 inches
- Capacity: 2-3
- Style: Sit-In
- Weight capacity: 650 lbs
Pros:
- Comes with a lot of included extras.
- Easy inflation and deflation.
- Good weight capacity.
- Good maneuvering and tracking.
- Portable and lightweight
Cons:
- Not very fast.
Sun Dolphin Aruba SS 12
8
Yet another excellent river kayak is the dit-in Sun Dolphin Aruba SS12, which is made from rugged, high-density, and UV-stabilized Fortiflex polyethylene. Not only does it make the kayak durable, but also lightweight. That, combined with the retractable carrying handles make the craft both packable and portable. The cockpit is both comfortable and spacious, complete with padded seats with excellent back support. What’s more, you’ll also find protective thigh pads and adjustable foot braces for supreme levels of paddling comfort.
Going further, the kayak even comes with a shock-cord deck rigging for attaching gear such as dry bags and more. Plus, you’ll also find a smaller bow hatch and a larger carrier space in the stern to stash all your gear. However, the best part for anglers is that this kayak comes with two flush-mounted rod holders. Finally, the kayak is fast, paddles easily, tracks well and is stable too.
Specifications
- Length: 12 feet
- Capacity: Single
- Style: Sit-In
- Weight capacity: 395 lbs
Pros:
- Comes with two rod holders.
- Lots of storage space.
- Easy maneuvering and tracking.
- Portable and lightweight.
- Durable and high-quality.
Cons:
- Some users said that water enters the craft easily.
Vibe Kayaks Skipjack 120T
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The Vibe Kayaks Skipjack 120T is one of the best sit-on-top kayaks for river fishing hands-down. To begin with, the hull of this sit-on-top river kayak is crafted from a single piece of rotomolded polyethylene, ensuring superior levels of durability. Thanks to the scupper holes with plugs, all water entering the open cockpit is drained immediately. Two comfortable seats allow you and your companion to stay comfy on the water all day long. Even the craft is very maneuverable and easy to paddle.
Two six-inch sealed hatches store all your gear, including valuable possessions such as electronic devices. The roomier rear cargo area with bungee straps is ideal for storing coolers, dry bags, sleeping bags, and the likes. What’s more, the two-rod holders and mounting points are ideal for securing additional fishing accessories and fishing hands-free.
Specifications
- Length: 12 feet 2 inches
- Capacity: Tandem
- Style: Sit-on-top
- Weight capacity: 500 lbs
Pros:
- Two flush-mounted rod holders.
- Good amounts of storage space.
- Two paddles and seats included in the package.
- Maneuverable and stable.
- Durable.
Cons:
- On the heavier side.
Sun Dolphin Journey 10
6
Another rather excellent, versatile, and compact sit-on-top river kayak is the Sun Dolphin Journey 10, which also features all the cool features of fishing kayaks. To begin with, the craft’s hull is made from robust, high-density, and UV-protected Fortiflex polyethylene, which makes it very durable and lightweight. The kayak is also extremely stable, allowing you to even stand up and fish in comfort. At the same time, its control and tracking features are excellent. Despite its compact size, the craft is extremely spacious due to the open design of the cockpit.
Additionally, the expansive, comfortable seating area comes with thigh pads, adjustable foot braces, and even a adjustable padded seat. Plus, the hull also has a self-bailing feature, a compact watertight hatch, and even a portable accessory carrier. Rounding up the features are the swivel rod holder, two flush-mounted rod holders, and a shock-cord deck area for rigging larger gear.
Specifications
- Length: 10 feet
- Capacity: Single
- Style: Sit-on-top
- Weight capacity: 250 lbs
Pros:
- Two flush-mounted and one swivel rod holder.
- Lots of storage space.
- Adjustable and comfortable seats.
- Maneuverable and stable.
- Durable.
Cons:
- Not very fast.
BKC UH-RA220
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When it comes to the best kayaks for river fishing, you simply cannot miss listing the BKC UH-RA220. There is a gamut of features that make this craft perfect for river waters. To begin with, the high-quality polyethylene build and a width of 34 inches make the craft very stable and even allows you to stand up. A roomy cargo area with a bungee-cord system and three watertight storage hatches allow you to store a whole lot of gear. It even allows you to fish hands-free thanks to the two flush-mounted rod holders. Plus, you can even stash the paddles in the bungee paddle rest.
Thanks to the foot pedal-operated rudder control system, the kayak boasts excellent maneuverability and tracking. At the same time, even your comfort isn’t compromised. It even has a comfortable aluminum frame seat with excellent back support and is absolutely suitable for heavy kayakers.
Specifications
- Length: 11 feet 7.2 inches
- Capacity: Single
- Style: Sit-on-top
- Weight capacity: 450 lbs
Pros:
- Includes paddle parks and rod holders.
- Tons of storage space.
- Excellent and comfortable seat with back support.
- Durable.
Cons:
- Heavy.
- Not very fast.
Malibu Kayaks X-Caliber Fish and Dive Kayak
4
Another kayak that deserves to be on this list is the Malibu Kayaks X-Caliber Fish and Dive, which offers excellent durability due to its polyethylene build. Thanks to its 31-inch wide beam, the river kayak also offers excellent maneuverability and stability. Armed with stern and bow carrying handles, it also features carry handles with paddle holders for easy fishing. Adjustable footrests and an in-molded seat in the cockpit ensure optimal comfort all day long.
Since it’s a river fishing kayak, the craft boasts a lot of storage too. The bow-side Gator hatch, for instance, allows for storing gear that you need dry such as sleeping bags and clothes. What’s more, the larger rear bungee storage is perfect for stashing tackle boxes, coolers, and more. The kayak also has a ton of other extras such as a cup holder, a transducer mount for the Best Kayaking GPS Units or fish finders, and two rear rod holders. Overall, this is an excellent reasonably-priced kayak to buy.
Specifications
- Length: 12 feet 6 inches
- Capacity: Single
- Style: Sit-on-top
- Weight capacity: 400 lbs
Pros:
- Tons of space for storage.
- Includes two rear rod holders.
- Open, spacious cockpit.
- Lightweight.
Cons:
- No paddles or seats included.
FeelFree Moken 12.5 Kayak
3
One of the best sit-on-top kayaks for river fishing is the FeelFree Moken 12.5 Kayak, which is designed for stability and is thus crafted with sturdy polyethylene. If you’re a fly fisher, then you’ll be happy to know that the kayak has a standing pad and a stand-up leash for casting your rod and bait. This kayak is also comfortable and spacious thanks to the King Fisher seat which ensures all-day comfort during long fishing trips. Add to that the adjustable footrests, keel wheel, and molded handles, which makes the craft portable too.
Just like other good fishing kayaks, the Moken has storage spaces both at the center of the kayak as well as the bow. In addition, there’s also a large open cargo stern area with bungee cords to tie gear as well as side pockets in the cockpit. However, the feature that you’ll really appreciate is the Uni-Track rails at the front and back which allow you to mount fishfinder and GPS units. Rounding up the features is the molded paddle rest and fishing rod holders.
Specifications
- Length: 12 feet 9.6 inches
- Capacity: Single
- Style: Sit-In
- Weight capacity: 419 lbs
Pros:
- Standing pad and stand-up leash.
- Front and rear Uni-Track rails.
- Good storage space.
- Comfortable seats.
- Stable, durable, and high-quality.
Cons:
- Paddles aren’t included.
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 Angler Kayak
2
Not only is the Tarpon 100 Angler Kayak from Wilderness Systems excellent for river fishing, but it’s also one of the Best Fly Fishing Kayaks. The durable sit-on-top kayak is one exciting boat that offers a whole world of stability due to its short length. Made from high-density rotomolded polyethylene, this craft will last you years. At the same time, the bow and stern carrying handles make the craft easy to carry as well. Despite being a relatively small kayak, the Tarpon 100 is surprisingly comfortable and spacious. Not only does the kayak boast a comfortable Phase 3 AirPro seat, but it also has adjustable footrests, both of which will offer you great levels of comfort.
The storage space onboard the craft won’t disappoint you either, which includes the two Orbix dry storage hatches at the bow and the center of the kayak. The center one is smaller for valuable items, while the larger rear one is for storing coolers, dry bags, sleeping bags, and tackle boxes. Finally, you have the dual Slide-Trax rail system that allows you to attach fishing accessories such as fishfinders and GPS devices.
Specifications
- Length: 10 feet
- Capacity: Single
- Style: Sit-on-top
- Weight capacity: 325 lbs
Pros:
- Spacious rear cargo area and two Orbix dry storage hatches.
- Comfortable seat with adjustable footrests.
- Durable, maneuverable, and stable.
Cons:
- No paddles or paddle seats included.
Malibu Kayaks Stealth 12 Fish and Dive
1
Topping the list of best kayaks for river fishing is the Malibu Kayaks Stealth 12, which is designed from high-quality polyethylene. Despite not being exactly lightweight, carrying it is made easy with the stern and bow carrying handles. The roomy cockpit features an in-molded seat with adjustable foot braces for long-time comfort. Attention has also been paid to the storage space, which you’ll find at the bow of the kayak. What’s more, you’ll also find two small hatches on both sides of the tank as well as a live bait tank at the center.
The Stealth 12 has all the making and accessories of a great fishing kayak. This includes a molded cup holder, paddle holders, and two rod holders in the front and at the back each. Finally, you’ll find an expansive rear cargo area with a bungee system, which can be used to store larger items such as sleeping bags, dry bags, and coolers.
Specifications
- Length: 12 feet
- Capacity: Single
- Style: Sit-on-top
- Weight capacity: 450 lbs
Pros:
- Lots of storage – two small hatches on both sides, live bait tank, and spacious rear cargo area with bungees.
- Four included rod holders.
- Spacious open cockpit and adjustable footrests.
Cons:
- Heavy.
- No paddles or padded seat included.
