Best Fishing Kayak Under $500

Fishing is a really fun sport and hobby, not to mention that it helps feed your family and can provide an income. However, we don’t all like to fish the same way, with some preferring big boats, some liking the river boot style, and some fishing from the shore. Here, we really love to use fishing kayaks to get the job done.

Yet, fishing kayaks can be quite expensive, and the ones that aren’t overpriced tend to be a little lackluster. Well, today we have some really nice options to look at, all of which qualify for the title of the best fishing kayak under $500. These kayaks may not be that expensive, but surprisingly enough, they still manage to deliver a high level of quality.

Sun Dolphin Excursion 10-Foot Sit-in Fishing Kayak

We personally think that this Sun Dolphin Excursion 10-Foot Sit-in Fishing Kayak is the very best option out there at this time. In terms of durability, this particular kayak is made of UV-stabilized Fortiflex High Density Polyethylene. We know, that is quite the mouthful, but the takeaway here is that this kayak won’t take any UV damage, it is very flexible, and hitting a rock or two won’t automatically sink it either; this is quite important when it comes to river and lake fishing.

The Sun Dolphin Excursion 10-Foot Sit-in Fishing Kayak is also quite comfortable and versatile. It features a large open cockpit so you can easily move and maneuver inside of it. At the same time, the padded adjustable seat is also quite comfortable. Moreover, this kayak also features foot rests which are adjustable. It’s a good fishing kayak in terms of overall versatility; it even comes with protective thigh pads to keep you comfortable in rough conditions.

When it comes to holding your rods, the Sun Dolphin Excursion 10-Foot Sit-in Fishing Kayak comes with 2 flush-mount rod holders and 1 swivel-mount holder. That’s right, you can use more than one rod at a time in this kayak, which is pretty cool as far as we are concerned. We also like the shock cord deck rigging which this kayak comes with. All in all, this kayak is easy to carry thanks to its light weight, is easy to paddle due to its ergonomic shape, and it’s really durable too.

Pros

• Lightweight design – easy to paddle and carry
• Ergonomic shape for quick movement
• Very comfortable and highly adjustable
• Great for fast moving waters
• Multiple rod holders
• Very high level of durability and stability

Cons

• Difficult to lift out of the water at first
• Has been known to have parts missing on delivery

Elkton Outdoors 10' Foot Inflatable Fishing Kayak

Right off the bat, our favorite part about this kayak is that it is inflatable. This is a neat feature because it allows for easy carrying and transportation. Simply deflate this kayak when you are done with it for quick and simple carrying. It comes with a foot pump so you can pump it up fairly quickly, which is always nice. We do also like how this kayak is a 2-person fishing kayak, because let’s face it, fishing with a partner is always much more fun than doing it alone.

The Elkton Outdoors 10' Foot Inflatable Fishing Kayak comes with dual double sided oars so you can really get a move on. This thing is made out of tear resistant materials and it has a high level of impact resistance, but being inflatable does make it susceptible to being punctured. Now, it is fairly rip resistant, but not rip proof, so do you need to be a little careful in rough conditions and around rocks.

The seats in this kayak are padded and adjustable so you and your partner can sit in comfort. What is pretty neat about the Elkton Outdoors 10' Foot Inflatable Fishing Kayak is that it comes with 2 vertical and 4 trolling rod holders. You can fish for up to 6 targets at once in this kayak. Overall, this lightweight fishing kayak is a good option for you and a buddy to take on a fairly leisurely trip.

Pros

• Lightweight – easy to carry
• Dual oars – easy to paddle with
• Many rod holders
• Adjustable seats for comfort
• Comes with a foot pump for inflation
• Comes with a repair kit
• Ideal for 2 people
• Tear and puncture resistant

Cons

• Not the most durable – can be punctured
• Pain to fill up with air

Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Fishing Kayak

This might be the final option on our list today, but it is another that we really like. When it comes to durability and ruggedness, this might just be the number-one choice in the world right now, at least for under $500. The UV-protected high-density polyethylene construction of this kayak will keep it safe and sound no matter what the conditions. No, it is not totally indestructible, but it sure is close.

We like how the Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Fishing Kayak comes with quite a bit of storage space for all of your gear, which is an added bonus; the compartments and shock cord straps will keep your gear safe. Another thing we like about this fishing kayak is that it has a very stable and flat bottom to keep you upright at all times. In terms of comfort, this thing features a padded and adjustable seat, plus various footrest positions too.

The Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Fishing Kayak features 2 flush-mounted rod holders and 1 top-mounted rod holder. This means that you can use 3 fishing rods at once if you so choose. All in all, this is one of the best fishing kayaks for under $500 out there at this time.

Pros

• Very durable
• Really stable
• Quite comfortable
• Good seat
• Lots of storage space
• Can hold 3 rods

Cons

• Adjusting the seat takes some practice
• Waterproof compartments could be a little better

Conclusion

If you think that you might like any of the above choices, we would definitely recommend giving them a closer look. The best fishing kayak for under $500 is one that is durable, stable, has lots of storage space, good rod mounts, and much more. Don’t let your fishing trip be put on hold just because you can’t find the right kayak!