It’s hard to beat the feeling when you dig your paddle in, glide out towards your favorite fishing spot and know that you’re going to be the only one around. It’s your little secret, the honey hole, the place where little fish turn into big stories and big fish turn into legend. But you’re not going to get very far without a good boat and that’s why we’ve dug deep and look over a lot of the best fishing kayaks and can now present you with the best fishing kayak for the money.
Category Features
We looked at a lot of different fishing kayaks and after going through them we came up with some must haves in order to make it into the running for the best fishing kayak for the money.
Key Features
- It must have great stability for landing fish
- It’s got to have a great load carrying capacity
- The kayak must be loaded with fishing oriented features throughout
- It has to be comfortable for all-day fishing adventures
- It’s got to be well made. We don’t recommend sub-par goods here at DigandFlow.com
That said, it did narrow down the field a bit and now we can present our pick.
Get more information and buy now on Amazon.com
The Best Fishing Kayak for the Money
Malibu Kayaks Stealth 14 Fish and Dive Package Sit on Top Kayak
Malibu Stealth 14
Stealth 14 Highlight 1: Center Bait Tank System
The patented center bait tank system on the Stealth 14 is perfect for the angler who’s into live bait fishing, it’s an awesome feature allowing for quick and easy access to bait while sitting in the cockpit. The great thing about the bait well is that it can either be plumbed for live bait or closed to double as a cooler. Just add ice to keep your beverages and snacks nice and cold!
Stealth 14 Highlight 2: Patented Casting Platform
When was the last time you stood up in a kayak? Most likely when you did you tipped over and went for a swim. Not with Malibu’s patented casting platform, now you can stand up, search for fish, and even cast right from inside your boat. The casting area gives you a wide, stable platform from which to cast on and underneath are storage compartments for pliers, line, lures or any of the fishing equipment you need to bring along.
Features and Specifications
Features
- Patented center bait tank system
- Patented casting platform
- 2 front rod holders
- 2 rear rod holders
- Comfortable seating for all day fishing
- Adjustable foot track system to dial in customized comfort
- Deluxe hinged front Gator Hatch with a bungee system for loads of storage room
- Live well 45-degree rear hatch with bag so the bait comes with (or maybe lunch)
- Rear tank well with bungee system so you can bring home dinner (and trophies)
- Cup holder so you can stay hydrated while you’re out on the water
- Eyelets for secure tie downs
- Drain plug with base for easy cleaning and maintenance
- Nylon hooks for all of your fishing accessories
- Bow and stern handles for easy 1-person moving
- Side carry handles/paddle holders for super convenient transport to and from the water
Specifications
- Length: 14-feet, 4-inches
- Width at beam: 33-inches
- Depth: 12-inches
- Weight: 64 pounds
- Maximum capacity: 550 pounds
Get further details and buy now on Amazon.com
Customer Reviews and Scores
The best feature reviewers kept coming back to was the unprecedented stability of the Stealth 14. It’s wide-body design is the perfect blend of stability and agility which makes it perfect for fishing.
Every single review of the Stealth 14 rated it 5 out of 5, this is no ordinary fishing kayak, this is vetted by those who are serious about fishing out of their ‘yaks.
The accolades for the Malibu Stealth 14 speak for themselves. Reviews like “I LOVE MY STEALTH 14”, “the most stable fishing platform offered”, and “this kayak will not disappoint” keep coming up and make this easily the best fishing kayak for the money.
Check out all the reviews of the Stealth 14
Wrap-up
Proprietary design, fishing specific features, versatility and with great reviews