When we talk about the best hunting kayaks, we are mainly referring to kayaks for hunting ducks, geese, and other waterfowl. That being said, rivers and lakes can be used to hunt all sorts of different species.
The purpose of this guide today is to give you a lot of options for kayaks that will meet your unique hunting needs. While there are now some really durable inflatable kayaks out there, all of the models we have chosen are of the rigid, rotomolded variety.
That means you will need some easy-load kayak roof racks or tow a kayak trailer behind your truck to transport them. They will, however, be more capable of handling the rigors of hunting than inflatable or folding kayaks.
So, we hope that you find a kayak design that suits your fancy today. We also want to note that we encourage you to research hunting regulations in your area to make sure you are proceeding carefully and safely!
Photo by Alex Velikanov via Shutterstock
Best Hunting Kayaks
- Brooklyn Kayak Company RA220
- Brooklyn Kayak Company TK122
- Brooklyn Kayak Company FK13
- Brooklyn Kayak Company FK184
- Brooklyn Kayak Company TK181
- Lifetime Tamarack Angler
- Pelican Sport Basscreek 100XP Angler
- NuCanoe UNLIMITED
- Ascend H12 Hybrid
- Lifetime Stealth Angler 110
- Old Town Topwater 106
- Hoodoo Sports Tempest 120 Hybrid
- Hoodoo Sports Impulse 135 Dual Drive
- Pelican Sport The Catch 120
- Perception Kayaks Pescador Pilot 120
Hunting Kayak Reviews
1. Brooklyn Kayak Company RA220
- Length: 11’6”
- Width: 34 inches
- Weight: 68 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 550 pounds
The RA220 is the Brooklyn Kayak Company’s best kayak for hunting and fishing. It is equipped with a flip-down rudder at the stern that promotes better tracking ability in rough water or windy conditions.
That rudder can easily be flipped up, however, if you are moving into shallower waters. The rudder is operated by the foot pedals in the cockpit that also make it easier for you to maintain a more ergonomic paddling position.
This kayak is also loaded with a number of useful features for both hunting and fishing. It has three large watertight hatches that allow a safe, dry space for storing ammunition and other water-sensitive hunting gear.
You will also be able to store a large cooler or cooler bag in the back of the kayak so that you can keep your kills secure and on ice if you need to. Otherwise, that storage area can be used for other gear that you do not mind getting a little wet.
2. Brooklyn Kayak Company TK122
- Length: 12’8”
- Width: 34 inches
- Weight: 74 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 770 pounds
If you and your hunting partner need a tandem kayak for your trips, the TK122 model is a slight upgrade in terms of size and weight capacity from the RA220. This is also a great hunting kayak for a parent and a child to enjoy a hunting trip together.
There are two watertight storage hatches on this kayak for hunting gear that can not get wet. They are located directly in front of each seat so that they provide easy access for both paddlers to grab gear as needed.
The seats themselves are aluminum-framed and provide an elevated vantage point for better wildlife spotting. The mesh netting stretched around the frame also makes these eats highly comfortable and makes them breathe well on hot days.
The TK122 kayak also boasts a total of four accessory rails that allow you to attach a number of useful items. Whether you need a kayak GPS for navigation or you want to get creative with attaching a rifle mount, these rails will give you the kind of freedom and flexibility that you need.
3. Brooklyn Kayak Company FK13
- Length: 12’11.5”
- Width: 34 inches
- Weight: 77 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 550 pounds
Going back to one of Brooklyn Kayak Company’s solo kayaks, the FK13 is a great design for long-distance hunting trips. It boasts plenty of storage space in its three large watertight storage hatches and you can also organize smaller gear items in the center console.
It also boasts a rudder mounted at the stern and boasts the same ergonomic, aluminum-framed seat you will find on the TK122 and RA220 models. The rudder on this kayak, however, is hand-operated, which is slightly different from the RA220.
In the cockpit, there are still adjustable foot pedals to help you practice core stability and better paddling posture. Two paddle keepers on either side of the kayak also allow you to turn and strap your paddle into either gunwale so that you can have your hands free for other activities.
The FK13 is also designed to cut through chop and glide through currents. So, while it is designed mostly for flat water, it will perform well if you encounter unexpected weather on your hunting trip.
4. Brooklyn Kayak Company FK184
- Length: 9 feet
- Width: 32 inches
- Weight: 44 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 330 pounds
The Brooklyn Kayak Company FK184 model is a better choice for smaller paddlers because of its shorter length. It also happens to weigh quite a bit less than some of BKC’s larger models, which will make it easier to transport or portage between waterways.
Two watertight hatches in the cockpit still provide plenty of storage space and the bungee rigging over the rear tankwell makes it easier to secure other gear back there as well.
The smaller size of this kayak also makes it more maneuverable than many of the longer kayaks we have included. That makes it a good candidate if you live to use narrower streams and rivers to navigate your hunting grounds.
The FK184 also includes a total of four flush-mounted fishing rod holders and one articulating fishing rod holder in the cockpit. These rod holders can be adapted to other purposes for hunting, such as holding a kayak light for evening navigation or securing extra ammunition for quick reloading.
5. Brooklyn Kayak Company TK181
- Length: 12’8”
- Width: 34 inches
- Weight: 68 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 595 pounds
The last model from Brooklyn Kayak Company for hunting applications is the TK181. This is a tandem kayak with lots of useful hunting features and a slightly more affordable price tag than the TK122 model.
Instead of the aluminum seats that the TK122 boasts, this kayak has padded, clip-in seats that can be adjusted to your preferred position. This makes them easier to remove if you do need to use it as a solo paddler and want the extra space for hunting gear (or a furry hunting companion).
This kayak also has two watertight storage hatches for storing more sensitive gear and a small rear cargo area with bungee rigging. It also has paddle keepers on both sides that make it easy to free your hands for other uses.
The TK181 is also a little lighter than the TK122 if you are concerned about transporting a heavier kayak. It also boasts multiple carrying handles on the gunwales, bow, and stern for easier carrying with your hunting partner.
6. Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100
- Length: 10 feet
- Width: 31 inches
- Weight: 52 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 275 pounds
The Tamarack Angler is a very basic hunting kayak that is best for shorter trips. It features a padded foam seat with an adjustable seat back and two 6-inch storage compartments in the center and stern of the kayak.
These smaller compartments provide a drier place to store ammunition and other sensitive items, but we would still recommend keeping them in a small dry bag before inserting them into the compartments because the watertight nature of these hatches has come into question.
This kayak also has a slightly lower weight capacity than some of the others on our list, which makes it better for smaller paddlers or hunters that don’t bring a ton of gear with them.
The Tamarack Angler from Lifetime also does boast two flush-mounted rod holders and a third articulating rod holder for fishing applications if you need it. Plus, it is a relatively stable kayak in spite of its slightly narrower design.
7. Pelican Sport Basscreek 100XP Angler
- Length: 10 feet
- Width: 30.5 inches
- Weight: 50 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 325 pounds
The Basscreek 100XP Angler from Pelican Sport is another one of the most lightweight hunting kayaks on our list. That makes it perfect for speedy trips and its larger capacity allows you to carry more than you would in the Tamarack Angler.
It is also slightly a hybrid between a sit-on-top and sit-inside kayak. The cockpit is sunken further into the kayak to help keep you drier when you are paddling in windy or wavy conditions but you are not all the way close in so that you can more easily enter or exit the kayak at a moment’s notice.
This kayak also boats a multi-chine hull that provides exceptional stability. In fact, it is one of the most stable designs when compared to all the different types of kayak hulls.
The Basscreek features adjustable foot pedals to accommodate paddlers of varying heights, a large storage compartment at the bow for dry storage, and a total of six accessory eyelets that allow you to easily attach gear that you need quick access to while you are hunting.
8. NuCanoe UNLIMITED
PC NuCanoe
- Length: 12’6”
- Width: 41 inches
- Weight: 84 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 650 pounds
The NuCanoe kayak model gets its name because there is an unlimited number of ways you can set it up to your preference. This makes it an ideal choice for experienced hunters that want a fully customizable kayak.
It features a wider design that even allows you to stand up comfortably and in a stable fashion in the cockpit. That can be useful for sighting whatever you are hunting or getting a better shot when taking aim.
It is also loaded with a total of 10 different accessory tracks that are placed strategically along the gunwales from bow to stern. This allows you to attach your preferred accessories and keep them right where you want them for the perfect moment.
While it is made to primarily be paddled and used by a single person, you can also set this up for a second paddler. Plus, it includes customizable wiring access points that allow you to install your preferred NuCanoe propulsion system.
9. Ascend H12 Hybrid
PC Ascend Kayaks
- Length: 12 feet
- Width: 32 inches
- Weight: 76 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 450 pounds
The Ascend H12 Hybrid kayak is a cross between a sit-on-top and a sit-inside kayak. For starters, it boasts the kind of elevated, aluminum-framed seat that you will find on many of the best river fishing kayaks.
The cockpit, however, features raised edges to provide a drier, more comfortable ride that more closely resembles the best sit-in kayaks. It also boasts a large, sealed storage hatch at the bow that is completely watertight and even includes bungee rigging on top for attaching a kayak deck bag.
This kayak also boasts excellent stability for both standing and sitting. Plus, the stepped keel and tunnel-style hull allow it to track very well in light currents and winds.
The Ascend H12 also includes saddlebags inside the cockpit for keeping smaller gear items or personal snacks close at hand. One of the saddlebags even features an integrated waterproof phone case!
10. Lifetime Stealth Angler 110
PC Lifetime Kayaks
- Length: 11 feet
- Width: 30.5 inches
- Weight: 59.3 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
While many of the kayaks we have chosen for this list are getting progressively more expensive, the Lifetime Stealth Angler 110 is a more affordable choice than the rest we have included. It is best suited to smaller paddlers, but it has more storage space than the other Lifetime, Pelican, and BKC kayaks we have already mentioned.
This kayak features a contoured rear tankwell that promotes better water drainage if you get caught in the rain or blindsided by a large wave. That way, any gear you secure with the bungee lacing system back there doesn’t sit in a puddle of water for the rest of your trip.
It also includes a small round hatch at the center of the cockpit for secure storage that remains easily accessible. Additional bungee rigging at the bow allows you to secure additional hunting gear that can’t fit elsewhere.
The Stealth Angler 110 has a skeg well on the stern for better tracking in currents and winds. That skeg wheel also allows you to easily roll this kayak from your vehicle down to the water instead of having to purchase or build a rolling kayak cart.
11. Old Town Topwater 106
PC Old Town Canoe and Kayak
- Length: 10’6”
- Width: 34.5 inches
- Weight: 75 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 440 pounds
The Old Town Topwater 106 is a great model for hunters because it is wide and stable when you aren’t moving. It also tracks really well and can make good time when you are tracking waterfowl.
The pontoon-style hull also makes it extremely quiet as you move through the water, which will make it easier for you to sneak up on your prey. The Element Air seating system can be adjusted to a high or low seating position depending on your preference and what is most comfortable for you.
This kayak also boasts an oversized stern tankwell to give you plenty of storage room for all of your hunting gear. There is an additional enclosed storage hatch at the bow for more sensitive gear, but you may need a dry bag for watertight storage in the rear tankwell.
The Topwater 106 also has EVA foam deck pads for more comfortable and safer standing. Plus, adjustable foot pedals allow this kayak to provide comfortable seating for paddlers of varying heights.
12. Hoodoo Sports Tempest 120 Hybrid
PC Hoodoo Sports
- Length: 12 feet
- Width: 33 inches
- Weight: 62 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 350 pounds
The Tempest 120 Hybrid from Hoodoo Sports is another hunting kayak with an abundance of enclosed storage space. It has a watertight, oval-shaped hatch at the bow, a rectangular hatch behind the kayak seat, and a third, round storage hatch in the rear tankwell.
The ”˜hybrid’ label on this kayak is because it is made to suit the needs of hunters and anglers while also allowing recreational kayakers to cover some serious distance. It also includes an optional pedal drive system for hands-free locomotion.
Because of that option, this kayak has a drop-down rudder and the stern to help with tracking when you are engaging the pedal drive system. It also features a paddle keeper on the right gunwale for storing a paddle for emergency use.
The Tempest 120 also boasts a super comfortable aluminum-framed seat, anchor trolleys for keeping your kayak stable in one location, and quite a reasonable price tag for a kayak that is loaded down with so many useful features.
13. Hoodoo Sports Impulse 135 Dual Drive
PC Hoodoo Sports
- Length: 13’6”
- Width: 34 inches
- Weight: 101 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 398 pounds
The Impulse 135 Dual Drive kayak from Hoodoo Sports is one of their best models for hands-free propulsion. You will have the option of adding a single direction fin drive, bi-directional pedal drive with a propeller, or an electric drive system.
Three accessory gear tracks on this kayak make it easy to attach custom accessories as you desire. Three large storage hatches also provide watertight space for any gear that you do not want to take a chance of getting wet.
The aluminum-framed seat on this kayak can also be adjusted to various heights depending on whether you are actively paddling (or pedaling) or you need a higher vantage point for spotting ducks.
The Impulse kayak also features a tracking fin to help you remain straight in windy conditions and four integrated fishing rod holders if you ever want to use it for fishing trips in addition to hunting waterfowl.
14. Pelican Sport The Catch 120
PC Pelican Sport
- Length: 11’8”
- Width: 34 inches
- Weight: 69 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 400 pounds
The Catch 120 kayak from Pelican Sport is arguably this kayak brand’s best model for hunting. It has a larger watertight hatch at the bow and a super open and flat cockpit that allows you to stand up comfortably.
It also boasts a large rear tankwell with bungee rigging and the elevated seat allows you to store additional storage boxes under the seat. It is also compatible with Pelican’s EXOCRATE storage bag, which will make it easier to keep your hunting or fishing supplies organized.
Adjustable foot pedals in the cockpit of this kayak make it easier for paddlers of different heights to find a comfortable position. Four-inch rigging tracks along the gunwales also allow you to attach your preferred hunting accessories.
The Catch 120 also boasts the same qualities as all Pelican kayaks. No other kayak brand creates designs that can regain their shape if dented quite as well as Pelican Sport!
15. Perception Kayaks Pescador Pilot 120
PC Perception Kayaks
- Length: 12’5”
- Width: 33.75 inches
- Weight: 85 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 475 pounds
The Pescador Pilot 120 from Perception Kayaks is a pedal-driven kayak with a drop-down rudder at the stern. The rudder is hand-operated, but you will mostly be able to keep your hands free to hunt with this kayak.
This model features generous storage compartments towards the bow and a secondary sealed compartment at the stern. There is also an open cargo area at the bow that is covered with mesh netting.
The aluminum-framed seat on this kayak can be adjusted to different heights on the fly and the cockpit is open and flat enough for you to stand up inside. The kayak itself is also plenty stable once you get the hang of it.
The Pescador Pilot also features two accessory tracks for attaching gear, an anchor trolley to keep your kayak in one place while you go ashore, and a total of four integrated fishing rod holders.
Our Pick – Brooklyn Kayak Company RA220
We also love this kayak because it is stable enough for stand-up fishing. For hunters, that will allow you to sight ducks and other waterfowl and even stand up to keep track of your hunting dog as he or she goes crashing through the marsh!
