Fishing from a kayak has definite advantages over fishing from a motorized vessel. For one, you’ll have access to narrower and shallower waterways that you’d never take a motorized boat on safely.
But fishing from a motorized vessel does give you an elevated vantage point that’s hard to obtain in most kayaks. That’s why kayak manufacturers began creating kayak designs that are stable enough for you to stand up and fish from them.
In conjunction with a quality trolling motor, there’s almost nowhere you can’t go with a stand up fishing kayak. And it’ll be even harder to call it a day and actually get home before the sun goes down.
We’ve scoured the Internet to bring you 10 options for the best stand up fishing kayak with motor and we’ve also compiled a thorough Buying Guide to help you make a choice.
Don’t forget to check out our consensus pick for the best stand up fishing kayak at the end of the article.
Jargon Buster
Kayaking terminology can be complicated enough when you’re just worrying about finding the best recreational kayak for your casual use.
But we need to cover more detailed terms to get you ready for the fishing kayak and motor jargon you’ll find throughout the rest of this article.
Trolling Motor
Trolling motors are very common to fishing boats and they typically require a 12-volt marine battery as a power supply. The smallest and lightest versions of these motors can be attached to your kayak to provide locomotion instead of having to paddle to a new fishing hole.
Motor Mount
A motor mount is a kayak accessory that attaches to the stern part of the kayak. Once it’s in place, it gives you a more sturdy area to secure a trolling motor onto your kayak, but not all kayaks require a motor mount for proper trolling motor installation.
Thrust
The term thrust simply refers to how powerful a motor is. As a general rule-of-thumb, you’ll need about two pounds of thrust for every 100 pounds you load into your stand up fishing kayak.
Buying Guide
Before we detail our choices for the best stand up fishing kayak with motor, let’s detail some of the important criteria to consider when comparing these choices.
Our Buying Guide will help you narrow down your options and select the right kayak for your intended use.
Width
The width of a fishing kayak dictates how stable it remains on the water. When your primary interest is fishing from a standing position, a kayak’s width is arguably more important than any other dimension.
In general, you can expect a wider kayak to be more stable than a narrower design. As a kayak gets wider, it spreads your weight over a larger surface area of water and makes it easier for you to maintain balance while you focus on casting and reeling.
Hull Design
While the width is primarily responsible for a kayak’s stability, the design and shape of the hull also play a critical role. Kayaks with very deep, V-shaped hulls are designed for high-end speeds and straighter tracking.
Kayaks with flatter hulls are designed for more stability and maneuverability. The latter is always going to be preferable for fishing applications and this is especially true when your interest is in stand up fishing from your kayak.
Trolling Motor Specifications
The specifications of the trolling motor you choose to mount on the stern of your kayak are important to consider as well. The first specification to observe has to do with the amount of power the motor will generate.
When analyzing a trolling motor’s power, you’ll mainly be looking at its thrust. Thrust is measured in pounds and you’ll need about one pound of thrust for every 50 pounds of body weight and gear you load into your kayak.
Another specification to pay attention to is the length of the motor’s shaft. This will tell you how far the prop will submerge into the water and is important when you’re considering the average depth of the water at your favorite fishing holes.
For example, a 36-inch shaft length is going to quickly be rendered obsolete if you’re regularly fishing in waters that are 24 inches deep or less.
On the other hand, you’ll want a shaft that’s long enough for your propeller to be submerged at least 12 inches underwater once the motor is mounted to the stern of your kayak.
The last trolling motor specification we want to mention is the recommended battery connection.
Most motors require a 12-volt deep cycle or marine battery, but you should simply be familiar with what else you’ll need to power your motor and where you’ll be able to install it on your kayak.
Storage Space
The final quick consideration we’ll mention is storage space. As kayak anglers, we tend to have a lot of gear with us so that we can spend a quality amount of time out on the water.
You’ll simply need to take stock of your ideal kayak fishing gear allotment and make sure there’s enough space to store it on your new kayak. Also, be sure to look for a kayak with bungee deck rigging so that you can attach additional gear on top of the kayak if it doesn’t fit in one of the open or closed storage compartments.
Best Stand Up Fishing Kayak With Motor
True stand up fishing kayaks with built-in motors are rare. So we’ve included stand up fishing kayaks that give you the ability to mount a motor on the back, as well as a compatible trolling motor for each kayak in these reviews.
1. Riot Kayaks Escape 12 Angler with Watersnake T18 Trolling Motor
The Riot Kayaks Escape is a 12-foot fishing kayak with a total of five fishing rod holders. It has a pilot drive steering system that allows you to track straighter once you’re underway.
It’s also 30 inches wide and weighs a total of 72 pounds. Anglers will enjoy ample storage area for their fishing gear in this kayak with its open stern storage area and watertight storage compartment in the bow.
The Escape 12 Angler kayak is compatible with the Watersnake T18 Trolling Motor. This motor can attach to the gunwale near the stern of the kayak to provide electric-powered propulsion on the water.
It’s rated to provide 18 pounds of thrust and the motor shaft is 24 inches long. This motor requires a 12-volt battery connection, but there’s plenty of room in the stern storage area to secure a marine battery in place to power it.
2. Emotion Kayaks Stealth Pro Angler 118 with Newport Vessels NV-Series Trolling Motor
The seat on this kayak can be customized to a high, low, or medium setting depending on the vantage point you’re looking for. It also comes with two Flambeau tackle boxes and two flush-mounted fishing rod holders.
The Newport Vessels NV-Series Trolling Motor is a great option to secure to the stern of the Stealth Pro kayak. It offers 46 pounds of thrust and a durable 30-inch composite fiberglass shaft.
This motor is super quiet and efficient enough for you to fish all day without worrying about it overheating. It requires one 12-volt deep cycle or marine battery for power, but there’s plenty of room to secure a battery in the stern storage area of this Emotion Kayak.
3. NRS Star Rival Inflatable Fishing Kayak with Minn Kota Endura C2 30 Trolling Motor
This kayak measures 12 feet and six inches long and offers a width of 38 inches.
It offers a distinct advantage over other fishing kayaks with a weight of just 31 pounds and it also features daisy chains options in the bow and stern that allow you to customize your bait and tackle storage setup.
Once it’s fully inflated to its recommended pressure of 10 PSI, the Rival is rigid enough to attach a small trolling motor at the stern. The Minn Kota Endura C2 is an excellent option for this kayak because it weighs only 17 pounds while offering 30 pounds of thrust.
The shaft length on this motor measures 30 inches and the motor itself features five forward speeds and three reverse speeds.
This motor also boasts an easy-to-use, 10-position lever lock bracket that allows you to rotate the prop up out of the way when entering shallower waters.
4. NuCanoe Frontier 10 with Minn Kota Endura C2 30 Trolling Motor
The shorter length of this kayak makes it much more stable and easier to control and maneuver in tighter spaces. It also includes no-slip grip pads on the deck of the kayak to provide more stability when standing.
The Frontier is compatible with the Minn Kota Endura C2 Trolling Motor if you want to make it easier to get around with manually paddling your kayak everywhere. This motor provides up to 30 pounds of thrust and has a shaft length of 30 inches.
The Endura C2 also offers a six-inch telescoping tiller that makes it easier to operate from the comfort of the Frontier’s bench seat and the entire motor is made with a reinforced composite material that is resistant to UV damage.
5. Bote Deus Aero Inflatable Kayak with Watersnake T18 Trolling Motor
One advantage of this kayak is that it weighs only 50 pounds when fully inflated. Even though it’s an inflatable, it still boasts a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds and it features a non-slip deck to allow for more stable stand up fishing.
The back of the kayak has an open deck design where you’ll be able to attach a lightweight trolling motor like the Watersnake T18. The kayak will, of course, need to be inflated to its maximum pressure of 12-15 PSI before securing a trolling motor on the back.
But the T18 can give you up to 18 pounds of thrust and it boasts a shaft length of 24 inches for fishing in shallower bodies of water. This motor also weighs less than five pounds, which makes it ideal for attaching to an inflatable kayak.
6. Wilderness Systems A.T.A.K. 140 with Helix MD Motor Drive
This kayak is equipped with an AirPro Max seat that makes it ideal for extended travel and all-day comfort. It also offers a low-profile hull that makes it great for navigating wind-exposed inland waterways.
For added locomotion, you’ll be able to install the Wilderness Systems Helix MD Motor Drive to the stern rail of this kayak.
This motor drive comes with a Flex Pod console that allows you to control it easily without having to twist and find a telescoping motor handle.
The Helix is capable of getting your kayak up to top speeds of six miles per hours and it comes with a lithium battery with up to eight hours of battery life.
You’ll also enjoy its quiet operation so that you don’t scare the fish away every time you arrive at a new spot.
7. Bote Lono Aero Inflatable Kayak with Watersnake T18 Trolling Motor
The Lono Aero also has a width of 35.5 inches and a maximum weight capacity of 400 pounds. It inflates to a super rigid pressure of 12-15 PSI so that you can attach a lightweight trolling motor to the stern deck.
If you’re looking for a trolling motor for this kayak, the 4.85-pound Watersnake T18 is an excellent option. This motor provides up to 18 pounds of thrust and offers an extendable handle to make it easier to steer while remaining in the kayak seat.
The T18 requires a 12-volt deep cycle or marine battery for power, which you’ll be able to secure to the stern deck of this kayak using the included bungee rigging.
The motor also comes with an adjustable transom mount fitting and optional bracket to give you more mounting options.
8. Wilderness Systems Radar 115 with Helix MD Motor Drive
The Wilderness Systems Radar 115 measures 11 feet and six inches in length. The kayak can be set up to be powered by a trolling motor, pedal drive system, or through the use of a standard kayak paddle.
It’s 35 inches wide and offers a maximum weight capacity of 400 pounds. The kayak itself weighs 86 pounds and features a raised aluminum-frame seat with mesh backing and foam cushion.
The Wilderness Systems Helix MD Motor Drive is specifically designed for compatibility with Wilderness Systems kayaks. It weighs only 15 pounds and requires minimal maintenance over its lifetime.
This motor is capable of reaching top speeds of six miles per hour and has a range of about 20 miles. It comes equipped with a lithium battery that provides up to eight hours of battery life when fully charged.
9. Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14 with Goplus Electric Trolling Motor
The Hobie Mirage Pro Angler is 13 feet and eight inches long with a total width of 38 inches. It features a built-in pedal drive propulsion system for hands-free locomotion but can also be outfitted with an electric trolling motor.
It features a raised aluminum seat for a higher vantage point when scouting clear waters and a maximum weight capacity of 600 pounds. The kayak itself weighs 144.5 pounds and it comes with two vertical fishing rod holders and six horizontal rod holders.
If you don’t want to rely on the Hobie’s pedal drive propulsion system, the Goplus Electric Trolling Motor is a good option for powered locomotion.
It can be secured to the stern of the Mirage Pro to provide up to 86 pounds of thrust.
The Goplus is an eight-speed trolling motor with an adjustable telescoping handle that ensures easy operation. It also boasts a 10-point LED battery life indicator that helps you monitor your battery and turn back before you run out of power.
10. Old Town Predator 13 Angler with Minn Kota Riptide Terrova Trolling Motor
The Old Town Predator Angler kayak measures 13 feet and two inches long with a total width of 33.5 inches. This kayak comes with three unique seating positions that allow you to customize your set up when traveling, standing, or fishing from a raised seated position.
It boasts a maximum weight capacity of 425 pounds and the Predator itself weighs 86 pounds. You’ll enjoy a safer experience with this kayak due to its slip-resistant Exo Ridge deck and tankwell.
If you want to make it easier to get around in the Predator kayak, the Minn Kota Riptide Terrova i-Pilot Trolling Motor is a compatible add-on.
It has a useful lift-assist design that allows you to automatically raise the propeller with minimal effort when you’re moving into shallower water.
The Riptide is built with premium-grade alloys that undergo a multi-step cleaning process to make the entire motor more resistant to saltwater corrosion and it also boasts a weedless wedge 2 prop that reduces the chances of getting tangled in algae-laden waters.
Our Pick – Wilderness Systems A.T.A.K. 140 with Helix MD Motor Drive
The main benefit of this is that you only have one place to take your complaints if anything goes wrong. But it also helps you ensure that the motor and kayak are 100% compatible before finalizing your purchase.
The Helix motor drive has obvious advantages over other models because you can operate it from the intelligent remote throttle.
This removes the discomfort of turning around to steer the motor handle and it also monitors your speed, remaining range, and battery run time.
The A.T.A.K. 140 kayak is one of the longest kayaks on our list, which means you’ll be able to cover greater distances in shorter periods of time. This remains true whether you’re paddling or using the motor drive.
Finally, this kayak is one of the most customizable options on our list and we know that every angler has unique preferences so we’ve chosen a kayak that gives you the ability to set it up the way you like it.
