Stand up fishing kayaks allow you to benefit from increased visibility, as you can see across a wider distance than if you were seated. It also allows you to exert more strength to haul in large fish.
Standing allows you to cast your line more accurately in areas of dense vegetation and benefit from increased maneuverability compared to being stuck in a chair.
However, while stand up fishing kayaks have many benefits, it’s crucial to choose the right one. Stability is essential when it comes to stand up fishing kayaks, and you’ll also want to look for features such as anti-slip deck pads to prevent you from falling.
In this article, I will be reviewing some of the best stand up fishing kayaks.
Let’s get into it!
Quick Summary
Some best stand up kayaks for fishing include:
- Pelican Catch Mode 100
- Reel Yaks Pedal Kayak Fishing Angler 11
- Perception Kayaks Outlaw 11.5
- Perception Hi Life 11
- Reel Yaks 9.5ft Modular Fishing Kayak
These kayaks were specifically designed for both fishing and standing. With features such as rod holders and standing deck pads for improved traction, these kayaks are perfect for stand up fishing.
Best Stand Up Fishing Kayaks
1. Pelican Kayak Catch Mode 110
The flooring on the deck provides traction so you don’t slip and fall, with foam pads to increase stability.
If you want to sit down, though, don’t worry; the ergonomic seat provides plenty of comfort. It can be folded and used as a booster seat for a bit of extra height while seated, or you can fold it and put it away for transport.
A storage area is conveniently located under the seat for easy access, but that’s not the only storage on this boat. There is a covered storage area in the front with a net covering, along with bungee cords for keeping your items under the net secure.
This net has the added feature of a paddle strap, which allows you to securely store your paddle while fishing. In addition to that, there are paddle tie-downs to secure your paddle or fishing rods.
There is also a rear tank well for additional storage and two bottle holders to help you stay hydrated.
The Pelican Catch Mode 110 does have a skeg to increase tracking and allow for straight paddling, but if you’re in shallow waters, you can retract the skeg to avoid damage.
Despite weighing a mere 68 pounds, this kayak has a total weight capacity of 375 pounds, enough for you and all your fishing gear.
2. Reel Yaks Pedal Kayak Fishing Angler 11
If you’re looking for a fishing kayak with a greater weight capacity and a pedal drive, this Reel Yaks Pedal Fishing Angler 11 is a great choice.
A pedal drive allows you to pedal your kayak using your feet. It frees up your hands to do other important stuff.
While some people use pedal kayaks for recreational purposes, it’s particularly useful for fishing, since it allows you to hold your fishing rods and reel in your catch without the need to paddle.
You’ll notice that the hull is somewhat pointed, improving speed and performance, but this kayak is still incredibly stable. The deck has anti-slip foot pads to provide extra stability, although if you are using the pedal drive, it can feel a bit inconveniently placed in between your legs.
Besides the whopping 500-pound capacity, this kayak comes equipped with all sorts of other accessories to enhance your fishing experience.
It has four track rails for your fishing accessories, such as a fish finder, camera, and more. There is also a mounting hole in the hull in which you can place your transducer.
Furthermore, there are six rod holders to secure your fishing rods. There is a water bottle holder as well, conveniently located for ease of access.
One of the best things about this kayak, though, is the sheer amount of storage you will get.
There are three storage hatches and one open storage area, for a total of four storage areas.
The first storage area is in the front. It’s a somewhat triangular shaped hatch.
The second storage area is located right in front of the seat. It is a circular eight-inch hatch that is easily accessible while seated, with a nylon bag inside to keep your valuables safe.
Furthermore, there is a storage hatch behind the seat. It’s designed for a trolling motor battery, but you can also use it to store your gear.
Finally, there is an open storage area in the back, where you can tie down a small cooler or other equipment with the bungee cords.
Next to the seat, you will find a hand-controlled rudder system. It’s also worth noting the carry handles on the sides of this kayak, which make transporting it easy.
Overall, it’s one of the best stand up fishing kayaks money can buy.
3. Perception Kayaks Outlaw 11.5
Another amazing stand up fishing kayak is the Perception Kayak Outlaw 11.5, which has a wide open deck with a large standing platform.
The standing foot pads are conveniently located in front of the comfortable seat, allowing you to transition easily from sitting to standing.
The seat can be folded away and stored, which not only makes transporting the kayak easier but also gives you a lot more space to stand if you prefer not to sit at all.
Alternatively, you can replace the seat with a cooler, which allows you to store cold drinks; you can also sit on the cooler and use it as a seat.
If you do keep the seat, though, you can benefit from its raised height, which gives you more visibility.
The double-barrel fishing rod holders allow you to store your fishing rods and access them quickly.
What about storage?
There is a large hatch in the front, as well as an even larger tank well in the back with bungee cords.
I really liked the gear storage trays next to your seat, where you can keep tackle and other small accessories. Right in front of each gear tray, there is a cupholder (two cupholders in total), where you can keep your drinks and water bottles.
All in all, this kayak, made in the USA, is a great option for stand up fishing.
4. Reel Yaks 9.5ft Modular Fishing Kayak
The Reel Yaks modular fishing kayak was designed for both sitting and standing, offering excellent stability either way.
The prime selling point of this kayak, though, is that it splits in half! You may have heard of inflatable kayaks and folding kayaks, both of which are excellent options if you want to save storage space.
This kayak offers an alternative, unique solution to those low on storage space: it splits in two!
Each section weighs 31 pounds, for a total of 62 pounds, but the kayak still has a 400-pound weight capacity. It’s easy to store it in your trunk once you have split it into two.
Don’t worry; it’s safe. The two parts lock securely together, so you can paddle safely on the water.
Just make sure to follow all standard kayak safety regulations! Here are some tips:
- Wear a life vest.
- Have kayak lights if kayaking at night.
- Know how to roll a capsized kayak.
- Have an emergency kit.
The stadium-style seat is nice and comfortable, with a storage hatch located right in front of the seat for quick access. The seat is adjustable for comfort, with an area in the front providing ample space for standing.
A rudder handle is conveniently located next to your seat.
There are also two storage tank wells in the front and back. The one in the front is covered with a net, while the back one comes with bungee cords with which to secure your items.
The kayak comes with a pedal drive, accessory rails, carry handles, two flush-mounted rod holders, trolling motor and kayak stabilizer mounts, and other features to make the life of anglers easier.
5. Old Town Sportsman PDL 120 Pedal Fishing Kayak
Next up, we have the Old Town Sportsman PDL 120 Pedal Fishing Kayak. Old Town is one of the oldest and most well-known kayak manufacturers, and it was founded in Old Town, Maine.
This kayak features EVA non-slip foam pads on the deck to provide traction while standing. The seat is quite comfortable, though, and uniquely designed to keep you cozy during long periods of kayaking.
It features a reverse pedal drive. A reverse pedal drive not only allows you to pedal forward but backward as well, hence the name.
You might not think that is a big deal. However, when you paddle in narrow waterways, you will quickly notice the difference and how much easier it makes things.
That means that you don’t have to turn your kayak around to go backward.
In terms of storage, you can benefit from the large storage hatch in the front and the large tank well in the rear. Not only that, though, but under the accessory rails, you will find additional side pockets for storing items.
There is a universal transducer mounting system designed to fit third-party transducers and fish finders. However, unlike a pedal drive, a fish finder is not included; you must buy it separately.
The double U-hull increases stability and performance, allowing for a steady and quiet paddling experience.
6. Boss SS Sit On/Stand On Top Angler Kayak
Another great option is the Boss SS Sit-On/Stand On Top Angler Kayak. As evident from its name, it is designed for both standing and sitting.
You’ll notice the stand up traction pads on the deck that provide stability while standing. What you might not notice at first, though, is the stand up strap that comes with the kayak.
This strap gives you even more stability, helping you maintain your balance while you fish.
There are waterproof hatches in the stern and bow for storage, with quick-lock mechanisms that allow you to easily open and close them.
In addition to the storage hatches in the front and rear, though, there are open storage wells in the front and rear, with bungee cords to keep your items safe.
In total, there are four storage areas, although you can probably tie some things down under the seat as well, as there is quite a spacious area over there.
The comfortable seat has an adjustable height.
Other than that, this kayak comes with useful features such as paddle holders and carry handles.
7. Perception Hi Life 11
The Perception Hi Life 11 is an interesting fusion between a stand up paddle board and fishing kayak. It’s a great option for stand up fishing due to the large deck.
The cushioning on the deck is soft yet provides plenty of traction. Under the seat, there is a recessed storage area where you can place a cooler.
This area has a drain hole to keep your cooler (or any other items you store there) safe.
If you want to sit down, you can enjoy the comfortable, padded seat. The backrest folds down, and there is a drink holder, where you can place your drink.
This hybrid kayak is particularly useful if you want to swim. The swim deck platform, which is located behind the seat, is yet another standing platform with traction pads.
This platform allows you to quickly get in and out of the water. It even has grab handles, which you can use to hoist yourself up onto your paddleboard.
There are other handles in the front and rear to make transporting the kayak easier.
8. Pelican Catch Classic Angler
The Pelican Catch Classic Angler has a spacious deck with traction areas for stand up fishing. The spacious deck is one of the first things you will notice about this kayak, providing excellent stability.
The contoured seat is comfortable and can be raised or lowered as per your preferences. The provided footrests are also adjustable for leg lengths of different sizes.
There are two storage areas: a hatch in the front with a quick-lock mechanism, and a rear tank well with bungee cords.
The kayak comes equipped with two tracks, two fishing rod holders, and two eyelets. There are paddle tie-downs and a bottle holder.
9. Pelican Catch HDII Premium Angler
The Pelican Catch HDII Premium Angler has a spacious footwell deck with preinstalled foam padding that provides traction and stability.
It comes with the HyDryve II pedal drive system, which allows you to free up your hands for fishing by pedaling the kayak with your legs. Its performance is enhanced by the retractable skeg, which helps you stay in a straight line.
Since the skeg is retractable, it won’t be an issue when kayaking in shallow waters.
The Ergocast seat is incredibly comfortable and comes with straps that allow you to adjust the position of the backrest while fishing.
10. Lifetime Yukon Angler 116
The Lifetime Yukon Angler 116 is equipped with a stability strap to help you maintain your footing while standing in the kayak. The hull is also designed in a way to provide extra stability while standing.
The deck is quite big, too, providing more than enough room for standing. It is reinforced with foam to provide extra traction.
It also comes with a variety of other useful built-in features for anglers. For example, there is a built-in 28-inch ruler to help you measure fish; I found this unique addition quite interesting.
The ruler is built into the deck, so after catching a fish, just lay it down on the deck to measure it.
A spacious storage hatch in the front provides room for your main accessories, while the additional tank well area in the back has bungee cords to help secure your items. The main storage hatch in the front is water-resistant.
Self-bailing scupper holes are built into the kayak to allow for drainage. In addition to the eight scupper holes in the deck, there is a drainage plug on the side to allow for even more drainage from the hull.
Although a rudder is not included, the kayak does support a rudder, which you can purchase separately and install.
Final Thoughts
Standing up in your kayak while fishing can take a bit of practice. Being able to stabilize yourself, especially if the tide or waves are strong, can be a challenge.
The most challenging part is hauling in heavy fish. They can easily cause you to lose your footing, so make sure you have a dry suit to keep you dry in case you fall into the water.
One option is getting a kayak with a stand up stability strap. I have included several in my list; it will help you stay stable when hauling in heavy fish.
