Fishing has taken off in popularity in recent years, and kayak fishing is making a surge in popularity. For a good reason, it’s really fun and brings extra excitement to a favorite pastime, but if you are looking for the best fishing kayak under $300, then it will take a little more looking.
As we are working on a smaller budget, we are looking for a budget fishing kayak, and are choices are going to be a little more limited but that’s not to say we have to compromise on quality.
In this article we have sheared high and low for some of the best fishing kayaks under 300 comparing features and build quality and then bringing you the top 5 we have found, we have put a little mini-guide below to show you what we think is important when looking for a fishing kayak this will also help if you want to go on a search of your own.
We have put together the top 5 kayaks that are affordable, including some that are very lightweight and easy to maintain.
Sevylor Quikpak K1 1-Person Kayak
There are many benefits to getting an inflatable kayak over a traditional kayak. You do not need a truck or large SUV to transport it. You can hike with it on your back to a more remote place to put in, instead of being constrained to a place near the road. Plus, inflatable kayaks are usually much cheaper than traditional hard bodied kayaks. These are all of the things you’ll get with the Sevylor Quikpak K1 1-Person Kayak. This inflatable kayak is easy to transport, durable and easily packs into a backpack which also serves as the seat of the kayak during use.
The Sevylor Quikpak K1 1-Person Kayak has a reinforced bottom to prevent tears as much as possible during beaching and paddling. It features a nifty multi-compartment system that prevents total loss of air in the case of an unfortunate puncture incident. That means you will have plenty of time to get to shore without worrying about getting stranded or sinking. This kayak even comes with a pump to inflate it yourself, on the go if needed, and a paddle giving you everything you need to start kayaking today. And, it all comes in at a price you won’t believe.
- Durable inflatable kayak designed to eliminate punctures, tears, and deflating incidents
- Easily packs into a backpack for hiking and storage
- Comes with a pump and paddle to make a complete set
Intex Challenger Kayak Series
Intex has been making high grade inflatable products for years. They have honed their craft creating top of the line innertubes, pool floaties, and more. Now Intex is back with their latest innovation, an inflatable kayak. Traditional hard body kayaks are heavy, hard to transport and expensive. The Intex Challenger K1 Kayak is lightweight, easy to store and transport and affordable.
The Intex Challenger K1 Kayak comes with everything you need to get right to the action and more. It includes a high grade aluminum paddle, a hand pump for easy inflation and a repair patch in case something goes wrong out on the water. The whole kayak is roomy, comfortable and can hold up to 220lbs. It features two grab lines, ample storage and a wonderful inflated seat for optimal comfort. That means you get a roomy kayak that has storage, comfort and durability for a price that is a fraction of that of traditional kayaks.
- High quality materials made by Intex
- Packs up easily for simple and fast storage and transport
- Includes a complimentary repair kit for mistakes
- Extremely affordable fun for the whole family
Sevylor Tahiti 3-Person Fishing Kayak
Most inflatable kayaks are made for a single person. Thanks to the innovators at Sevylor, now you can get an inflatable fishing kayak that can fit up to three people. The Sevylor Tahiti 3-Person Fishing Kayak is a large, durable inflatable kayak with large weight capacity for multiple people. Inflatable kayaks are no longer simply a solo activity. At 10’4” long and 3’1” wide with a huge weight capacity of 360lbs you can fit multiple people or tons of quality gear in this durable and powerful kayak.
The Sevylor Tahiti 3-Person Fishing Kayak is made from rugged 21 gauge PVC that is perfect for lakes and slow moving streams. You can fish from the center of your favorite sun drenched lake with your kids or your friends and have a truly idyllic day. The kayak inflates and deflates easily. It packs up for simple storage. It won’t leak, won’t creak and won’t sink. Also, it has convenient pull ropes for easy handling on the water and pulling it out of the water. Includes comfortable backrests and a handy carrying bag.
- Large capacity multi-person inflatable kayak
- Perfect for fishing from the center of your favorite lake or pond
- Extremely affordable compared to traditional hard bodied kayaks
Intex Excursion Pro Kayak
There are a lot of benefits to an inflatable kayak over a traditional kayak but most inflatable kayaks on the market are little more than dressed up pool floats. They are fragile, have low weight capacity, and are more toys than they are serious pieces of equipment. If you want to get a serious inflatable kayak, go to the serious manufacturers. Intex has been making high grade inflatable products for many years and they have garnered a stellar reputation for quality inflatables.
The Intex Excursion Pro Kayak, Professional Series Inflatable Fishing Kayak is a serious inflatable kayak. This durable and strong PVC kayak features two removable skews for deep and shallow water, two floor mounted footrests, two integrated recessed fishing rod holders, and two adjustable bucket seats. It has a full 400lbs weight capacity which will allow up to two adults or a single adult and a ton of equipment to occupy this kayak and it won’t even break a sweat. This is a serious inflatable kayak that comes with all of the benefits of inflatable over standard for a great price from a great manufacturer.
- Large 400lbs weight capacity
- Tons of features and extras
- Inflates and deflates quickly, especially for its size
Intex Explorer K2 Kayak
The Intex Explorer K2 Kayak, 2-Person Inflatable Kayak Set with Aluminum Oars, and High Output Air Pump is a super high grade, inflatable kayak made for two people. Have fun anywhere with your friends or family, no truck or SUV required. This amazing two-seater kayak is available for a great price and can offer all of the fun and adventure of a traditional kayak.
The Intex Explorer K2 Kayak, 2-Person Inflatable Kayak Set with Aluminum Oars, and High Output Air Pump is spacious and can easily fit two people. It comes with two oars and a pump designed to inflate this kayak without any hassle at all. It has a large 400lbs weight capacity which can easily fit you, another person and some gear without any trouble at all. Get the best from the reputable makers at Intex today.
Awesome, rugged two person inflatable kayak
Available at an awesome price, just a fraction of traditional kayaks
Easy to inflate and deflate
Best Fishing Kayak Under $300 Buyer Guide
This guide is all about helping you make an informed choice when it comes to buying your kayak, it doesn’t matter that under $300 is classed as a low budget fishing kayak there is certain things that you will not want to compromise on and we have listed them below so you can get the best deal possible on your budget.
Something to bear in mind is that no two kayaks are the same or come with all the same features and you may have to compromise on some features in this lower budget range.
It’s all about safety
First and most importantly for me it matter not a jot that you are getting a budget fishing kayak your safety in of the most importance and that should come first over anything, So make sure any fishing kayak you buy has safety features so if it’s an inflatable it need to be puncture proof or at least have separate chambers to if one deflates you still have a raft to keep you afloat.
I can’t see any not having the necessary safety features that are for sale in today’s modern world but always make sure we have checked are top 5 here and I would be happy to use them.
Kayak Comfort
If you plan on using your kayak for long periods of time then comfort is a must checking reviews to see how others are finding is a great way to find out.
Make sure that it comes with at least a seat with a backrest this will make your fishing trips much better, also you want some additional features like rod holders and hatches for storage but you may have to compromise on a few features like this on this budget.
Any Warranty
When buying anything it’s always nice to get a warranty and it’s no different here with a kayak a warranty will give us extra confidence that the company are willing to stand by their product. The longer the warranty term is the more confident I would be that I am buying a decent product.
Best Fishing Kayak Under $300
If you have read any of our other guides you will know by now that I don’t really like to answer this question but I always do the reason is there is not always one size fits all and what suits you might not fit the next person but if I had my arm twisted I would pick two.
If my budget was on the higher end then I would go with the Intex Challenger Kayak Series as it has very good storage space and is ticks all the right boxes on the comfort front with its seat.
Now if you’re on the lower end I would have to choose the Intex Explorer K2 Kayak it’s a very bright fishing kayak which some may not like and for a budget fishing kayak it has a really high weight capacity but check your weight to make sure you fall in the range.
Conclusion
People say it’s really hard to find the best fishing kayak under $300 and we agree but we hope that we have made that job a lot easier with this guide and it helps you find the kayak that is just right for you and your budget.
If you are looking to spend a little more then we have put a complete guide on finding the Best Fishing Kayaks Under $500.
Despite the lower budget, you can find a really good deal like all of the above and we hope next time you hit the waterways with your new kayak you get plenty of tight lines and enjoy your kayak fishing adventures.