Best Fishing Kayaks Under $200

Best Fishing Kayaks Under $200 Comparison Chart

Weight
Length
Width
Max Capacity
Seat Capacity
Type
Water Type
Pros
Cons
Bottom line
Best Overall
Best Sit-on-top
Explorer K2 Kayak
30.60 lbs
10 ft 3 inches
36 inches
400 lbs
Tandem (2)
Sit-on-top inflatable
Smaller bodies of water like lakes and mild rivers
Can fit two people, is lightweight, easy to inflate, deflate, and pack away
The seat can be better
Offers the most convenience, practicality, and performance at a price that’s hard to beat.
Best Bang for the Buck
Best Sit-in Fishing Kayak
Intex Challenger Kayak
27.2 lbs
9 ft
30 inches
220 lbs
Single (1)
Sit-in inflatable
Lake or slow-moving river
Comfortable, light, cheap, easy to use and store, and durable
Not recommended for tall riders
A comfortable and easy-to-use and store fishing kayak that you buy at the cheapest price possible.
Coleman Sevylor Quikpak K1
18 lbs
8 ft 7 inches
36 inches
400 lbs
Single (1)
Sit-on-top inflatable
Lake and other still water
Stable, comes with everything you need, and is very lightweight
Not much space for storage
This is a great lightweight kayak that you can take on all your fishing trips.
Coleman Sevylor Fiji Tandem Kayak
23.8 lbs
10 ft 4 inches
33 inches
400 lbs
Tandem (2)
Sit-on-top inflatable
Still water
Rugged, multiple air chambers, has spray cover and can carry a lot of weight
Does not come with a skeg
If you’re looking for a simple tandem kayak that can either fit another person or your fishing gear, then this is a good choice.
Intex 68310VM Dakota K2
30.60 lbs
10 ft 3 inches
36 inches
400 lbs
Tandem (2)
Sit-on-top inflatable
Lakes, rivers, and coast
Carries a lot of weight, comes with 2 different skegs, and has everything you need
Feels heavy in the water
A tandem kayak that comes with 2 fins for easier steering and maneuverability.
So you’re interested in trying kayak fishing but still not ready to invest hundreds and thousands of dollars in a kayak? Maybe you want to see if kayak fishing is for you before investing in a quality and expensive watercraft. Or maybe you’re just cutting costs and can’t splurge on a fishing kayak at the moment? No matter the reason, if you’re looking for cheap fishing kayaks under $200, then we’ve got you covered.  There aren’t really many options for good fishing kayaks under 200 dollars. High-quality and durable kayaks with fishing-specific features do come with a price. But if you’re looking for a kayak that you can use for fishing, then there are certainly some pretty good options around. To help you with your search, we’ve put together a list of the best fishing kayaks under $200. We’ve also included a guide on how to choose a good kayak for fishing.

How We Chose the Best Fishing Kayak Under $200

We spent hours and hours of research to find the top cheap fishing kayaks under 200 currently offered in the market. We checked out different models from different brands and shortlisted all those we liked and those highly recommended by other consumers.  We then compared each product with the others to see which ones to include and what to cut down. We looked at their features, value for money, and quality. After much discussion, we were then able to narrow it down to only the top 5 fishing kayaks under $200.  That said, whichever kayak you go with, we guarantee that it can do the job of letting you fish comfortably and safely. 

The Best Fishing Kayak Under $200

Why we love it: 

  • Easy to handle and transport
  • Comes with everything you need
  • High max weight capacity

What it is best for:

  • Smaller bodies of water like lakes and mild rivers

Our best fishing kayak under 200 is Explorer K2. Like other inflatable kayaks, it is easy to inflate, deflate, and then stored away. It’s also light and easy to take from one point to another. Plus, it has everything you need to start your kayak fishing journey.  Now, what makes this inexpensive kayak our top pick is its performance. At this price point, it offers surprisingly reasonable performance on the water. It is stable, and when added with the skeg, becomes more manageable and easy to control. This is a versatile inflatable kayak, too. It can fit 2 people with some gear with its 400 lbs max weight capacity. Or, for best results, you can paddle it alone. Not only will this allow you to carry more fishing gear, but it will also give you a more comfortable ride.  On the downside, we noticed that the seats on the Explorer K2 can be a bit uncomfortable after sitting on it for a very long time. But overall, with its versatility, performance, and features, this is a great inflatable vessel for getting into kayak fishing at a price that’s just hard to beat. 

Pros:

  • ZFit two people
  • ZLightweight
  • ZEasy to inflate, deflate, and store
  • ZVery stable

Cons:

  • QThe seats can be better

Why we love it: 

  • Provides protection from elements
  • The seat is removable and adjustable
  • Extremely light
  • A cargo net for securing your items

What it is best for:

  • Lake or slow-moving river

The Intex Challenger is certainly one of the cheapest yet surprisingly effective inflatable fishing kayaks under 200. It is short and lightweight, so you can easily take it with you wherever you want to go. While it may look small on the outside, its cockpit has surprisingly enough room to make you feel comfortable.  Furthermore, this kayak offers ample storage for some of your gear. There’s a space behind the seat in the stern and a luggage net on the bow. We also like that it comes with a skeg, which is very important for inflatable kayaks as it gives them better directional stability. Plus, it’s a sit-in type, so you’ll be more protected from the elements while paddling.  Unfortunately, due to its enclosed cockpit design, this kayak is not ideal for tall people. That said, for its very reasonable price, complete inclusions, and satisfactory performance on the water, the Intex Challenger is a great choice for trying out kayak fishing.

Pros:

  • ZVery easy to use, transport, and store
  • ZDurable
  • ZVery affordable
  • ZComes with removable skeg

Cons:

  • QNot recommended for very tall riders

Why we love it: 

  • Comes with everything you need
  • Very lightweight
  • Stable

What it is best for:

  • Lake and other still water
The lightest kayak on our list, the Coleman Sevylor Quikpak K1 weighs only 18 lbs. But don’t let that fool you. It can hold a lot of weight, too. In fact, it can hold up to 400 lbs.  Now, since it is lighter than most kayaks around, you will have no trouble carrying it around. You can easily take it on camping, hiking, and fishing trips without needing help from anyone. Even better, except for a life jacket, it already includes everything you’ll need to start kayaking immediately. This kayak has an open cockpit design, providing you with lots of space to stretch your legs, arms, and back with ease. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have much space for storage. But there is a cargo net in front to put some of your gear. You can also keep your drink close by with the cup holder. All in all, this is a good cheap inflatable kayak that you can use for fishing whenever you feel like it. 

Pros:

  • ZEasy to inflate and deflate
  • ZHigh max weight capacity
  • ZEasy and convenient to transport

Cons:

  • QNot much space for storage

Why we love it: 

  • Includes a spray cover
  • Has everything you need
  • Can carry a lot of weight

What it is best for:

  • Still water
If you’re looking for a no-frills inflatable kayak that you can take on quick fishing trips, then try the Coleman Sevylor Fiji Tandem Kayak. It can carry up to 400 lbs of weight, can fit 2 people, and has everything you need to hit the water.  What we like about this kayak is that it comes with a spray cover. This can help protect you from water splashes, thus, keeping you dry. While it’s a tandem kayak, you can also use it to paddle solo and have more space for your fishing gear. All you need to do is remove the middle seat.  Made with a 22-gauge PVC, the Coleman Sevylor Fiji is rugged enough for lake use. There is, however, no skeg or fin included. But you can quickly buy one to improve your steering.

Pros:

  • ZQuick to set up and pack away
  • ZProvides extra protection from water splash
  • ZRugged

Cons:

  • QDoes not come with a skeg

Why we love it: 

  • Can fit 2 people
  • Comes with 2 different skegs
  • Can be converted to a single drive

What it is best for:

  • Lakes, rivers, and coast

To wrap up our list of the best fishing kayaks under 200 dollars, our last pick is the Intex 68310VM Dakota K2. Like all the tandem kayaks we’ve included, it can be converted to single paddling by simply removing one of the seats. This is a better alternative to buying single inflatable kayaks, which usually don’t have enough storage for your fishing gear.  On the downside, this kayak feels a little heavy on the water. But to make it easier to maneuver, the manufacturer added 2 different skegs with it. You can use the long one for straight-line tracking and the short one for making quick and easy turns. It also comes in a complete set, including 2 paddles, a pump, and a carry bag. As a bonus, there are even 2 dry bags with carry straps.  That said, for its price, the Intex Dakota K2 is already a fantastic inflatable kayak that you can fish with. 

Pros:

  • ZEasy to transport and store
  • ZHas everything you need
  • ZCarries a lot of weight
  • ZVersatile

Cons:

  • QFeels heavy in the water

What to Look For When Buying a Fishing Kayak Under $200

There are different types of kayaks for fishing. There’s sit-on-top, sit-in, and inflatable. Now, since you’re looking for a fishing kayak under 200, inflatables are your only option.  Inflatable kayaks are similar to hard-shell kayaks. They both have a seat, use paddles, and have a bow and stern. The main difference is that they have to be inflated. They are also easier and more convenient to use, transport, and store. Plus, they’re not as easy to tear and rip as you may think. Unlike usual toy and pool inflatables, modern inflatable kayaks are more durable. But, of course, not as durable as hard-shell kayaks.  Now, when it comes to choosing an inflatable kayak for fishing, you’ll need to consider a few things, such as the following:

Design

There are sit-in and sit-on-top inflatable kayaks. Sit-in types have enclosed cockpits, while sit-on-tops are open. If you’re fishing on colder days, in colder water, or you just live somewhere cold, a sit-in inflatable kayak is better for you. This is because you’ll be more protected from the elements. On the other hand, a sit-on-top is a great choice if you’re fine getting splashed by water now and then. It also offers more space for you to move around and cast your line. Plus, it’s easier to get in and out of, especially when you capsize. 

Construction

For fishing, you’ll want either a multi-layer inflatable kayak or a heavy-duty one. Multi-layer inflatable kayaks are made with multiple layers of vinyl, while heavy-duty inflatable kayaks are made of thick materials like rubber, PVC, or drop stitch technology.  With the right materials and when constructed well, a good inflatable kayak can last for a long time. On the other hand, a kayak that’s not made well is a waste of money as it will only last you the summer or just a few uses. So make sure to choose carefully. 

Skeg

Inflatable kayaks can be hard to maneuver in the water. So you may find it a bit difficult to go where you want it to. Now, a way around this is by adding skegs, which adds directional stability. So try to look for kayaks that already include a skeg. 

Stability

When it comes to fishing with a kayak, you’ll need all the stability you can get. Here’s where the width of a kayak plays a very important role. See, the wider it is, the more stable it can get. That said, look out for fishing kayaks under $200 that are at least 33 inches wide.  

Weight Capacity

Weight capacity is another important factor you have to consider when choosing a fishing kayak. You’ll want something that can hold you and all your fishing gear. If you’re planning to go fishing with another person, then look for a tandem kayak as it has a higher max capacity.  Now, a rule of thumb for the best paddling performance is that you should not exceed 70% of the max weight capacity. For example, if the weight limit is 500 lbs, don’t go over 350 lbs. 

Length

The length of your kayak depends on where you are planning to fish. If you’re going on smaller bodies of water, a shorter kayak or 11 ft long or shorter will suffice as it is easier to maneuver. On the other hand, for large bodies of water like lakes and rivers, consider kayaks that are 12 ft or longer. They are faster and more capable of cutting through the water than shorter kayaks.