When shopping for a new kayak, you’ll want to be able to store you and your gear whilst remaining steady, but when you’re looking for a hunting kayak you’ll need to store even more gear and be steady enough to keep your aim.
That’s why this article exists. In this article we’ve searched the market and picked out five examples of kayaks that are suited to duck hunting and have even listed out their pros and cons so you can see why.
If you want to educate yourself on what makes a good hunting kayak, or you’ve seen the products offered below and want to go shopping for other options, we’ve included a buyers’ guide so that you can know what to look for.
There’s also an FAQ in that buyers’ guide, so maybe a question you had has already been answered.
In a hurry?This is our Winner!
Our Pick
Brooklyn Kayak Company FK184 Angler Kayak
Our rating
Why it’s Our Top Pick
We have our favorite kayak right here for if you’re in a hurry.
We chose the Brooklyn Kayak Company FK184 Angler Kayak, but we should add that it’s a one-man model and that there are better multiman options for if you prefer hunting with a pal.
See why we chose the FK184 below:
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Lightweight build with aluminum paddles and four carrying handles for the kayak body itself.
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Very comfortable and supportive seating positioned behind a hollowed-out cargo hatch that provides safe waterproof storage options.
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Comes with an array of accessories such as fishing rod holders and elastic bungee cords that can be used as paddle parks or to hold more gear.
Best Duck Hunting Kayaks – Reviews
- Pedal-driven performance at an unbelievable price - Made in USA
- Lawn chair style mesh seat with 2-level seat adjustment and breathable mesh for ultimate all-day comfort and no pain
- Pilot drive pedal system can be fully recessed into hull for zero draft
- Leak-proof one-piece construction with built-in buoyancy for added safety
- Large front and rear open storage for cooler, tackle, and other gear
- Your perfect first fishing kayak - Made in USA
- Lawn chair style mesh seat with 2-level seat adjustment and breathable mesh for ultimate all-day comfort and no pain
- Seat can be lowered for relaxed paddling or raised for optimum casting
- Leak-proof one-piece construction with built-in buoyancy for added safety
- Large front and rear open storage for cooler tackle and other gear
- BUILT TO LAST: Constructed with a rotomold injected body to ensure your kayak will never crack or puncture and will last for years to come!
- EASY TO TRANSPORT: Two carry handles allow for convenient transportation. Fits easily in the bed of a truck or a trailer!
- PLENTY OF STORAGE: An air tight compartment, two storage areas located on each end of the kayak along with a designated platform for ice chests means you will never have to leave anything at shore...
- ACCESSORIES: Includes everything you need to hit the water including two paddles, two seats, rod holders and bungee cords! All you need to do is find the lake!
- DIMENSIONS: 12' 3" length x 3' wide; large enough for two people and all the gear you need!
- Perfect for fishing and fun along coastal sea waters, the Old Town Sportsman Salty PDL 120 pedal kayak features an easy-to-use forward/reverse pedal drive for comfortable, hands-free fishing and...
- All Old Town Sportsman fishing kayaks are packed with handy convenience features, including customizable accessory tracks, cushioned floor pads for both better comfort and grip, a custom tackle box,...
- Outfitted for fishing but also great for kayaking fun in the waves, tides, and currents, the Old Town Sportsman Salty PDL 120's tank wells in the bow and stern offer big open areas for cooler, tackle...
- Offering a superior seat design with great lumbar support, the premium mesh seat helps you stay cool and comfortable all day long on the water and easily adjusts to your leg length for optimal...
- This 12-foot kayak has a 450-pound maximum capacity and usable capacity for people and gear of 346-pounds. The kayak weighs 104 pounds and the removable pedal console weighs 19 pounds. Paddle sold...
- THE PERFECT KAYAK FOR OUTDOOR FUN: The Brooklyn Kayak Company BKC RA220 Angler has everything an angler needs for the ultimate aquatic adventure except for a reel, bait, and a bit of luck.
- FULLY LOADED ACCESSORIES: Our kayak comes equipped with an ergonomic aluminum frame seat, adjustable aluminum paddle, pedal-operated rudder, 3 waterproof hatches, 2 flush mount rod holds, 2 paddle...
- CRAFTED FOR STABILITY: Our Roto Molded single Piece High density polyethylene material is superior to inflatable kayaks and a capable craft on ocean, lake, or river, while supporting up to 550 lbs....
- BUILT-IN FISHING ROD HOLDERS AND RUDDER CONTROL: The BKC RA220 twin flush-mount rod holders and single articulating rod holder keep multiple lines deployed at one time, or just keep the rods out of...
- WATER-RESISTANT STORAGE: Keep all your valuables dry inside the BKC RA220's 3 watertight storage hatches. With ample watertight storage and a large cargo area, bring along enough supplies for...
Best Duck Hunting Kayaks – Buyers Guide
How to choose the best duck hunting kayaks
This buyers’ guide should help you to identify which kayaks are suitable for duck hunting, based upon such categories as durability, stability and maneuverability, storage, comfort, and camouflage ability.
With all of the types and brands of kayaks available on the market, it’s important to know which ones are dependable and made to a high quality.
Durability
You’re going to want a boat that’ll be dependable, and part of that dependability is how durable and long-lasting it is. You probably won’t be chasing any ducks down whitewater rapids any time soon, so instead you want a boat that can withstand the bumps, knocks, and scuffs natural when boating in shallow waters where ducks are more likely to be found.
The material that the kayak is made from factors into its durability, too, and for that we’d recommend durable polyethylene.
If you live in a particularly hot climate, it’s best if the material is treated with a UV-protecting layer such as silicon resin, so that sunlight doesn’t cause any harm to the boat hull’s look or integrity.
Stability and Maneuverability
The stability, and so the turning ability, of kayaks are often determined on their width. Larger boats tend to be more stable but, since they are loftier, are harder to turn in the water. For duck hunting you’ll need a kayak that can be allowed for maneuverability in aiming without tipping over, and especially without being affected too badly by the recoil of gunfire.
It’s about achieving a balance between stability and maneuverability when chasing and firing at ducks.
It depends on the waterways you’ll be tackling, since if your local hunting grounds are very narrow, you’ll have to go for thinner, more maneuverable kayak models that will be less stable.
Storage
Most kayaks that are low on storage space are undesirable, but a hunting kayak low on storage space is nearly useless. Waterfowl hunting, like any hunting, requires you to bring a lot of gear such as the rifle, ammunition, and perhaps the gutting equipment if you’re prepping the takes outside.
It’s difficult to get a kayak that has too much space in it, so more storage is usually a plus.
Dry storage should be a priority when considering storage space, as it’ll store your cell phones or other gadgetry you’ll want to bring. There are also rigging storage options so that you can strap bags onto the kayak. You’ll also want areas to hold fishing rods if you plan on doing some fishing at the same time.
Comfort
Comfort should be a consideration with almost everything you buy, but when you’re going to be sat in or on your purchase, you’ll want enough room for you and your storage, and possibly a second duck hunter too.
This comfort can be achieved via seat padding or mesh seats that more easily dry after getting wet.
Camouflage Ability
It should be obvious that a good hunting kayak is one that knows how to keep a low profile, and the best and most cost-effective way of doing that is to have a camouflage paint job. If not camouflage, a green or tan coloring can often suffice. Like when considering the stability of your kayak, you’ll also need to take note of your hunting grounds for kayaking.
If you’re going to be in a beached area, then tan will work best, whereas if you’re hunting at a forest lake, you’ll probably want green.
There are even kayak options that can turn into duck hunting blinds which work much like the land-based versions. These often push the price up, and so are better for those who are serious about duck hunting. It’s even better if the blinds can be put up and broken down so that they don’t impede the kayak in its other functions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use a kayak for hunting?
Kayaks are quiet. We could end the answer there, since surprising your prey is more than half the battle when hunting, but there are ways that we could elaborate on that. By getting out onto water, you can get closer to the ducks whilst making as little sound as possible.
The ducks also may not be so alarmed by a passing boat if they’ve gotten used to boat traffic from other people.
Kayaks designed for hunting are often able to maneuver much easier, too, perhaps because they’re constructed to be as silent, and so as lightweight, as possible. This also makes them easy to transport to and from the hunting grounds. You also don’t have to break the bank for kayaks, and they can help you to cover as much distance as possible if your hunting area is particularly large.
How to blend a kayak into its environment?
Aside from a camouflaged paint job, there are a few other precautions you can take to become even more incognito out there on the waterways. This includes paddling instead of using a motor-powered kayak, though most hunting kayaks will have this method of propulsion by default.
Scent reducers and duck calls can be used to ingratiate yourself with the local duck populations, making it easier to lure them closer for the kill.
How do you carry decoys on a kayak?
This once again depends on the nature of the kayak itself. If you have a wider kayak with plenty of room in front of you, you can have them in with you. Otherwise you can rig them to the sides of your boat with a bungee cord so that they float alongside your kayak.
Once deployed these will trick flying passerby ducks into landing near you, allowing you to line up a perfect shot.
