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
- Ultimate Fishing & Storage Space: Perception Outlaw 11.5 is a fishing-optimized sit on top kayak with superior stability and an impressive weight capacity of 425 lbs. It boasts a large rear tankwell...
- Unparalleled Comfort & Design: Enjoy maximum comfort during long fishing hours with the unique fold-away Frame seat. This 11'6" kayak is made in the USA and designed for robust performance.
- Integrated Fishing Features: Efficient multi-rod fishing is made possible with 4 integrated rod holders. Never miss a catch with this feature-rich kayak!
- Handy Tackle Trays & Storage: Keep your gear within easy reach, thanks to the integrated tackle trays. The spacious storage areas make it easy to carry coolers, crates, or dry bags.
- Adventure Ready: Ideal for both beginners and seasoned kayak enthusiasts, this robust design is ready for your next fishing adventure. Stay prepared and organized with the Outlaw 11.5!
- Stable: The multi-chine flat bottom hull offers excellent stability giving you a secure and steady ride. It procures you the balance you need when casting lines and reeling in fish while making it...
- Comfortable: The adjustable ERGOFIT G2 seating system is specially designed with thicker ergonomic padding to provide targeted cushioning and better air flow.
- Fishing Features: Includes a front quick lock hatch, a 4 in. day hatch with storage bag and a tank well with bungee cord. Fishing enthusiasts will enjoy accessory eyelets, a swivel rod holder and two...
- Safe: Our unique manufacturing process allows us to include additional flotation inside the hull of all of our sit-on-tops in order to meet or surpass ABYC standards. Holds a maximum capacity of 325...
- Lightweight: Our kayaks being made with exceptionally durable high molecular density polyethylene, less material is needed to produce each boat. At 10 ft and weighing only 50 lb, it makes the perfect...
- STABLE: The tunnel hull offers maximum stability for a secure and steady ride. It also makes it incredibly easy to get in and out of the kayak. Its wide and flat deck platform allows you to safely...
- COMFORTABLE: The ERGOBOOST seating system is one of our most comfortable fishing chairs. It's adjustable to allow a higher seating position and better angle of vision while also outfitted with a...
- PREMIUM FISHING FEATURES: This fishing kayak comes equipped with two 4" rigging tracks to set up your accessories. Bring all your essential fishing gear on board thanks to this kayak's multiple...
- SAFE: Our unique manufacturing process allows us to include additional flotation inside the hull of all of our sit-on-tops in order to meet or surpass ABYC standards. The CATCH MODE 110 holds a...
- LIGHTWEIGHT: Our kayaks are made of an exceptionally durable high molecular weight polyethylene, requiring less materials to be built. Weighing 63 lb, this kayak is lighter than our competitors and...
- Drop-Stitch Design: Designed using Drop-Stitch technology, the iA.T.A.K 110 has a hull speed comparable to a hard-shell kayak.
- Ergoboost seating system: The Ergoboost seating system is one of our most comfortable fishing chairs. It's adjustable to allow a higher seating position and better field of vision. Plus, it's also...
- Fishbone technology: Our patented Fishbone Displacement Hull Design utilizes an injection molded nose cap that pushes water aside, tracks straight and cuts through the water with very little effort.
- Gear attachments: The iA.T.A.K 110 offers a multitude of accessory attachment points, such as four (4) Accessory Mounts, a front Removable Accessory Rail System, stainless steel D-rings, front Bungee...
- Accessories included: The package includes a Dual-Stage pump w/ Pressure Gauge, a Battery Operated Pump (batteries not included)for fast high-volume/low-pressure inflation, a Backpack Roller Duffel...
- HyDryve II pedal system: The HyDryve II pedal system makes maneuvering in shallow water or around aquatic plants, an absolute breeze.
- Ergocast G2 Seat: The Ergocast G2 is probably one of the most comfortable fishing kayak chairs out there. It includes well-thought-out features that make everything just a bit easier and much more...
- Gear Rails: Two 4" and two 8" gear rails allow you to customize your kayak for fishing, filming or adding other accessories.
- Rod holders: 4 flush-mount rod holders allow you to store your fishing rods out of the way but within reach.
- Multiple gear storage locations: It features front and rear tank wells with bungee cords for gear storage, bottle holders and tackle box holders for your convenience and an 8" day hatch with a storage...
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.
