Our guide to finding the right two person kayak for fishing

Kayaking provides an enjoyable way to get exercise, experience the outdoors and explore beautiful new places. Moreover, it has become increasingly popular for fishing excursions. The only thing better than fishing in a single-person kayak would be to fish in a two-person kayak with a family member, friend or co-worker.

Lifetime Sport Fisher Single or Tandem Kayak	Our favorite for 2020
Old Town Canoes & Kayaks Twin Heron Kayak	A great value option
Ocean Kayak Malibu Two Tandem Sit-On-Top Recreational Kayak	Great for fishing or recreation

However, with all the tandem kayaks that are available today, it can be a challenge to decide which one would best fit your needs. When comparing tandem kayaks, it’s important to realize that these kayaks are usually heavier and longer than single-person kayaks, which has an effect on cargo space, portability and ease of use.

If you sometimes plan on using a tandem kayak without a partner, it’s also imperative to buy one that can support a single paddler. Some are specifically designed to support use by a single person, while others simply do not provide the maneuverability or overall balance to safely use without two individual paddlers.

Some fishermen actually prefer to go out alone in a tandem kayak because the extra seat provides additional room to store more fishing gear. On the other hand, if you plan on always having a fishing partner, you should make sure that you choose a larger kayak that offers ample storage and seating that is spaced far enough apart so that two people can easily cast without tangling their fishing lines.

Overall, while some tandems may be more expensive than similar single-persons models, they provide the means to enjoy a fishing excursion with another person.

Reviews

Lifetime 10 Foot Sport Fisher Tandem Kayak – With a hull that is designed to offer great stability and tracking, the Lifetime 10 Foot Sport Fisher provides comfort, a balanced seating arrangement and multiple footrest positions for added convenience. Since this is one of the most compact tandem kayaks, it is also makes it easy for one person to paddle alone. With this in mind, it does make it more challenging to fit multiple people if each has a substantial amount of fishing gear. Another benefit of this kayak is its design that makes it possible to stand up or sit side-saddle to fish without tipping over.

Ocean Kayak 12-Feet Malibu Two – The Malibu Two is one of the most sought-after lightweight sit-on-top tandem kayaks. Its compact design makes it stable and versatile while also providing enough space to fit two adults and a small child or pet. It also provides a unique middle seating position to make it easier to paddle solo. Furthermore, multiple gear straps are perfect to hold fishing poles and tackles boxes. Handy overlapping foot wells and snug seat backs give this kayak a relaxed feeling that comfortably provides seating for multiple occupants. Overall, this kayak is great for choppy water and short fishing trips.

Old Town Canoes & Kayaks Twin Heron Angler – At 13.5 feet and with a carrying capacity of up to 500 pounds, the Twin Heron Angler is a great tandem kayak to support multiple people and plenty of fishing gear. Moreover, this kayak performs surprisingly well when paddled solo since the Auto Trim Hull was crafted to prevent the bow from popping up with only one occupant. The second seat can also be completely removed to make even more cargo room for a long solo fishing trip. The Comfort Flex seat, adjustable foot brace system and plush carrying handles make it easy to find comfort in this kayak.

Lifetime Sport Fisher Tandem Kayak with Paddles and Camouflage Backrest – This Lifetime 10ft kayak is wide and compact and seats up to three people with multiple fishing rods. Since this is a very compact kayak, it creates some challenges when trying to fish comfortably with three people. However, numerous consumer reviews praise this kayak for its overall stability and attractive design. Additionally, a trolling motor mount can be purchased to allow anglers to glide around to their favorite fishing spots without scaring away the fish. Its ergonomic design and multiple footrest positions support effortless solo paddling.

Old Town Canoes & Kayaks Black Cherry Twin Heron Kayak – This kayak offers exceptional performance and handling, seating comfort and a number of storage options. This is one of the best fishing and touring kayaks that is built by Old Town. Its unique tandem design allows great performance as both a one-person and two-person kayak. High quality glossy materials and a sculpted hull give this kayak a refined appearance that is sure to attract attention. With a generously sized cockpit and numerous storage areas, it can easily seat any size paddler. Furthermore, this kayak is reasonably inexpensive, lightweight and simple to transport.

Buyers Guide – How to Choose from the Best Tandem Kayaks on the Market

With all the available tandem kayaks, consumers need to evaluate affordability, size and versatility when looking for the perfect two-person kayak. There are also numerous specialist boats that are explicitly designed for a wide array of activities like fishing, touring or simply for exercise. Some kayaks also have the ability to be customized with unique add-ons and accessories that can greatly improve a user’s overall experience.

However, it’s important to choose a kayak that offers a fine balance between standard features and potential add-ons in order to find the best value. Additionally, one of the most overlooked aspects of buying a kayak would definitely be the storage options. Too often, consumers look for the most visually attractive boat rather than choosing one for its utility. Anglers benefit the most from buying a kayak with a number of storage compartments and bungee straps because they often need to carry tackle boxes, multiple fishing poles and a net.

Lastly, a consumer needs to think about where they plan on using the kayak before buying it. Some kayaks are specifically designed for rivers, lakes or even the ocean. Performance and handling can vary depending on the body of water that the kayak was designed to handle. Overall, the most important thing a buyer can do before purchasing a kayak is to conduct research into the different types, prices and uses.