The Best Ocean Fishing Kayaks for Beginners (Our Recommendations)

When most people think of kayaks, they likely envision paddlers near the lakeshore or leisurely traveling along rivers or canals. But kayaks aren't just for inland lakes, rivers, and streams – some are also purpose-built for use in ocean waters. And those intended for ocean use are often specifically designed for fishing.

New to ocean fishing and want to learn more about the kayak that would best suit you? You've come to the right place. Here we'll discuss the best ocean fishing kayak for beginners and what types of features you'll want to be on the lookout for. Let’s look closer at what you need to know and how Black Hall Outfitters can help pair you with the one that best suits your needs.

The Best Ocean Fishing Kayaks for Beginners

Features to Look for in an Ocean Fishing Kayak

What features should you look for when selecting the best ocean fishing kayak? Offshore kayak fishing is all about mitigating risk and maximizing reward. Any kayak you take to sea must be stable in wind and waves. These kayaks need to adequately manage surf, currents, and swells – not to mention the weight of the larger fish you're likely to be reeling in. For this purpose, hull design is important. Many have more streamlined hulls, which make it easier for the kayak to cut through the water. Upturned bows are also common features, which help kayaks handle better in waves.

Ocean kayaks should also have ample storage space below the deck for fishing gear and places to store any catch. Now that we've covered some of the basic features, let's get into some of the specific models that we suggest for beginners:

Old Town Sportsman 120 PDL Kayak

When it comes to finding the best kayak for ocean fishing, the Old Town Sportsman 120 PDL Kayak is top of the list. Designed specifically for ocean angling, it offers a mix of stability and performance and features a length of just 12 feet and a hull weight of only about 106 pounds – it's light enough to transport on your car top. Hands-free propulsion makes it easy to use and one of the most reliable pedal drive kayaks available. The kayak also offers an adjustable seat so that you can fish however it's most comfortable for you.

Other features include 18-inch tracks for easy accessory mounting, a foam deck to enable stand-up fishing, carry handles, flush mount rod holders, and fish finder mounts. The Old Town Sportsman 120 PDL is priced at under $3,000.

Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 Motorized Kayak

Another light, compact, sit-on-top style fishing kayak, the Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 Motorized Kayak, is similar to the 120 PDL but a bit more high-tech. It measures 12 feet, 37 inches in length, and weighs just 122 pounds, making it easy to get in and out of the water and to and from the launch point. The kayak utilizes Minn Kota’s Spot-Lock technology so fishermen can get to their favorite spot faster. It also includes other features like adjustable high/low seating positioning, 18-inch accessory tracks for easy mounting, a foam deck for stand-up fishing, flush mount rod holders, a transducer mount for fish finders, and a large tank well for gear and your catch. The Old Town Sportsman 120 Motorized Kayak is priced at under $4,500.

Old Town Sportsman Big Water 132 Kayak

The Old Town Sportsman Big Water 132 is more of a luxury beginner option for kayaking, but among the best ocean kayaks for fishing nonetheless. This sit-on-top style kayak measures 13 feet, two inches in length, weighs 86 pounds, and offers a variety of value-added features, including:

• Six accessory tracks
• Stern carry handles
• Seating with hi-low positioning and built-in storage pockets
• A click-seal hatch
• A foam, non-slip deck for stand-up fishing and paddling
• Flush mount rod holders
• A universal transducer mount for fish finders
• A built-in mod pod console

The Old Town Sportsman Big Water 132 retails for under $1,850.

Shop Black Hall Outfitters for Your First Kayak

For more information on the best fishing kayaks for beginners, contact Black Hall Outfitters today. As a leading distributor of the industry-leading Old Town Sportsman kayaks, we carry a wide range of fishing kayaks for beginners all the way up to intermediate-level anglers – and in varieties that range from pedal drive to powered kayaks.