Both kayaking and crabbing are two different types of fun activities. But what if you can combine the fun of these two? This combination is what I will discuss in today’s article. Alongside boats, sit-on-top kayaks are getting super popular these days for their convenient size and easy maneuverability. Moreover, especially for budget crabbing lovers, kayaks offer an excellent way to go crabbing at an affordable cost.
So, if you are one of those crab lovers looking for a kayak ahead of the crabbing season, you have come to the right place. Below I have rounded up six of the best kayak for crabbing with their in-depth review. So, let’s see what these kayas offer and pick the best option for you.
6 Best Kayak for Crabbing Reviewed
Perception Outlaw 11.5 Sit on Top Fishing Kayak
Perception started its journey to manufacture the highest quality kayaks under a moderate budget. Looking at this outlaw 11.5 fishing kayak, I can say they successfully fulfilled that goal.
With excellent build quality alongside enough room for any adult, this kayak can be a great companion for your fishing journey. Sometimes, modifications seem to be an essential factor for many fishing kayaks, and you can do a ton of customization with this Perception Outlaw kayak.
My Impression
I ordered this kayak for its great value for money, and the delivery was on time. I loved this kayak’s solid build; it looked right out of the box. If we go into some technicalities, the kayak is made of polyethylene.
These materials made the kayak durable yet lightweight to accompany your fishing adventures. It’s a single-seater, and that seat can accommodate the largest paddlers. One thing I particularly appreciated was the elevated seating option. With its help, you don’t need to stand up much while fishing.
The customization I talked about earlier has a total of 3 solo mount recesses, and you can carry any accessories hooked up with them. Additionally, the bows have a unique molded shape, making them easy to transport and giving the kayak an edge in terms of stability. Overall, this Perception Outlaw kayak has many things going on, making it an easy recommendation as a fishing kayak o today’s market.
Features
- The kayak can easily accommodate four fishing rods
- Made off the highest quality polyethylene
- Three solo mount recesses for accessories carriage
- Molded-in trays and cup holders
- Elevated seating for convenient fishing position
Pelican Sentinel 100X Sit-on-Top Kayak
Pelican doesn’t need any introduction when it comes to kayaks. For decades they have been offering the best kayaks for the money, and they have done it again with their Sentinel lineup. This middle-sized, lightweight sit-on-top kayak has every quality that a beginner kayaker should look for. It might not be the best in terms of looks, but it fulfills your needs.
My Impression
I kept my expectations low as this is a super budget-friendly kayak. But as I review this kayak, I have to say Sentinel 100X just hit it out of the park with the excellent build quality and focus on essential aspects of the kayak.
Firstly, the skeleton of the kayak is made using patented RAM-X material. This particular type of plastic makes the kayak lightweight, lasts for years, and, most importantly, is super easy to clean. As a more than a nine-foot-tall kayak, a weight of mere 44 lbs. is impressive. This lightweight will also help you with speed and agility, which are essential for kayak fishing.
The inclusion of ExoPak in the storage compartment further makes it easier to carry necessary accessories with you. Though the carrying capacity is not as impressive as the Perception Outlaw, 275 lbs. should be enough to carry an adult with maximum fishing gears.
Standout Features
- Mae of patented Ram-X materials
- ExoPak storage compartment for better carrying capacity
- Maximum carrying capacity of 275 lbs.
- Weighs around 44 lbs.
- Additional flotation to meet ABYC standard
Goplus Sit-on-Top Fishing
Goplus might not be as popular as the two brands I mentioned previously. But while I was compiling this list, I came across this hidden gem. This one-seater kayak was impressive with a great design, durable construction, and paddle. One thing that particularly impressed me was Goplus’s focus on small things I’ll discuss later in this review.
My Impression
At first glance, you’ll fall in love with the beautiful design of the Goplus kayak. The mixture of green and gray makes the kayak pop on the water. Next comes the build quality. Goplus has used a form of polymer named LLDPE. This material provides ultimate durability and water resistance for this kayak.
The durability story doesn’t end here either because the double head paddles are made of rust-proof aluminum and PP material. So, the days of looking for replacement paddles within a few months are over. The kayak features a V chin design, bringing many benefits like faster speed, good maneuverability, and, most importantly, better stability.
Fishing rod carrying capacity is essential for fishing kayaks. In that regard, Goplus sit on top kayak allows you to carry four fishing rods, the maximum seen in most fishing kayaks. As if that’s not enough, Goplus offers a nicely padded seat for long fishing sessions for back support.
What’s more? This kayak is one-seater, but four footrest positions accommodate kayakers of different heights. After you are done kayaking, you can use the drainage holes to get rid of the water and transport the kayak.
Overall, this excellent premium quality kayak leaves almost no space to complain. If you got the budget, this kayak is an easy recommendation.
Standout Features
- Made of high-quality LLDPE polymer
- Can accommodate four fishing rods
- Six draining holes for quick water drainage
- Features watertight storage hatch on top
- Paddles made of aluminum and PP
- Features a 4-position footrest
Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Fishing Kayak
Lifetime Tamarack might not be the best kayak in terms of looks. But when it comes to a no-nonsense kayaking experience that’ll get the job done, Tamarack Angler 100 fishing kayak is an easy choice for kayakers. For a budget-friendly kayak, this sort of build quality and performance is really impressive.
My Impression
As I mentioned earlier, this kayak might not be that interesting to look at. So, if that’s important, you should look for other options. But apart from the look, you’ll fall in love with the robust build quality of this kayak. Lifetime has used high-density polyethylene for the construction, ensuring longevity and toughness for all your fishing adventures. The polyethylene is UV resistant, too, so you don’t have to worry about long fishing sessions under the sun.
As an adult, only including a large, comfortable seat isn’t enough. For that reason, Lifetime has included multiple footrest positions, ensuring different size riders can sit comfortably in the kayak. In total, this kayak can hold up to three fishing rods. This kayak is easily capable of holding up to 275 lbs. weight. So, you should be able to carry out your fishing gear easily. Even standing on the kayak remains still without hampering your fishing experience.
As you can see, so many small details about this fantastic kaya make it an impressive option on the market. Additionally, a Lifetime kayak can be an excellent option if you want that five-year warranty.
Standout Features
- Has a weight capacity of 275 lbs.
- The kayak can fit up to 3 fishing rods
- Made of durable high-density polyethylene
- Comes with five years warranty
- Two 6″ storage to carry the necessary equipment
BKC TK122U Tandem 2 or 3 Person SIt On Top Fishing Kayak
Till now, I have been talking about single-seat kayaks for crabbing. But if you are looking for a kayak to crab with your friend or partner, I have the BKC TK122U Tandem kayak for you. BKC made an almost flawless kayak with the suitable material, performance, and, more importantly, at the right price for the crab lovers out there.
My Impression
The first thing that caught my attention right out of the box was this kayak’s beautiful design and shape. This is the only kayak offering eight different color options on my list. So, whichever style or color combination you want, you’ll get a fit for yourself. Apart from the color, the kayak has a pretty slick design.
Coming to durability, BKC TK122U has a solid build made out of high-density polyethylene. The material was expected considering the price point, and BKC seems to deliver. Whether planning to go kayaking on the ocean, river, or lake, you don’t have to worry about durability.
Even the seats have an ergonomic aluminum frame to ensure utmost durability without any stress on your back. You can constantly adjust the height of the seats according to your comfort. The paddles included with the kayak are also made out of aluminum.
BKC took care of the stability with a massive 34-inch beam. So no matter the weather or hostile current, the kayak will stay still. The max carrying capacity of 770 lbs. should easily accommodate two adults alongside the crabbing gears. There are two waterproof hatches on both sides of the kayas to store all your necessary stuff.
All in all, this is the perfect kayak for crabbing with your friend, partner, or family. For the price, this BKC kayak packs enough punch to become a great buy.
Standout Features
- Maximum weight capacity of 770 lbs.
- Made out of durable high-density polyethylene
- Room to attach four fishing rods
- Two waterproof hatches on both sides for safe storage
- Comes with two adjustable aluminum peddles
- Features a 34-inch beam for utmost stability
Intex Excursion Pro Kayak Series
Typically, crabbing is done in rivers and oceans, so inflatable kayaks are not the most suitable choice for their lack of durability. But if you insist on purchasing one for inflatable kayak crabbing, I think the Intex Excursion Pro has what it takes to become the perfect inflatable kayak for crabbing.
This kayak is the most affordable option on this list, too, so Excursion Pro brings good news for those kayakers on a tight budget.
My Impression
The first thing I noticed about this kayak is the simple yet practical design. There is not much going on on the body of the kayak. Instead, the skeleton of the kayak is made of laminate PVC with a polyester core. This material is pretty durable and resistant to UV rays too.
Next, let’s talk about the storage options. This kayak comes in two different models, a one-seater and a two-seater. Though there is no watertight storage space, the bow and stern sides storage is more than enough.
In addition, you can use the stainless steel D ring included with the kayaks to tie down your necessary crabbing gears.
Inflation and deflation is often a complication for inflatable kayaks. However, Intex has done a great job of easing that process by including all the necessary gears. A high output air pump with the kayak can inflate the kayak within minutes. The deflation is pretty simple, too, thanks to the spring-loaded valves.
Standout Features
- Made of high-quality laminate PVC with a polyester core
- Spring-loaded valves for faster deflation
- High output pump included with the kayak for faster inflation
- Floor mounter footrest for comfortable seating
- Comes with two detachable fishing rods holder
Buying Guide
A kayak might look simple, but there are many considerations before you find your desired product. This buying guide aims to find the best kayak for you, and considering these factors should help you do that.
Type
First thing you need to decide while buying a crabbing kayak is the type. Basically, a kayak comes in different shapes and sizes. Not all of them are suitable for crabbing.
Sit-on-top kayaks are usually considered the best option for crabbing because these are easy to get on-off and offer more storage for the crabbing accessories. So, look for sit-on-top kayaks for the best crabbing results.
Material
Material is another important consideration since its durability and weight depend on it. Typically, all the best sit-on-top crabbing kayaks are made out of different forms of plastic.
Among them, polyethylene is arguably one of the most popular for some good reasons. Polyethylene is durable, flexible, UV resistant, and at the same time, cheaper than other materials.
Size
The next thing you need to decide on is the size. Whether you choose a long or short kayak, every type has its benefit and drawback. For example, longer kayas are usually two-seaters, so you can go crabbing with a partner.
They also offer more storage and speed. On the other hand, shorter kayaks are better for better maneuverability. So, choose the length of the kayak according to your priority.
Storage
As easy as it might look, kayak crabbing needs many accessories to get the desired result. For those accessories, you’ll also need ample storage on your kayak. So, make sure the kayak you choose for crabbing has a lot of space.
Also, some kayas offer waterproof hatches and compartments. Those can also come in handy for storing smartphones and other electric devices.
Weight Capacity
When buying a kayak for crabbing, always consider its maximum carrying capacity and compare it with your and the gear’s weight. If you have many accessories on board, you should aim for a higher weight capacity. It’s recommended to go as high as possible so that you are always on the safe side with a whole load of equipment.
Budget
Lastly, you need to consider the price to complete the purchase. One thing I would like to add here is that high-end kayas can cost more because of premium materials. These kayaks also tend to offer more storage space.
Therefore, you need to decide first which features you are looking for. Then, you have to spend accordingly to get the best bang for your buck.
Frequently Asked Questions
What month is best for crabbing?
After purchasing the kayak, let’s focus on the crabbing season. So, the crabbing season lasts five months, starting from September to January. Among these five months, October and November are the golden crabbing time.
What is best for crabbing?
There is no single best bit for crabbing because different types of bait are used worldwide. However, considering the result, there are a lot of baits that work best for crabbing. You should use turkey, chicken, clams, or fish carcasses for the best results. No matter which bait you use, don’t forget to keep the bait fresh.
What are the best kayak accessories for crabbing?
Crabbing from a kayak can be super fun and easy with the right set of accessories. The list of accessories for crabbing is pretty simple. Firstly, you’ll need a crab trap, the most common crabbing tool.
Next, a crab net can come in handy for shallows where the crabs are visible underwater. Make sure you have enough rope with you to reach the depth. Lastly, accessories like buoys and fish finders can be helpful in finding out crabs and sunken traps.
What time of day is best for crabbing?
For optimum crabbing results, the movement of water is very important. And when is the most water movement visible? During the high tide. So, you should start just hours before high tide, and you can continue even after the high tide ends. During this period, crabbing is easier due to the water movement.
What US state has the best crabbing?
There are a lot of states around the US famous for crabbing. However, if I have to pick one particular state, it must be Alaska. Every crabbing lover reading this should agree with me that Alaska is the gold mine for crabbing. Apart from Alaska, Maryland, Alabama and California are also pretty famous for crabbing.
Final Words
That’s a wrap for today. However, I hope my article “best kayak for crabbing” was helpful enough to give you an idea about the best kayak options for crabbing available on the market. People often have this question, can you crab with a kayak?
As you can see, it’s very much possible to go crabbing in a kayak. All you have to do is pick a suitable kayak according to your priority and go crabbing. Furthermore, if your confusion persists, you can take the help of the buying guide to figure out the buying decision yourself.
