The 5 Best Duck Hunting Kayaks Tested & Reviewed By Hunters [2023]

Duck hunting from a kayak is becoming more and more popular each season, and that is because of the many advantages that kayaks provide.

Kayaks are better than bigger boats because they can blend well with the environment, which allows you to stealthily get closer to your prey. They’re also swift and stable enough to allow you to shoot with accuracy.

There are many kayak designs with different features; however, choosing the best duck hunting kayak isn’t necessarily difficult as long as you know exactly what features you’re looking for.

To help you further, here’s a compilation of the best duck hunting kayaks available on the market, along with a detailed review of the features each kayak has to offer.

List of the Best Duck Hunting Kayaks in 2023

1. Pelican Basscreek 100X Angler – Best Overall
2. Lifetime Tamarack Angler – Runner-Up
3. Intex Excursion Pro Kayak – Best on a Budget
4. Sevylor Coleman Colorado – Best Inflatable Kayak
5. Pelican Sentinel 100X Angler – Best for Beginners

The 5 Best Duck Hunting Kayaks in 2023

1. Pelican Basscreek 100X Angler Kayak – Best Overall

The top recommendation on our list is the Pelican Basscreek 100X Angler Kayak. Even though it’s designed to be a fishing kayak, it still makes an excellent duck hunting kayak with its olive paint job that will ensure that the kayak is well camouflaged while hunting.

The kayak is constructed from high-density polyethylene, which makes it durable and UV-resistant. In addition, the hull design makes it fast yet highly stable in various water conditions allowing you to stand up while shooting.

It’s light in weight for its size, weighing only 50 pounds, and has carrying handles which make it easy to transport. It also has an impressive weight capacity of 325 pounds, with on-deck storage space and bungee tie-downs to secure your hunting gear.

Finally, it features an ergonomic padded seat and adjustable footrests to increase your comfort when hunting for long hours, as well as accessory mounts to support a gun or any other hunting gear you need.

Pros

• It’s made from durable UV-resistant material
• It’s available with a camouflage paint job
• It’s lightweight and easy to transport
• It has excellent stability and tracking
• It has a high weight capacity
• It has on-deck storage space
• It comes with a comfortable seat and multiple footrests
• It comes with multiple accessory mounts

Cons

• It doesn’t come with a paddle
• It’s relatively expensive

Bottom line

The Pelican Basscreek 100X Angler Kayak is the best option for you if you’re looking for an all-round high-quality duck hunting kayak that satisfies all your needs as a hunter.

2. Lifetime Tamarack Angler Kayak – Runner-Up

The second recommendation on the list is this Lifetime Tamarack Angler kayak. It’s designed with extra features to make it ideal for fishing or hunting, and it comes with a sturdy paddle.

The kayak is made from a high-density polyethylene material, which makes it highly durable, and it’s available in an olive color which allows you to blend in well with the surrounding environment providing you with the stealth you need for duck hunting.

The flat-bottom hull allows for more stability. Meanwhile, the sharp bow and tracking skeg allow for more speed and better tracking. Moreover, it will ensure you’re highly comfortable as it comes with a padded seat and multiple footrest positions to suit paddlers of different sizes.

It’s light in weight and easy to transport as it weighs only 51 pounds; however, it has a relatively lower weight capacity of 275 pounds. Still, it still has multiple storage options for your hunting gear, including two watertight hatches, as well as multiple accessory mounts and secure bungee straps on the front and back.

Pros

• It’s durable and UV resistant
• It blends in well with the environment
• It has excellent stability, speed, and tracking
• It’s light in weight and easy to transport
• It has multiple storage options and built-in accessory mounts
• It suits different-sized paddlers
• It comes with a comfortable padded seat and multiple footrests
• It comes with a sturdy paddle

Cons

• It has a low weight capacity

Bottom line

The Lifetime Tamarack Angler kayak is the best option for you if you’re looking for a high-quality kayak that combines comfort, durability, and stability.

3. Intex Excursion Pro Kayaks – Best on a Budget

The Intex Excursion Pro Kayak is one of the best duck hunting kayaks if you’re on a tight budget, as it comes with many great features and accessories at a relatively low price. It’s also available in a tandem option if you want to go duck hunting with a friend

This inflatable kayak is made from a strong 3-ply PVC material which increases its durability and makes it more resistant to impact. This material also allows for high-pressure inflation, which increases the kayak’s stability.

It’s designed with 3 air chambers with spring-loaded valves and comes with a high-output pump to allow for quick inflation and deflation. The design also includes 2 removable skegs to enhance your stability and balance when hunting in deep or shallow waters, along with an adjustable seat and floor-mounted footrests to ensure your comfort while hunting.

It’s light in weight, weighing only 39 pounds, and comes with a carry bag to facilitate transport. However, it has a high weight capacity of 400 pounds and comes with extra storage space in the bow and stern, as well as stainless steel D-rings to tie down and secure your hunting gear.

It also comes with a built-in mounting bracket for your gun and any additional hunting gear, in addition to an aluminum collapsible paddle, a hi-output air pump, and a repair patch kit.

Pros

• It’s very durable and resistant to impact
• It’s available in a tandem option
• It offers excellent stability and control
• It can be quickly inflated and deflated
• It features an adjustable seat and footrests
• It’s lightweight and comes with a bag for easy transport
• It has a very high weight capacity
• It has extra storage space with d-rings tie-downs
• It comes with essential accessories such as paddles, a pump, and a repair kit
• It comes with a mounting bracket to install additional accessories and gear

Cons

• The material of the carrying bag is not very durable
• It’s not available in camouflage colors

Bottom line

This Intex Excursion Pro Kayak is the best option for you if you’re on a budget and looking for an affordable hunting kayak without sacrificing performance or comfort.

4. Sevylor Coleman Colorado Fishing Kayak – Best Inflatable Kayak

The Sevylor Coleman Colorado Fishing Kayak is one of the best inflatable kayaks on the market. It’s equipped with many features and accessories that make it perfect for duck hunting, especially if you plan on hunting with a friend.

It’s made from a durable PVC material with a 1000D tarpaulin bottom and 840D nylon cover to make it more puncture-resistant. It’s also designed with multiple air chambers, which allows another chamber to stay inflated if one is punctured.

It’s highly comfortable as it comes with 2 adjustable seats and 2 floor-mounted footrests. It’s also very light in weight, weighing only 32 pounds, which makes it easy to transport.

Despite its light weight, it has a high weight capacity of 450 pounds and comes with extra storage space in the bow and stern, as well as stainless steel D-rings to tie down and secure your hunting gear. It also comes with a built-in mounting bracket for your gun and any additional hunting gear.

Pros

• It’s made from durable materials
• It offers excellent stability and control
• It can be quickly inflated and deflated
• It features 2 adjustable seats and 2 adjustable footrests
• It’s lightweight and easy to transport
• It has a high weight capacity
• It has extra storage space with d-rings tie-downs
• It comes with multiple mounting bracket to install additional accessories and gear

Cons

• It doesn’t with a paddle or a pump

Bottom line

The Sevylor Coleman Colorado Fishing Kayak is the perfect choice if you prefer hunting with a friend and looking for a light tandem kayak with many great features at an affordable price.

5. Pelican Sentinel 100X – Best for Beginners

Like most kayaks on our list, the Pelican Sentinel 100X is mainly designed for fishing purposes, but it can also be used for duck hunting. It’s an ideal kayak for beginners because it’s highly stable and easy to maneuver in the water.

It’s made from Pelican’s specialized RAM-X material with a triple layer of high-density polyethylene, which makes the kayak extremely durable and UV resistant. In addition, the hull design is wide with a multi-chine flat bottom to provide higher stability and tracking.

It’s light in weight, weighing only 44 pounds, and comes with four handles positioned on the bow, stern, and gunwales to make transporting it a lot more convenient. As for the weight capacity, it can carry up to 275 pounds and comes with a removable storage compartment with bungee cords to secure all your hunting gear.

It comes with many other features that enhance your comfort level. This includes a large seating area with a padded adjustable seat and molded footrests. It also includes a paddle tie-down and an anti-slip floor mat for added grip and stability.

Pros

• It’s easy for beginners to maneuver
• It offers great stability for hunting
• It’s light in weight and easy to transport
• It’s made from a durable and UV-resistant material
• It has a secure, easily accessible, and open storage area
• It has comfortable seating area with molded footrests.

Cons

• It has a relatively low weight capacity
• It doesn’t come with a paddle or accessory mounts

Bottom line

This Pelican Sentinel kayak 100X would be the best option if you’re new to duck hunting kayak and looking for a simple but efficient kayak to get you started.

How to Choose the Best Duck Hunting Kayak?

When choosing the right duck hunting kayak for you, there are some key factors you need to consider:

Material Durability

Your duck hunting kayak needs to be durable enough to withstand any kind of impact from rocks or logs, as you’ll often be hunting in shallow waters.

The durability of the kayak is affected by the material used to manufacture it, so you need to make sure the kayak you’re buying isn’t made from poor materials, as this will make the kayak more likely to get damaged or wear out from prolonged use.

You also need to make sure that your hunting kayak is UV-protected, so it doesn’t fade, crack or peel from sun exposure.

Kayaks that are manufactured from a hard plastic such as polyethylene are usually more durable, but they’re heavier in weight.

While Kayaks made from composite materials such as carbon fiber, Kevlar, and fiberglass are a lot lighter in weight, they’re also more expensive. You can learn more about Fiberglass kayaks here.

Camouflage Ability

The color of your kayak has an effect on your success when duck hunting.

Brightly colored kayaks are easier for birds to spot, so you need to make sure the kayak can blend well in with the environment. It’s recommended to go for a tan, green, or even a camouflage paint job.

The right color choice can also vary depending on the location you’re hunting in. If you are duck hunting on a sandy beach, you might want to go for a lighter color kayak rather instead of a dark one; however, if you are duck hunting in a swamp, it’s better to go for a darker kayak.

How To Conceal Your Kayak and Blend in With the Environment?

In order to conceal your kayak when duck hunting, you need to be quiet as possible when moving to avoid scaring away your prey. It’s recommended to use scent reducers and go for paddles instead of a motor. You can also use kayak blinds or a camo canvas to stay camouflaged on the water.

Stability and Maneuverability

Duck hunting requires a range of movement. You need to have enough balance to be able to stand to shoot or throw out decoys.

That’s why the stability of your kayak is one of the most important features you need to look for, as you’ll need a sturdy and stable platform to be able to move freely.

The width of your kayak directly affects its stability. A wider kayak will be more stable; however, it won’t go very fast. Also, a wider kayak will be less affected when firing your gun because the recoil will be absorbed better and won’t tip your boat.

In addition to stability, maneuverability is also a very important feature you need to consider.

The best duck hunting kayak should allow you to move smoothly in the water, especially in rougher conditions. If you want something quite easy to keep stable, check out these ducky (inflatable) kayaks. These kayaks are almost too easy to stabilize and keep balanced and are perfect for beginners.

How To Increase your Kayak’s Stability?

To increase your kayak’s stability, you can decrease the height of your seat to strengthen the center of gravity. Try to distribute your weight and the weight of your gear equally throughout the kayak to increase your balance. You can also purchase a stabilizer that can be attached to your kayak, which will help you create more stability.

What Are the Key Factors That Affect the Kayak’s ability to Track?

The key factors that affect the kayak’s ability to track are the kayaker’s paddling technique and body posture. Tracking can also be affected by how the kayak is built and whether it is in good condition. There are other external factors, such as wind and current conditions, that can have a powerful effect on the kayak’s ability to track straight.

Weight and Size

The weight of the kayak affects how easy it is to carry and transport the kayak.

Having a lightweight kayak will help you reach places that are untouched and full of ducks, as it will be easier to haul your kayak from one body of water to another.

The size of the kayak, on the other hand, affects its performance, mainly its speed and tracking. Longer and narrower kayaks are usually faster. While shorter and wider kayaks are more stable and track better.

Onboard Storage and Weight Capacity

The more onboard storage space you have on your duck hunting kayak, the better, as you’ll need to bring a lot of hunting gear with you.

It’s recommended to go for a hunting kayak that comes with at least one dry storage compartment for storing your phone, keys, and hunting items that are sensitive to water. It should also come with a bungee system for easily storing items like backpacks or dry bags.

All storage spaces need to be easily accessible with a spot for your shotgun, so you can swiftly switch between paddling and shooting without much effort.

Your kayak also needs to be able to handle a good amount of weight. The weight capacity should be 100 pounds more than your weight and the weight of your hunting gear in order to avoid overloading your kayak.

Budget

It’s necessary to set your budget before shopping for a kayak in order to find the kayak that effectively suits your needs and offers you the best value for your money.

The price of any kayak mainly depends on several factors, such as the quality of its construction, materials, size, weight capacity, storage space, and any additional accessories.

If you are looking for something that won’t cost you much at all, check out these great cheap kayaks that still provide an excellent experience and won’t hurt your wallet.

Why Choose a Kayak for Duck Hunting?

Kayaks are considered ideal duck hunting vessels for several reasons:

• Kayaks allow you to get closer to your duck prey without having them fly off immediately. That’s because they do not produce much noise because they use mainly paddles instead of a motor.
• Kayaks provide you with more freedom to access better hunting spots in small rivers and a lot of backwater opportunities that bigger boats usually can’t reach or navigate
• Kayaks are relatively small, which makes them very easy to hide and conceal. The small size of the kayak allows you to easily get yourself into smaller coves and other tight areas where your prey might be.
• Kayaks are lightweight, which makes them easy to transport and ideal for getting out on the water quickly.
• Kayaks are made for shallow water, and they can go just about anywhere there are several inches of water.
• Kayaks are a lot more affordable than a full-on duck boat. They’re also very durable and do not cost much money or effort to maintain in good shape.

Pro Tips for Duck Hunting from a Kayak

Here are some tips to follow when you’re ducking hunting from a kayak to help make your trip a lot more successful:

• Make sure you’re always wearing your personal floatation device. You can find many different options available that will make it easy to paddle and will not interfere with your ability to shoot.
• When you’re shooting from a kayak, avoid shooting in a position perpendicular to the hull because the kick from the can cause the kayak to tip over easily. So, always try to shoot within 10 and 2.
• Keep your gun safely away from the water, and make sure to pick up your spent shell casings from the water after shooting.
• Avoid paddling with a loaded kayak in choppy water and strong currents, as the additional weight will make your kayak less agile, and you will need to paddle with caution.

Essential Gear Needed for Duck Hunting

Camo Canvas

• The most important addition to your hunting gear is a blind cover or camo canvas as it can help to conceal your kayak to blend better in the surrounding environment.
• It can be ordered at any length, and it’s really cheap. The material is also easy to adapt to your boat, and it can be cut or joined with Zip Ties.

Waterproof Bags

• Waterproof bags are essential when it comes to protecting your personal belongings, such as cameras, keys, or phones, from getting wet. You can also use safety bags to store any safety gear.
• They are made in various sizes and colors, and they are small in size, so they can be easily stored in the hull of your kayak.

Floating Gun Case

• This is another essential addition to your hunting gear. It is designed to float to keep your shotgun safe and dry in case of capsizing.
• Some gun cases are usually made from a 600D polyester-coated material. This helps protect your gun from any mud, marsh, or rain.
• They’re very durable and available at a relatively low price.

Decoy Bags

• Decoy bags are also very useful when duck hunting. They are designed with multiple slots, and their main purpose is to store your decoy ducks.
• They’re made from durable water-resistant materials, and they don’t take up much space on your kayak.

Safety Gear

• The most essential item of your safety gear is your PFD (Personal Flotation Device).
• Other safety gear items you need to pack include a rope, a whistle, signal flares, gloves, a headlamp, a knife, a first aid kit, a paddle leash, and an emergency kayak repair kit.
• Make sure all your items are packed in a waterproof bag and that they can be easily accessed whenever you need them.