A full-on fishing kayak that packs into a rolling bag?! Yeah… you don’t see that every day. 🤯 Meet the Pakayak AnglerFish, a rugged, hard-shell, roto-molded fishing kayak built for anglers who want serious performance and true portability.
What Makes This Fishing Kayak Different?
Most packable kayaks are inflatable or lightweight folding designs. The Anglerfish is different because it is a true hard-shell boat.
It is also a sit on top fishing kayak, which makes it more familiar for anglers. It has gear tracks, a frame seat, storage, bungees, and room for a crate.
The big feature is how it packs down. The kayak breaks into multiple sections and fits inside a rolling bag. That makes it easier to store, transport, and travel with.
Specs and Portability
The Anglerfish is 11 feet 8 inches long when assembled. It is 32 inches wide and weighs around 80 pounds. Packed down, it fits into a bag about 43 inches tall. That means it can fit in many SUVs, large trunks, or small storage spaces.
The max capacity is listed at 425 pounds. I would still keep the load below that number. This fishing kayak is made in the United States. It uses plastic resin made for the kayak industry.
Sit On Top Kayak Features
The paddle version comes with foot braces and gear tracks. The pedal version adds a pedal drive, rudder, and steering system. The pedal drive felt smooth and quiet on the water. I was able to cruise around three miles per hour comfortably.
The sit on top fishing kayak layout is simple. That is important because this boat is meant to pack down quickly. You can add accessories using the tracks, but I’d keep the setup simple since you’ll need to remove everything before packing it back into the bag at the end of the day.
Fishing Kayak Performance on the Water
On the water, this fishing kayak performed better than I expected. It tracked well and cut through the water nicely. The narrower hull makes it feel faster than many wider fishing kayaks. The paddle version handled especially well.
The pedal version turned fine with the rudder. It was not the sharpest turning pedal kayak I have tested. Still, it performed well for a kayak that comes out of a bag.
Stability and Comfort
The Anglerfish has more secondary stability than primary stability. That means it rocks some at first. If you are used to a wide sit on top fishing kayak, this will feel different. It is not as flat and steady.
You can stand in it, but it takes practice. I mostly stayed seated while fishing. The seat is low, but comfortable enough for a full day.
Who Is This Sit On Top Fishing Kayak For?
This sit on top fishing kayak is not for every angler. Tournament anglers may want a bigger, fully rigged boat. But it makes sense for travelers, apartment dwellers, and anglers with limited storage.
If you want a hard-shell fishing kayak that packs away, this is worth a look. The Pakayak Anglerfish fills a unique space between inflatables and traditional kayaks.
If you’re looking to invest in new kayak paddles, check out my recent post where I share my thoughts on cheap vs. expensive options and my opinion on choosing the right ones.
