What Is Better: A Kayak or A Boat? | Reel Fins Florida Kayak Fishing

Welcome to August. Hope everyone is having an awesome summer here in Southwest Florida. The fishing has been great these past few months and we are certainly looking forward to what this month has in store for us. The month of August is a great month to expect the unexpected when it comes to fishing. Some of my biggest snooks have been caught during this time of year and not to mention the bull reds which start to push into our inshore water right around this time as well. 

During a recent fishing trip, I sparked a very interesting conversation with a local angler. It was around the pros and cons of kayak fishing vs. fishing off a boat. After that day I started to think about what really separates the two and what makes each one different from the other. Being both a kayak and boat owner it was easy for me to relate to the two and come up with the top differences for each. However, if you’re in the position to make that move from being a shore angler to either purchasing a boat or a kayak, then the decision might not be so clear. Even if you’re a boat owner and are looking to get into kayak fishing or vice versa, it can be a tough decision these days. 

Let’s begin with the most obvious difference, the price point. Considering today’s boat market buying a boat can be a very hard hit on your finances. Within the last year or so, boat prices have skyrocketed like I’ve never seen before. On average a new or relatively used bay boat or flats boat can cost you anywhere from twenty to fifty thousand dollars. On the contrary, I haven’t noticed any major jump in the kayak market yet. High end pedal kayaks can range from one to four or even five thousand dollars. Now let’s be honest, spending three or four grand for a kayak can sound very intimidating but when we compare them to the prices of boats this might be an easy decision for many! 

Besides the higher prices, owning a boat also comes with maintenance, repairs ,and storage concerns. I’m sure many of you have heard the famous saying “Bust Out Another Thousand” when referring to a “BOAT”. And, let me tell you the acronym lives to its name, nothing on a boat is cheap when it comes to repairs or maintenance. I’m a very handy person, meaning I like to take care of my own maintenance and do most of my own repairs, but I still find myself spending money on boat repairs and maintenance that unless you’re a trained professional the average person can’t handle! With that being said kayak maintenance and repairs are less to worry about, most of the high end pedal kayaks are very easy to maintain and if you’re thinking of purchasing a paddle kayak you have even less to worry about! 

You may be thinking I’m pushing and rooting for team kayak here, but the truth is that when it comes to an economical comparison the kayak definitely takes the “W”. But let’s talk about what a kayak really lacks in and that is range. Being able to run from fishing spot to fishing spot can be very difficult to do from a human powered kayak, but if you’re in a boat or even a small skiff you can run around all day and switch spots as much as you want. Keeping this in mind means you would have to really prepare for your fishing trip. You would essentially have to pick and choose your fishing spots because changing your mind at the last minute can throw off your entire day of fishing. Not to mention the amount of gear you can carry also limits your fishing capabilities on a kayak. For example, many times while inshore kayak fishing I have come across into areas where I’m seeing some big tarpon or even some sharks stalking the flats, and I find myself wishing I would have brought along my large spinning setup. This is where the extra space on a boat or skiff excels, you can always be prepared for whatever comes your way! 

At the end of the day, both the kayak and the boat have their pros and cons, it all comes down to the angler and what are the needs and wants of that person! The kayak is versatile, easy on the wallet, and low maintenance, while the boat offers range, space and all the comforts you can imagine. Although I was only able to cover the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the pros and cons of each, the list can go on and on. If you would ask me what I prefer, I would say it all depends on what type of fishing I’m doing. For the most part, I find myself kayak fishing 75% of the time just because of how simple and easy it is. Fishing off a kayak offers a completely different experience, you’ll find yourself close and personal with nature allowing you to take it all in! 

If you want to experience or learn more about Kayak Fishing in Southwest Florida make sure to check us out at reelfinsflorida.com or give us a call. Hope you guys enjoyed and until next time, tight lines!