By Paul Lebowitz

West coast kayak anglers are spoiled when it comes to choosing a ride. Purpose-built fishing kayaks from five major manufacturers are widely available throughout the region. The fierce competition between the kayak makers drives innovation. As a result we have our pick of the best boats anywhere.

Here’s a quick look at the flagship kayak in each manufacturer’s fleet. Only you can decide which of these boats is your personal ace.

Cobra Kayaks
Cobra Kayaks designer Warren Aitken and his team put the needs of the angler first when they launched their latest boat. The Marauder-XF boasts a flat deck which lends itself to the ultimate in rigging flexibility. This thing can fairly bristle with rod holders. Cobra demo boats come with eight flush mounts with space for more. Bring your whole quiver!

Storage is another Marauder strong suit. There’s room for up to four hatches, including a large rectangle forward of the cockpit. Stow your gear without leaving your seat. Below-decks storage space is unparalleled, but there is plenty up top too in the massive tankwell.     

Considering its utility and solid 31-inch wide stance, the Marauder is a nimble and quick craft. It owes its glide to its 14-foot length, a size most anglers will find suitable for trips up to ten miles in length. Off the water, it’s a light-weight 52 pounds minus hatch covers. That’s not bad for a boat that can handle 450 pounds of fish, angler, and gear. One quibble: narrow footwells that will have some taller riders walking bow-legged like a cowboy. www.cobrakayaks.com.  

Hobie
The sleek new 16-foot long Mirage Adventure looks fast as an arrow. Hobie’s quickest ride fairly flies across the water by pairing the remarkable pedal-powered Mirage Drive with a streamlined hull design. The speed means anglers can range farther afoot in the search for fish. Best yet, the entire time your fishing pole can be where it belongs, in your hands ready for a quick hook-set.

The Adventure comes pre-rigged with two molded-in rod holders, a hand-operated rudder, and three hatches. Access to below-decks storage space is adequate; think of the Adventure as more of a sports coupe than a pick-up truck. Deck space for rod holders and other equipment is scarce, but this can be overcome by using RAM ball-style mounts. The tankwell, on the other hand, is generous.   

The benefit of hands-free kayaking can’t be overstated for the angler. For example, is the wind blowing too fast for a good drift? Pedal gently against it while working your rod all the while. The downside is cost. Hobie Mirage kayaks go for nearly double the price of most paddle ‘yaks, although they are ready to fish right out of the shop. The Adventure is a performance-oriented but stable 27.5 inches wide, weighs 67 pounds with the drive installed, and can float 350 pounds. www.HobieCat.com.

Malibu Kayaks
Malibu Kayaks hit the mark when they named the longest fishing kayak in their fleet the Xtreme. This thing is as stable and hefty as a battleship, 15-feet long and nearly 32 inches wide. The Xtreme can carry a massive 525 pound payload.

This boat has the hatches to match its large personality. The biggest hatch in the industry perches on its nose, but there’s little reason to shimmy up there since a handy rectangle hatch sits just forward of the cockpit. That means you can still get to your stashed gear when you’ve got Malibu’s exclusive Gator Hatch child’s seat installed on the bow. The tankwell is generously sized but shallow. The Xtreme’s interior hull is lined with closed cell foam that reportedly renders the boat unsinkable. Deck mounting points are plentiful. 

This is a hefty package. Although Malibu indicates the Xtreme weighs in at 57 pounds, many users have reported scale weights including hatches in the high 60s to low 70s. The seat is normally dry except when transiting the surf. The Xtreme tends to plough through waves rather than popping over, although with its heft it is hardly slowed. www.malibukayaks.com
 
Ocean Kayak
Ocean Kayak’s Prowler 15 is as beautiful a boat as you’ll find on the water. Don’t be fooled by the classic, elegant lines and jaunty raked bow. This 15-footer is a real workhorse that’s solid in the surf and chop.

The P-15 deck offers a wide variety of mounting options. The real star here is the hull design, which makes for sweet paddling but at 28 inches wide leaves plenty of stability for fighting and landing big fish. Below-decks storage is good but is best accessed via the large bow hatch. The large tankwell provides plenty of on-deck storage. A seat-back and bow hatch are standard equipment.

COBRA MARAUDER-XF – The Xtra Fishy Marauder (originally named the Mariner) boasts a flat deck for the ultimate in rigging flexibility and massive below-decks storage space.

HOBIE MIRAGE ADVENTURE – The sleek Adventure is arrow-fast due to its unique foot-powered Mirage Drive propulsion system. The system keeps your hands free so you’re always ready to set the hook.

MALIBU XTREME – Malibu’s battleship is super-stable and can carry a whopping 525 pound payload. The Xtreme can be outfitted with the largest hatch in the industry.

OCEAN KAYAK PROWLER 15 – The Prowler 15 is an all-around performer that’s pleasing to the eye and a great big-fish catcher.

WILDERNESS SYSTEMS TARPON 160i – Wilderness Systems designed their Tarpon 160i to go the distance. It’s high performance characteristics don’t detract from its excellent fishability.

All but the lightest anglers should pass on installing the optional round cockpit hatch, which is sometimes under water under a heavy load. The P-15 is a wet ride that always holds water in the footwells, although the seat is relatively dry. Hey, it’s a water sport. The low to the waterline stance is a plus that enhances foul weather stability. The P-15 weighs 56 pounds and is rated to carry 400 to 450 pounds. www.oceankayak.com
 
Wilderness Systems
The Tarpon 160i from Wilderness Systems is a kayak that screams to go long. At 16-feet long and 28 inches wide, the hull is a nice compromise between speed and stability. In the hands of an experienced kayak angler, this baby really performs.

It’s not all about paddling. There are fish to catch! The T160i features a redesigned deck with plenty of mounting points and a sizeable tankwell. Below-decks storage is accessed via a large bow hatch and two rounds hatches, all of which come standard with the boat. The cockpit hatch is only suitable for small items.   

Unique to Wilderness Systems, the T160i comes with a flip-up hard plastic seat back. Some anglers feel the seat provides excellent lumbar support; others complain it is uncomfortable. The later can permanently remove the seat back in just a few minutes.