Looking for a 2 person fishing kayak that will help you make the most of your fishing trips? In this guide, we’ll discuss what to look for when choosing a tandem fishing kayak, as well as some of the best two person fishing kayaks on the market.
We’ll also provide a buyers’ guide to help you choose the right 2 man fishing kayak for your needs.
So whether you’re just getting started in kayak fishing or you’re looking for an upgrade, read on for all you need to know.
The Best 2 Person Fishing Kayaks
There are many options for two-person fishing kayaks that offer a variety of seating options, body materials, and different features and storage solutions.
Fortunately, we’ve reviewed the best 2 man fishing kayaks and broken all this down for you below.
Lifetime Sport Fisher Angler 100 Two Man Fishing Kayak
The 10 ft. Lifetime Sport Fisher 100 is an extremely versatile 2 person fishing kayak that can be paddled solo or tandem with its comfortable tiered seating that has an extra seat in case you want to bring your little one along.
The hull is super stable and has a 500 lb weight capacity.
It comes with 2 kayak paddles, 2 backrests, 3 rod holders, and a 6″ storage hatch for below-deck storage.
Sevylor Colorado Inflatable Two Person Fishing Kayak
When it comes to getting into the water, there are few things more satisfying than taking your catch home with you after a day spent fishing.
The Sevylor Colorado 2-Person inflatable kayak allows for maximum comfort and flexibility with durable 18 Gauge PVC construction, thick tarpaulin bottoms, and tough nylon covers that can handle rough spots with ease.
There are multiple air chambers to keep you afloat in case you run into trouble, and the adjustable seats offer added comfort.
There’s quick-set rod holders for easy adjustability and hands-free fishing, and the paddle holders keep your paddles out the way securely.
Intex Excursion Pro K2 Tandem Fishing Kayak
Intex’s Excursion Pro K2 two person fishing kayak made our list thanks to it’s lightweight profile and 400 lb weight capacity.
If has storage in the bow and stern, D-rings for adding on extra equipment, and 2 rod holders which is all you need when doing some straightforward fishing.
Elkton Outdoors Hard Shell Tandem Sit On Top Fishing Kayak
The Elkton Outdoors hard shell fishing kayak offers a high weight capacity (650lb) while offering tons of space to spread out, which is a much-needed feature.
There’s enough room for a cooler in between the two seats, and two extra airtight dry storage compartments, so you’ll never go hungry or thirsty on your fishing trip.
There’s four built-in fishing rod holders and the seats are adjustable so you’ll stay comfortable no matter how long you stay out on the water.
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 135T Two Person Sit On Top Fishing Kayak
The Tarpon 135T kayak from Wilderness Systems offers an easy and comfortable tandem paddling experience that can be fast, yet stable.
The Phase3 AirPro outfitting and two sets of SlideTrax make this boat a great choice for those who want to have fun on their next adventure.
There’s tons of storage including front and rear gear storage pockets, center dry storage hatch, and even two cup holders on board.
Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 17T Tandem Fishing Kayak
The Mirage Pro Angler 17T tandem fishing kayak is the ultimate in efficiency. The multiple seating options allow you to set up either a one-person or two person boat, with an adjustable seat that can be moved into any position needed for your preference.
Three steering handles offer all the options you’ll need, and fishing rod storage is located at both the front and rear, holding up to 12 fishing rods.
What Is A Tandem Fishing Kayak?
A tandem fishing kayak, also known as a double fishing kayak, is a term for a fishing kayak that holds two people.
Most two seater fishing kayak options will also have extra space to hold all the gear and supplies that two people will need, and can even be used by just one person.
Benefits Of Two Person Fishing Kayaks
There’s plenty of benefits to choosing a 2 person fishing kayak:
Great for new kayakers: if one of the 2 people fishing isn’t used to kayaking, this can be a great way to introduce them.
Extra space: tandem fishing kayaks offer more space than single kayaks do, allowing you to bring along more gear.
Easier to haul and store: although two-person kayaks are longer and may be a bit heavier, it’s still significantly easier to move and store a tandem kayak than two individual ones.
Great for bonding: paddling a kayak with another person will help you grow closer by requiring you both to work together in order to paddle the kayak, and many tandem fishing kayaks also have enough space for a child as well, which is a great way to get them outdoors and nurture their love for fishing and nature.
Types Of 2 Man Fishing Kayaks
There are several types of 2 person angler kayaks available, and which one is best for you mostly comes down to personal preference.
These types are broken into 3 categories: seating style, shell type, and propulsion method.
Tandem Kayak Seating Styles
Sit on top kayaks offer more freedom of movement because you are seated on top of the kayak’s hill, making it easier to get in or out of the kayak and allows better access to your gear (which is necessary when fishing).
Sit-inside kayaks are the traditional type that have an enclosed cockpit that requires your entire lower body sitting inside.
Tandem Kayak Shell Types
Hard shell kayaks are non-inflatable and usually made from composite, polyethylene, ABS, or wood. They’re faster, easier to maneuver, and offer more storage.
Inflatable kayaks are lighter and more affordable, and are easier to transport since they can be deflated and folded up when not in use (this also makes them easier to store). They can be a little more difficult to move around in the water and usually only offer storage pockets since there’s no fixed hull cavity.
Tandem Kayak Propulsion Methods
Traditional kayaks are the most common and are moved by using paddles. Most dual fishing kayak models will have spots to store your paddles when not in use, or even places to mount your paddles for extra efficiency.
Pedal-drive kayaks use a pedal system to propel the kayak in the water. 2 person fishing kayak with pedals options are rare because the pedal mechanism requires extra length in the kayak, and two-man fishing kayaks are already longer due to the added person capacity.
Motorized kayaks will have a mounting point for a trolling motor, eliminating the need for paddles or pedals. Some of the best tandem fishing kayaks we reviewed in this guide also have an optional mount that will allow you to use a trolling motor with them, giving you plenty of flexibility.
Tandem Fishing Kayak Buyers Guide
So we’ve covered the different materials, seating styles, and ways to propel your 2 person fishing kayak, but there are additional features you should also look for when making your selection.
Stability
Consider that you’ll have two people moving around in the kayak while you’re fishing, so stability is going to be super important.
Look for a two man fishing kayak that has a broad hull and a bottom that’s as flat as possible, which are two things that’ll make it more stable.
Rod Holders
Are you or your fishing partner going to be casting multiple lines out at once?
If so, it’s important to make sure the 2 seater fishing kayak you pick has enough rod holders to support your needs, so pay attention to the details in the model you select.
Weight Capacity
Think about who you’ll be fishing with and the total weight of both people and all of your gear when picking out your 2 person fishing kayak.
Most two man fishing kayaks will hold between 400 and 600 pounds, but you should ideally aim for hitting about 75% of your kayak’s total weight capacity to maintain optimal performance out on the water.
Storage Space
The longer you’ll be out fishing, the more storage space you’ll need.
Most tandem fishing kayaks offer waterproof storage compartments in the hull and plenty of extra storage pockets, which are critical to have.
Really nice two man fishing kayaks also have extra space in the middle for a cooler and cup holders as well, which all are nice touches that will make your trip even more enjoyable.
Wrapping Up Our Tandem Fishing Kayak Guide
Be sure to consider all of the different features and aspects we outlined in this guide when looking for the best 2 person fishing kayak.
This will help you find the best 2 man fishing kayak that fits your needs and will make your next fishing trip even more enjoyable.
Which kayak did you choose, and how did your first fishing trip in it go? Let us know in the comments below.
Check out our other helpful fishing and kayak guides while you’re here:
The best kayak cup holder options
Which is better: a sit in vs sit on top kayak?
