Last updated on March 11th, 2023 at 02:04 am
If you love to fish but cannot afford a motorboat, then kayak fishing may be a great option for you. But with so many kayak options on the market, it can be difficult to choose which one best suits your needs. In this article, we will review the best cheap fishing kayaks under $200.
Before we begin, you should have realistic expectations of what you will get for $200 when kayak shopping. Most kayaks cost between $500 and $2000, so $200 is considered very low when it comes to kayaks. You should expect to get a very basic kayak without any fancy features. At the end of the day, a $200 kayak will allow you to get out onto the water, thus serving its purpose to help you fish. However, stretching your budget to $300 or $400 will allow you to get a much better equipped and more comfortable kayak.
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Top 4 Best Cheap Fishing Kayaks Under $200 For Sale
As you will see, your options are quite limited when shopping for cheap kayaks for sale under $200. You may need to stretch your budget to $300 or even $400. That being said, here are the best ones that will fit your budget.
- Intex Challenger Kayak Inflatable Set with Aluminum Oars
- Intex Explorer K2 Kayak
- Intex Dakota K2
- Intex Excursion Pro
Best Cheap Fishing Kayaks Under $200 Reviews
*Under $200*
1. Intex Challenger Kayak Inflatable Set with Aluminum Oars
 | Intex Challenger Kayak Inflatable Set with Aluminum Oars Review Pros: – Nimble and durable – Cargo net for storage – Aluminum oars included Cons: – Seat may be uncomfortable for some |
The Intex Challenger Kayak Inflatable Set with Aluminum Oars is our choice for the best cheap fishing kayak under $200.
This kayak is made of a rugged vinyl material that we found to be quite durable. You will still need to avoid logs, rocks, fishing hooks, or anything else that may puncture it. The I-beam floor and dual chambers provide for a smooth ride.
The Intex Challenger kayak comes in both a 1-person and 2-person model. They can each hold up to 220 pounds and 400 pounds respectively. Since your purpose will be fishing, we highly recommend that you select the K2 2-person model. This will give you enough extra space to store your gear.
We really liked how sturdy and nimble this kayak was during our testing. We also thought that the cargo net was a great feature for helping to secure our gear. Also, the included pump made it a breeze to inflate the kayak in just a couple of minutes. Lastly, we need to mention that the included aluminum oar was more than sufficient for powering the kayak.
The one thing that needs improvement is the seat. We found it to be a bit uncomfortable during longer rides.
2. Intex Explorer K2 Kayak
 | Intex Explorer K2 Kayak Review Pros: – 2-person – 400-pound capacity – Oars and pump included Cons: – Seats may be uncomfortable for some riders |
The Intex Explorer K2 Kayak is very similar to the Challenger model mentioned above. The primary difference is that the Explorer has 3 air chambers instead of 2. It features the same I-beam floor, but lacks a cargo net.
This is also a 2-person cheap fishing kayak with a weight capacity of 400 pounds. It measures 10’3″ X 3′ X 1’8″, so it has just enough room for you and your fishing gear.
While there are no rod holders or much storage space, this kayak does come with 2 oars and a high-output pump. The bright yellow color is highly visible in the water, which is an added safety feature.
Just like the Challenger, the Explorer kayak suffers from the same uncomfortable seating.
Under $300
3. Intex Dakota K2
 | Intex Dakota K2 Review Pros: – 3 air chambers – Comfortable seating – Boston valves Cons: – Susceptible to wind |
The Intex Dakota K2 is our pick for the best fishing kayak under $300.
If you are able to stretch your budget just a little bit over $200, then you have the option of upgrading to the Intex Dakota. This kayak offers more comfortable seating than the previous 2 models that we reviewed.
The Dakota kayak has 3 air chambers and dual long and short skegs. This makes the kayak very smooth to ride and easy to maintain your course. The included air pump and oars both get the job done well. The Boston valves allow for quick and easy inflation and deflation.
Some may find that the higher-profile sides of this kayak provide added safety and comfort. Others may not like that this makes it susceptible to the wind which may blow you off course.
Under $400
4. Intex Excursion Pro
 | Intex Excursion Pro Review Pros: – Adjustable footrests – Heavy-duty materials – Mounting bracket Cons: – none |
The Intex Excursion Pro is the best cheap fishing kayak under $400.
The Intex Excursion Pro kayak is a big step up over the rest of the kayaks on our list. It is made of a much more durable laminate PVC with polyester core. In addition, it has an adjustable and removable mounting bracket that can hold accessories, like fish finders, rod holders, or GPS systems. There is also additional storage space at the stern and bow with stainless steel d rings that you can use for tying down your gear or dry bags. Lastly, this kayak features adjustable footrests which add to your comfort.
Like the others, the Excursion Pro comes with a pump and a set of oars. All in all, this kayak is a big upgrade for under $400. Out of all of the kayaks on our list, this is our favorite cheap kayak for sale under $400.
Best Cheap Fishing Kayaks Under $200 Buyer’s Guide
There are several things to consider when comparing cheap fishing kayaks. The primary things to look at are materials and build quality, handling, seat comfort, and storage space. Each of these is important when using your kayak for fishing.
Materials & Build Quality
Obviously, you want a kayak that is made out of durable materials and with good build quality. While non-inflatable kayaks provide superior durability, they do come at an increased cost. When looking at cheap kayaks, you are usually limited to inflatables. The disadvantage of inflatable kayaks is that you are sacrificing some durability for a lower cost.
All of that being said, you can still get a good quality kayak that is built well and made with solid materials. You just need to be a little more proactive in taking care of it.
The Intex kayaks that we reviewed above are all very good quality kayaks. While they won’t last you forever, they should provide several seasons of kayaking fun.
Handling
Having a kayak that steers and handles well is also key to your enjoyment of it. Having quality skegs affixed to the bottom of the kayak will definitely help with this. So will using good oars.
Another thing that leads to good handling in a kayak is having a low profile. A lower profile kayak is less likely to be blown around by the wind.
Seats & Comfort
Having a kayak with uncomfortable seats can really ruin your day on the water very quickly. This is why it’s critical that you buy a kayak with comfortable, adjustable seats. Seats that are padded and have built-in back support are essential. This is especially important with a fishing kayak since you will be moving around in the boat a lot more than usual.
Storage Space
Since you plan to fish with your kayak, you will need more storage space than the average kayaker. This is why we recommend getting a 2-person version, as you will then have the added storage space that you need for your gear.
Some models include a cargo net, which is nice. However, we find that features such as mounting racks and rod holders are much more useful for fishing. Just try to keep your gear to a minimum, as space on any kayak is always limited.
Conclusion
Kayak fishing is indeed a lot of fun, but finding the perfect kayak is crucial. You want a kayak made out of strong and durable materials, one that handles and drives well, comfortable, and one that can accommodate your gear. Finding such a cheap fishing kayak under $200 is difficult, but not impossible.
We have shown you several good options, but in our honest opinion, you should be willing to stretch your budget closer to $400. This will enable you to get a higher quality kayak that is better suited to your needs for fishing. If you are limited to a budget of under $400, then the Intex Excursion Pro is the one you should choose.
If you have a bigger budget you can check out the best sit on top river kayaks.
Last update on 2026-06-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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