In this article, we will take a look at some of the best 2-person fishing kayaks.
If you are short of time, here below are our top recommendations for the best 2 person fishing kayaks (read on for full reviews and info on how to get the most out of tandem fishing kayaks).
- Best 2 Person (Pedal) Fishing Kayak: Hobie Mirage Compass Duo
- Best 2 Person (Paddle) Fishing Kayak: Elkton Outdoors Tandem Kayak
- Best-Value Fishing Kayak: Pelican River Gorge Tandem Kayak
Best Tandem Fishing Kayaks Reviewed:
The Mirage is a 13 ½ foot peddle kayak that features the dual-direction Mirage drives that Hobie is famous for. The Mirage drive fins give anglers incredible control and propulsion and will retract on the impact of rocks or logs, or when traversing incredibly shallow water.
The Duo features a sleek hull to maximize stability and speed while greatly reducing the overall drag. With a decent kayak like this, you have the ability to add a fish finder or even a trolling motor if you want and it comes with rod holders molded into the hull. The Mirage Drive flippers also flip up to reduce drag after pedaling.
On top of these advantages, the Duo is incredibly roomy for two anglers and their fishing gear, is highly responsive, and easy to control and the construction and materials are high quality and incredibly durable. Throw in a comfortable seat, and this is a top sit-on fishing kayak.
PROs:
- Sleek hull
- Fins provide incredible propulsion
- Fins flip up to reduce drag
CONs:
- More expensive than other models
Feelfree Lure II
One feature that stands out with the Lure II is that it has a sonar pod for each seat, this simply means that you can run two sonar units, one for each angler.
It also features Feelfree’s patented gravity seats, which are incredibly comfortable, and you can remove the front seat for solo fishing, providing an incredible amount of space for storage, or being used as extra standing space.
The kayak comes in at 92 pounds and 14 feet in length, with a wheel in the keel for easy transport, molded-in handles, rear storage for a crate or cooler, trolling motor mount, rod holder mounts, and anything else you could ask for as a kayak angler. Another great 2 person fishing kayak.
Pros:
- Sonar unit mounting spots
- Decent length
- Wheel for easy transport
Cons:
- On the heavier side
The PK14 is a 14-foot sit-on fishing kayak built to provide ultimate speed and stability. It operates via a pedal-powered propeller drive (as opposed to the Mirage which uses Hobie’s patented Mirage drive fins) and can reach some pretty high speeds when you pair the pedal and paddle together.
It has a large watertight storage hatch to keep things dry, a recessed rear cargo area, three flush-mounted rod holders, and an optional drainage plug.
The Brooklyn Kayak Company PK14 comes in at 14 feet as mentioned earlier, with a 34-inch as the reason for its renowned stability, and weighs 96 pounds, making it easy to transport from land to water.
PROs:
- Tons of storage space
- Good length
- Wide beam
CONs:
- Heavy compared to smaller kayaks
Stingray 13.5 Tandem
The Stingray has a more pronounced stern keel, allowing it to track incredibly well through waves or swells. The flared and rockered bow is also great for coastal marshes, bays, lakes, and rivers, making the Stingray a jack of all trades.
The Stingray comes in at 13.5 feet, providing plenty of space for 2 anglers. It has cup holders, two built-in rod holders, a skid plate, a bow hatch, molded carry handles, and a built-in paddle holder.
The seats are incredibly comfortable in the Stingray, and this fishing kayak has a more simplistic design, making it great for beginners.
Pros:
- Compact and light
- Pronounced keel for stability
- Cup holders!
- Carrying handles
Cons:
- Due to being more compact, might get crowded if you have a lot of gear
- Not a ton of gadgets, pretty simplistic
The Pelican kayak comes with 2 ERGO seats, making this an incredibly comfortable fishing sit-on fishing kayak for anglers who like to spend long hours on the water. It also features a Multi Chine hull design, for excellent tracking and stability.
The Pelican has a very clean design without a ton of stuff to get in your way but does feature some cup holders, paddle tie-downs, and molded-in footrests, along with accessory eyelets to attach any optional gear.
The River Gorge comes in at 13 feet, and comes in very light at 84 pounds, making this tandem fishing kayak easy to transport.
PROs:
- ERGO seats
- Relatively light
- Accessory eyelets
CONs:
- Multi-chine hull has a little more resistance in the water
The Elkton Outdoors tandem fishing kayak is actually a 3-person fishing kayak, with a small middle seat which is perfect for a dog or a child. The kayak is just over 12 feet in length and comes with both front and rear storage compartments complete with dry hatches to keep your gear moisture-free.
It’s also incredibly light when compared to other tandems, coming in at only 60 pounds total, making it incredibly easy to transport even when you are out fishing solo. Even though it's this light, it can still support up to 650 pounds of weight on the water.
PROs:
- Dry storage
- Only 60 pounds
- 650 lb rating
CONs:
- Shorter length means less room
Riot Kayaks Escape Duo DLX
The Riot Duo DLX comes with 2 aluminum seats and a whopping total of 6 rod holders, 2 removable and 4 recessed.
It’s incredibly versatile for 2 person fishing or even for solo trips and has great stability and control on the water. It also comes with molded footrests, bow and stern storage with bungee cords, and a heavy-duty constructed hull.
Pros:
- Aluminum seats
- Decent storage
- 6 rod holders
Cons:
- Lacking more modern features
RELATED POSTS: Pro Angler 14 Review — Best Inflatable Kayak — Hobie Outback vs Pro Angler
We figured we would add an inflatable tandem kayak to this list of best tandem kayaks as well. (Check out our full guide to the best inflatable kayaks)
The Sevylor Coleman Colarado is a compact tandem kayak that offers anglers a very lightweight setup that can be deployed essentially anywhere great for fishing far off the beaten path.
This 2-person fishing kayak is made from 21-gauge PVC construction which is very tough and durable, but it goes even further with a tarpaulin bottom for protection from punctures and leaks. If you end up in shallow rocks or timber.
The Colorado also has safety features, the air is contained in multiple separate chambers, meaning if one chamber is punctured, it won’t completely deflate, allowing it to remain buoyant in the event of an emergency situation.
The Coleman Colorado also comes complete with secure storage options, multiple foot placement spots, and an innovative backpack setup to make it incredibly easy to transport, a pump for inflation, and a paddle.
PROs:
- Easy to transport
- Comes with air pump
- Safety chambers
CONs:
- Inflatable kayaks are obviously not as durable as PVC kayaks
How-to Guide : Best 2 Person Fishing Kayaks
Why Use a 2-Person Kayak?
In my opinion, even if fishing solo I prefer a 2 person kayak. When fishing solo it gives you extra space for more gear and more standing room. And you always have the option to take a buddy or significant other out on the water with you. It can also handle bigger and rougher water and typically they have wider beams.
Are There Disadvantages to a Two-Person Kayak?
The one major limitation of a 2 person kayak is the fact that it’s slightly bigger than a small single-seat kayak. If you’re fishing solo and have a long distance to traverse to your secret fishing hole, this might make it difficult when it comes to portage. With two people this isn’t a problem, or, if you are close to shore and only have to go a short distance, no worries.
How Do You Transport a Tandem Fishing Kayak?
There are multiple ways to transport a 13 or even 16-foot-long kayak (here’s some info on choosing the length of a kayak). If you have a small trailer this is a no-brainer. There are also kayak racks you can buy to mount to your vehicle.
If you’re like me and have some good old redneck ingenuity, you could also grab some ratchet straps and strap a kayak to the roof of your 2002 Toyota Camry as well.
Safety Considerations
Kayaks are similar to canoes. They are much less stable than a traditional boat, and you should take safety precautions seriously. Life jackets are not as much of an inconvenience compared to years past and are slim and sleek, and you should consider wearing one, or at the least have one with you.
Other considerations such as a small first aid kit or even a flare gun or flares, and airhorn might be a good idea to keep in your storage as well.
Are There Removable Kayak Racks for Trucks?
Many racks on the market today are removable. Typically, if the rack you buy doesn’t require any sort of vehicle modification or drilling, they are easily removable, which is important for many kayak anglers, as we don’t fish every day, and we don’t always need the rack installed.
On the positive side, many racks such as bed extenders break down small for storage, taking up as little space as possible, allowing you to simply keep it in your truck and out of sight and mind until needed.
Do All Racks Require Drilling or Vehicle Modification?
Some racks do require drilling or vehicle modification but many anglers do not want to permanently modify their vehicle, that’s why on this list we only feature one rack that requires these modifications.
Most racks on this list and also on the market, come with attachment options like C-clamps for bed-style racks that sit above your truck bed, or simply go into your ball hitch receiver for bed extenders.
And yet others are still attached to pre-existing racks found on the roof of an SUV or car if you don’t have a pickup truck, and clamp using C-clamps or another similar style of clamping design.
Is Assembling a Kayak Rack Easy?
In most cases, yes, assembling kayak racks is very easy. Due to not needing to drill or modify your vehicle with most racks today means that it’s as simple as slapping the parts together, tightening them, and installing them via clamps.
Temporary and removable racks are very easy to install and uninstall from your vehicle, especially bed extensions that fit into your hitch receiver, these can be installed in a matter of minutes.
Racks that sit above the bed of your truck may take a little more time and effort simply due to the fact that it’s larger and has a few more parts to fit together, but again, it’s still easy to do.
Conclusion
There are a decent amount of options out there for the best 2-person fishing kayaks available today, and depending on what you want and what you can afford, you will find something to suit your kayak fishing needs. Be sure to take safety into consideration, and whether you want to have options for certain accessories.
