Is Kayak Fishing DEAD (or DYING)?

[@150F2011]

Always enjoy your videos,thanks for sharing your years of knowledge with us. at 66 I am starting my 2nd year of kayak fishing.Only started fishing with my son about 3 yrs ago.Love the time spent with him.Its great to pull up on a grass island on the Susquehanna River and enjoy a snack with him talking about the fish we caught or missed. Thanks

[@ZmbiBglz]

What i like about fishing and kayak fishing especially lately, you can get into it at pretty much whatever price range you want to. Ive had 200 dollar kayaks and 2000 dollar kayaks.

[@razorg7656]

Thanks again Chad for dedicating so much time providing us kayak bass fishing content. I think Kayak fishing is still going pretty strong. As you said, the market will adjust and fluctuate but it’s not going away for sure! I still have my native ultimate fx 15, but I’m finally going to be in the market for my favorite paddle kayak, Bonafide SS127; I think it’s an excellent value. I plan to add to the KBF tournament scene this year. Keep the sport strong!

[@seanpatun9875]

Depends how much ur willing to spend? You can get a good budget friendly one for $700-$800 range that has a decent weight capacity

[@seanpatun9875]

I bought a used 2017 vibe seaghost from a guy near lake guntersville for $500!! What a great deal for a 13 footer that has 500 pound weight capacity!

[@mitchellm5855]

Yeah buying used is prolly your best bet and bang for your buck especially if it's already set up for what you want cause doing it yourself the right way is expensive and time consuming!

[@billyspoon716]

I appreciate you Chad! I’m about to get my first kayak and looking on the lower end for budget purposes. Your knowledge and info has been very helpful!

[@AaronKellerFishing]

I’ve owned my titan for about 7 years. 2k investment and it still works great with minimal maintenance. I also have 3 rs117s that were around $800 and use them every year on the river. The great thing about kayaks is the ranges that are offered and the minimal maintenance required.

[@The66Leadfoot]

Not many channels promote affordable kayaks anymore. That's s one of the reasons I enjoy watching Dude Fish in his Crescent CK1 or Big Fish Energy in his Jackson Bite.

[@LMBOUTLAW]

Enjoyed your explanation of the kayak industry and where it's going.

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Thanks brother

[@raygissendanner1476]

You are right chad it's like everything else anytime things are updated it's going to cost more it has to be very expensive to make the molds for making them thank you Chad for all of the information

[@user-nn8rz3bm7w]

Another great video. I'm knee deep in kayak fishing and considering my next one now.

[@ChadHooverFishing]

What are you considering at the moment?

[@user-nn8rz3bm7w]

@ChadHooverFishing just sold my old town pdl 106 had it for two years. Started to have issues with left knee so not really sure. Loved that PDL not sure where to go next

[@yepyepuhhuh]

Well thought out.

[@BrandonWiggins-i9p]

I love watching your fishing videos , keep up the good work and God bless

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Thanks Brandon

[@craigwjones22]

Great points Chad. However, I believe kayak fishing has plateaued. Economic income has not kept up with inflation. So the sales on fully rigged kayaks with big names will suffer the most. However the entry level kayaks should replace those sales. I for one appreciate the technology advances that have been introduced into the kayak world but I would be delusional to not think the entry level kayaks are a better buy at this point.

[@BucktailFishing]

I believe there is a misconception that they’re too expensive. People have the option to buy a higher end kayak and rig it with all the goodies a lot of us in the tournament scene do. The option to purchase a kayak that isn’t so expensive, not rig it to the gills, keep it simple and just enjoy some paddling and fishing is still there, too.

[@banksandeddys]

Great video!! Bonafide makes quality products.

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Yes they do.

[@jongregory886]

Check out that kaku guru. You can motorized it.

[@DarrinBoggs-jh1vp]

If kayaks are “too expensive now”, then fishing equipment is too in general. But I be damned if I didn’t walk into Walmart this morning and they had two aisles of fishing gear. They didn’t have one single $400 reel or rod. But, they did have reels and rods. I don’t shop at new car lots, because I don’t wanna pay for a new car. And yet, I’ve got a car. There’s options. You can pretty much pay what you wanna pay.

[@ParrisEdwards-k2h]

Well said, Chad. I'm a firm believer that you pay for quality.

[@NiteWolfeFishing]

Great points! and at the end i do kind of feel that the whole 1000 market is ignoring the true entry level market that more in the 600 to 800 market. I started in a used 100 buck pelican that was crap, moved up to a 500 buck sun dolphin boss 12 and thats kind of where iam stuck. I have been in the yak for 5 years now and i KNOW by next year i have to replace it. 5 years of abuse on a shallow limestone river has worn it out. But a 1000 bucks is a lot when you only make 1600 a money on ssd. So i know iam going to be forced into a bass pro one or similar. I motorize and iam in Texas so there is still a issue with trying to register a used vessel thats not new and only has a bill of sales. So i feel i HAVE to buy new. I would love to see a major brand come out wit ha truely entry level kayak.

[@banksandeddys]

I agree Kayak fishing is here to stay. Growing day by day.

[@SLYFOXFISHIN]

I love the way Kayak fishing opens up so much opportunity to new waters and new fishing family . The glitter boat nation isn't the same when it comes to fishing . Shoot if I was to win your kayak I would definitely love to have the XTR130. I will get me one some day some how . Don't get me wrong I love my Big Rig but damn the XTR130 is sexy.

[@lowlifeangler]

😂 Fully agree! I like my $400 Lifetime Tamarack Pro ,but I need aleast a set of pedals with motor options. Heading to the Ohio Expo, Sly?

[@SLYFOXFISHIN]

@lowlifeangler i think I will try to go to the one in Indy . So I can meet up with JT .

[@lowlifeangler]

​@@SLYFOXFISHINthat's cool. Daren was saying JT was heading over here also. But I'm not for sure. We usually meet up for breakfast before the Expo. Have fun at the Indy show

[@SLYFOXFISHIN]

@@lowlifeangler JT will be there on Saturday the 8th

[@Cw81Deut6n4]

Kayak fishing without electronics will put you a very stealthy position to catch pressured fish when no one else can. That being said, i prefer my boat because of my back. The cost of kayaks did detour me and i was able buy a great boat for 10k. That said I miss fishing some lakes with my yak.

[@kelvinvegaF]

Love it! Can we see your rig on your bonafide RVR119? Also can I joint the bass fishing from Virginia?

[@robertyamane9395]

I think people are just getting spoiled and are only looking at the top end kayaks, or ones with the motors(in order to compete! But like you Chad I see where kayaks fishing has come from! I remember my Malibu Mini X, Explorer, and my Cobra fish ‘n’ dive. I wouldn’t be surprised if most people couldn’t remember those models, their specs etc. I remember the days when you had to add your own YakAttack rails and how hard it was to drill into your own first kayak! It terrified me ! ! ! Ooohhh the good old days❣️❣️❤️❤️😂😂🤣🤣

[@michealeller9718]

Chad much respect to you and what you have done for the sport. Can i ask what your justification is for your opinions on the bass pro type kayaks? Is it just that they compete with your partners? I personally dont think they are very far off from the "top" brands. My question is soncere, not trying to spark negativity. I fish out of an old town. Thanks

[@3THWFISHING]

I think people think less national trails means dying, I’m in Texas we got real turnouts every week

[@maxcole3930]

I've been kayak fishing for 11 years now. Started with a used 2014 Hobie pa12 (banana yellow) fished that for almost 8 years. Sold it for same price I paid for it originally. Then upgraded to pa12-360. So 11 years in a really nice kayak for that price, I don't consider expensive. I'm pretty hard on my gear also. I don't abuse it but I use it a lot! 1,2,even 3 days a week at times for 12 months out of year. I fish all through winter here in southern SC. I definitely love my Hobie's but I wouldn't knock other brands. Unfortunately I haven't had chance to try any other pedal drives out on the water. I would like to. I don't see how I could want to change after having the maneuverability the 360 gives me. But without trying others I can't say that for sure

[@spinnerbait5226]

I went from a sun dolphin to a lifetime now I own the bonafide ss127,rs117 and the rvr119 and getting ready to buy the pwr

[@cmhooter]

I paid just under 1000 for my old town 120 sportsman paddle when they first came out. I think now the same kayak is 1599.00

[@MuahMan]

$2599

[@GodGunsGills]

Does that bonafide RS117 come with the paddles?

[@maxcole3930]

For the most basic camera set up from behind/over the shoulder. What pole would you recommend? I've been eyeing the action cams for a while. I don't wanna do KZbin or recordy whole day. Just be able to record my catch's with voice command. & Be able turn around & have a good picture taken of the good catch's/big girls. So I just want basic single pole mount. Just not sure what I should get? As you already know it's really hard to take a selfie of you & your catch when you're holding a big bass! When I catch my 11.4 I basically had to hold it up with body & tail laying against my shoulder & chest to try & get most of it in the pic!

[@manny4491]

Great Video! Kaku has a new offering called the Guru. At a medium price point you can motor "gas or electric", paddle and peddle. I see other brands being forced to push the limits of the sport to keep up. We could be in a Renaissance Period without knowing it! "unless you fish from a boat lol" 🤣

[@lawrencesmith9909]

What's the future of kayak motors with 1 manufacturer stopping production

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Which one stopped production?

[@lawrencesmith9909]

@ChadHooverFishing motor guide did away with xi3

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Actually, the company Motorguide was shut down. But, LOWRANCE is going to put something out to fill the void.

[@SD-ft6gs]

Real Kayak fishing is not dead, what needs to die is the small boats people call "kayaks", but are really skiffs/small boats, that can't be paddled, need a motor to work reasonably, can't be loaded onto a car roof and weight so much you need a trailer+boat ramp to get it out on the water. These boats that cost as much as a motorcycle or a bass boat, and are actually only called Kayaks by the manufacturers or the people pushing the story that a fishing kayak needs as much gear and accessories as a contemporary bass boat (another completely ridiculous boat category btw). In any case, here is what defines a kayak: #1it has to be paddleable, not peddles only but has to be paddle able; #2 has to be under $2000, unless it is a sea touring kayak made out of an exotic material like cedar or carbon fiber #3 can be moved/stored/car loaded relatively comfortably by one person, #4 is quick to deploy and does not require a boat ramp; #5 does not need a bunch of store bought, manufactured accessories to be usable --NO YOU DO NOT NEED A PURPOSE BUILT CRATE BY HOBBIE/OLD TOWN/NATIVE or any manufacturer FOR ANY REASON. #6 you have customized it to your style of fishing with your own hacks for your own purposes. #7 does not have 5 or 4 or even 2 screens. again the goals here are cheap cheap, light light, easy easy, quick quick and most importantly FUN!

[@mitchellm5855]

I mean its almost cheaper to buy a john boat and extra batteries and a trolling motor and have way more room than to buy the expensive kayaks i got a brand new jackso kilroy years ago and im just 31 now but i paid 1750 for a paddel and the yak and prolly another 1000 or more for the kayak roof racks on my car so yeah its expensive and a lot more work then just getting a bout and doing basic maintenance unless you just back your kayak in the water like a boat then i could see why you would own a kayak unless you go to a river alot even then

[@MuahMan]

The markup has to be crazy. Probably a 200% markup. How much can it be for some plastic? I fish out of a kayak exclusively but it's like $10k to rig one out now so small jonboat with an electric motor is looking better.

[@ChadHooverFishing]

It’s closer to 25% for manufacturers and 30-40 for dealers. You aren’t just paying for the plastic. You are paying for the mold cost, the machinery/ovens, big ass building to hold it all, engineering and other employees and all the things that make it possible to make the finished product and get it to dealers. The heat and labor alone to build it costs more than the plastic.

[@jasonbrock7919]

Preach it

[@markmurrell1894]

Some people like complaining about the price of a “piece of plastic” while at the same time sign up for a $1,000 plus/month car payment. I have a nice and expensive kayak but my old truck is paid for. 😂

[@WyattsFab]

It isn't dead yet. But it will be. If these pieces of plastic get any more expensive.

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Watch the video

[@maxcole3930]

What's your PB largemouth?

[@Tugyankreel]

There is a Kayak for every budget and every style and that's what makes it so appealing. Plus the guy who spends 10-25k to his YAK is not guaranteed to win more tournaments or catch more fish than the guy who spent 1,500 for everything. Nothing and I mean no amount of money is going to supplement time on the water. PERIOD. First it was paddle...then peddle...now motor...guys are still winning tournaments paddling with a basic single fish finder. No excuses...get out and fish! Have a good time and take a buddy.

[@Tugyankreel]

Brands that do not make a great 1000-1200 boat are going to suffer big time IMHO. That first entry level boat is where it all starts.

[@stephenbeaver2035]

Did kayak sales peak? Probably. Is the sport in decline. I don’t think so. The boats last years. I had the same canoe for 25 years. I expect my kayak to last at least 5 maybe 10 years. At my age. I will never buy another kayak. But I will be out there fishing.

[@catchnothingfishing6457]

They are severely overpriced and becoming more small skiff than kayak it all about motors motors motors

[@ChadHooverFishing]

What do you base your assessment of them being “severely overpriced” on?

[@catchnothingfishing6457]

@ChadHooverFishing the materials used hdpe plastic is the same plastic as a milk jug, dealer markup, accessories i also work for bass pro and see the price going up for the kayaks when there have been little to no improvement on hull design stability or materials being used and yes as you said most people do charge the big box store kayaks to credit cards or really any of them why would someone such as yourself claim the kayaks are not over priced they almost all share a basic hull design all can be paddled the only difference is a potential peddle drive system or a motor at wich case your at a good used boat downside of wich most people can't afford

[@DarrinBoggs-jh1vp]

Saying most kayaks share a basic hull design is like saying most automobiles share the same design. They mostly have 4 wheels. So an Audi and a Kia should cost the same. And by same I mean the price of the Kia.

[@catchnothingfishing6457]

@DarrinBoggs-jh1vp honestly I'd be fine with that as most things are overpriced and over valued thanks to magical terms like taxes and due to being over valued upon appraisal the used market is just as bad as the new market I've found boats from 2016 and people are wanting top dollar for them like they are a brand new model fresh off the press

[@RyanBlass-w3m]

@@catchnothingfishing6457 I believe the term you are looking for is Bidenomics. That's why everything is overpriced.

[@rnone2214]

The price of fishing kayaks has to go up because as the manufacturers target an ever more affluent demographic, they'll be selling fewer units. This leaves lower income fishermen with their noses pressed against the showroom windows. Fishing kayaks are no longer a product for the everyman. They're for the tournament want-to-be or poser.

[@adfdasdfadfadsfareae]

So many industries are like that now. ATVs and UTVs cost as much as an actual vehicle now.

[@maxcole3930]

Good points, your spot on!

[@socaloutdoors7355]

Insanely OVERPRICED. Here in San Diego you can pick up a used 12’ aluminum fishing boat with motor anywhere in the neighborhood from $600-$2500. That’s something that sips gas, is stable, can take a friend, I can fish the Bay or any local reservoir or lakes. A 16’ foot boat is not far off from that price range. I’ve had a 13’ Ocean Kayak brand Fishing Kayak…at first I liked it and had contemplated getting it for months before purchasing..quickly I found out I didn’t want to take long periods of time to get from fishing spot to fishing spot…wind, chop, loading, unloading, limited space, all were factors in “me” not choosing to stay the kayak route. I think I got that kayak for 1100 bucks bare bones! After I put a battery, fish finder and other accessories on it I was pushing $2k and this was 10+ yrs ago…NOW, I see some of these kayaks out there for $3500 and up😂…after all the gear you’ll spend, easily $4k plus…if not more. I bought a ‘16 Deep V Aluminum for $1300 bucks with a 40hp Yamaha and have never looked back. I guess kayaks & kayak fishing is something a person “really” wants to do and location & area probably play a big role in that. Kayak fishing became just like any other recreational activity, it got popular, companies capitalized on that and now in my opinion, getting a boat is just more practical in the long run, money wise.

[@h2oslider242]

If "too expensive" is in your vocabulary, don't start fishing and don't buy any boat.

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Ha!! That’s the truth…. LOL

[@AnnaFriedman-o9y]

Your videos are like little masterpieces. Thank you for your talent and effort.🩹💜⛹️