Best Tandem Fishing Kayaks: Which One to Buy

For two anglers on a sensible budget, the Brooklyn Kayak Company 13.0 Pro Tandem is the model reviewers name most often, couples and pairs who want pedal power and angler features should look at the Hobie Mirage Compass Duo, buyers who value comfort and stability above all should consider the Feelfree Lure II Tandem, and anyone short on storage or lifting strength will find the Sea Eagle 385fta inflatable the easiest to live with. Which is right depends on the combined weight of both paddlers, how far you plan to travel, and how you will move a boat that is long, heavy or both.

The picks below rely on the specifications each maker publishes and on what established outlets such as Kayak Angler and Paddling Magazine report. Where sellers disagree on weights or capacity, the text says so, so you can treat those figures cautiously.

Our top picks

Top pickBKC Brooklyn 12.5 Tandem Fishing Kayak

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Also greatBKC Brooklyn 13.0 Pro Tandem Fishing Kayak

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Also greatBKC Brooklyn 13.0 Pro Tandem Fishing Kayak

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Also greatBKC Brooklyn 13.5 Tandem Pedal Fishing Kayak

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At a Glance: Tandem Fishing Kayaks Compared

What to Know Before Buying a Tandem

Weight and capacity add up fast

Two adults, two sets of tackle, a cooler, drinks and perhaps a battery or anchor can reach several hundred pounds. Choose a kayak with a stated capacity well above the real load, because tandem boats ride low and handle poorly near their limits. Hobie lists a 275 pound seat limit on its tandem, so each paddler also has an individual ceiling to respect, not just a total.

One person or two

Many tandem fishing kayaks double as solo boats. The Brooklyn 13.0 Pro has a movable center seat so one person can sit in the middle, and the Jackson Big Tuna is described by reviewers as a tandem that one paddler can handle alone. If most of your trips are solo, pick a model that is designed for that rather than hoping a tandem will trim well with one rider.

Length, tracking and storage

Tandems run 12 to 14 feet, which gives better tracking but demands a roof rack, trailer or truck bed with a long overhang. A 14 foot hull will not fit in many garages upright. Measure your storage spot and your vehicle before you order.

Paddle, pedal or inflatable

• Paddle hard shell: simplest, cheapest to own and the least maintenance. The cost is effort on long trips and wind.
• Pedal: frees both anglers’ hands and gives steady speed, but adds weight, upkeep and a higher price.
• Inflatable: compact and light, with drop-stitch floors that are surprisingly stiff in good models. The trade-offs are inflation time and puncture care.

Budget Tier: Brooklyn Kayak Company 13.0 Pro Tandem

Gear and Fish names the Brooklyn 13.0 Pro its best overall tandem, and Kayak Angler calls the 13 Pro its best budget tandem. The maker lists a length of 12 feet 9 inches, a width of 34.25 inches, a dry weight of 85 pounds and an 800 pound capacity, with a roto-molded polyethylene hull. It seats one to three people, includes paddles in many configurations, and has accessory rails, rod holders, tackle trays and dual dry hatches. The maker lists a five year hull warranty and a one year warranty on parts. One review site gives a lower capacity figure than the maker, so use the maker’s number if you are comparing.

The limit is size and weight. At 85 pounds it is manageable for two people but awkward for one, and the hull takes real storage space. Seats are aluminum-frame and functional rather than luxurious, so add cushions for long days. For two anglers on a budget it delivers the most space and stated capacity for the least spend, which is why it keeps appearing in roundups.

Comfort and Stability Tier: Feelfree Lure II Tandem

Kayak Angler selected the Lure II Tandem as its best overall tandem, citing stability and comfortable high-low seats. Feelfree lists it at 14 feet 2 inches long, 36 inches wide and about 105 pounds without seats or an Overdrive pedal drive, with a 500 pound capacity. It has two Gravity Seats, two removable sonar and electronics pods, a front hatch, Uni-Track rails and a wheel built into the keel to help you drag it. It is ready for Overdrive, a motor drive and a rudder, all sold separately, and paddles are not included.

Reviewers note it is big and heavy, so plan transport carefully. Kayak Angler’s published weight is around 92 pounds, which the outlet notes probably leaves out seats and accessories, so treat any weight on a listing as approximate. If you intend to fish from the boat for hours and stand or move around, the width and seating are its selling points.

Pedal Tier: Hobie Mirage Compass Duo and Oasis

Paddling Magazine names the Hobie Mirage Compass Duo its best tandem fishing kayak, calling it loaded with angler-ready features and fairly budget-friendly for a pedal tandem. Retailers list it at 13 feet 6 inches, 35 inches wide, with a fitted hull weight around 92 pounds, a fully rigged weight around 127 pounds and a capacity near 475 pounds. It carries one MirageDrive 180 and one MirageDrive GT, both with Kick-Up Fins, four H-Track mounts, two 8 inch hatches and four molded-in rod holders. One retailer lists very different numbers, so compare against Hobie’s own page before you buy.

Kayak Angler names the Hobie Mirage Oasis as its best tandem pedal kayak, powered by the Mirage Drive 180 with Kick-Up Fins. It suits those who want pedal power and a more recreational layout. Both boats make sense when you fish together often and cover distance, and both demand a trailer, cart or loader because of the weight.

Inflatable Tier: Sea Eagle 385fta and Intex Excursion Pro K2

The Sea Eagle 385fta FastTrack Angler is described by Sea Eagle as a 12 foot 6 inch inflatable weighing about 45 pounds, with 9.5 inch tubes, four chambers, 1000 denier PVC, a removable drop-stitch floor and an external rigid inflatable keel to help it track. It is rated for three persons, with retailers quoting about 635 pounds, and for electric motors up to 34 pounds of thrust. Inflation takes about seven minutes. Reviewers call it one of the lightest and most compact tandem inflatables, and it can be rigged as a single or tandem.

The Intex Excursion Pro K2 is a budget family favorite at about 12.7 feet and 400 pounds of capacity, though it has far fewer angler features. Inflatables are the best answer to apartment storage or small hatchbacks. They need careful rinsing, drying and storage, and sharp hooks and rocks demand attention.

Pick X If: Decision Table

Fit, Transport and Safety Notes

• Loading: boats over 85 pounds are a two-person lift. Use a kayak cart for the beach or ramp and a loader or ramp for the vehicle.
• Trim: place heavier paddlers and gear so the boat sits level. Use the center seat when going solo if the model provides one.
• Safety gear: each rider needs a properly fitted life jacket, a whistle and a way to signal. Check local rules for lights and flags.
• Motor use: only fit motors that the maker approves, such as the 34 pound thrust limit Sea Eagle states, and read the manual for mounting.
• Care: rinse pedal drives and inflatables after saltwater use and store out of direct sun.

Alternatives Worth Considering

• Jackson Big Tuna: reviewers praise it for comfort and for being paddle-able by one person.
• Perception Rambler 13.5: a simple, family-oriented tandem for casual fishing.
• Reel Yaks Raider and BKC 13.5 Tandem Pedal: modular and pedal options mentioned in roundups.
• Two single kayaks: easier to lift, individually controllable and often cheaper per angler than a premium tandem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a tandem fishing kayak better than two single kayaks?

A tandem keeps you together and saves on transport, but it needs two people to carry and cannot be split if one angler wants to go elsewhere. Two singles give each person independent control and are easier to lift. If you often fish alone, two singles are usually more flexible.

Can one person paddle a tandem fishing kayak?

Many can be paddled solo, especially those with a movable center seat such as the Brooklyn 13.0 Pro. Trim and wind handling vary, so a shorter or purpose-designed solo-capable tandem is easier. Reviewers highlight the Jackson Big Tuna as one that works well alone.

How much capacity do two anglers need?

Add both body weights, all tackle, a cooler and any battery, then choose a hull comfortably above that figure. Seat limits matter as well, since Hobie lists 275 pounds per seat on its tandem. Staying well under the maximum keeps the boat stable and responsive.

Are inflatable tandem kayaks good for fishing?

Quality models with drop-stitch floors and thick PVC are stable and surprisingly rigid, and the Sea Eagle 385fta is built with fishing in mind. Hooks, rocks and oyster beds are the main hazard, so use care. They are an excellent choice for limited storage.

Do I need a pedal drive on a tandem?

No, but it frees both people’s hands and eases long paddles into wind. It adds cost, weight and upkeep, including rinsing and checking the drive. For short outings on calm water a paddle model is perfectly adequate.

What is the easiest way to transport a heavy tandem?

A trailer or truck with a bed extender is easiest, followed by a roof rack with a loader that helps lift the boat. Use ratchet or cam straps and bow and stern lines, and add a flag for long overhangs. Do not exceed your vehicle’s roof load rating; the owner’s manual lists it.