Choosing a Kayak for River Fishing

I grew up knee-deep in the creek that flowed next to my house in central Pennsylvania. By my teens, I was spending nearly every weeknight on Penns Creek and weekends on the Susquehanna River. The appeal of moving water is still something I find hard to resist and I spend as much time as possible exploring the streams, creeks, rivers of New England, and beyond. When it comes to paddling, some of these flows can be tricky and certain kayaks excel more than others. This article focuses on kayaks that excel in river fishing and are favorites of the Wilderness System Pro Staff.

Over the past couple of years, the Wilderness Systems A.T.A.K. 120 has become my go-to kayak for river fishing. At 35” wide, it is incredibly stable, and the 12’ length allows for easy maneuvering around obstacles in flowing water. Additionally, the low-profile hull and deck allow it to shed side winds better than almost any kayak on the market. Because of this design feature, it is much easier to maintain a drift direction without the need for a rudder, which can be a hassle and get beat up when river fishing. The A.T.A.K. also provides a clean deck space that can be fully customized or kept basic. This open deck is particularly appealing to me as an avid fly angler who is constantly stripping and shooting lines.

Another awesome river kayak is the Commander 120. Although recently discontinued, the Commander series can still be found at many retailers. As a hybrid kayak, it is the perfect option for many anglers, like me, who grew up fishing in canoes. Tim Perkins, of Alabama, values the simplicity of the Commander above all else. Notably, the kayak provides above-average maneuverability, tracking, and stability in a lightweight frame with a high weight capacity and plenty of features designed for anglers. Specifically, the captain’s perch provides the opportunity to fish from an elevated perspective and makes standing easier.