I’ve grown pretty fond of kayak fishing over the last seven years. It is a nice reprieve from the chaos of the big boat world. Though many of the newest fishing kayaks are dang near bass boats, featuring trolling motors, screens, and shallow-water anchors. That's why I was excited to add a more manageable throw-and-go boat to my fleet: The Magellan Angler.
I spent the last couple of months paddling, testing, and fishing in the 10-foot, 3-inch Angler. It's a fun little boat you can carry with one hand to the water and fish all day. Not to mention it's one of the more affordable fishing kayaks on the market, perfect for young anglers or those who don't want to spend a fortune on a decked-out kayak with motors and foot pedals. Here's a closer look at one of the best value fishing kayaks on the market.
Magellan Angler Kayak Overview
Specs
Maximum weight capacity: 325 pounds
Passenger capacity: One
Weight: 63 pounds
Length: 10’ 3”
Width: 30”
Style: Sit on top
Pros
Lightweight
Extremely affordable
Great features for the price
Adjustable seat straps for support
Cons
Not as stable as more expensive kayaks
Less durable than higher-end kayaks
The Magellan Angler kayak comes fully rigged for fishing and only costs $600 (now on sale for $500). It has everything that most $1,000 kayaks have, but at nearly half the cost. The boat features an elevated chair, a covered front hatch, a rear tank well with mesh covering, a water-resistant hatch in the floor, molded handles, recessed rod holders, adjustable foot pegs, and rail mounts. Bow to stern, the kayak measures a little over 10 feet long and weighs 63 pounds. The seat comes with adjustable straps and is comfortable for all-day fishing. It has all the essentials of a good fishing kayak with plenty of room for customization.
On the Water Performance
To test the Magellan Angler, I loaded it into the bed of my Tundra and set out for a buddy’s pond. At 63 pounds, this kayak was easy to lift in and out of the truck and to tote to the water using one of the molded side handles. Once in the boat, I gave it a rock back and forth, but right before the rim of the boat would dip beneath the water, the kayak would catch and stabilize.
Weighing 245 pounds, I'm on the upper end of what this boat can handle. I was able to stand up without flipping over, but I wouldn’t recommend fishing from the standing position if you weigh 250 pounds. A younger, more nimble angler should be fine to do so, but I prefer the seated position. I was pleased with how the kayak tracked in the water. Although the boat doesn’t have a deep hull or any large pontoons to help it track, it still held true while paddling, maintaining a fairly straight course even when gliding. I could get it up to a pretty good speed, too.
The stillwater day was just the first leg of the test. I also wanted to see how this boat would perform on a float down the creek. Being able to access remote places and navigate small bodies of water is one of the main reasons I wanted a throw-and-go kayak. So I took it to my local stream here in Alabama for a day of fishing with my dad.
We launched at a bridge and I toted the boat down the hill about a hundred yards to the water, only stopping once to give my arm a quick break and to adjust my grip. The boat was easy enough to carry. No sooner were we in the water before we had to hop back out to slide the boats over exposed rocks. Then we went over our first set of rapids. This was the routine for the next 4 or 5 miles, in and out of the boats at times, and then shooting through little rapids. We fished along the way, catching a couple of 2-½ pound spotted bass throughout the float.
The boat performed really well, and I only ended up in the water once. I shot through some whitewater and was propelled straight into a limb that was hanging over the creek. I caught the limb to keep from getting smacked in the chest with it, then the current spun the boat, and the limb raked me right overboard. However, this was a user error, not a product malfunction.
Other than that one dunk in the water, I was able to keep the kayak upright throughout the float. I was pleased with how shallow the boat ran, clearing rocks that were maybe 3 or 4 inches under the water. And I was really impressed with how well the bottom of the boat withstood impact. Several times, I would go through a shoot and collide with a rock that was unavoidable, and each time, I cringed, thinking that it might punch a hole in the boat. But the hull held strong. When I took the boat out later in the day, there were a few bumps and scratches, but no structural damage.
I sat in the seat for about 4 hours, getting in and out sporadically to clear shallow spots and navigate larger drops. The chair on the boat was fantastic, and I experienced no pain in my lower back, which is normally an issue for me. This chair features six adjustable straps underneath the bottom and two along the sides, allowing for easy customization.
When we reached our take-out point, we were greeted by a bridge looming 40 feet over the creek with no access point in sight. I scaled the steep creek bank near the bridge and quickly determined that, if we were to take out here, we’d have to haul the kayaks straight up from the bridge with a rope. So we did just that. I was able to lift the 63-pound Magellan Angler with a rope over 40 feet from the water. This was only possible because of the lightweight design.
It is worth noting that this boat isn't designed for shooting through rapids and banging over rocks. I only fished in these conditions to see what the boat could handle—and it passed the grueling conditions. The Angler is better suited for ponds and lakes. Still, within reason, you can take it through some pretty rough water.
So, who is this boat good for? It’s a great starter kayak for beginner anglers or those looking to expand their fishing access from the bank. If you’re a hardcore kayak tournament angler, you’ll probably want a little more boat. But if you’re a recreational angler who just likes to get out on the water and fish, this is a fantastic boat for easy transport that fishes comfortably, paddles well, and is surprisingly durable.
