I am looking for my first kayak. Don’t necessarily need it to be a fishing kayak as I already have a crate with rod holders. I will only use on small waters so I’m looking at the very low budget end - $300-400. I know you get what you pay for, but this is good for me.
 

I’ve seen many YouTube videos that say they got their kayak on sale for around $200, then made it their own with mods. Anyone know when/where I should be looking for good deals like this? I know they may be hard to come by due to covid demand.

I've heard lots of people got kayak's during covid...I'm guessing they will be selling them when vaccinations ramp up.  I'd suggest looking at used, craigslist, fb market place, etc. 

 

Bound to be something here soon...

Lifetime Teton is probably the best in that price range.  But I'd look at the used market too

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lifetime-Tamarack-Angler-10-ft-Fishing-Kayak-Paddle-Included-90508/28912499?selected=true

 

Add a stadium seat for $10-$15 and a few other small mods and a good paddle. There's a lot of videos of mods done for this kayak on youtube. I don't have one, but if I was looking for one in that price range I would seriously consider it.

I think craigslist may be hit or miss depending on where you live. I have looked for kayak deals for 10+ years on craigslist, and they just don't seem to pop up (I have bought kayaks though on CL). So rigged fishing kayaks are listed used at 1000+ so not a deal at all, and the other kayaks are river boats and touring boats and plastic tubs.

 

Does the weight of this boat matter at all, ie are you going to be able to haul it on your car/truck and get it in the water without difficulty? Does small waters mean you have a shore launch or are you carting or carrying it? If weight doesn't matter, I would look for a shorter (10' foot or so) and wider 34+ boat. Since you won't need to paddle far, and not paddling far and standing means the seat comfort doesn't matter nearly as much. But being able to stand and fish is worth searching and holding out for.

21 minutes ago, kayaking_kev said:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lifetime-Tamarack-Angler-10-ft-Fishing-Kayak-Paddle-Included-90508/28912499?selected=true

 

Add a stadium seat for $10-$15 and a few other small mods and a good paddle. There's a lot of videos of mods done for this kayak on youtube. I don't have one, but if I was looking for one in that price range I would seriously consider it.

We have two of these and they are great. Pretty stable, easy to mod. It’s a great entry level kayak.

I bought my last yak (Ocean Kayak Big Game Prowler II), for $450 with barely any use. Have to be ready to go when deal like that pops up because it'll be gone in a hour or so most of the time.

13 hours ago, kayaking_kev said:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lifetime-Tamarack-Angler-10-ft-Fishing-Kayak-Paddle-Included-90508/28912499?selected=true

 

Add a stadium seat for $10-$15 and a few other small mods and a good paddle. There's a lot of videos of mods done for this kayak on youtube. I don't have one, but if I was looking for one in that price range I would seriously consider it.

 

the Teton is the same kayak with a stadium seat already on it.  It goes on sale often at Dicks and you can use coupons on it too

NuCuanoe just came out with a new model that a lot of owners are really excited about.  Many are selling their existing kayaks in order to buy the new model.  I'm considering doing it as well.  I have a Pelican Catch 120 and a NuCanoe Frontier 12 that I might sell.

My friend is a good paddler.  
 

he out fishes me two to one.  He rides around in a Walmart yak he bought for $100.