Thanks for visiting our Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Fishing Kayak Review. As you know, you can’t always catch fish from the shore which is why you need the right fishing kayak to take you to where the action is!
But then there is the struggle of choosing the RIGHT kayak.
Not all fishing kayaks are made equally. There are endless variations including the length of the kayak, seats that swivel, number of fishing rod holders and more.
Why Listen To Me?
My name is Christina Bishop. Growing up, I spent most summer days fishing on the lake with my father. I’ve been holding a fishing rod since before I could even walk!
For this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 fishing kayak and weigh in on its features.
The Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 is an affordable, budget-friendly kayak that has everything you need and nothing you don’t. It does not sacrifice quality and durability as it is engineered to get you where you need to go in a variety of water and weather conditions.
The sit-on-top design provides ample storage and accessory mount choices, making it simple to equip your kayak for long day trips.
Does it offer the stability, storage capacity and maneuverability it claims at such a great price, or does this fishing kayak fall short?
Read on to find out!
Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Features:
- Fishing Rod Holders – Features two flush-mount rod holders behind the seat and a single, rotating rod holder on the starboard side.
- Storage Compartments – Features two rounded 6″ hatches, one in the front and one in the back, suitable for storing your fishing gear and other valuable items.
- Cupholders – Equipped with two cupholders.
Our Thoughts After Using The Lifetime Tamarack Pro 100 Fishing Kayak:
It’s A Great Value Without Compromising Performance
You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get out on the water and have some fun!
So who is Lifetime? Since 1986, Lifetime has been perfecting paddle-based vessels. Today they offer a diverse selection of kayaks and paddleboards that includes everything from youth and fishing kayaks to sit-in boats, paddles, and other accessories.
After testing the Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100, I was very impressed with the lightweight design and stability.
Most of the kayaks we have reviewed are 12 feet long, but this one is only 10 feet long. Stephen is nearly 6 feet tall, and he was able to sit in the kayak very comfortably. We didn’t miss the extra space when we found out how light it was to load and unload! At only 54 pounds, you can easily load and unload this kayak by yourself which is a huge benefit!
The Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 is a stylish kayak. You can tell just by looking at its trendy colors. It features an open, uncovered cockpit/deck area.
We were impressed that the manufacturer made good use of every square inch of this kayak. You have storage in the front and the rear, 3-rod holders and 2 cupholders. You can also store a few smaller items under the seat.
We were disappointed that it did not come with any scupper hole covers, but we found out that a cheap set of practice golf balls fit perfectly in the scupper holes!
The Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 sacrifices comfort to keep the cost. That said, it still offers a sufficient comfort level to keep you out on the water for several hours. It has a two-part adjustable seat, and the back has plenty of padding.
The paddle is also flimsy, and we recommend getting a better quality paddle and keep the original as a spare.
With the money you will save on this kayak you will be able to afford to upgrade the seat and paddle and add a bunch of cool accessories.
We think this kayak is perfect for beginners who may not be sure how much they will enjoy kayaking or fishing from a kayak, but it is still a great kayak at any skill level because you really can’t beat the price.
Also, if you want to explore some shallow, rocky waters where you might get a few scratches know that this kayak can take a beating and you won’t feel bad about any “beauty marks” because of the great price.
Stability and Maneuverability
The Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 kayak is more stable than it looks. It has a deep flip-resistant hull that evenly distributes the weight across the vessel. Its chine railings also add to the kayak’s stability.
Even though the Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 isn’t designed for standing, many anglers get up and balance their legs on the front and back of the kayak. That said, the kayak will flip if you exceed its maximum weight capacity. Stephen was able to stand up in the kayak in calm waters, but we don’t recommend standing.
The kayak is extremely easy to maneuver through even the tightest backwaters. It has a sharp bow that helps you navigate remarkably well considering its small size and lightweight form factor.
Unfortunately, there is no option to add pedals to this kayak. Although we did not test this with a motor, there are some trolling motor options available.
Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Detailed Specifications:
- Length – 10 feet long
- Width – 30 inches
- Depth – 14 inches
- Weight – 54 pounds
- Maximum Weight Capacity – 1 passenger up to 275 pounds
- Fishing Rod Holders – 3
- Material – polyethylene plastic
- Cupholders – 2
- Storage Compartments – 1 in front, 1 in rear (2 total)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to load and unload
- Easy to maneuver because of its size
- Three rod holders and two hatches built-in
- Sturdy construction
- Budget friendly
Cons
- Uncomfortable seat
- Lack of upgradable options
- Flimsy Paddle
- No scupper hole covers
Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Review & Final Verdict (4.4/5)
And that was our review of the Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Fishing kayak.
The Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 is the best bang for your buck if you want a fantastic angling kayak without spending thousands of dollars, and even if you decide to upgrade your comfort features like a new seat and paddle, you will still save a lot of money and have a great time without breaking the bank. It’s also very durable, but if you do get it scratched up a bit you won’t feel as bad about it because of the price.
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