Thanks for visiting our Pelican Sit On Top Fishing Kayak Review. This review is specifically for the Pelican Basscreek 100XP Angler. 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 Pelican Sit On Top Fishing Kayak and weigh in on its features.
The Pelican Sit On Top Fishing Kayak offers great quality and performance at a great price. It is perfect for those who don’t want to drag around a heavier fishing kayak!
Pelican is a brand recognized for developing high quality canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and fishing boats. The Pelican Sit On Top fishing kayak is no exception!
Does it offer the stability, storage capacity and maneuverability that some of the other fishing kayaks have, or does it fall short?
Read on to find out!
Pelican Sit On Top Fishing Kayak Features:
- Angler Ruler – A ruler is built in so you can measure your catch! We don’t see too many other kayaks with this feature built-in.
- Fishing Rod Holders – Features two plush mounted rod holders behind the seat and one swivel rod holder in the front of the seat.
- Dry Storage Hatch With Storage Bag – The bow has a storage bag built-in to the hatch, and the stern has a compartment for storing your fishing gear.
- Spacious – It’s spacious enough for one person and maybe even your pup! Not bad for a 10′ kayak.
- Adjustable Foot Rest – Great for stretching out your legs.
Company Background:
So who is Pelican? Pelican is a manufacturer of kayaks, paddleboards, boats, sleds, paddles and more. Pelican now enjoys a strong reputation, known for its unique products of superior quality and durability.
They have designed RAM-X™, an exclusive multilayer material, that produces a lightweight product with an unmatched stiffness, resistance to impacts, and breakage, with exceptional longevity and superior security. RAM-X™ has become the benchmark of quality within the industry.
They are equally proud to be the first North American manufacturer of kayaks to use twin sheet thermoforming technology (TSF). The combination of patented Pelican materials with TSF technology creates an unrivaled product on the international market.
Our Thoughts After Using The Pelican Sit On Top Fishing Kayak:
It Is A Great Kayak With All The Essentials
You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get out on the water and catch fish. We love that it already has an angler ruler, fishing rod holders, and dry storage hatch built-in. You don’t need to add too much else to have a great day on the water. Let’s face it, it isn’t a top-of-the-line kayak, but it sure looks good on the water as it has style!
After testing the Pelican Sit On Top Fishing Kayak, we were very impressed with its lightweight design and stability. It features a multi-chine, flat bottom hull which allows us to glide considerably well in calm waters. The kayak is pretty stable in rougher waters.
We like the adjustable footrests that provide you with more control and comfort while maneuvering.
Most of the other kayaks we have reviewed are 12 feet long, but at only 10 feet long we found this one to be spacious enough, even for fido! Stephen is nearly 6 feet tall, and he was still able to sit in the kayak very comfortably. At only 50 pounds, it is the lightest kayak we have tested so far. Second only to the Lifetime Tamarak Angler 100 Fishing Kayak.
It’s A Practical Kayak
The storage hatch is convenient, but it is NOT waterproof. Use some dry bags for any valuable electronics or anything else you want to store there.
The front hatch opens up space to the entire length of the kayak, so there are no partitions which means any of your belongings could shift anywhere inside the kayak. However, this can be fixed with a small modification. The back hatch does not have this problem.
The swivel rod holder was very nice to have, but it could be a bit difficult for some people to reach. Stephen is nearly 6 feet tall, and he also has long arms so he was able to reach it okay.
We like how the entire kayak has open usable space.
There is a handy drain plug on the bow, so if any water does get into the hull it can be easily drained.
It is great to know that you can easily remove the lawn chair-style seat with 2 clamps. Unfortunately, when we were out of the water for more than about an hour or two, the bar behind the seat started to cause some discomfort. This could be fixed with some extra padding.
The paddle splits into two pieces for compact storage, and there is also a bungee strap on both sides to hold the paddle when you are not using it.
The bungee straps are oriented perfectly to secure a milk crate or a cooler!
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lightweight – At only 50 pounds, 1 person can easily load and unload
- Storage – Having a hatch in the bow and the stern is very convenient. The extra space for a milk crate or a cooler is impressive, and the bungee straps are positioned well to hold it in place
- Excellent Speed, Stability And Maneuverability
- Great Value
- Great Style
- 3 Fishing Rod Holders Built In
Cons
- Rod Holder Position – The rod holder mounts may be out of reach for some folks
- Paddle Only – You won’t be able to power this kayak with pedals or a motor
- Seat Comfort – The seat isn’t terrible, but it isn’t the best design for long term comfort
Review & Final Verdict (4.3/5)
The Basscreek 100XP Angler is a nice-looking fishing kayak, and it performs well.
However, we found that the seat is not comfortable if you are out on the water for 2 hours or more. You might need an extra cushion to make it more comfortable.
A serious angler might have a problem with the position of the swivel rod holder.
There are also no mounts for adding a fish finder, but we do like the built-in Angler Ruler.
These Pelican Sit On Top Fishing Kayaks are popular rental kayaks at many of the Georgia State Parks for a good reason. We really like the brand reputation, the weight capacity, the price and durability. If you are looking for a no-frills fishing kayak, this is a great choice.
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