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We know. Choosing a fishing kayak can be difficult at the best of times.
There’s a myriad of different kayak brands on the menu. And what about features for fishing? Will the accessories you need and use fit without any dramas? Do you need to buy extras?
Then there’s the questions on comfort and stability for casting.
Does the Moken 12.5 tick all the boxes that a kayak fisherman wants ticked? Does it lack any features?
That’s a lot of questions, lol.
Well, we’ve rounded up its best features to see what the fuss is about and to see whether it should be at the top of your list when it comes to choosing a new angling kayak.
- Length: 12 foot 8 inches
- Width: 32 inches
- Weight: 72 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 419 pounds
Things To Consider Before Buying a Moken 12.5 Kayak
A fishing yak is what you need for spending time on the water and letting you make the most of a day’s fishing trip. With a fishing yak, you tend to get features that are handy for angling, such as flush mount rod holders, additional storage and mounting points for accessories.
The FeelFree Moken 12.5 has been marketed towards beginner anglers who are looking to buy their first kayak without breaking the bank.
The Moken 12.5 is a great kayak if you’re after one with lots of angling specific features and enough weight capacity to bring along all the gear you’ll need for a long day on the water.
If you like to fish in different locations and want a kayak that can handle all types of water then this one could be a good choice, as it’s designed to offer stability and speed in a range of conditions.
However, even if you don’t plan to fish, it’s still a good choice if you like the idea of having a spacious kayak that’s stable enough for standing and has a high weight capacity for all your gear (which could come in handy for a multi-day fishing trips or camping).
It’s not all good news. One of the disadvantages of the Moken 12.5 is just how heavy it is. The kayak weighs in at a whopping 72 pounds, which can make it difficult to move around by yourself if you don’t have access to a lift or other equipment for assistance (like carts or a trailer).
There’s also limited movement with the seat. We’ll come on to that later…
FeelFree Moken 12.5: Best Features
The Feelfree Moken 12.5 is a sit-on-top fishing kayak that is designed with enough fishing features to keep you angling all day long. It’s built with versatility in mind so you can fish on all types of water, from freshwater to saltwater and calm to coastal.
Roll It Along
Sometimes getting your fishing yak to and from the water can be a struggle, particularly if you’re on your own. But the Moken benefits from Feelfree’s Wheel in the Keel feature. This means instead of dragging your yak along the ground, the wheel helps you roll it.
This can make it easier to get the yak in and out of the water, as well as being helpful when you’re loading it onto your truck or roof rack. For added convenience the bow handle is molded in, which could make it easier to push and pull, as well as being durable and more comfortable on your hands.
Video: Moken Standing Stability…
Room For An Overnight Trip
Whether you’re out camping for an extended fishing trip or you’re just out in the wilderness enjoying the fresh air, there’s plenty of storage space for an overnight trip. The large oval hatch allows for storage below deck and is spacious enough for you to pack in a tent or sleeping bag.
With the 419 pound capacity, you shouldn’t need to worry about leaving any gear behind. The large tank well in the back is ideal for storing a fishing crate or cooler, and whatever you store there can be secured with the bungee rigging.
Additionally, on the Moken 12.5 there’s another hatch in the rear tank well, where you can store extra fishing gear within the hull, such as poles or reels.
Also features two cup holders.
Comfortable Kayak Fishing
The Moken 12.5 is built for angling so there are lots of features that will come in handy on your fishing trip.
One of the most important features that you should look for on a fishing vessel is a comfortable seat, and with the Moken you get a padded seat with a padded seat back, so you can sit in a comfortable position whether you’re paddling or relaxing.
It must be noted that the seat is set at a fixed height and does not adjust. This might put some of you off.
However, to help with paddling comfort, there are adjustable foot braces that slide back and forth to accommodate longer and shorter legs.
One of the main features of this yak is the standing pad. The hull is designed to offer maximum stability so that you can stand to cast or simply stretch your legs. There’s also a leash to help you get your balance as you stand.
Fishing Accessories
A good feature on this yak is the Uni Track rail system that lets you mount additional accessories and electronics without having to drill into the hull. There are tracks at both the front and the rear so you have more choice for customizing it to your liking.
There are built-in rod holders just behind the seat and for extra storage for smaller items, such as pliers, there are side mesh pockets on either side of the seat.
Video: Moken Setup Video
A handy feature on the Moken 12.5 is the center console, where you can keep items close to hand for quick access, such as spare lines and lures. The console also serves as another mounting point or cup holder.
Hull Design
The Moken 12.5 features an ocean angler hull, so it’s designed to be very stable but also to be efficient in the water, which could make it a good choice if you plan to cover large areas of water.
The stable hull could be reassuring for beginners, and it also can offer good performance whether you’re on slow rivers or paddling in ocean currents. It comes rudder ready, so you if you wanted to attach a rudder for better tracking you could purchase one separately.
Includes scupper holes for cockpit drainage.
Moken 12.5 Alternatives
Perception Pescador Pilot
At a similar length to the Moken 12.5 is the Pescador Pilot, which also has the stability for standing, although comes in at a higher price. This 12 foot 5 inch sit-on-top features a pedal system for hands-free kayak fishing.
There are plenty of fishing features and mounting points and it’s also ideal for all types of water.
> Detailed review of the Pilot kayak
Feelfree Lure 10
In the same price bracket is the Lure 10, which could be a good alternative if you like the features and stability of the Moken 12.5 but would prefer a shorter vessel. It has the wheel in the keel feature, as well as the standing platform and mounting points.
But it has the benefit of an adjustable seat that can be raised for improved visibility or lowered for paddling.
Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100
If you’d rather a lighter more compact craft the Tamarack could be a good choice. It’s 10 foot long, has built-in rod holders, storage hatches and bungee rigging. It has a lower capacity but also costs a little less.
> More info on the Tamarack 100
Rounding Up
Pros
- Very stable
- Easy to drag (has wheels)
- Lots of storage
- Gear tracks and rod holders
Cons
- Heavy
- Seat can’t be raised
As you’ll have discovered, the Moken 12.5 could offer you the right combination of speed, stability and versatility that you’ve been searching for.
It’s designed for convenience, with enough fishing features for dedicated angling and enough capacity to bring along everything you’ll need.
If you can live with the weight and are OK with the seat height not being adjustable, then we think the Moken 12.5 is a great choice for beginner or casual kayak anglers tackling big lakes or slow rivers.
If you know this is the one for you, let us know how it goes. And if you think your friends need to improve their fishing game, share this with them.
