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You may already know that you want a fishing kayak but knowing which one will be best for you can often be a trickier business. The Perception Pescador 10ft kayak could be a good choice but will it hold all your gear? Can it handle ocean fishing? Might it be good for a beginner?
We’ve checked out the main features of this yak to give you a better idea of all of its pros and cons and to help you decide if this is the right vessel for you.
Note that this is a review of the “non-Pro”, standard version of the Pescador. You can read more about the Pro 10 version further below
- Length: 10 feet 6 inches
- Width: 32 inches
- Depth: 14 inches
- Weight: 57 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 325 pounds
Consider This Before Splashing Out On A Pescador 10
Before you take the plunge with the Pescador 10 there are a few things you might want to consider. The Pescador 10 is a sit-on-top kayak that’s designed for both fishing and recreational paddling. It has several features that are aimed at anglers, such as rod holders but it’s also not overloaded with fishing specific features – meaning non-anglers could also enjoy it.
The Pescador 10 is a lightweight fishing kayak with a maximum capacity of 325 pounds, so think about how much gear you would want to carry and don’t forget to add that to your own weight.
Being just 10 foot long, the yak is short, easy to maneuver and ideal for beginners, but may not be suitable for long distance or ocean paddling as it’s built more for stability rather than speed.
If you’re looking for a portable fishing kayak for taking out in calm waters then the Pescador 10 could be a good choice. However, if you’re looking for a kayak with lots of fishing features that you can take on longer fishing trips you might consider a longer vessel with greater capacity and more storage.
Think about where or how often you will be fishing, what the climate might be like, and how much gear you plan to take. This will give you a better idea of the type and capacity of yak you might need before you splash out on a fishing one.
Top Features Of The Perception Pescador 10ft Kayak
The Pescador 10 is designed to be easy and fun to use, even for new paddlers. While this vessel could be an ideal choice for anyone looking to spend their weekends fishing on their local lake, it may not be as suitable if you plan to fish in choppy conditions or surf.
With its short, wide hull it can make a good yak for beginners, as it is designed to be stable in calm waters. However, it may not have the same stability if you were try to stand up in it to fish. It also might not have the same capacity for speed as some of the narrower touring yaks on the market.
Video: Perception Pescador 10
Load Up Your Gear
For being such a compact little yak, there’s surprisingly a lot of space. It’s a sit-on-top yak so you tend to find there’s more space in general, compared to a sit-inside.
With the Pescador 10, there’s a large molded-in storage well behind the seat where you can store a cooler or other larger items, and it has bungee cords to help keep your gear secure. There’s also a sealed hatch at the bow, which has a handy tether on the lid so you don’t lose it while you’re on the water.
This yak has a weight capacity of 325 pounds so it can hold quite a lot of gear, even if you’re a larger person. With the Pescador 10 being designed for fishing, it also has some fishing specific features that will help you reel in your prized catch, including a place to keep your paddle from floating away while you fish.
There are two molded-in rod holders just behind the seat, as well as gear tracks on either side so you can attach extra rod holders and other accessories, such as GPS. There’s even molded-in recesses in front of the seat for easily attaching a fish finder or other devices, as well as a handy cup holder for your water bottle.
Video: Kayak Fishing On A Pescador 10
Fish In Comfort
If you’re planning on spending long hours on the water, having a comfortable seat might be the difference between a good day and a great day. And with this kayak you get a padded seat with an ergonomically designed seat back that can adjusted to fit your comfort. So whether you’re paddling to your favorite fishing spot or patiently waiting for a bite, you can have a supportive seat for your back.
Another thing that should help with your paddling comfort is the addition of adjustable footrests, so whether you’re a long legged paddler or a short legged one, you should be able to find a comfortable paddling position.
Portability
An important thing to think about before you purchase a fishing kayak is how you plan to get it from A to B. With the Pescador 10 being just over 10 feet long, it could be a convenient size for both transporting and storing. A 10 foot yak should easily fit in the bed of a pickup, meaning you might not need a separate trailer.
This yak could be a good choice if you tend to head out on fishing trips on your own, as it’s relatively lightweight, at 57 pounds and could be easy to carry by yourself. To make it easier, there are four molded-in carrying handles – one at the bow and stern and one on each side.
Pescador 10 Alternatives
Perception Pescador Pro 10
This yak has similar specifications to the Pescador 10 but is designed with the more serious anglers in mind. And as such, has more fishing-specific features than the standard model, including more areas for mounting gear and a designated console area for attaching a fish finder.
There is a little more storage on the pro version, including open storage at both the front and the back, with the front having a mesh cover. The seat on this one is also a stadium-style seat that can be lowered or raised over two levels for extra comfort and can even be removed and used at your campground.
These added extras come at a price though, so it might not be cost effective if you consider yourself more of a recreational paddler.
> We have an in-depth guide on the Pro version
Ocean Kayak Prowler 13
If you’re looking for a vessel that can handle rougher waters a little better, then the Prowler 13 could be a good alternative. It’s a longer, narrower yak, being 14 foot 4 inches by 28 inches, meaning it should offer you greater speed on the water too.
It weighs around the same as the Pescador 10, at 56 pounds and has good storage, including a large sealed hatch at the front with access to under deck storage. There’s also a large storage well behind the seat for coolers and crates.
However, its extra length might make it trickier to turn on the water and less convenient to transport and store.
Sun Dolphin Excursion 10
The Excursion is a 10 foot fishing yak that comes in at a lower price than the Pescador 10 and could be a good alternative if you plan to fish in colder waters or climates. It’s a sit-inside so it’s designed to keep you drier as you paddle and it’s also lighter in weight, at just 41 pounds.
It has two flush mounted rod holders and one swivel rod holder but it lacks on storage compared to the Pescador 10. It has a lower weight capacity of just 250 pounds, so it’s not really designed to hold a lot of gear. It has a closed storage compartment behind the cockpit and a bottle holder at the front.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a good value fishing kayak then the Pescador 10 could be a good choice. It’s stable, comfortable and spacious and should be able to hold enough gear for a successful day of fishing.
Pros
- Compact
- Good storage
- Easy for beginners
- Built-in fishing features
Cons
- Speed
- Not ideal for rough waters
If you’re still unsure, check it out for yourself. And if you’ve enjoyed this article or have anything to add then please let us know.
Van the pascador 10 be upgraded with a stadium style seat. And which type of accessories mount does it have…scotty mount or yakattack? Thank you..