Are you new to kayaking and need a little guidance? Are you an experienced angler looking for something more suited to your fishing style? Wherever you sit, choosing the right kayak is an absolute must. And while recreational kayaks and fishing kayaks might look the same, they actually have quite different features and specs that are designed for different users.
Luckily, the Viking range offers something for everyone, from relaxed weekend paddlers to serious kayak fishing enthusiasts. But how do you decide which one is right for you?
Let’s take a look at the differences between the two, and help you decide which kayak is right for your level of experience, budget, storage needs and how often you’ll actually use it.
What Are the Differences?
Viking have been making quality products for over 20 years. Designed and manufactured in Auckland, New Zealand with a strong focus on real-world performance, durability, and user feedback from both recreational paddlers and experienced anglers.
Whether you’re new to kayaking, heading out for a calm paddle on a lake or chasing fish in the estuary, there is a purpose-built option available for everybody.
The Viking range can be divided into two categories:
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Recreational kayaks: Beginner friendly kayaks that have designed for fun, stability, and ease of use
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Fishing kayaks: Generally made for more advanced kayakers, these kayaks are designed for performance, storage, and serious angling
Understanding the differences between the two will help you make an informed decision before you make a purchase.
Recreational Kayaks: Designed for Fun
Viking recreational kayaks are built for enjoyment rather than performance. They are designed for stability, comfort, and simplicity, making them ideal for beginners, families, or anyone looking for relaxed time on the water.
Popular Recreational Viking Kayaks at Paddle Zone
Viking Espri Family & Cruising Kayak
Designed and proudly made in New Zealand, this compact sit-on-top kayak is built for effortless fun on rivers, lakes, and calm coastal waters. Its clever hull design delivers impressive stability while still tracking smoothly, giving beginners confidence and experienced paddlers a relaxed, enjoyable ride.
Looking for a kayak that adapts to your family, your fishing trips, and your weekend plans? The Viking 2+1 Kayak delivers unbeatable versatility paddle it solo, tandem, or with the kids onboard.
Designed for stability and comfort, the 2+1 gives you the space of a double kayak with the flexibility to paddle as a single.
Kayaks For Fishing
Viking Nemo Recreational Kayak
The Viking Nemo Kayak takes everything great about Viking’s smaller family kayaks and stretches it for better tracking, extra cockpit space, and improved on-water performance.
Compact, light, and incredibly stable, the Nemo is built for relaxed family adventures. The longer hull improves glide and straight-line tracking, while the deeper cockpit and flatter hull deliver outstanding stability; perfect for kids, beginners, and casual paddlers.
Key Features of Recreational Kayaks
1. Stability over speed
Recreational kayaks are typically wider and flatter, making them extremely stable. This is ideal for beginners, casual paddlers or those who simply want to enjoy the scenery without worrying about balance or wanting to carry a lot of gear.
2. Lightweight and easy to handle
Models such as the Viking Nemo or Espri are designed to be easily transported, launched, and stored. Their lighter weight makes them practical for solo paddlers and beginners.
3. Comfortable seating and simple layouts
Recreational kayaks are designed to focus on comfort and being user-friendly. With open cockpits and uncomplicated designs. There’s minimal setup required, just grab a paddle and you’re ready to go.
4. Family-friendly versatility
Some models, such as the Viking 2+1, allow for multiple paddlers, making them ideal for families, beginners wanting some guidance on the water or shared adventures.
Who Are Recreational Kayaks For?
Recreational kayaks are best suited for:
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Beginners learning basic skills
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Casual paddlers
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Families with children
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Kayakers that want something simple to use
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Calm water environments such as lakes, rivers, and sheltered bays
They are not designed for carrying large amounts of gear or handling challenging offshore conditions.
Fishing Kayaks: Built for Performance and Purpose
Fishing kayaks are a completely different category. They are designed to support anglers with features that enhance stability, storage, and efficiency while fishing.
Popular Viking Fishing Kayaks at Paddle Zone
Viking Profish GT Fishing Kayak
Short, incredibly manoeuvrable, and built for serious anglers. The Viking Profish GT is the ultimate compact fishing kayak for both salt and freshwater kayaking.
Viking Profish 400 Lightweight Fishing Kayak
The Profish 400 sets comfort, performance, and stability benchmarks for all fishing kayaks. It is popular amongst anglers due to it being angler-friendly, lightweight and its manoeuvrability.
Viking Profish Reload Premium Fishing Kayak
The Profish Reload combines the best features of the Profish 400, Profish 440, Profish GT, and adds a higher level of performance.
Fast and stable, this is the kayak of choice for those seeking touring performance combined with the stability to land record class fish!
Viking Tempo 2 Tandem Fishing Kayak
The Viking Tempo II double kayak is perfect for those wanting the stability and room to get two anglers on the water together. This is a proper fishing kayak with multiple storage options, including wells at either end so both anglers have somewhere to place their catch.
Safe and super stable, these kayaks are a joy to paddle, the extra length means your paddles won’t clash, and provides more space for each person.
Kayaks For Fishing
Key Features of Fishing Kayaks
1. Enhanced stability for casting and reeling
Fishing kayaks are engineered to be ultra-stable, allowing anglers to cast, fight fish, and even shift their weight without compromising balance.
2. Built-in storage and rigging options
These kayaks include features such as rod holders, tackle storage, and mounting points for electronics. Many models support fish finders, bait boards, and additional gear.
3. Higher weight capacity
Fishing kayaks are designed to carry more weight, including fishing equipment, safety gear, and larger paddlers.
4. Longer and more efficient hull designs
Compared to recreational kayaks, fishing kayaks are often longer and narrower, improving tracking and efficiency over distance - particularly important for offshore use. Long space is AI
5. Advanced features for serious anglers
Premium models include modular pod systems, rudder compatibility, and accessory integration, allowing full customisation for fishing styles.
How to Choose the Right Viking Kayak for You
Choosing between a recreational and fishing kayak ultimately comes down to how you plan to use it and how often.
Choose a Recreational Kayak if:
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You are new to kayaking and are learning the basics
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You want relaxed paddling rather than fishing
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You prioritise simplicity and ease of use
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You paddle in calm, sheltered waters
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You want something lightweight and easy to transport
Choose a Fishing Kayak if:
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You plan to fish regularly from your kayak
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You need storage for rods, tackle, and gear
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You want better tracking and offshore capability
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You are willing to invest in a more advanced setup
Key Considerations Before Buying
Regardless of the type of kayak you want to buy, there are a few important factors to consider:
1. Weight and transport
Heavier kayaks offer more features but they can be harder to move. Consider how you will transport, launch and store your kayak.
2. Storage space
Make sure you have enough room at home to store your kayak safely.
3. Water conditions
Calm inland waters require different features compared to coastal or offshore environments.
4. Future use
Think about whether your needs might change in the future. Many beginner paddlers start out recreationally and later move into fishing, while others use it occasionally in the summer months.
Do I Need Accessories?
Regardless of what model you buy, no kayak setup is complete without the right accessories. This is especially important when choosing between recreational paddling and serious fishing.
The most important equipment you’ll need are solid roof racks that'll safely mount your kayak to the roof of your car. For recreational users, essentials such as a comfortable seat, safety gear, personal flotation device (PFD), and dry storage bags can greatly enhance comfort and safety on the water.
For anglers, accessories become even more important, with items like rod holders, tackle storage, and mounting rails transforming a kayak into a fully functional fishing platform.
Investing in the right accessories not only improves performance and usability but also allows you to customise your kayak to suit your specific needs and paddling style.
Why Choose a Viking Kayak from Paddle Zone?
Viking kayaks are known for their durability, exceptional design, and performance on the water. Designed by experienced paddlers and anglers for paddlers and anglers, they reflect real-world conditions on the water and are always striving for continuous improvement.
At Paddle Zone, our range covers both ends of the spectrum, from simple recreational kayaks, and sit on top kayaks to advanced fishing kayaks. We have a range of options to suit every paddler.
Find the Perfect Fishing Kayak at Paddle Zone
When it comes to kayaks, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Choosing the right kayak is about matching the right model to your style and how you’ll actually use it. If you’re after simplicity, stability, and fun for casual paddling, recreational kayaks are a great choice, especially for beginners.
If you’re looking to chase fish and wanting to explore greater expanses of water, fishing kayaks provide the features and performance needed for serious angling.
At the end of the day, finding the right kayak is the one that gets you on the water safely and allows you to enjoy every moment of it. Come in to PaddleZone to check out our full range of kayaks for sale in Australia!
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