Ocean Kayak Caper Angler Review

Anglers prioritize a number of different things when shopping for a kayak. Some value features and storage capacity above all else, while others look for kayaks with the best handling and stability. But by its very nature, kayaking is a sport that demands portability from your craft. You can’t very well catch many fish if you spend all day trying to wrestle your boat down to the water.

So, if you like to fish by yourself, have a relatively small vehicle or like to fish in places without a good launch ramp, you’ll want to be sure to pick a kayak that not only has the features and performance characteristics you want – you’ll need to select a kayak that is also lightweight. The Ocean Kayak Caper Angler review shows how it is just such a craft; weighing only 47 pounds, this 11-foot-long, 31-inch-wide kayak is relatively easy to get down to the water, and it performs well once it is there.

Build Quality

The Caper Angler is a tough, durable and well-built kayak, which proves portability doesn’t have to come at the expense of strength. The Caper Angler doesn’t have the strongest hull of any kayak on the market, so it will suffer scratches or dents if you run into a sharp or large rock.

However, you’d never consider it flimsy or inappropriately thin, and it is durable enough to last for many years. It also comes with a skid plate to help provide additional protection.

Storage Capacity

There are two primary storage compartments on the Caper Angler. A sunken cargo area is located behind the seat, and a covered compartment is located in the front of the craft. The cargo area is not as large as those on many other kayaks, but it is still capable of holding small coolers and similar items.

Elastic cords are included to help keep your gear in place. The front compartment is designed with a gasketed, click-seal hatch so that your tackle and other gear will stay (mostly) dry. Two flush-mounted rod holders are situated behind the seat, and a paddle keeper is located on each side of the craft.

Comfort

The Caper Angler features a Comfort Plus seat back, which you can adjust in four different ways to achieve the type of cushioning and support you want. It is padded, covered in UV-resistant fabric and emblazoned with glow-in-the-dark graphics to increase the kayak’s visibility in dim light.

The seat well is situated high in the craft, to help keep you dry while you float. The Caper Angler also features four plastic-molded foot braces for each leg, which allows you to extend your legs to any of five different lengths.

Stability

The Caper Angler is only 31 inches wide, so it isn’t the most stable craft on the market. It will flip over if you allow your center of gravity to wander away from the midline, and you probably won’t feel comfortable standing up on it either.

However, anglers with reasonably good technique will likely find it stable enough to justify the purchase. It is perhaps best suited for flat, calm waters, but several anglers reported that they used it in rivers or in areas with heavy boat traffic without difficulty.

Maneuverability

The Caper Angler is a relatively light craft, so it can get blown around on the water a little bit. Nevertheless, it tracks relatively well and is surprisingly fast and easy to paddle. At 11-feet in length, it isn’t small enough to fit into tiny pockets amid overhanging vegetation, but you’ll still be able to maneuver it through most shoreline obstacles with ease.

On dry ground, the Caper Angler is remarkably easy to haul around. It can easily be loaded on a car by a single average-sized adult male, and many female kayakers and older children may be able to accomplish the task as well. The included carrying handles only serve to improve the kayak’s portability.

Summary

The Caper Angler isn’t an ideal kayak for all anglers. It is not, for example, a great choice for off-shore anglers targeting gigantic gamefish, nor is it a good choice for anglers who want to stand up or bring copious amounts of equipment, tackle and supplies. However, for serious anglers who bring along relatively little gear and emphasize performance and portability, there aren’t many better options available. There’s also something to be said for the fact that a lightweight kayak is easier to get onto and off of the water more quickly than a heavy one, you may save enough time to get in another dozen casts or so by choosing the Caper Angler.

Thanks for checking out our Ocean Kayak Caper review!

Brand	Ocean Kayak
Model	Caper Angler
Price	Check on Amazon
Type	Sit-on-Top
Color(s)	Brown Camo, Urban Camo
Length (ft / cm)	11' / 335cm
Width (in / cm)	31" / 78.7cm
Height (in / cm)	N/A
Kayak Weight (lbs / kg)	47 lbs / 21.3kg
Weight Capacity (lbs / kg)	325 lbs / 147.4kg
Cockpit Size (in / cm)	N/A
Hull Material	Polyethylene
Transducer Compatible	No
Number of People	1
Inflatable	No
Salt Water Friendly	Yes
Peddles	No
Tracking Enhancement	N/A
Adjustable Seat	Yes
Rod Holders	2
Adjustable Foot Braces	No
Paddles Included	No
Other Included Items	None