Pro kayak setups can cost $25K, but a national champion says beginners don’t need to spend big

Professional kayak fishing rigs can cost up to $25,000, but champion angler Wyatt Hammond says newcomers do not need expensive equipment to take up the sport. His experience highlights how kayak fishing can offer a lower-cost alternative to bass boat competition, while still allowing anglers to compete at national level.

Hammond won the 2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series National Championship and KBF national titles in 2024 and 2025. He recommends starting with a pedal-drive kayak for greater mobility and hands-free fishing, and says a mid-range or even paddled kayak can be enough to compete. He moved away from bass boats partly because of fuel and maintenance costs, including around $150 to fill a 36-gallon tank.