Fishing Kayak Review: Lifetime Teton Angler 100

Lifetime Products’ kayaks are synonymous with cheap thrills. Search for affordable fishing kayaks on Google and the top results will surely include Lifetime models. In fact, the Lifetime Teton Angler 100 is one of the most popular options for kayak fishing on a tight budget. Amongst anglers, the entry-level Teton Angler 100 is known as a no-nonsense sit-on-top offering basic fishing features and decent performance for just $599. This 10-foot fishing kayak also features a comfortable frame seat to appeal to anglers looking for a kayak focused on comfort, so the angler can rest easy and focus on the fish. With rod holders, gear tracks, ample gear storage and a frame seat, Lifetime’s Teton Angler 100 is a bargain fishing kayak with great value.

Fishing Kayak Reviews

Read on for our comprehensive review of the Lifetime Teton Angler 100 fishing kayak, and find out if this is the perfect boat for you.

Lifetime Teton Angler 100 Performance

On the Water

The Lifetime Teton Angler 100 is part of a recent trend introducing compact kayaks with more fishing features. Measuring 10 feet long and 30.5 inches at its widest point, the Teton is best suited for sheltered areas, such as small lakes, ponds, slow-moving rivers and calm coastal backwaters. Fans of the Teton Angler 100 love its stable hull, which also features a prominent keel and a skeg to improve tracking. The short waterline of the Teton Angler 100 makes turning the kayak easy. You don’t have to fight to control this kayak—the boat will spin on a dime to navigate narrow, vegetation-choked water. Overall, this user-friendly design builds confidence and provides easy operation, making it an excellent kayak for anglers new to kayak fishing.

The boat’s diminutive size and relatively light weight make transportation and storage easy. The Teton Angler 100 weighs 53.3 pounds, which is about average for a fishing kayak of its size. It’s still light enough for most anglers to load on a roof rack solo and then carry the kayak to the launch. And though the Teton Angler 100 won’t fit in your living room, it won’t take up much space in the garage or on the back porch.

The two biggest limitations of the Teton Angler 100’s performance are due to its small stature. First of all, smaller boats generally have a lower weight capacity, and the Teton 100 Angler is limited to just 275 pounds. Second, while the Teton Angler 100 is ideal for calm days and short distances, it’s inappropriate for long-distance paddles with waves and wind. Wind, waves and current will slap around the little boat. If traveling long distances and big water are part of your fishing goals, consider the larger Lifetime Tamarack 120. Its lower seat and two foot longer keel make for improved open-water performance for nearly the same price.

[ Kayak Angler Buyer’s Guide: View all Lifetime fishing kayaks ]

As you’re budgeting for the Lifetime Teton Angler 100, remember to put aside funds for a comfortable life vest, the best paddle you can afford, a safety light and a whistle. These essential items will help keep you safe and comfortable on the water.

About the Lifetime Teton Angler 100

The Lifetime Teton Angler 100 fishing kayak falls into the design trend category of pocket kayaks. While the 10-foot-long boat won’t literally fit in your hip pocket, the small and capable kayak is as easy to use as a pocket knife. Pocket kayaks are small, versatile, grab-and-go kayaks with wide, flat hulls to maintain stability for confident fishing and paddling. A 10-foot-long kayak can still pack in the most important fishing features despite its size. The Lifetime Teton Angler 100 includes a frame seat, flush mount rod holders and gear tracks to add more accessories. The pocket kayak design trend tends to attract anglers who want a serious fishing kayak without taking up much space or spending much money.

Materials & Construction

The Lifetime Teton Angler 100 is constructed of ultraviolet-light-protected high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This material is extremely durable and easy to repair. With its added UV protection, the Lifetime Teton Angler 100 won’t fade or warp.

Based in Utah, Lifetime Products makes a long list of large plastic products, including folding tables, sheds, playground equipment and coolers. They know a thing or two about plastic. While most of Lifetime’s plastic kayaks are made of the same material, the price difference between them comes down to size and accessories. The Lifetime Teton Angler 100’s bungees and rod holders are standard on many other fishing kayaks. The flush mounted aluminum gear tracks are stronger than plastic gear tracks without snagging fishing lines or getting in the way. Even the seat is typical of mesh-covered, padded frame seats. The Teton Angler 100’s frame seat adjusts forward and back to accommodate any height but doesn’t switch between a high position for fishing and a low position for paddling. For this feature, look at the Lifetime Teton Pro 11.6.

Buying a Used Lifetime Teton Angler 100

At less than $600 for a fishing kayak with a frame seat, the Lifetime Teton 100 Angler is already a great deal. If you can find a Lifetime Teton Angler 100 used, you’re in for a steal. Many anglers purchase the Teton Angler 100 fishing kayak as a starter kayak. When they are ready to trade up, the Teton Angler 100 goes up for sale. You can grab a lightly used Teton for around two-thirds the price of a new boat.

The Teton Angler 100 is made of durable polyethylene, but potential buyers should always inspect a used kayak for holes in the hull, especially around the keel, stern, bow and scuppers. Be aware of warping plastic or fading colors that indicate the boat was stored in direct sunlight. Shine a flashlight into the scuppers to search for cracks in the plastic.

Don’t worry too much about minor damage to the plastic—even holes and cracks can be fixed with a heat gun and matching plastic. But any damage should be reflected in the resale price.

Make a list of Lifetime Teton Angler 100 accessories to check the boat for completeness. Use missing or broken components as a bargaining chip. Lifetime Teton Angler 100 accessories are standard size and shape, which makes them easy to replace. You can even purchase a Lifetime Teton Angler 100 replacement seat.

Fishing kayaks are tough, so a used fishing kayak often still has a lot of life left. Purchasing a used Lifetime Teton Angler 100 is a chance to get a great deal on a bargain fishing kayak. To get more advice, consult our article on buying a used fishing kayak.

Accessories & Rigging

With a long list of fishing accessories, the Lifetime Teton 100 Angler is ready for action straight off the shelf. Two flush mount rod holders behind the seat and a bungee across the stern and bow storage areas mean you can grab a couple of rods and a tackle box and hit the water.

The defining feature of the Lifetime Teton Angler 100 is its seat. With padded, quick-drying mesh, the wide, deep seat has a high back and is comfortable for all-day fishing. A fishing kayak’s seat takes a lot of abuse. If the seat is damaged or parts wear out, contact the company for a Lifetime Teton Angler 100 seat replacement.

The cockpit isn’t fancy. Instead of adjustable foot pegs, the Lifetime Teton 100 Angler has molded foot rests. This design doesn’t offer fine-tuning and some people complain the molded rests are uncomfortable with bare feet. I paddled a kayak with molded foot rests for years and liked the solid feel and low-profile design. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference.

The Lifetime Teton Angler 100 fishing kayak doesn’t have designated space and rigging for a fish finder, transducer and battery, but you could use a gear track mounted system to add a sonar. The gear track on each side of the cockpit makes it easy to add rod holders, electronics, and a cup holder.

My favorite feature is the open storage areas in the bow and stern. The stern well is large enough to hold a small storage crate with tackle and gear. The bow space is perfect for a rain jacket or a couple of tackle trays. Both are in easy reach and covered with high-visibility bungee cords.

Simplicity is the beauty of a 10-foot pocket kayak. The small kayak has plenty of rigging options, but to get the most out of it, keep the Lifetime Teton Angler 100 upgrades to a minimum.

Warranty

The Lifetime Teton Angler 100 is covered with a five-year limited warranty. If the plastic, accessories or construction fails during that time, fill out a warranty claim and include pictures of the damage and the original sales receipt. According to Lifetime Teton Angler 100 reviews on Lifetime.com, the company quickly handles warranty claims and replaces broken components.

Lifetime Teton Angler 100 Q&A

• Is Lifetime Teton a good kayak?

  To answer this question, you must compare the Teton Angler 100 to other kayaks in its category. Lifetime’s Teton Angler 100 fishing kayak is made of high-density polyethylene, which is similar to high-quality kayaks on the market. The hull design is similar to other 10-foot fishing kayaks with a wide bottom and deep keel. Rod holders, gear tracks and bungees over the rear storage area are standard on more expensive boats in the category. The frame seat is welded and powder-coated metal with a quick-drying fabric seat and back. All of these features are offered at $599, which is great value.

• Can you stand up in a Lifetime Teton Angler kayak?

  The answer to this question depends on the angler. Yes, I can stand up in a Lifetime Teton Angler 100. But I’m short and light, and I’ve been standing in kayaks and on skateboards and surfboards for 30 years. The Teton Angler 100 is not designed for standup fishing and does not have a reinforced floor. Taller or heavier anglers and folks without a great sense of balance might struggle to stand on the Teton Angler 100’s deck. For a 10-foot kayak, the Lifetime Teton 100 Angler is considerably stable, but not as solid as a longer, wider and heavier fishing kayak. If stand-up fishing is on the agenda, the larger Teton Pro 116 has a flat deck, a high-low seat, and a stand-assist strap.

• How much weight can the Lifetime Teton 100 hold?

  The Lifetime Teton Angler 100 boasts a 275-pound capacity. Paddlers who weigh more than 200 pounds and who want to fish with anything more than the bare basics might find this capacity limiting. To determine how much weight you need your fishing kayak to hold, add the weight of the kayak, angler and fishing gear. The combined total must be less than the kayak’s capacity.

• Can a trolling motor be added to the Teton Angler 100?

  Of course, you can add a trolling motor to the Teton. The real question is, should you add a trolling motor to a Lifetime Teton Angler 100 fishing kayak? The current generation of kayak-specific trolling motors matched with mounting brackets and rigging kits makes adding a trolling motor to almost any kayak possible. However, the Teton Angler 100’s size and design don’t provide space for mounting the motor, rigging the steering system or storing the battery. The easiest way to add a trolling motor to the Lifetime Teton 100 Angler is a tiller-controlled trolling motor and a mounting bracket connected to the kayak’s stern. Another option is an electric outboard and lithium-ion battery. These complete systems include all the parts to connect a motor to the kayak. Trolling motors and electric outboards could easily power the Lifetime Teton Angler 100 fishing kayak, but their weight and bulk would take up a chunk of the 10-foot kayak’s space and capacity. The lightest and smallest option is adding a water jet propulsion system. These compact and powerful motors are matched to waterproof lithium-ion batteries and a variety of mounts and rigging options. So, while you can add a motor to the Lifetime Teton 100 Angler, you’d be better off choosing a longer kayak with a higher capacity and more space to get the best motorized kayak experience.

How the Teton Angler 100 Compares

The Lifetime Teton Angler 100 falls into two design categories: pocket kayak and bargain kayak. Pocket kayaks are smaller and lighter than full-size fishing kayaks. Even though the Lifetime Teton Angler 100 offers features, design and accessories similar to other 10-foot boats with a frame seat, at a $599 price tag, the Teton 100 Angler costs less than the competition.

• Lifetime Teton Angler 100 vs Lifetime Teton Pro 116

  The Lifetime Teton Angler 100 is a basic fishing kayak with a comfortable frame seat, rod holders and gear tracks. Stepping up to the Lifetime Teton Pro 116 adds significantly to the fishing features. The Pro 116 has a high-low frame seat with a high position for fishing and a low position for paddling. The boat has an open deck with adjustable foot pegs instead of the Teton 100’s molded foot rests. The Teton Pro’s open cockpit with a flat deck is reinforced for standup fishing.

  Best Lifetime Fishing Kayaks For 2024

  Most importantly, the Teton 116 Pro is 12.5 feet long. The extra two and a half feet make the Teton 116 Pro faster and more seaworthy for open-water fishing and distance paddling. With the Lifetime Teton 116 Pro, you get a lot more fishing accessories and capability for only $50 added to the price.

• Lifetime Teton Angler 100 vs Tamarack

  The Lifetime Teton Angler 100’s predecessor is the Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100. The Tamarack is legendary as a cheap and capable kayak that has introduced thousands of anglers to kayak fishing. To improve comfort, the Teton Angler 100 replaces the Tamarack’s low-profile seat with an elevated frame seat. The frame seat is more comfortable, but a low-profile seat is more stable and ergonomic for paddling. If you spend more time fishing, go with the frame seat. If you plan on paddling distance, a low-profile seat is better. Both kayaks have flush mount rod holders, but the Teton adds gear tracks on either side of the cockpit. To access below-deck storage, the Tamarack has two round hatches. Otherwise, the hull and cockpit design are very similar, with open storage in the bow and stern and a wide, flat hull with a prominent keel. Price is another difference: the Tamarack 100 is $50 more expensive than the Teton.

• Lifetime Teton Angler 100 vs Pelican Blitz 100x

  The Lifetime Teton Angler 100’s most significant competition comes from the Pelican Blitz 100x. In hull shape and design, the two kayaks are similar at 10 feet long and around 30 inches wide. The Pelican has a padded low-profile seat, while the Teton has a more comfortable frame seat. The Pelican makes better use of the cockpit with a covered storage compartment in the center console. The Pelican also comes with a unique covered sternwell for secure gear storage. The Blitz is lighter at only 44 pounds and costs almost $200 less than the Teton 100.

Where to Buy

In addition to the reasonable price, practical rigging and convenient size, the Lifetime Teton Angler 100 is available in many stores and online retailers. The boat is on the shelf in many big box stores, including Walmart, Dicks Sporting Goods, Costco and other major retailers. You can even purchase a Teton Angler 100 from Amazon and other online retailers. Or, review the whole line of Lifetime’s budget-friendly kayaks on their website. The Utah company even has outlet stores in their home state.

Pros & Cons

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Feature photo: Lifetime Products