Ocean Kayak Trident 13 Fishing Kayak Review

Ocean Kayak’s Trident series is the love child of the original sit-on-top kayak. Almost 45 years ago, Tim Niemier designed the first surfski and sea kayak hybrid that started the Ocean Kayak brand. Through the years, that boat has been tweaked, modernized and improved. For 2017, Ocean Kayak again updated their popular Trident series with modern amenities to stay relevant.

[ Kayak Angler Buyer’s Guide: See the Ocean Kayak Trident 13 ]

Ocean Kayak Recasts the Trident 13

The hull on Ocean Kayak’s Trident 13 stays true to its predecessors. Its rocker, rounded chines and soft entry are just as seaworthy and stable as the original Trident. This makes it a great boat for carrying heavy loads and an all around fishing machine that is at home in open water and backwater flats. The only change to the hull is the addition of a larger fishfinder transducer scupper to accommodate new side-scan sonar pucks.

The changes in the updated Trident are on the topside. Starting in the bow, one of my favorite new features is a rubber flap in front of the bow hatch to hold a paddle blade and rod tips. The newest model features molded handles for years of dragging and carrying.

Forward of the cockpit, a plastic plate provides access to the through-hull transducer scupper and a nine-inch gear track to hold a fish finder display. The battery goes in a suspended hammock inside the hull.

[ See also: Guide To Kayak Fish Finders And Sonars ]

Ample Features and Active Comfort

The biggest improvement comes in an updated cover for the center hatch packed with cool features. The new Mod Pod cover includes two six-inch gear tracks, a covered compartment and electronics mount. I loved the addition of a high-powered magnet under the hatch that will hold tackle and tools in place. Don’t worry, the magnet won’t affect your compass so long as you don’t rest it on the boat. The hatch cover folds open in the middle to expose two dry compartments. Remove the drop-ins for access to the hull.

The star of the show is the Active Comfort System (ACS) seat. The Ocean Kayak guys stole the popular seat out of their sister company Necky’s sit-insides to make a low-profile seat with an adjustable and elevated seat pan, 3D mesh padding and adjustable lower back support to rival a frame seat. By keeping the low-profile saddle, Ocean Kayak stays true to its roots as an open-water boat. These updates carry over to the long-range Trident 15 with the addition of a stern hatch and a compact Trident 11 model.

[ Read more: Ocean Kayak Trident 15 Fishing Kayak Review ]

Trident 13 Test-Drive

On the water, the boat performed as expected. It’s fast and seaworthy. The new features were a welcome addition without getting in the way—and I love the seat. So comfortable that I forgot it was there. The scuppers drain water so I stay dry and the leg and back support provide solid foundation for hard paddling without getting in the way.

I put the boat to the test chasing big reds along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The hull performed as expected, taking choppy seas and paddling comfortably. The round, soft hull lines provide a nice ride and I was able to load the boat to its teeth. Thanks to a pronounced rocker and narrow beam, the boat remains nimble enough to dart in and out of the bridge pilings.

[ See also: Ultimate Guide To Fishing Red Drum On The East Coast ]

Open Water Awaits in the Trident 13

I’ve been a fan of the Trident for years—my first kayak was an OK Prowler 15, the predecessor of the Trident series. With the latest redesign, Ocean Kayak brings modern features to this classic favorite. The redesigned Trident 13 has become my go-to boat for everything from skinny water sight casting to big water paddling. Ocean Kayak’s updated Trident series puts them in the lead on open water, again!

Video Review of the Ocean Kayak Trident Series:

This article was first published in the Winter 2016 issue of Kayak Angler Magazine. Subscribe to Kayak Angler Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.