With a price tag of just over $400, the versatile Ozark Trail Angler 10 sit-inside fishing kayak is an entry-level offering for anglers searching for a bargain. Best suited for reasonably small and relatively sheltered water, the ideal paddler of the Angler 10 fishes creeks, bays, ponds, marshes and flats.
Not only is the Angler 10 one of the least expensive 10-foot fishing kayaks on the market—at just 41 pounds, it’s one of the lightest, too. Its size and light weight make it easy to cartop solo and carry between fishing ponds—perfect for inexperienced and young anglers just getting started in the sport.
This Ozark Trail Angler 10 review below gives you all the details on this compact, easy-to-paddle fishing kayak. Read on to discover if it’s the right kayak for you.
Ozark Trail Angler 10 Performance
Ozark Trail Angler 10 Specs
Length: 10’0” / 304.8 cm
Width: 30” / 76.2 cm
Weight: 41 lbs / 18.6 kg
Capacity: 250 lbs / 113.4 kg
MSRP: $415 USD
On the Water
The old adage that says, “You get what you pay for,” is true of many things in life, including fishing kayaks. Budget kayaks sacrifice some elements of performance, comfort and features to achieve such rock-bottom prices. But a budget fishing kayak could be perfect if you keep your expectations reasonable and your fishing to sheltered waters.
Priced at just $415, the first question most anglers ask about the Ozark Trail Angler 10 is how it performs. At 10 feet long and 30 inches wide, this little boat performs well in the skinny, calm water where fish like to hide. The Angler 10 has a channeled hull to help cut through light current and wind. Its stable hull design and short waterline features turn-on-a-dime maneuverability, a combination of elements that makes the Angler 10 feel user-friendly and especially suited to new and casual anglers. As a sit-in fishing kayak, the Angler 10 sheds small waves, rain and spray (unlike open-deck sit-on-top kayaks) and yet is still relatively easy to enter and exit, with a large cockpit size.
One limitation of the Angler 10 is its maximum weight limit of 250 pounds. This weight capacity may not be appropriate for larger paddlers and those who want to carry lots of fishing gear, a pet or even basic camping gear. For smaller anglers who pack light, this capacity will be no trouble.
Comfort is usually the first sacrifice when buying a bargain kayak. The Angler 10 has adjustable foot pegs and protective thigh pads to dial in fit. The seat is elevated off the deck with a padded backrest. More serious paddlers may feel limited to short days with this barebones outfitting. The seat bottom is not padded, but you can add an aftermarket gel pad to improve comfort. Read more about accessories and outfitting below.
Is the Ozark Trail Angler 10 a Good Fishing Kayak?
The Ozark Trail Angler 10 is a good kayak for anglers looking to get on the water without spending much money. This compact fishing kayak is ideal for anglers with limited storage and transportation options, as it’ll easily fit on a back porch or in the garage. At 41 pounds, the Ozark Trail Angler 10 is also a lightweight fishing kayak and therefore easier to load solo onto a car roof rack or portage between ponds. This fishing kayak is ideal for narrow creeks, shallow flats, grass beds and stump fields. If you’re a casual angler who likes this kind of fishing, and its capacity limitation isn’t a concern, then the Angler 10 is likely a good match.
The two most impressive specs of the Ozark Trail Angler 10 fishing kayak are its weight and price. At just 41 pounds, the Ozark Trail Angler fishing kayak is one of the lightest 10-foot kayaks on the market. And with a price under $500, the Angler 10 is also one of the least expensive fishing kayaks we have reviewed. The Angler 10 is available in just one color: gray swirl.
About the Ozark Trail Angler 10
Ozark Trail is a privately owned brand sold by Walmart. First and foremost, the brand is known for its affordability. In addition to kayaks, Ozark Trail has tents, backpacks, coolers and other outdoor equipment in its lineup. The tradeoff for being cheaper is that the equipment is usually heavier, bulkier or less durable than equipment from premium brands.
However, the Ozark Trail Angler 10 is a re-branded model of the Sun Dolphin Excursion 10. The only difference between the Ozark Trail and Sun Dolphin versions is the color.
Sun Dolphin is a reputable recreational kayak brand. Despite their no-frills designs, these durable kayaks offer a gateway to paddling and fishing in calm water conditions.
What are Ozark Trail Kayaks Made of?
Ozark Trail kayaks are made of the same material used in most recreational sit-inside kayaks. High-density polyethylene is the most popular material for recreational and fishing kayaks. To manufacture the kayak, a mold is filled with granular plastic. Then the mold is heated and rotated to melt and distribute the plastic to produce a nearly indestructible kayak. Ozark Trail kayaks are constructed with an ultraviolet light-resistant plastic to keep the boat from warping or fading in the sunlight. This is a no-maintenance kayak that can be left outdoors worry-free during the paddling season.
Accessories & Rigging
The Ozark Trail Angler 10 is a simple kayak. At 10 feet long and 41 pounds, there isn’t much room for getting fancy. The bow features a molded water bottle holder and bungee. The stern has a small hatch secured with bungees. The hatch lip is raised to keep water out.
The cockpit has a large opening for easy entry and exit. Protective thigh pads and adjustable foot pegs inside the cockpit help fit the boat to the angler. The seat is molded into the cockpit. A padded seat back can be adjusted to improve fit. Add a gel seat pad to the plastic seat bottom to improve comfort. Behind the seat, two flush mount rod holders are perfect for transporting rods to the fishing grounds.
Another fishing accessory is an elevated rod holder in a countersunk deck mount just ahead of the cockpit. The rod holder secures the rod out of the way of paddling. You can adjust the angle for trolling or drifting. Or use the universal mount to replace the rod holder with another accessory.
Anglers looking to make other Ozark Trail Angler 10 modifications should consider adding a second elevated rod holder ahead of the cockpit. You can shove a tackle box under the bungees on the hatch cover, but I would figure out a more secure way to increase above-deck storage by adding straps and a small gear crate.
Before heading to the water, add a paddle, life jacket, safety light and whistle.
Wear A Life Jacket
- Everyone, even strong swimmers, needs to wear a life jacket at all times when on the water. It is extremely difficult to put a life jacket on once you fall into the water. Even a light wind can blow any paddlecraft away from you, faster than you can swim.
- Always wear a USCG-approved Level 70 or Type III life jacket designed for paddling.
Buying a Used Ozark Trail Angler 10
Retail price on a new Ozark Trail 10 Angler is under $500, so finding an Ozark Trail Angler 10 used could be a great deal. The little kayak is simple and tough, so you can expect a used boat to last for years. Since many anglers purchase an Ozark Trail Angler 10 as a starter kayak, you can often find the boats on the pre-owned market. Inspect the used kayak for damage to the hull, especially warping and fading. Expect the boat to have some scratches and drag marks. If you’re handy, you can fix holes in the plastic with a heat gun and plastic patch. Of course, check the bungees and straps for dry rotting and damage. Even though the Ozark Trail Angler 10 is already a bargain, you should start negotiations at roughly half the original price. Any damage should bring the seller’s price down further.
For more general information, consult our article on buying a used fishing kayak.
What is the Weight Limit of the Ozark Trail Angler 10?
The maximum capacity of the Ozark Trail Angler 10 is 250 pounds. Exceeding the weight capacity will make the boat unstable and difficult to paddle.
Warranty
The Ozark Trail Angler 10 is covered by a lifetime limited warranty. You can go through Walmart.com or take the boat to a local store to report a warranty claim.
How the Ozark Trail Angler 10 Compares
There is a long list of 10-foot fishing kayaks for anglers looking to fish short trips on sheltered water. Comparing the Ozark Trail Angler 10 review with other boats in the class will help you choose the perfect kayak for how you fish.
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Angler 10 Sit-Inside vs Angler 10 Sit-On-Top
Ozark Trail offers a 10-foot sit-on-top model to complement the Ozark Trail Angler 10 sit-inside kayak. Sit-on-top kayaks provide more space for tackle and gear and more options for mounting and rigging rod holders and electronics. The Ozark Trail Angler 10 sit-on-top has a wide open deck with a low-profile, padded seat. The bow features a small gear well with bungees. In the stern, a covered storage area with a round hatch protects gear from the elements. Or, remove the cover and add a crate to carry more gear and rods. The sit-on-top is aimed at fishing comfort while the sit-inside is better for paddling performance.
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Ozark Trail Angler 10 vs Lifetime Teton Angler 100
The Lifetime Teton Angler 100 is a sit-on-top kayak, while the Ozark Trail Angler 10 is a sit-inside kayak. The biggest advantage of the Teton Angler is the comfortable frame seat. The Ozark Trail Angler fishing kayak has a molded plastic seat that is smaller and tighter with less padding. On the Teton Angler, the larger frame seat accommodates larger anglers and provides more freedom to cast and fight fish. The Teton Angler 10 costs $200 more and weighs 13 pounds more than the Ozark Trail Angler 10 fishing kayak.
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Ozark Trail Angler 10 vs Sun Dolphin Excursion 10
The Ozark Trail Angler 10 fishing kayak and the Sun Dolphin Excursion 10 are the same sit-inside kayaks, just sold under different brand names. The Ozark Trail Angler 10 has a gray swirl color and the Sun Dolphin comes in olive.
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Ozark Trail Angler 10 vs Ascend D10
One of the closest comparisons is between the Ozark Trail Angler 10 fishing kayak and the Ascend D10. Both are sit-inside kayaks around 10 feet long and 30 inches wide. The Ozark Trail 10 Angler weighs 10 pounds less than the Ascend D10. But the D10 has several advantages for fishing. First, the Ascend D10 sit-inside uses a comfortable frame seat compared to the molded plastic seat on the Ozark Trail Angler 10. The Ascend D10 also has a larger cockpit with more space in front of the angler and a large open area behind the seat to carry gear. The large cockpit on the D10 is better for bringing a small pet onboard. But improved comfort and features add to the price; the D10 is about $200 more expensive than the Ozark Trail Angler 10. The Angler 10 is available at Walmart and Ascend kayaks are sold through Bass Pro Shops and Cabelas.
Know The Local Hazards
- Check navigation charts before you launch.
- Check with those who have local knowledge of man-made and natural hazards, e.g. low-head dams; sweepers, strainers and undercuts; tides and currents; and rocks and shoals.
Where to Buy the Angler 10
You can purchase an Ozark Trail Angler 10 at Walmart supercenter locations or order the boat for delivery through Walmart.com. If you can’t find the boat online, search the Walmart website for boats at Walmart locations. To return the boat, take it to any Walmart store with the original receipt. Walmart’s 90-day return policy is often extended through holidays.
Angler 10
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Owner friendly: lightweight and compact kayak, easy to carry and transport.
- A great value: one of the least expensive fishing kayaks on the market.
- Ready to fish: adjustable rod holder can be angled for drifting or trolling.
- Two flush mount rod holders for transporting fishing rods to the fishing grounds.
- Sit-inside kayaks sit closer to the water than sit-on-top kayaks, making the boats more efficient to paddle.
- UV-resistant high-density plastic is durable for years of abuse.
- Covered storage space in the bow and stern protects cargo.
Cons
- Molded plastic seat with padded backrest needs a seat pad to improve comfort.
- 250-pound capacity limits angler and gear weight.
- Not appropriate for open water and rough seas.
- Small cockpit leaves less room for casting and fighting fish.
- No above-deck space for gear storage and rigging rod holders and electronics.
- Discount box-store kayaks are not designed with input from professional kayak anglers.
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Feature photo: Walmart.com / Ozark Trail
