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NuCanoe Flint Kayak Review: Simple, Stable Fishing Kayak

NuCanoe Flint Fishing Kayak KayakDIY Review
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Pedal Kayaks · Fishing

If you want a fishing kayak that you can throw in the truck bed and launch anywhere, the NuCanoe Flint deserves a look. At 11 feet 3 inches and 63 pounds, it is one of the lighter full-size fishing kayaks you can buy, and it still gives you a wide open deck that stands up well to bigger, heavier boa


If you want a fishing kayak that you can throw in the truck bed and launch anywhere, the NuCanoe Flint deserves a look. At 11 feet 3 inches and 63 pounds, it is one of the lighter full-size fishing kayaks you can buy, and it still gives you a wide open deck that stands up well to bigger, heavier boats.

If you want to skip ahead and see what it costs, check the current price here.

NuCanoe Flint Fishing Kayak KayakDIY Review

What makes the Flint different is how you can power it. You can paddle it, add the NuCanoe Pivot pedal drive later, or mount a motor on the bow or stern. Not many kayaks at this price let you start simple and upgrade later without buying a whole new boat.

Who the Flint Is For

The Flint fits the angler who fishes a little bit of everything: small lakes, ponds, rivers, and creeks. If you want a simple boat that you can launch from a ditch bank, paddle into tight spots, and stand up in to sight fish, this is right in your lane. It is also a smart pick if you are not ready to commit to a pedal drive yet, since the hull is built to accept one whenever your budget allows.

Stability and Standing

For an 11-foot kayak that only weighs 63 pounds, the Flint is surprisingly steady. The 33-inch width and a hull tuned for a mix of tracking and maneuverability give you a platform you can stand on with confidence in calm water. I like that it feels stable without feeling like a barge. It still turns well in current and tight creek bends, which matters a lot when you are river fishing.

Comfort and Seat

NuCanoe ships the Flint with their Fusion style seat, which sits low and spreads your weight out so your back and legs do not ache after a few hours. The low center of gravity also helps the boat feel planted. The seat is comfortable for long sits, but tall anglers will want to check leg room before buying, since the foot brace positions are fixed and the boat is a touch shorter than the bigger NuCanoe models.

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Storage and Rigging

This is where the Flint punches above its weight. You get four flush mount rod holders, horizontal rod storage on the deck, tackle pockets built into the gunwales, and multiple gear tracks for mounting rod holders, fish finders, and cameras. The rear deck swallows a milk crate easily, and the bow has room for a cooler or dry bag. A transducer recess under the hull makes fish finder installs clean with no drilling through the hull.

Paddle, Pedal, and Motor Performance

Paddled by hand, the Flint is efficient and tracks better than most boats this wide. It is not a fast touring kayak, but it keeps pace with other 11-foot fishing kayaks and handles wind better than I expected thanks to the low profile. If you add the Pivot pedal drive, you get hands free fishing for casting and reeling. On the motor side, the transom-style stern and bow motor dock handle up to 2.5 HP gas or 80 pounds of thrust electric. That is a lot of power for a boat this size.

Honest Drawbacks

The 375-pound capacity is fine for most anglers, but once you add a big battery, a motor, and a full crate of gear, you can eat into that number fast. For the battery, I recommend the WattCycle 12V 100Ah mini LiFePO4 battery with Bluetooth — it runs most 12V trolling motors up to 55lb thrust plus a fish finder, and it’s compact and light. The boat also rides a little low at the bow when it is loaded heavy, so keep weight toward the middle. And while the deck is roomy, it is not as open as the bigger NuCanoe models, so pack light if you bring a buddy seat setup.

What Reviewers Say

Aggressively Average Anglers (Aaanglers) put the Flint through three months of lake and river testing on their YouTube channel and came away impressed with how much performance NuCanoe packed into a throw-and-go boat. Their take lines up with mine: simple, efficient, and way more capable than its size suggests.

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Quick Specs

Spec Detail
Length 11’3″
Width 33″
Weight 63 lbs (hull)
Capacity 375 lbs
Drive type Paddle (pedal drive and motor ready)

NuCanoe Flint Fishing Kayak FAQ

Can you stand up in the NuCanoe Flint?

Yes. It has a wide, stable deck that supports standing in calm water. Keep your feet shoulder width apart and take it easy in boat wakes.

Does the Flint come with a pedal drive?

No, it paddles out of the box. The hull is ready for the NuCanoe Pivot pedal drive, which you can add later without drilling new holes.

Can you put a motor on the Flint?

Yes. It handles up to 2.5 HP gas or 80 pounds of thrust electric on the stern, and NuCanoe offers a bow motor mount too.

Is the Flint good for rivers?

It is a strong river boat. The short length turns quickly, the shallow draft gets you over skinny water, and the hull is tough enough for rock bumps.

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Where to Buy

If the NuCanoe Flint Fishing Kayak sounds like your kind of boat, check the current price:

Check Current Price

For the latest colors, specs, and warranty details, see the official NuCanoe website for the NuCanoe Flint.

Affiliate disclosure: KayakDIY may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this article, at no additional cost to the reader. Product availability, pricing, and promo codes can change; verify them before purchasing. Also check out our reviews of the NuCanoe Unlimited Fishing Kayak, NuCanoe Unlimited MAX Fishing Kayak, NuCanoe U10 Fishing Kayak, and NuCanoe F10 Access Series Fishing Kayak.