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Crescent Smallie Fishing Kayak Review: Specs, Pros, Cons

Crescent Smallie Fishing Kayak KayakDIY Review

Paddle Kayaks · Fishing

The Crescent Smallie packs stand-up stability and a full-length deck pad kit into a 65-pound hull you can car-top solo. Here’s how it paddles, how it fishes, and who should buy it.

I have dragged a lot of kayaks down muddy banks over the years, and the walk back up is always worse than the walk down. The Crescent Smallie is a 10-foot-6-inch fishing kayak that weighs 65 pounds with the seat in, built around one simple idea. Throw it in the truck, launch anywhere, and go fish.

If you want to skip the reading and see what it costs right now, check the current price here. Below are the specs, how it feels on the water, and who should actually buy it.

Crescent Smallie Fishing Kayak KayakDIY Review

Who the Crescent Smallie Is For

This boat is for the angler who fishes small water. Creeks, ponds, backwater sloughs, the skinny spots with no ramp and a long carry. It is also a smart pick as a second boat for quick after-work trips, the kind where rigging a big pedal kayak feels like more work than the fishing itself.

Stability: Built to Stand On

Crescent put the focus on primary stability here. The hull carries extra volume up front with a bulbous nose, and the chines catch quickly when you lean, so secondary stability kicks in early. At 33 inches wide it feels planted when you stand up to cast.

Seat Comfort

The seat adjusts between a high and a low position. High position gives you better visibility for sight fishing. Low position drops your center of gravity when the wind picks up. It uses 2.5 inches of closed-cell foam, so it will not soak up water and go flat on you mid-trip.

Storage and Rigging

This is where the Smallie punches above its size. The front tankwell is deep enough to swallow rods up to 9 feet long, and the rotomolded hatch has rod stager grooves plus a rod saver strap that doubles as a paddle park. The cockpit has an anodized Ketch gear track, so mounting a fish finder or a camera is simple. Out back, the stern tankwell fits a YakAttack BlackPak or the Crescent cooler, held down with a cam strap. Dual Ketch board recesses are molded into the hull for tournament use.

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Paddling and Motor Options

It paddles like a Crescent, which is to say it tracks well and turns when you ask it to. The pronounced stern keel keeps it straight on open water, and the rocker profile lets it spin around in tight creeks. It is also motor-ready at both ends. The bow and stern landings accept a trolling motor or a Power Pole, with internal steering for foot-controlled motors.

Honest Drawbacks

No boat is perfect. The 385-pound capacity works for most anglers, but bigger guys who load heavy gear will run out of room fast. It is a small-water hull, so it will not slice through chop on big lakes the way a 12-footer does.

Crescent Smallie Specs

Spec Detail
Length 10′ 6″
Width 33″
Weight 65 lbs (with seat)
Capacity 385 lbs
Drive type Paddle (motor-ready)
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Crescent Smallie FAQ

Can you stand and fish in the Crescent Smallie?

Yes. The wide hull, quick-catching chines, and full deck pad kit make it a stable standing platform for casting in calm water.

How much does the Crescent Smallie weigh?

It weighs 65 pounds with the seat installed, which makes it easy to car-top or carry to remote launches solo.

Is the Crescent Smallie good for beginners?

Yes. It is stable, simple to paddle, and the high-low seat lets new anglers find a comfortable position fast.

Can you put a trolling motor on the Crescent Smallie?

Yes. It has motor-ready landings at the bow and stern, plus internal steering for foot-controlled motors.

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Where to Buy

If the Crescent Smallie sounds like your kind of boat, check the current price:

Check Current Price

For the latest colors, specs, and warranty details, see the official Crescent website for the Crescent Smallie.

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