Champagne kayaks on a Budweiser budget

At relatively low costs to buy and maintain, a micro skiff might be just the ticket to get many anglers off the beach on onto the water.

There are a number of interesting looking micro skiffs on the market. These are essentially kayaks with a built-in transom for an electric trolling or small gas outboard engine.

I love everything about the concept, a low-cost, low-maintenance boat that can get you to the fish in fresh and saltwater - within reason. I'm not about to go challenging 3-foot waves in one of these, although some people do.

I love the simplicity and the fact you could drag one up onto the beach when you feel like making landfall. I love that you could launch them virtually anywhere. I've got my eyes on three contenders.

Solo Skiff

* Length 14.5 feet

* Weight: 150 pounds

* Weight capacity 400 pounds

* Max HP 6 HP

* Cost $2,100

The Solo Skiff has been around since 1998, beginning with fiberglass offerings. Today it is a rotomolded polyethylene kayak with a transom rated for up to a 6 horsepower outboard. At a cost of just under $1,900 for the kayak, it can get you out on the water and motoring for about $3,500 after you add an outboard and a few accessories.

These craft are versatile, used by anglers on fresh and saltwater. I wouldn't head out to "the Race" or Stellwagen Bank on one of these, but it looks like a lot of fun and convenience for inshore saltwater fishing. The boat is designed to shed water, so the odd wave over the bow in the summer won't leave you swimming home without your gear. I'd advise watching the weather report and only using it on calm days or in sheltered areas, such as Plum Island Sound in Massachusetts. Big waves might not swamp the boat, but could turn it over.

At a little over 14 feet in length and 150 pounds in weight, this skiff can be transported on a pickup with a bed extender, sparing the expense of a trailer and its maintenance.

The designer of Solo Skiff, Tom Mitzlaff is active on Facebook and is quick to respond to any questions or concerns. He seems genuinely invested in making a good product. Unfortunately Mizlaff has hit a number of production snags in 2020 into 2021. The strain is showing in frustrated social media posts from customers who are on back order.

Learn more at soloskiff.com

Hoodoo Hero 130

* Length: 13.1 feet

* Weight: 108 pounds

* Weight capacity: 551 pounds

* Max HP: 6 HP

* Cost $1,999

The Hero 130 appears to be nearly a clone of the Solo Skiff in terms of design. It's another rotomolded kayak, this time with a "bolt-on," rather than built-in, transom. It's about a foot shorter and 40 pounds lighter than the Solo Skiff. Unlike the Solo Skiff it comes with gear tracks installed.

At $1,999, the Hero 130 is also a tad cheaper. Like the Solo, the Hero 130 is rated for up to a 6 horsepower outboard. It's a new offering for 2021. Buyers could find supplies are limited. The Hoodoo website estimates the kayaks will be out for delivery in late June 2021.

As it is a new offering, there aren't many online reviews right now and now enough depth of opinion to tell if Hoodoo got this one right. But it does look promising.

Learn more at Hoodoosports.com

Pelican Catch PWR 100

* Length: 10 feet

* Weight: 69 pounds

* Weight capacity: 350 pounds

* Max HP: 2.5 HP

* Cost $999

The Pelican Catch PWR 100 is another new offering to the micro skiff market in 2021 and a very tempting one at that.

Like the Hoodoo, there aren't many impartial reviews available yet, so budget-conscious anglers might want to wait for more testimonials.

I've owned a sit-on-top Pelican fishing kayak for a decade. It has taken a ton of abuse and continues to serve well. Unfortunately, my kayak relies solely on paddle power, which makes it difficult to fish any place with a current. By the time I cast and retrieve, I can be a half-mile down the river or beach. Anchoring up a kayak in current can be a chore and even dangerous in some conditions.

So an engine is just what the doctor ordered.

The Catch PWR 100 is half the price of the Hero or Solo. It's a lot lighter and shorter, making it easier to move. It could be carried atop a car. It comes with a fine-looking seat, built in gear tracks and a front compartment for a battery (complete with pre-installed wiring running to the back of the craft.

I was tempted to run out and buy the Catch PWR 100 the second I saw it. But I'm looking for a motorized kayak to use near-shore on the salt. And I have a couple of reservations. The snub-nosed design of the PWR Catch isn't as sleek as the Hero 130 or Solo Skiff. While a sit-on-top kayak, the pilot compartment appears deeper than the others, making me wonder how well it would handle waves or shed water.

Additionally, the Catch PWR is only rated for up to a 2.5 HP outboard, meaning your stuck with a small integrated tank. A Tohatsu outboard begins offering a connection for an external tank with engines of 4 HP and above. A long day fishing current with a 2.5 HP could very likely require refueling. That's not exactly a huge chore, but it's one more thing to worry about.

Still, given its price, convenience and amenities, the PWR Catch is a very tempting option.

Learn more at Pelicansport.com