The Best Paddleboard For Fishing: Our Top 3!

Paddleboarding has brought a whole new dimension to fishing, making it more fun and much more profitable by allowing you to reach fishing spots that you would not want with a boat. Also, it is easier to hold around and see fish better while standing. You need the best paddleboard for fishing to do this.

Undoubtedly, the best fishing SUP that is robust, heavyweight ability to hold you, your gear, and, of course, your catch will make your day even better once you reach the water.

With this in mind, we compiled a list of the best fishing paddleboards in 2020 as well as a detailed purchase guide to help you make your decision. Luckily, with the paddleboards that we have picked, you’ll have a day on the lake with some delicious fresh trout to prepare for dinner.

Best Paddleboard For FishingProduct ImageRatingGet It Here
Atoll 11' Foot Inflatable Stand Up Paddle BoardCheck Price
BIC Sport ACE-TEC Cross Sup Stand Up Paddleboard
Check Price
iROCKER All-Around Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board Check Price

What Is SUP?

best paddleboard for fishing

Stand up paddleboarding (SUP) is, for a good reason, the fastest growing sport in the world. It’s a lot of fun, a great workout, and most importantly, everyone can do it because it’s easy to learn. However, choosing the first paddleboard can be difficult.

Paddleboarding has an attraction that is helped by the calming nature of the sport. People will get a perfect full-body workout while enjoying a fun, fun water ride. Paddleboarding started as an ancient Hawaii sport and is now becoming a common term all over the world. 

People have been paddleboarding everywhere from Egypt to Alaska these days. Since boards are easy to transport, can be used on almost any body water, and are much more accessible than alternative water recreation, the sport has a very wide audience and continues to be one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.

Another aspect that has led to the growth of paddleboarding is the fast learning curve. Paddleboarding can be achieved by people of almost any size or skill level. There is a very low degree of balance and ability needed as long as you are on the right side.

What’s A Fishing SUP Board?

SUP boards have been modified for everything from cycling to yoga. What style has something a little different to offer? Racing boards have a displacement-style hull that can be sliced through the water. Long-distance boards are more comfortable to paddle around. Yoga boards include special holders of avocados and kale shakes. These are the main adaptations.

The best paddleboard for fishing are specially modified as well. They will come with seats and safe storage, rod holders, and coolers. They’re generally very healthy, with plenty of space to jump about when you’re battling your fish. That doesn’t mean they’re never going to fall, but they’re a lot less fragile than your typical frame.

Fishing Benefits From The Fishing Paddle Board

best paddleboard for fishing

Flying from a stand-up inflatable paddleboard (SUP) will greatly improve your fishing skills. If you want to increase the number of your fish and impress your friends with the pictures of the fish you’ve caught, the SUP could be your new favorite way to explore your local spots.

1. Enable new fishing spots.

You’re never going to be limited to fly fishing again. A paddleboard helps you to explore the lake, harbor, ocean, and pond areas that can not be reached by boat or foot. You can explore very shallow water, small coves, and areas between the island and the land where fish species thrive on a paddleboard. As far as mobility is concerned, paddleboard paddles allow superior SUPs (compared to boats) to reach places where the fish are fast and simple.

2. Improved field of vision.

If you fish from a paddleboard, depending on the type of paddleboard (inflatable, hard or soft) you are about 2-6 inches above the water. It’s safer to fish from a paddleboard as it lets you sit at the top of the water (6 inches). 

In addition, there are several other benefits of inflatable fishing. You’ve got a front seat only a few inches above the water to see all the fish around you. Finally, the fishing paddle boards have a luxurious deck floor, giving you enough space to freely walk around your board.

3. Increased obstinacy.

One of the most significant benefits of SUP fly fishing is that it flies smoothly along the water’s surface. Sneak up at your prey to kill the day. It is also less likely that you will scare fish when you fish for SUP.

4. Worried casting.

Fly fishing from the SUP gives you enough space to get your line correct. You don’t have to worry about casting in the bushes or hitting something or someone else with your line again.

5. Absolutely a balanced workout.

Compared to fishing by boat or on land, SUP fishing is well equipped. You’re going to paddle your SUP to your favorite fishing spots, almost all your body’s muscles are going to work. Paddleboarding includes all of the body’s key components: speed, balance, heart, and endurance. 

See how many calories you consume while you’re running. The extra weight of your fishing gear would be a bonus for your workout. Cruising from point A to point B may sound difficult, but your steady movements will help you focus on everything around you.

What’s the Difference of the Fishing Kayak and the SUP Board?

best paddleboard for fishing

Both kayaks and paddle boards (SUPs for short) have been around for a long time. People used them for recreation and travel, but they recently caught up with anglers. You will find ‘yaks and boards crafted especially with fishing in mind these days.

But which one is better? The reality is that there is no solution – life is never that easy. There are some real advantages for each vessel. Here are a couple of strong reasons to choose one over the other.

Advantages of the SUP Board

The greatest advantage of paddle board fishing is that you’re standing up. This lets you see a lot more than you do on a kayak. Yeah, you can stand up on a lot of kayaks, too, but you’re not always up and watching the fish like you’re on the SUP.

The obvious benefit of a paddle board is that it’s a lot smaller. You don’t need any support getting it to the river, and you can easily throw it in the back of your vehicle. On the run, huh? You can also have an inflatable board packed into a suitcase.

Last but not least, standing up paddle boarding is a great workout. All the time you’re on the deck, you’re using your lower body to hold the board steady while your upper body pushes it forward. This gives you more balanced workout than kayaking and makes you feel more “natural” to many people.

Advantages of Kayak

Fishing kayaks are more available than SUPs in general. They’re better than that. They’re going to take less time to get the hang of. It’s also a lot less difficult to control them and hold them steady. This ensures that older anglers or people who don’t have a strong balance can still enjoy them. Yeah, they’re harder to transport on your own, but you’re never supposed to fish alone on either ship.

Since kayaks are more durable and need less effort, you can use them in more locations and conditions. SUP fishing is usually a no-go unless it’s a quiet day. They’re just really tired of driving long distances. You can travel a lot further on a kayak without being worn out. You can fish on choppy seas, too, without dropping all the time.

Finally, kayaks have a lot more room than paddleboards. You can hold more sticks, tackle more, and make more equipment without thinking about losing it. Some kayaks have built-in dry storage for your cell, car keys, and anything else you don’t want to get wet.

How to Pick The Best Paddleboard For Fishing

You may be wondering which one is right for you. That’s why we’ve gone ahead and built a user-friendly purchasing guide of the best paddleboard for fishing below. We want to make sure that you’re 100 % satisfied with your decision!

The weight of the Paddle Board

The first thing you’ll probably want to take a look at is the calculation of the prospective group. Although this is not an absolute law, the size often has a direct connection with weight power. If you need a greater weight range, go for a board that is longer and wider.

It’s long

If you’re planning to take a friend with you, chances are you’re going to need a SUP that’s at least 12 feet long and 32 inches broad. This is at least a decent starting point. You could find something shorter and thinner that still suits you.

However, there are really just advantages when you have a longer and wider inflatable surface. The explanation is that you don’t have to worry about land transport or storage being a concern, so you can only deflate it and fold it up.

Width

If you can’t comfortably throw a big casting while you’re still balanced, the board won’t fit for fishing. The larger the frame, the more secure it will be. This is especially important for beginner paddleboarders. At least you want a board of at least 33 inches length, but it’s certainly better!

Thickness

This especially relates to inflatable paddle boards where thickness can be a matter of concern. When you look at inflatable SUPs, you want to make sure they are at least 6 inches thick. This means that they are a lot stiff and have a secure fishing platform. All the inflatable SUPs on our list are 6′′ wide.

Inflatable vs. Rigid

That takes us to the next step. Is an inflatable paddleboard or a rigid one going to be perfect for you? There are pluses and minuses for each of them.

Inflatables are obviously packed with air, and usually come with a pump so inflation can take only a few minutes to get out on the water.

When fully filled, the board can become very stiff. They are also made of very durable, military-grade materials, so you won’t have to worry about popping or tearing. However, we can’t assume that there isn’t a small risk that this could happen with everyday use. This is the downside of the inflatables.

The drawback is that they are extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver in the water and on ground. When you’re done, you can only deflate it, fold it, and stick it in your trunk.

The drawback of these Rigid ones is that there is no chance of cracking or breaking, because they are made of high-quality , long-lasting materials.

The downside is that storage and transport are likely to be more difficult. You can’t just roll it up like the others do. This can make it hard to own a larger board, where you can get more space and stability out of it.

If you intend to move it with your car, you would most likely need a roof rack unless you have a pick-up truck.

best paddleboard for fishing

Weight capacity

Obviously, this is a big factor in finding the best board for you. You need a fair idea of how much weight you’re going to put on your SUP before you even start looking. Is it just going to be you and your equipment? How much do you weigh together with your gear?

Are you taking someone else with you? You’ve got to carry their weight, too, and all of your clothes. If you’re undercalculating, you guys won’t be floating for a long time, but you’re going to be paddling!

Deck Pad

Grip is obviously necessary when you’ve been sitting on a paddle board in the water for a long time. As you’ve seen above, most high-quality boards come with some sort of EVA textured slip resistance surface.

This is important in terms of comfort and, apparently, grip. This would also help to keep the equipment steady on the board rather than rolling around and potentially falling off the board. If you’re going to kneel, we highly recommend a soft grip.

SUP Materials

As we have briefly described above, there are variations in the materials used in inflatable and rigid boards.

Inflatable

These are normally made from military-grade, double-layer PVC that ensures that your board is not punctured by sticks, rocks, or if you fish in Florida, mangrove oyster beds.

Rigid

Rigid SUPs differ a little more but are normally constructed from a foam core with a durable protective epoxy resin outer coating. The only possible drawback to epoxy is that it can chip and scrape if you splash over rocks.

They do provide a little more stability than inflatables with a lower center of gravity. For this purpose, they are more suited to beginners or those who need added stability.

Space Storage

Again, think about what kind of equipment you’re going to carry with you on your fishing trip. You’re going to need to be realistic here. Think about the kind of space that the board is considering offerings. Some boards just have bungee cords on the front or the back. Ideally, you want full capacity and versatility.

Does it also contain D-rings for you to mount extras? Never underestimate how useful D-rings and bungee strings can be. They’ll give you a place to secure your cooler, a seat, fishing poles, and much more.

Paddle & Rod Holders

They’re both important to your fishing experience. What are you going to do with the paddle while you’re fishing? Putting it on the board is probably going to work, but it’s best to have a paddle holder to keep it stable.

Having a few rod holders is, of course, a requirement, in fact, one of the defining characteristics of the SUPs. All of those on our list have at least two or Scotty Mounts that will allow you to mount the holder of the rod.

Price / Budget

Apparently, price is going to come into play, to some degree. What amount of money do you feel comfortable spending on a decent SUP fishing? There are good boards at a wide range of prices.

However, if you’re on a tighter budget, the good news is that you have some amazing options. They are also robust, physically appealing, practical, and comfortable. A higher price is usually going to give you “extras” that one doesn’t really need to have to catch fish, but it does make it more convenient.

Best Paddleboard For Fishing

Our Top Pick

Product Name: Atoll 11′ Foot Inflatable Fishing Paddle Board

Product Description: The Atoll 11 'Foot Inflatable Paddle Board is a 40 % lighter than standard boards because of its brand new fusion light design and its ability to deliver outstanding durability and stability in any kind of water.

  • Durability
  • Ease Of Use
  • Worth The Money
  • Stability
  • Portability
Overall
5

Many fishermen think of boats, kayaks and canoes when you want to go on the water to fish. There’s a different way, and it’s a paddle board! The use of a paddleboard is an ideal way to go out and enjoy a good day’s paddling. But what’s your best paddleboard for fishing? To help you understand this, we have checked and analyzed the best paddleboard for fishing below.

Atoll 11′ Foot Inflatable Fishing Paddle Board

Pros
  • 40% lighter than normal paddleboards for fishing
  • Consists of replaceable fins
  • Tri fin enables efficient tracking
Cons
  • None

The Atoll 11 ‘Foot Inflatable Paddle Board is a 40 % lighter than standard boards because of its brand new fusion light design and its ability to deliver outstanding durability and stability in any kind of water.

Since the two-layer paddleboards are made of PVC, they are also known as the Hard Board Mimicker, which means it has all the characteristics of a hardboard and ISUP benefits included. Ideal for adults and children alike, Atoll is highly resilient and not breakable, even under extreme stress. The fin box can be moved 3 inches towards the middle of the board or the back, for various paddle situations.

The black, lightweight carrying bag is large enough to hold the paddle, paddleboard and hand pump. The zip feature allows the equipment to be dried while not in operation. Atoll boards deliver the highest quality goods and are excellent fishing performers behind their paddle boards.

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Tested under severe conditions, the unusual tri-fin configuration of Atoll permits paddle boarders to travel forward without over 700 pounds of weight. Ideal for monitoring, the detachable fins of this paddleboard provide extra support in water from the sides. The fin box also allows 3 inches of movement in the middle and on the sides of the frame.

One of the most stunning waterboards on the market, Atoll has a brand new fusion light design which makes it 40 percent lighter than standard boards. The Bravo high pressure dual action pump is mounted and inflates as it is forced down and pulled up. In addition to the Navy blue color which is also on the market, Atoll was the first team on the market to introduce the iconic woodland green paddleboard.

BIC Sport ACE-TEC Cross Sup Fishing Paddle Board

Pros
  • Ultra stable design especially for new paddlers
  • The ultimate lightweight & allrounder board
  • Keeled nose design makes gliding and tracking easier
Cons
  • Board cracking issues

It is the most affordable inflatable supply for fishing on the first time on our list with its ultra-stable platform which makes maximum use of the deck.

The BIC Sport is super strong and robust from a closed-cell foam heart. You can be confident that the normal wear and tear can be easily prevented and followed for a few years. The smooth and comfortable EVA embossed pad is perfect for both fishing and yoga and offers successful transactions.

Established in 1979 by the Bich family, BIC Sport Ace-Tec cross stand up paddleboard has gainsed fame because of the family’s enthusiasm for watersports, as well as their expertise in environmental management. This is why the BIC Sport paddleboard is ideal for a family and friends outdoor experience.

With the unique tool-free design, the fins are connected to and removed immediately without having any tools or chaos. The numerous attachment points on the paddleboard facilitate transport and protect the equipment. The ergo grip on the fishing supplement improves product portability and usability. The re-curved inner surface of the handle, made of solid, yet soft material, facilitates lifting and transportation.

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BIC Sport is ideally suited for fishing and paddling with a full rail length. This makes it more user-friendly and also has a completely padded flat deck which adds stability and flexibility to the board. With its ultra-stable deck frame, the top-class inflatable supplement is entirely suitable for first time fishing, family fun, yoga and more.

The unusual hybrid Cross style features a keeled nose that is excellent for tracking and, in any water conditions, makes gliding in water incredibly smooth. The various link points on the Cross 5o ensure stable accessories and the regular deck rigging in all boards. If you intend to go fishing soon, get your hands on this paddle and have a lifetime experience in the water.

iROCKER All-Around Inflatable Stand Up Fishing Paddle Board

Pros
  • Floating Fiberglass paddles
  • Can carry up to 385 pounds of weight
  • Comes along an ultra-light hand pump
Cons
  • None

The iRocker All-Around Inflatable Stand Up Fishing Paddle Board, designed to offer you a fast-tracking paddling experience on any lake, is ideal for fishing more than one human, including a furry friend with its extremely durable, quad-layer PVC material.

Built of quad-layer PVC, iRocker is very long-lasting. It ensures that the board banges smoothly in the water against the waste. The PVC makes the board solid, enabling it to stand firm and stand in any water situation – whether it is quiet rivers or choppy oceans!

This high-end paddle stand-up design covers all, aside from usual wear and tear. The ultra-light dual-action pump that comes with the inflatable sup makes your board swelling brisk. Switching from one action to a double action makes the pump far more effective and efficient.

iRocker comes with a travel bag backpack that has enough room to carry with all the other supplies. Extra foam reinforced shoulder straps with support on the waist improve ultra-carrying ability. The backpack has fixed clamping straps inside the bag to prevent the boards from moving inside. iRocker is designed to meet all the requirements of fishing enthusiasts with such grace and technology.

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We love the fact that iRocker’s big tail provides stability. On the other hand, its shape wouldn’t preclude you from a quick-tracking experience. If fully inflated, iRocker becomes like a 15 PSI despite half the weight. The board’s floating fiberglass paddle is half the weight of many traditional aluminum paddles on the market. The blade edges are made of a durable rubber material which eliminates the possibility of chipping away.

iRocker gives you a two-year warranty to stop buying any paddle standing up of poor quality. Get your hands on the inflatable paddleboard of the iRocker to keep your time in the sea fun and relaxed while gliding smoothly.

Fishing Tips For SUP

These simple tips will enable you to have a productive and comfortable first day after setting up for SUP fishing.

Get a license.

You almost need a fishing license everywhere. Some places have very strict rules and even special licenses are required for some types of fish. Do some analysis and get all the documentation you need. Unlicensed fishing fees are typically very high and will severely drain your bank account.

Observe the elements. 

You will be very impressed by wind, current and tides, because the paddleboards are very small. Consider the water conditions before you start. At least one factor will have to be worked on while paddling to or from your fishing hotspot.

Just bring with you what you need.

A paddleboard has limited room and only so much weight can bear. It’s all right to be ready for day one and you may want to put it all. But too much equipment on this small vessel will limit you in speed. You’re hardly going to get where you want to go. 

You can also end up missing a lot of supplies, some of which could be costly. Only carry your fishing rod and tackle bag with you and of course. If you have very little space to walk about, then you may have brought too much.

Tie your gear down.

It’s a paddle board and you’re still going to capsize. Imagine watching the entire gear float away and you look in horror thinking which one to pursue. It might now look funny (or in a YouTube video), but it won’t be if you’re in the situation. Lock it all together. Untie them when you hit the fishing spot and tie them when you’re done again.

Final Words

Know where to fish, how to get there and how to get out. The water is volatile and be prepared even if you are a water pro. If you’re fishing for the first time , make the ride short. A paddleboard is not the same as a boat — as you know. Use the first day to practice and get to know a paddleboard.

Converting a fishing SUP board is very simple. The above equipment is enough for your first day and then you will learn what else you will need as the operation progresses. Make sure you choose the right SUP fishing board and do not rush according to your preferences. 

The majority of the equipment is easier to select, except for special requirements. Take the tips into account for your protection and comfort. Finally, have fun — and plenty of it.