So what is an inflatable fishing boat? Anything that floats and that you can fish from, right?
A Sea Eagle PackFish. The Packfish is a bit of a hybrid between a tiny raft and a small pontoon boat. Weighs 21 lbs. More info at Sea Eagle.Com
Well, not exactly. While you can indeed fish from anything that floats, it is far easier and much more productive to fish from a boat that’s specifically designed for fishing.
And that’s the purpose of this page—to introduce anglers to the myriad of inflatable fishing boats that are available. Many anglers simply don’t realize the wide variety of inflatable boats available today that are specifically designed for fishing.
Additionally, this article will go over some of the “goods and bads” of each type of boat. No boat is perfect. No boat can perfectly meet everyone’s specific needs. The trick to buying an inflatable fishing boat is to make sure that the boat’s best uses match up with your own specific needs.
One last thing. As the title of this article states, this article concentrates on inflatable boats—not rigid boats like traditional canoes or hardshell kayaks or bass boats.
So let’s get started.
Article Contents include:
Characteristics of Inflatable Fishing Boats
The Sea Eagle 350x Explorer Fishing Kayak. Great fishing platform for one angler who needs to run rivers with powerful rapids. See more info at Sea Eagle.Com
Before diving deep into the world of these boats, we need to distinguish what separates, for example, an “inflatable fishing kayak” from a “normal inflatable kayak” you see floating around the nearby lake on a summer day.
Typically inflatable fishing boats have many of the following characteristics. These “characteristics” are usually modifications the manufacturer makes to the boat to make these boats more “fishing friendly.” These “fishing friendly” features are added to make the boat more comfortable and easier to fish from, as well as allowing the addition of personalized fishing gear an angler might already have (such as fish finders or trolling motors).
So here’s some common characteristics found on many inflatable fishing boats.
- Raised seating position
- Ability to stand in the boat without capsizing
- Addition of rod and lure holders
- Swivel seats
- Ability to mount a trolling motor or a gas motor
- Brackets and other attachment points to attach gear bags and accessories such as fish finders
- Built in storage pouches to hold various fishing gear
- Usually, but not always, green in color
Of course, not all boats share these characteristics. What they do share, however, is that each and every boat is specifically meant for fishing.
Types of Inflatable Fishing Boats
Broadly speaking, there are six specific types of inflatable boats that are specifically designed for anglers.
The most versatile of all inflatable fishing boats. Several “models” to choose from.
For those who like to fish from a canoe, but hate their weight, storage problems and lack of portability.
Fishing from a surfboard? You bet, and it’s a great platform for specific fishing uses.
Best Uses for Each Type of Inflatable Fishing Boat
Float Tubes
- Only for solo anglers.
- Ultra-portability makes them ideal for backcountry fishing.
- Never for use on rivers or on larger lakes during windy conditions.
- Can be tiring to use.
- Inexpensive.
- Few options available.
- I personally think the Sea Eagle PackFish is a much superior to a float tube for those seeking an ultraportable, backpackable fishing boat.
Read the Float Tubes for Fishing Article for More Information
Pontoon Boats
- Quintessential fly fishing platform. Designed specifically for fishing.
- Very popular on rivers and lakes.
- Easy to paddle.
- Very portable, especially the new generation frameless pontoon boats.
- Very few are meant for more than one angler.
- Not the best boat for recreational floating.
- Can handle Class II rapids, which some able to go through Class III.
- Very few “comfort” items or options available.
Read the Pontoon Boats for Fishing Article for More Information
Inflatable Fishing Kayaks
- The most versatile of all inflatable fishing boats.
- Can run Class II – Class IV rapids, depending on design.
- Easy to paddle on flat water, particularly those kayaks designed for flatwater paddling.
- Ideally suited for rivers.
- Suitable for overnight fishing trips.
- These kayaks typically have swivel seats, rod holders and provide an option to mount a trolling motor.
Read the Inflatable Fishing Kayak Article for More Information
Inflatable Fishing Rafts
- The most “fishing capable” of inflatable fishing boats.
- Room for 2 and sometimes more anglers.
- Huge weight capacity.
- Good for recreational floating.
- Suitable for overnight fishing trips.
- The most stable of inflatable fishing boats, making it simple and safe to stand in the boat.
- Rafts typically include swivel seats, mounting brackets for trolling or gas motors, rod and lure holders, and many more built-in features or optional accessories.
Read the Inflatable Fishing Raft Article for More Information
Inflatable Canoes
Inflatable canoes are a relatively new boat. None that I’ve found are “specifically meant for fishing.” However, since canoes are popular fishing platforms, especially in the Upper Midwest and New England, I’ve included them here. The new drop-stitch construction technology used to construct inflatable canoes allows them to perform nearly identical to a traditional canoe—without having the weight, portability and storage problems a traditional canoe often presents.
For anglers who enjoy fishing from a canoe but need something lighter and more portable, an inflatable canoe might be a great choice.
Read the Inflatable Canoes Article for More Information
Inflatable Fishing SUP’s
- A stand-up paddleboard converted to dedicated fishing uses.
- Gas and trolling motor mount options.
- Reasonably lightweight and quite portable.
- Optional swivel seats and rowing platform.
- Drop-stitch construction makes the board very rigid.
- Anglers can stand without capsizing the boat.
- Rod and lure holders.
- Not suitable for rivers with rapids.
- Best uses are on lakes and in very shallow waters, including ocean bays.
- One angler only.
Read the Inflatable Fishing SUP article for More Information
Do You Need an Inflatable Fishing Boat?
Whether or not you need a dedicated fishing boat, inflatable or not, depends entirely on one big thing. How often do you fish?
Serious anglers, who fish weekly or even daily, will definitely appreciate having a boat dedicated to fishing. The comfort, features and accessories available will make fishing more enjoyable and, usually, more productive.
Casual anglers, however, might just want to buy a more general inflatable boat of some kind. After all, you can indeed fish from “anything that floats.” And many inflatable boats, particularly inflatable kayaks, are great fishing platforms even if they lack some of the fancy features found on a dedicated inflatable fishing kayak. Moreover, many “general” inflatable kayaks can be turned into decent fishing kayaks with the purchase of a few simple accessories—such as a motormount or a frame that includes a swivel seat.
Ultimately, the choice is yours—and should be based on how often you find yourself on the water chasing fish.
Avoid Cheap Inflatable Boats
Regardless of whether you buy a dedicated inflatable fishing boat or a more all-around boat for a mixture of fishing and recreational floating, I encourage all readers of these articles on Big Sky Fishing to avoid the trap of buying cheap inflatable boats.
These cheap boats are cheap for a reason. The quality of materials is often of low quality. More ominously, these cheap boats have a nasty tendency to either develop leaks while in storage or develop tears on the boats seams. And seam tears are not easily repairable.
The good news is that quality inflatable boats—whether dedicated to fishing or used for a mixture of fishing and recreational uses—are not that expensive. A quality inflatable kayak or raft is easily found for $300 or so.
So save yourself aggravation and—in the long run—your pocketbook some money by purchasing a quality inflatable boat “out of the gate.” In time, you’ll be very happy you did.