Finding the Best Inflatable Boat for Fishing

inflatable-boat-for-fishing

If you are an angler or a fishing enthusiast in general, having the best inflatable boat for fishing that can accommodate all your gear and transportation needs is important. Rigid fishing boats may be great, but they lack the portability of inflatable boats which allows you to explore different bodies of water and fishing spots.

For anyone who is looking to enjoy both casual or serious fishing, inflatable fishing boats are the way to go. They are much easier to transport and store, making it possible for you to explore different lakes and rivers – even if they are far from your location. You can also check out Best Inflatable Sports’ article to find out more advantages of using inflatable boats for fishing.

In this article, we listed our top 4 recommendations for the best inflatable boats for fishing that you can get in the market, along with their unique and durable features that best support your fishing activity needs.

inflatable-fishing-boat-on-sea

The Best Inflatable Fishing Boats

Product
AMAZON'S CHOICE
Intex Excursion 5
Intex Seahawk 3
Sea Eagle PF7K PackFish
AQUOS 11.5ft Heavy-Duty
Intex Excursion Inflatable Boat Series
INTEX Seahawk Inflatable Boat Series: Includes Deluxe Boat Oars and High-Output Pump – SuperStrong PVC – Fishing Rod Holders – Welded Oar Locks – Heavy Duty Grab Handle
Sea Eagle PF7K PackFish Inflatable Boat Pro Fishing Package
AQUOS 11.5ft / 12.5ft Heavy-Duty for Two Series Inflatable Pontoon Boat with Stainless Steel Guard Bar and Folding Seat for Fishing, Aluminum Floor Board, Transport Canada Approved
Size
144” X 66” X 17”
9'8" X 4'6" X 1.5"
5" X 20" X 20"
11.5' x 5.7'
Weight
57 lbs
32 lbs
21 lbs
91 lbs
Person Capacity
5 persons
3 persons
1 person
2 persons
Weight Capacity
1300 lbs / 590 kg
790 lbs / 360 kg
300 lbs / 136 kg
800 lbs / 440 kg
Material
Heavy duty puncture-resistant vinyl
Heavy duty puncture-resistant vinyl
1000 Denier PVC coated Polyester
3 x 0.99mm layers of UV coated PVC
Best For
Recreational touring, Fishing, Lakes, Rivers
Recreational touring, Fishing, Lake, River
Touring, Fishing
Fishing in saltwater or freshwater
AMAZON'S CHOICE
Product
Intex Excursion 5
Intex Excursion Inflatable Boat Series
Size
144” X 66” X 17”
Weight
57 lbs
Person Capacity
5 persons
Weight Capacity
1300 lbs / 590 kg
Material
Heavy duty puncture-resistant vinyl
Best For
Recreational touring, Fishing, Lakes, Rivers
Find Out More
Product
Intex Seahawk 3
INTEX Seahawk Inflatable Boat Series: Includes Deluxe Boat Oars and High-Output Pump – SuperStrong PVC – Fishing Rod Holders – Welded Oar Locks – Heavy Duty Grab Handle
Size
9'8" X 4'6" X 1.5"
Weight
32 lbs
Person Capacity
3 persons
Weight Capacity
790 lbs / 360 kg
Material
Heavy duty puncture-resistant vinyl
Best For
Recreational touring, Fishing, Lake, River
Find Out More
Product
Sea Eagle PF7K PackFish
Sea Eagle PF7K PackFish Inflatable Boat Pro Fishing Package
Size
5" X 20" X 20"
Weight
21 lbs
Person Capacity
1 person
Weight Capacity
300 lbs / 136 kg
Material
1000 Denier PVC coated Polyester
Best For
Touring, Fishing
Find Out More
Product
AQUOS 11.5ft Heavy-Duty
AQUOS 11.5ft / 12.5ft Heavy-Duty for Two Series Inflatable Pontoon Boat with Stainless Steel Guard Bar and Folding Seat for Fishing, Aluminum Floor Board, Transport Canada Approved
Size
11.5' x 5.7'
Weight
91 lbs
Person Capacity
2 persons
Weight Capacity
800 lbs / 440 kg
Material
3 x 0.99mm layers of UV coated PVC
Best For
Fishing in saltwater or freshwater
Find Out More

1. Intex Excursion 5 Inflatable Boat

The Intex Excursion 5 is a raft-style inflatable fishing boat that supports up to 1300 pounds of load capacity. This inflatable fishing boat can carry up to 5 adult passengers plus all the fishing gears that you would want to take along with you. An NMMA and U.S. Coast Guard certified, the Intex Excursion has met the standard safety qualifications to ensure your wellbeing while casting.

Intex has designed this inflatable dinghy to ensure maximum comfort and durability for its buyers. It comes with four fishing rod holders and two inflatable seats complete with a backrest to provide a comfortable fishing experience. The included gear pouch is also icing on the cake, which rounds up this boat to be one of the best inflatable boats for fishing on the market.

The stern of the Intex Excursion comes with fittings for a motor mount so that you can focus less on the paddling and more on the fishing side of your activity. Taking the boat in and out of the water is also very easy with the grab handles on each bow and all-around grab line to get in and out of the boat while on the water.

The Intex Excursion fishing boat comes with an easy-store package along with all the accessories you need, including 54-inch aluminum oars, a high-output air pump, and a repair patch kit.

2. Intex Seahawk 3 Inflatable Boat

Another competitive boat from Intex, this inflatable fishing boat offers a great combination between convenience and functionality. The Intex Seahawk 3 inflatable fishing boat features heavy-duty and puncture-resistant PVC material that enhances the comfort and durability of your fishing trips. It can carry up to 790 pounds of load or  equivalent to three passengers plus some gear. 

This inflatable angling boat features two fishing rod holders, four oar holders, inflatable seat cushions, and motor mount fittings that can handle up to 1.5 horsepower. The fishing rod holders are located at the left and right sides of the boat which so this is handy if you’re going solo. It allows you to cast multiple lines at once – which means much better efficiency.

The oar holders are also helpful when you are busy angling. You need somewhere to put your oars, but not having them eat much-needed storage space in the hull is not great either. So, these oar holders can come in handy especially when you get both your hands and the boat full.

As with any other quality inflatable boat, the Intex Seahawk features three air chambers plus one safety auxiliary chamber to ensure you can stay afloat if one of them gets punctured. This inflatable raft also floats high above the water surface, making your angling experience much better. The Intex Seahawk 3 comes with a high-output air pump, a pair of 54-inch oars, a repair patch kit, and a carrying bag.

3. Sea Eagle PF7K PackFish Inflatable Fishing Boat

The Sea Eagle PF7K is one of the best inflatable fishing boats on the market right now. It is an ultra-lightweight solo inflatable fishing boat that you can take even into the narrowest riverbeds. It weighs only 21 pounds, making it very packable and portable for an inflatable boat for fishing.

Sea Eagle is a brand known for its durable and long-lasting inflatable boats. The PF7K features a dual-chamber design made from 30mm Polykrylar material for the boat’s bladder. When you’re out angling, there is a higher chance that your sharp fishing hook may puncture the boat, but the PackFish7 features a super-durable exterior cover made from 840 denier nylon which makes it puncture-resistant.

With the PackFish7, you can sit at the boat’s back end on a comfortable chair with a backrest. On your left and right sides are two orange storage pockets with built-in cup holders that you can access easily. The oar holders are just at an arm’s reach, so it’s also very convenient to use. This one is almost too relaxing for an inflatable fishing boat.

4. AQUOS Heavy-Duty 11.5ft Inflatable Boat

The AQUOS Heavy-Duty inflatable pontoon boat is a tough and durable water vehicle as it is made of 3 x 0.99mm layers of UV coated PVC, making it a puncture-resistant boat. It can carry up to a whopping 800 pounds of weight, and it features four individual air chambers to provide the best performance and safety while you are fishing.

As an inflatable pontoon boat, this fishing boat floats high on the water, not to mention that you get a fully fleshed chair-looking seat on top of it. It also includes a guard bar and a swivel seat, making it a perfect vehicle for long fishing trips.

However, the AQUOS FM 11.5ft is still an inflatable pontoon boat, so you have to install and take off the floor panel every time you want to travel. But since it features two large air chambers on either side of the boat, you’ll get the most stability while you’re out on the waters. 

inflatable-fishing-boat

Conclusion

While there are many other great options in the market, these are the ones that stand out among other fishing boats. Fishing boats are generally a better choice if you want to take someone along with you. But, if you’re looking for something more maneuverable during your angling trips – you should also check out our comprehensive list of  inflatable fishing kayaks.

Still, we hope that these recommendations help you pick out the best inflatable fishing boat that is perfect for all your fishing adventures.