Finding the best inflatable kayak for fishing is quite different from choosing the best kayak for recreational paddling. While you can fish from practically any type of kayak, an ideal inflatable fishing kayak would be much more facilitating. When you’re out fishing on a kayak, you’d want to have enough storage space for all of your gears – and not all types of kayaks do that.
Let’s discuss their differences from a regular kayak to provide a more precise definition of inflatable fishing kayaks.
What makes an inflatable fishing kayak different from a regular kayak?
There are four categories of inflatable kayaks: recreational, whitewater, expedition, and lake paddling kayaks.
While there is no such category as “inflatable fishing kayaks,” certain features can provide a better experience for an angler – and as such inflatable fishing kayaks usually come from the recreational, expedition, or lake paddling category. Kayaks from those three categories have many fishing-friendly features.
So, what makes an inflatable fishing kayak different from a regular kayak? Features that make inflatable fishing kayak different from the regular ones? Here are some of them:
- Increased seat height for a better view of the water surface
- More comfortable swivel seat to follow the fish movement
- Rowing frame that allows the use of oars instead of paddles
- Motor mount to mount an engine for further exploration
- Rod and lure holder to store your fishing gear
- Tie-down straps to secure additional gear
Now that we’ve set a clearer image of what the best inflatable fishing kayaks should have, let’s talk about our recommended options available in the market right now. If you are looking for an inflatable kayak on a budget, check out our guide on finding the best inflatable kayak under $500.
The Best Inflatable Fishing Kayaks
These are some of the most recommended inflatable fishing kayaks that you can get with the best fishing-friendly features.
Intex Excursion Pro Inflatable Fishing Kayak
The Intex Excursion Pro inflatable fishing kayak is Amazon’s best-selling product with thousands of reviews on the platform. It comes with a large coated carrying case to get better stability while hauling the boat around.
Like many other Intex products, the Excursion Pro comes with a complete set, including a double-chamber air pump, repair kit, footrest, manometer, inflatable seat pad, fishing rod holders, a pair of skegs for shallow and deep water, as well as two plug-in double paddles.
What’s unique about the Intex Excursion inflatable fishing kayak is the included footrest, which is rarely found in its price range. The included footrest provides a much better hold when you’re paddling. Since your body has a better hold in the kayak, the whole paddling experience is also much easier.
While the manual says to avoid assembling the boat on a surface with stones, the boat’s materials are strong enough to withstand contact with coarse objects. It also supports a whopping 400-pound carrying capacity, which provides you with plenty of leeway in the amount of gear you bring on the water.
Intex Explorer K2 Inflatable Kayak
The Intex Explorer K2 is another one of the best inflatable kayaks for fishing. It is currently Amazon’s Choice product, which makes it difficult to ignore. This kayak comes with a high-output hand pump to get the boat fully inflated in under 5 minutes.
In the retail package, you’ll get a transport bag for the kayak, a high-output hand pump, two double paddles, and two inflatable seats. There is also a skeg included in the box, which will provide better directional stability for the kayak.
Compared to the Excursion Pro, the Explorer K2 sports a smaller storage space for your gears. But given that it’s a lot cheaper model, that is understandable.
Elkton Outdoors Steelhead Inflatable Fishing Kayak
The Steelhead inflatable kayak from Elkton Outdoors is explicitly designed with fishing in mind. This inflatable fishing kayak offers excellent performance for fishing – which is its intended purpose.
Elkton Outdoors made the Steelhead kayak with a solid drop-stitch floor, which is especially helpful for fishing because you can enjoy a more stable footing while angling and casting. It’s also made with 1000D Reinforced Layered PVC, which is durable enough should you want to take it on to rough waters.
It also offers a bungee storage system which is especially useful for storing your various fishing gears. The ample room inside the kayak is also a welcome addition should you take more equipment than the bungee storage holds.
DIVTEK Inflatable Fishing Kayaks
The DIVTEK inflatable kayak is a two-person kayak that offers a perfect blend between durability and function at a highly affordable price. In the package, you’ll get two aluminum oars, a repair kit, a carrying bag, and two life vests.
The boat comes with two adjustable and inflatable seats. If you’d like to use this inflatable kayak alone, you can certainly remove the extra seat for some additional storage space.
DIVTEK claims that this inflatable fishing kayak can carry up to 400-pound of weight on the water. If that claim is valid, you can easily fit two persons and some fishing gears in the boat. The DIVTEK inflatable kayak is made from ultra-durable 0.57mm PVC, which is more than enough for some casual fishing trips in a flat water environment.
Saturn FK396 Inflatable Fishing Kayak
The Saturn FK396 inflatable fishing kayak is an easy-to-use boat with a narrow profile and large buoyancy tubes. This kayak is made of heavy-duty 100Dtex PVC that can withstand rough handlings, so you won’t have to worry about puncturing the air chambers when it collides with debris in the water.
There are two removable aluminum benches that you can use to mount rod holders, fish finders, cameras, anchor mounts, or anything else that you’d need while out fishing. You can also mount your seat on one of the benches, but with that said, you don’t get inflatable seats in the selling package. If you’re looking for an inflatable fishing kayak that’s tough inside and out, the Saturn FK396 is an excellent option to consider.
In Conclusion
Many other fishing kayak options are available in the market, but these five are what we’d recommend for a reliable fishing kayak. You should choose an inflatable kayak for fishing that suits your needs – consider the number of your gear, the water you’re fishing in, and how often you’re going to use the kayaks.
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