Inflatable fishing kayaks are becoming increasingly popular among anglers, and for a good reason. Inflatable kayaks allow anglers to get where the fish are without having to think about the price of fuel or upkeep associated with owning a boat for fishing.
But are inflatable kayaks good for fishing? Yes, inflatable kayaks are great for fishing. An inflatable kayak that has been specifically designed for fishing is an excellent alternative to a traditional hard-shell fishing kayak. Inflatable fishing kayaks have plenty of room for storing fishing gear and are easy to transport and store.
Keep reading if you’re interested in fishing from an inflatable fishing kayak. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of inflatable kayaks for fishing and share helpful tips for using an inflatable fishing kayak.
Pros and Cons of Using Inflatable Kayaks for Fishing
Inflatable fishing kayaks are an excellent choice for experienced and novice anglers. Fishing from an inflatable kayak is fun, but there are definitive pros and cons of kayak fishing.
Advantages of Inflatable Fishing Kayaks
Here are several pros of using inflatable kayaks for fishing:
1. Inflatable Fishing Kayaks are Inexpensive
Anglers can purchase a quality inflatable kayak for $300 to $500 and start fishing right away. The low price makes inflatable kayaks an excellent choice for beginner anglers or people looking to see if they are into fishing.
An entry-level inflatable kayak of this price will be more stable than hard shell kayaks in the same price range.
2. Easy to Store
One of the best things about inflatable fishing kayaks is that they are easy to store. A hard-shell plastic kayak takes much room, but an inflatable kayak folds or rolls up for easy storage.
Many inflatable kayaks come in a backpack-style bag that can be tucked in a closet, spare bedroom, or a corner in the garage.
3. Easy to Transport
Of all types of kayaks, inflatable kayaks are the easiest to transport to the water. It only takes one person to load up the kayak to the back seat of the car or truck. On the other hand, hard shell kayaks are heavy and bulky and often take two persons to move around.
Disadvantages of Using an Inflatable Kayak for Fishing
Like all other things, inflatable fishing kayaks are far from ideal. The biggest drawbacks of inflatable fishing kayaks are:
1. Easily Blown Across the Water by the Wind
If you aren’t careful, you can easily get blown across the water by wind or carried by currents away from the shore. Getting back to shore can prove challenging if it starts to go dark or if the weather turns bad.
2. Challenging to Push Through the Water
Inflatable fishing kayaks aren’t designed with speed in mind. Although speed isn’t of the essence for fishing, sometimes you’ll need to change locations quickly, and an inflatable kayak isn’t the best choice for this.
3. Inflatable Kayaks aren’t Very Maneuverable
Even the best inflatable kayaks aren’t famous for their maneuverability. Directing an inflatable kayak into tight fishing sports, controlling it in fast waters, and navigating obstacles can prove challenging, even for experienced anglers.
4. Susceptible to Punctures
Even though modern materials have advanced and are more resistant to punctures, they aren’t puncture-proof. To avoid punctures and tears, anglers must look out for potential puncture hazards below and above the water.
Fishing Tips Using Inflatable Kayaks
Here are some useful tips for treading the waters safely if you’ve never used an inflatable kayak before:
Avoid Puncturing
The best way to prevent punctures is to keep all sharp fishing gear packed and away when not in use. If you’re worried about sharp fish teeth and fins, set up a towel on the bottom of the kayak for placing caught fish.
Maximize Space
To maximize free space inside the inflatable kayak, keep fishing gear to a minimum by storing it out of the way. A great way to create more space is to keep fish on a stringer attached to the back of the kayak instead of using a bucket.
Prevent Drifting
Use natural anchors like positioning next to a log, lily pads, or weeds to keep the inflatable fishing kayak where you want it to be. If drifting is unavoidable, position the kayak sideways into a drift position to create resistance and drift slower.
Are Inflatable Kayaks Good for Beginners?
Inflatable kayaks are excellent for beginners. Besides being comfortable and easy to paddle, inflatable fishing kayaks are incredibly stable and capable of adjusting to all styles of paddling across rough or calm waters.
What Is the Most Stable Kayak for Fishing?
Stability is one of the most important aspects of an inflatable fishing kayak. While there are many amazing fishing kayaks to choose from, the Ascend 133X Tournament is the most stable fishing kayak.
The Ascend 133X Tournament is one of the widest and most stable rotomolded kayaks on the market. This means that anglers can stand up and fish from the kayak without issues.
Which Inflatable Kayak is Best for the Sea?
If you don’t want to carry a heavy, rigid kayak on saltwater fishing trips, check out the Advanced Elements StraightEdge Angler Pro. This kayak weighs only 45 pounds, but it’s stable enough to get through the surf or drift in calmer waters.
When folded, this kayak is small enough to fit in the back seat of a car or an SUV and is easy to transport and store.
Conclusion
Inflatable fishing kayaks are becoming increasingly popular for fishing. Besides being lightweight and easy to store and transport, inflatable fishing kayaks are also very stable and suitable for beginners and experienced anglers alike.
Whether you’re into freshwater or saltwater fishing, there are many great inflatable fishing kayaks you can choose from. Although there are many benefits of using an inflatable fishing kayak, there are also some drawbacks, including decreased maneuverability and risk of punctures.