The connection between kayaks and fishing spans back over several millennia, and was forged out of the need for survival in a primitive, often unforgiving wilderness.
These days, kayaking plays a far more recreational role in modern culture, and is focused primarily on a desire for leisure and physical fitness than upon utilitarian necessity.
Yet, as more and more anglers begin to realize the advantages of using a kayak to help them catch more fish, the timeless connection between kayaks and fishing remains intact.
Today’s hard-bodied fishing kayaks tend to be a bit ungainly, and also require a suitable vehicle with a top rack or a bed to help transport them from place to place.
However, a new breed of inflatable kayaks constructed from durable synthetic amalgams are now available. These can be stored right in your trunk or back seat, and then easily transported virtually anywhere that your vehicle can go.
There are a wide variety of quality inflatable kayaks on the market that are designed to be used for fishing. Just remember that the word “best’” should be used subjectively.
The “best” product for you is the one that’s most capable of meeting your own personal needs and expectations.
Best Inflatable Fishing Kayaks
Buying Guide
But before you actually commit to purchasing any given inflatable fishing kayak, there are a few things that you should take into consideration:
- Your level of experience
- Your budget
- The type of fishing that you plan to do
- The locations where you plan to fish
Now we’ll look into the kayak itself.
Construction
An inflatable boat of any kind is only as good as the materials that it’s made from. The three most popular fabrics currently used in the construction of inflatable kayaks and boats are PVC, Nitrylon, and Hypalon.
Each of these comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. As a compromise, many inflatable kayak manufacturers are now using multi-layered combinations of these materials to achieve optimum strength, longevity, and performance.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) – PVC combinations were the first ones used in the manufacture of consumer-grade inflatables, and have vastly improved with the advent of new technology.
PVC remains the most economical material for this application. The downside is that it can be vulnerable to ongoing exposure to intense sunlight.
It’s also not resistant to certain chemicals, gasoline, and excessive abrasion. If you select an inflatable fishing kayak made from PVC, you can extend its life by regularly spraying it with a heavy-duty UV protectant.
Nitrylon is stronger than PVC. As a result, it’s more puncture-resistant, easier to patch, and performs better in cold weather climates.
Fishing kayaks constructed from Nitrylon are more resistant to wear and tear, but tend to weigh 10 to 15 percent more than the ones made out of PVC.
Hypalon is the most dependable material for inflatable boat construction and has been selected for use by the U.S. Coast Guard and military for decades.
When combined with an interior coating of neoprene, it offers the durability, reliability, and puncture resistance necessary to perform at the highest level on the water.
Inflatable fishing kayaks that are constructed with Hypalon are often the most expensive, but they also offer enhanced safety and performance.
Capacity
Kayakers come in different sizes, and so do inflatable fishing kayaks. Always select a product that conforms to your individual requirements regarding height and weight.
By law, inflatable boats must be tagged by the manufacturer with a maximum weight capacity, which should be strictly observed at all times.
This recommendation is intended to include the weight of the passenger(s), as well as that of everything else onboard.
Hence, in the interest of safety, it’s a good idea to limit your overall load to about 90 percent of the kayak’s rated capacity.
Accessories
Most inflatable kayaks come a la carte, and generally do not include paddles, an air pump, or a patch kit in the initial purchase price. If they do, those items are sometimes not of a truly premium grade.
There are a lot of accessory products on the market in all of these categories, but we believe that these three should be at the top of your shopping list:
BEST Kayak Paddle with Carbon Fiber Shaft – BEST kayak paddles are an excellent value. They feature strong, carbon fiber shafts and durable, reinforced fiberglass paddle blades that help you move smoothly through the water.
Each paddle can also be broken down into two pieces for easy transportation and storage.
Airhead Bellow Foot Pump – Although electric air pumps may be quick and convenient; they’re of little use if you happen to be out on the water and suddenly need to go ashore to tighten up the pressure in your kayak.
The Airhead Bellow Foot Pump is extremely durable, and easily collapses to store onboard. With three separate adapters, it’s designed to fit virtually any type of valve configuration.
It also features a 54-inch hose and offers air displacement of .5 liters per stroke.
West System Kayak Repair Kit – The West System patch kit offers an advanced repair option for fixing cracks, holes, and bonding issues on your inflatable kayak.
It’s excellent for making both small and medium repairs, and provides excellent bonding for ABS, HDPE, LDPE and PVC.
Detailed, step-by-step instructions are provided to help you get the job done right, and the tubes of adhesive can be resealed for later use and convenient storage.
Kayak Selection
Unlike expensive, hard-bodied fishing kayaks that can cost up to $3,000 or more, a majority of the inflatable fishing kayaks on the market have a bottom line of $300 to just over $1,000.
For many consumers, the overall purchase price is a primary concern. While that’s understandable, it’s also vital to look for a sensible balance between price, performance, and safety before making your final choice.
When it comes to fishing from an inflatable kayak, most seasoned anglers select a model that will accommodate a single passenger; however, several models of quality tandem fishing inflatables are available as well.
Although having another person onboard can offer a pleasant and convivial paddling experience, things can get a bit complicated when the fish start biting.
If you plan to fish in a tandem, it’s advisable to assign one passenger to do the paddling and one passenger to handle the fishing pole. That way, you’ll derive maximum benefit from your collaboration.
Best Inflatable Fishing Kayaks
Weight: 32 lbs.
Size: 12’6” long, 36” wide
Maximum weight capacity: 635 lbs.
Although the Sea Eagle 385FT FastTrack Deluxe Solo Inflatable Kayak is not actually called a fishing kayak, it has earned a reputation for performing extremely well within that application.
Sea Eagle has been making quality inflatable boats for over 40 years, and this model strictly adheres to their ongoing reputation for excellence.
The 385FT FastTrack Deluxe Solo Inflatable Kayak is lightweight, fast, stable, and highly responsive for excellent performance out on the water. It also features Sea Eagle’s patented NeedleKnife rigid inflatable keel, which further enhances its buoyancy and handling.
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NRS Pike Angler IK Inflatable Fishing Kayak
Weight: 35 lbs.
Size: 12’8” long, 3’3” wide
Maximum weight capacity: 400 lbs.
Don’t be fooled by the name: the NRS Pike Angler IK Inflatable Fishing Kayak is an outstanding choice for targeting a wide variety of fresh and saltwater species.
Constructed of thick, abrasion-resistant PVC, this boat is specifically designed for a single angler and their gear.
It also has the unique and enviable feature of a removable floor that’s composed of a 4-inch drop-stitch pad, which is incredibly stiff and supportive for those who like to stand and sight fish.
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Advanced Elements Straitedge Angler Kayak
Weight: 41 lbs.
Size: 9’8” long, 2.11” wide
Maximum weight capacity: 300 lbs.
Built from high-quality, multi-layered fabric, the Advanced Elements Straitedge Angler Kayak offers aluminum rib-frame technology, which assists in better tracking and improved on-the-water performance.
It offers multiple air chambers and special anti-abrasion pads that provide enhanced puncture resistance. It’s very stable, and can handle ongoing exposure to extreme conditions both on and off the water.
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Sea Eagle 385FT FastTrack Deluxe Solo Inflatable Kayak
Weight: 32 lbs.
SIze: 12’6” long, 36” wide
Maximum weight capacity: 635 lbs.
Although the Sea Eagle 385FT FastTrack Deluxe Solo Inflatable Kayak is not actually called a fishing kayak, it has earned a reputation for performing extremely well within that application.
Sea Eagle has been making quality inflatable boats for over 40 years, and this model strictly adheres to their ongoing reputation for excellence.
The 385FT FastTrack Deluxe Solo Inflatable Kayak is lightweight, fast, stable, and highly responsive for excellent performance out on the water.
It also features Sea Eagle’s patented NeedleKnife rigid inflatable keel, which further enhances its buoyancy and handling.
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Weight: 43 lbs.
Size: 13’ long, 3” wide
Maximum weight capacity: 700 lbs.
The Saturn 13’ Pro-Angler FK396 is constructed from heavy-duty PVC, which makes it strong and durable, but also lightweight for convenient transportation.
Because of its narrow profile and oversized, high-buoyancy tube construction, this inflatable kayak is easier to paddle out to where the fish are biting.
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Reviews of Tandem Inflatable Fishing Kayak
Most of the inflatable tandem kayaks that were sold 20 years ago were constructed from relatively thin PVC, which lacked the rigidity and durability to be classified as anything much more than a glorified pool toy.
Today, the strength and thickness of the polyvinyl chloride has greatly improved. Still, many of the budget-priced, inflatable tandem PVC kayaks that claim to be made for “fishing” are actually designed more for lightweight “family fun fishing” on ponds and small lakes.
Because this type of tandem inflatable does not truly address the stringent needs and expectations of serious anglers, we ultimately eliminated several well-known brands from consideration in our product comparison.
In the end, however, we were able to determine two overall winners in this category that we feel offer excellent value, construction, and virtually all of the features necessary to enjoy a pleasant and productive day of fishing.
Elkton Outdoors Cormorant
Weight: 27 lbs.
Size: 10’ long
Maximum weight capacity: 470 lbs.
The Elkton Outdoors Cormorant is our pick as the best all-around value in a heavy-duty, tandem inflatable fishing kayak. Priced lower than many other comparable inflatables, it’s durable, dependable, and offers sufficient room for passengers and gear.
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NRS Pike Angler IK Inflatable Fishing Kayak — Our Pick!
The fact of the matter is, the markets for both inflatable and hard-bodied fishing kayaks are highly competitive.
Most offer quality construction and similar features; but when it comes to selecting the best, only one can be judged to be the overall winner. In this case, it’s the NRS Pike Angler IK Inflatable Fishing Kayak.
Sturdy and dependable, it can handle a 400-pound load and is equipped with 3 Scotty Mount pads that allow you to deck out your kayak with more accessories and gadgets than any of the others that were reviewed.
Its biggest selling point, however, is the stiff inflatable floor pad insert. This feature allows you to actually stand and cast if you like, which is a valuable addition that is not often found on inflatable fishing kayaks.
The competition was keen, but in the end, it was the NRS Pike Angler IK Inflatable Fishing Kayak that ultimately prevailed.
However, if you’re on the market for a tandem fishing kayak, the Elkton Outdoors Cormorant is also an exceptional choice!
