Top Picks for Best Inflatable SUPs for Fishing | 2023

According to TakeMeFishing.org, about 1-in-5 Americans enjoy some form of angling – myself included. Ask any shore angler and they’ll tell you that if they could just get their cast a little further, or a little closer to that bit of cover, or if they were able to fish more shoreline (or miles of riverbank) then they’d absolutely catch more, bigger, fish. At least that’s what I tell myself! One of the best ways to improve those conditions is to leave the shore and get out on the water – and Stand Up Paddleboarding offers the perfect way to do it.

Inflatable SUPs are easy to transport, quick to set up, and can easily carry a large amount of fishing equipment. They can be converted for use as kayaks (and back to SUPs), and many of them even include built-in accessories to make fishing easier and more successful. While you can technically use any paddleboard for fishing, those boards that are built for SUP fishing offer many more advantages to even the part-time SUP angler over a basic all-around board.

There’s lots to consider when picking a paddleboard for fishing. First, you want something that is going to be stable enough to not only support you while paddling, but also while casting and landing fish. You’ll want to make sure that you not only have plenty of cargo room, but easy access to it as well. Let’s not also forget the ability to easily manage your fishing rods, tackle boxes, cooler, and other equipment. Last, but not least, you want a high-quality board that can take a bit of a beating as you work through those shallow sloughs, tidal estuaries, and flowing freestone rivers.

We’ve taken all of this (and more) into account when creating our list of Best Paddleboards for Fishing. The first five boards on our list are specifically made with SUP fishing in mind. The last three are more general-purpose iSUPs that we think also work well for fishing.

Best Fishing SUPs Comparison Chart

section-hd	Top-Rated Fishing SUPs
	BOARD	DIMENSIONS	CAPACITY	WARRANTY	PRICE
Bote Rackham Aero 12’4”	Bote Rackham Aero 12’4” Save	12'4”x 38"x 7" 45 pounds	400 lbs	2-years, 30-day money back	Read Review Check Best Price
Bote HD Aero	Bote HD Aero Save	11'6"x 34"x 6" 30 pounds	315 lbs	2 years, 30-day money back	Read ReviewCheck Best Price
Gili Meno 11’6”	Gili Meno 11’6” Save	11'6"x 35"x 6" 24 pounds	485 lbs	2-years, 60-day money back	Read ReviewCheck Best Price
Thurso Max Multipurpose	Thurso Max Multipurpose Save	11’6”x 34"x 6" 29 pounds	370 lbs	2-years, 30-day money back	Read ReviewCheck Best Price
Aqua Marina Drift	Aqua Marina Drift Save	10'10”x 38"x 6" 25 pounds	287 lbs	1 year, 30-day money back	Read Review Check Best Price
Sea Gods Skylla	Sea Gods Skylla Save	11'0"x 33"x 6" 19.5 pounds	350 lbs	Lifetime, 30-day money back	Read ReviewCheck Best Price
Hydrus Joyride XL	Hydrus Joyride XL Save	11’6”x 34"x 6" 32.5 pounds	400 lbs	Lifetime, 30-day money back	Read Review Check Best Price
Isle Switch 2-in-1	Isle Switch 2-in-1 Save	11'6"x 35.5"x 6" 19 pounds	425 lbs	2-years, 60-day money back	Read ReviewCheck Best Price

---

Bote Rackham Aero 12’4”

12’4” x 38” x 7”
Availability: US
Read Our Full Review Here

The Bote Rackham Aero 12’4” is our top pick for Best Inflatable Paddleboard for Fishing. Bote’s long history of making fishing-specific paddling equipment is evident in every aspect of the Rackham Aero 12’4”.

The Bote Rackham Aero is first and foremost a fishing iSUP. It’s not an all-around that has good fishing capabilities – it’s built for anglers.

At 12’4” x 38” x 7” and 45 pounds, it’s also the largest board on our list in every aspect. The extra thickness comes in the form of an additional air chamber on top of the board to create higher sidewalls and a higher volume nose. The deck has several places to tie down and attach various fishing gear, including a wide array of accessories from Bote like the tackle rack seen in the photo above.

The size and stability of the Rackham Aero make it a great casting platform – even for fly fishing on a river – and the Rackham Aero also includes an inflatable kayak seat if you prefer to sit and fish. In the middle of the board is an oval hole (covered with a water-tight plastic port) that is ready to fit the Apex Pedal drive for those sit-down anglers wanting more speed.

Bottom Line:The Bote Rackham Aero 12’4” is the inflatable fishing SUP for any serious angler.

---

Bote HD Aero

11’6” x 34” x 6”
Availability: US
Read Full Review Here

The Bote HD Aero retains much of the same fishing-centric design as the Rackham Aero, but in a slightly smaller, more all-around package.

The Bote HD Aero is ready for your fishing adventures. Significantly lighter and narrower (though still 34” wide) than the Rackham Aero, the HD Aero is faster and more nimble.

There are mounting points for Bote’s paddle sheath (included) on the nose of the board and rack-foot receivers on the back of the board for either of Bote’s tackle rack options (not included). Additional D-rings are spaced to anchor a Bote Kula cooler (for your catch or your lunch… or both), and two spacious cargo areas can hold the rest of your equipment.

The HD is also incredibly stable and the wide tail and nose keep the board stable as you move around to cast at different angles, change equipment, or land a fish.

Bottom Line:The Bote HD Aero offers lots of fishing-specific accessories in a smaller and lighter kit than the Rackham Aero.

---

Gili Sports 11’6” Meno

11’6” x 35” x 6”
Availability: US, International Shipping Available
Read Full Review Here

If I had to sum up in the Gili Sports 11’6” Meno in one word it would be “Versatility.”

The Gili Sports 11’6” Meno offers great stability thanks to its 35” width and excellent stiffness. The carbon fiber rail reinforcements not only offer increased durability and protection against cuts and abrasion, but also increase the stiffness of the board.

On the deck the 11’6” Meno is ready to be outfitted for whatever angling adventures you are up to. The large cargo areas on the nose and tail are complimented with a pair of threaded accessory mounts each, the cargo bungees and extra handles are easily removable, and there are two Scotty-type mounting plates behind the standing area that can be used with tackle racks or with stand-alone fishing rod holders.

Along the sides of the board are four more sets of d-rings that are compatible with kayak seat attachments and the rearward rings are set up to easily hold a 25qt (or similar) cooler.

Bottom Line: The Gili Sports 11’6” Meno is a stable and versatile iSUP that offers a ton of attachment options for the SUP angler.

---

Thurso Max Multipurpose iSUP

11’6” x 34” x 6”
Availability: US, Canada
Read Full Review Here

The Thurso Max Multipurpose iSUP brings a focus on paddling performance to the lineup of fishing paddleboard options.

The Thurso Max’s more tapered shape and advanced construction offer a little more efficiency when paddling out to your favorite fishing hole.

While the Max does not have any mounts for a tackle rack, it does have five threaded accessory mounts and two velcro paddle/rod holders. The full-length deck pad also lets you confidently walk the entire length of the board, and it gives your favorite fishing partner (especially the four-legged variety) a comfortable place to sit as well. Built into the deck of the board is a 27” ruler to help you make sure your catch is legal and cast any doubts aside when bragging to your buddies later.

Bottom Line: The Thurso Max Multipurpose iSUP is a great option for fishing with a partner.

---

Aqua Marina Drift 10’10”

10’10” x 38” x 6”
Availability: US, Canada
Read Our Full Review Here

The Aqua Marina Drift 10’10” takes a different approach to stability with a narrower main area and additional low-pressure tubes.

The Aqua Marina Drift has three inflation chambers. The main standing area uses drop stitch construction and is similar in size to a standard all-around iSUP. On each side of the main board are two low-pressure pontoon tubes that add extra width and stability.

The Drift also includes two articulating fishing rod holders (the only board on this list that includes them with the board!) that attach to the proprietary mounting points just behind the standing area.

Aqua Marina also offers a 22L cooler that attaches to the board lengthwise, and has a folding hard seat back and storage compartment on the lid.

Bottom Line: The Aqua Marina Drift offers a complete fishing SUP package, including the fishing rod holders.

---

Sea Gods Skylla Cross Touring iSUP

11’ x 33” x 6”
Availability: US, Canada
Read Full Review Here

The Sea Gods Skylla is a touring crossover iSUP that’s stable and equipped enough for your long-distance fishing adventures.

The Sea Gods Skylla has really proven itself to be one of the most versatile boards I’ve reviewed this year. It’s 33” width and wide tail offers excellent stability and it’s sleek nose and light weight keep it efficient on the water.

In addition to its paddling performance, the Skylla has four threaded accessory mounts that can be used with paddle holders, cameras, or even to mount a fish finder. The well spaced D-rings and cargo areas also make it easy to tie down a cooler or other equipment.

Bottom Line: The Sea Gods Skylla Cross Touring iSUP is a great option for the destination-angler who wants to get to the farthest fishing holes and still have energy to fish.

---

Hydrus Joyride XL

11’6” x 34” x 6”
Availability: US, Canada
Read Our Full Review Here

The Hydrus Joyride XL is a great option for the SUP angler looking for the ultimate in durability.

If you regularly fish shallow areas, rocky rivers, or take part in some more adventurous aspects of angling like bow or spear fishing, the Hydrus Joyride XL might be just what you are looking for.

At 11’6” x 34” with a wide, parallel shape, the Joyride XL brings lots of carrying capacity and stability to the water. While it’s not the lightest board in our list, what that extra weight brings is some of the highest-level abrasion and cut resistance we’ve seen in an iSUP. The entire board is constructed with an intermediate layer of aramid fiber (aka Kevlar). This composite construction keeps the board very stiff and the materials themselves are known for their abrasion and cut resistance – perfect for getting into those hard to reach areas.

The large cargo areas make it easy to bring along everything you need, and the four d-rings behind the standing area are perfectly sized to hold a cooler or crate of fishing gear. Rather than telling you where to mount your accessories, Hydrus includes a stick-on mount to work with Go-Pro-style accessory feet. Lastly, The Joyride XL also comes with several different size fins so you’re ready to hit the water whether it’s a deep lake or a shallow stream.

Bottom Line:The Hydrus Joyride XL is a great fishing SUP for getting into the unknown and hard-to-reach places, and knowing that your board will make it back out with you.

---

Isle Switch 2-in-1 iSUP/Kayak

11’6” x 35.5” x 6”
Availability: US
Read Full Review Here

The Isle Switch 2-in-1 iSUP/Kayak is ultralight, ultra-stable, and ultra-customizable.

The Isle Switch 2-in-1 iSUP uses new materials and a new internal construction to reduce weight (it’s only 19 lbs) without sacrificing performance.

The Switch’s 35.5” width and extra-wide tail make it incredibly stable, and even usable as a tandem paddleboard, which is great for anglers who like to move around on their board. The full length deck pad provides traction across the entire surface, and the Isle Link attachment system lets you adjust cargo area size and placement, kayak seat placement (the Switch includes a fantastic kayak seat), and where you want to tie down your most-used fishing gear. It doesn’t have any dedicated accessory mounts and the full-length deck pad can make it tricky to add them yourself.

Bottom Line:The Isle Switch 2-in-1 iSUP is a great option for paddleboard anglers who want high versatility, but don’t necessarily need lots of small accessory mounts.

---

Fishing Stand Up Paddleboard FAQs

What is a Fishing SUP?

While you can technically fish from any SUP, a fishing-specific SUP is going to have higher-than-average stability, a high weight capacity, and features specifically designed with the SUP angler in mind. These features include (but are not limited to) multiple accessory mounting points, tackle rack mounting points, anchor/sand spear mounting points, extra d-rings, rod holders, and/or cooler mounting options. A fishing-specific SUP will make accessing and using your fishing equipment easier, though I can’t guarantee you’ll catch more fish – that’s between you and the fish!

What to look for when choosing an Fishing SUP?

Fishing SUPs are larger than a typical all-around paddleboard, so they can sometimes be more difficult to maneuver, or may be a bit slower – especially for smaller paddlers. I always recommend purchasing a paddleboard (or really anything) to match the majority of your use. The wonderful thing about most of these fishing SUPs is that, while they do have features that make SUP fishing easier, they aren’t limited by those features either. You can certainly fish from an all-around SUP (here are some of our favorites) and you don’t have to fish from a fishing SUP. However, if fishing is something that you are interested in doing with your paddleboard, having those extra features is very handy.

Recommended Gear for Fishing Stand-Up Paddleboards

While all-around SUP kits will include everything the paddleboard needs to get you out on the water, there are a few accessories that will give you a better and safer experience on your new SUP.

• PFD – A PFD (Personal Flotation Device), sometimes called a life jacket or buoyancy aid, is a critical piece of safety equipment while on your SUP and may be required by local law. There are thousands of options for PFDs, and it is important to choose one that not only fits you well, but is designed for paddling. A quality, well-fit PFD is not noticeable when being worn. See our Best SUP PFD reviews here.
• Dry Bag – Not everything we bring with us on our SUPs should get wet. Soggy sandwiches and waterlogged phones can ruin a good day out on the water. Dry bags come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes to fit your needs. See our Best SUP Dry Bag reviews here.
• Tackle Rack – Keeping your equipment organized and accessible when fishing from a SUP can be a bit of a challenge. Tackle Racks are a great way to store rods, bags, nets, and other accessories within reach – and can offer extra stability while you’re reeling in “the big one.” Bote offers both a full-size Tackle RackTackle Rack and a shorter Bucket Rack that fits all of their iSUPs equipped with rack receivers (like the HD and the Rackham)
• Coolers – whether you are keeping your drinks cold or your catch fresh, a great cooler can make the difference after hours out in the sun. Plus hard coolers make a great seat to take a break from standing! See our Best SUP Cooler reviews here.
• Electric Pumps – Using the hand pump that comes with your board is a great way to warm up for your day paddling. But every now and then it’s nice to relax while getting ready, too. Electric SUP pumps are easy to use and let you focus on other things while inflating your board. See our Best Electric SUP Pump reviews here.

Final Thoughts – Best Fishing SUPs

What is the best fishing SUP? While we like the paddleboards above for fishing, just like the best angler is the one who’s having the most fun, the best fishing SUP is the one you enjoy using the most. Whether it’s a simple, lightweight board with a milk crate tied to it, or a large fishing-specific SUP with all the bells and whistles, the important thing is that you are getting outside and fishing. Tight lines!