Best Inflatable SUP for Fishing Tested and Reviewed | 2025

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 Paddle Boarding offers the perfect way to do it.

While you can technically use any paddle board 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. Most 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.

There is a lot to consider when shopping for the best inflatable SUP 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 Paddle Boards for Fishing.

Best Fishing SUPs Comparison Chart

section-hd		Best iSUPs under $500
	BOARD	DIMENSIONS	CAPACITY	WARRANTY	PRICE
Blackfin Model XL	Blackfin Model XL Save	11’6” x 34" x 6" 26.4 pounds	485 lbs	3 Years, 45-day return period	Read ReviewCheck Best 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 return period	Read ReviewCheck Best Price
Glide O2 Angler	Glide O2 Angler Save	11’0” x 36" x 6" 25 pounds	500 lbs	10 Years, 30-day return period	Read ReviewCheck Price
Bote HD Aero	Bote HD Aero Save	11'6" x 34" x 6" 30 pounds	315 lbs	2-years, 30-day return period	Read ReviewCheck Price
Thurso Max Multipurpose	Thurso Max Multipurpose Save	11’6 x 34" x 6" 29 pounds	370 lbs	2-years, 30-day return period	Read ReviewCheck Best Price
Sea Gods Skylla	Sea Gods Skylla Save	11'0" x 33" x 6" 19.5 pounds	350 lbs	Lifetime, 30-day return period	Read ReviewCheck Best Price
Blackfin XL Ultra	Blackfin XL Ultra Save	11'6” x 34" x 6" 23 pounds	360 lbs	3 year, 45-day return period	Read ReviewCheck Best Price
Glide O2 Mako	Glide O2 Mako Save	12'16” x 35" x 6" 26 pounds	500 lbs	10 year, 30-day return period	Read ReviewCheck Best Price

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Blackfin Model XL

11’6” x 34” x 6”
Availability: International
Read Our Full Review

The Blackfin Model XL is purpose-made for fishing. This sleek paddle board cruising easily along the water to get you to your favorite fishing hole fast. The deck is thoughtfully adorned with 10 different accessory mounting points for everything from a tackle rack and rod holders to GPS units, sand spears, and speakers. That doesn’t even include the two large cargo areas on the front and back of the board.

The 34” wide board has a stable, rounded shape for casting, and is kayak seat compatible for those times where you’d like to sit and fish.

Bottom Line:With great performance for both paddling and fishing, it’s hard to beat the Blackfin Model XL for all your angling needs.

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Bote Rackham Aero 12’4”

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

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.

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Glide O2 Angler 3.0

11’0” x 36” x 6”
Availability: US, International Shipping Available
Read Full Review Here

The Glide O2 Angler 3.0 is not only purpose-built for fishing, but comes with several fishing-specific accessories right in the box! The Angler’s front quick-release mounting points work easily and quickly with the included fishing rod holders to keep your equipment within easy reach, but securely held, while paddling. The Scotty mounts at the rear of the board are also compatible with tackle racks or other fishing-specific accessories.

The O2 Angler also comes with a kayak seat for those anglers who prefer to sit while paddling or casting, but at 36” wide and a super-rigid construction, there’s no worries about tipping over on this board. The stability is excellent while still keeping things quick on the water.

Bottom Line:The Glide O2 Angler offers an out-of-the-box SUP fishing experience with great build quality and a 5-year warranty.

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Bote HD Aero

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

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 while still keeping most of the fishing-specific features.

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.

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Thurso Max Multipurpose iSUP

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

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.

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Sea Gods Skylla Cross Touring iSUP

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

The Sea Gods Skylla has really proven itself to be an extremely versatile iSUP. Its 33” width and wide tail offers excellent stability and its 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.

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Blackfin XL Ultra

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

The Blackfin XL Ultra shares the same size and shape as the Blackfin Model XL, but with a few key differences.

First is the construction. The XL Ultra is lightweight with a woven drop stitch core. It is slightly less stiff than the Blackfin Model XL, but still has great rigidity overall. The next big difference is the shorter deck pad and a few fewer threaded mounting points.

But, what really separates the XL Ultra is its compact form factor for transportation and storage. The XL Ultra comes as a complete kit (including an electric pump), but folds into a backpack that is around 60% the size of the Blackfin Model XL and is a lighter kit overall.

Bottom Line: The Blackfin XL Ultra is the perfect fishing SUP for van lifers, RVers or anyone with limited space for storage or transportation.

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Glide O2 Mako

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

Glide’s newest fishing SUP is the O2 Mako. This is a dedicated fishing iSUP for the anglers who want to explore the harder to reach fishing holes.

At 12’6” long and 35” wide, the O2 Mako has an incredible amount of volume for bringing along all of your fishing gear and all of your camping equipment for those expedition-style trips.

It’s also designed to work with the Glide Mako Pedal Drive – an optional pedal-powered propeller that lets you move the Mako hands-free while seated in the included Air Throne kayak seat. If you aren’t using the Pedal drive, the Mako also includes a handy basket insert to fill the pedal drive port in the board, and other fishing-specific accessories like rod holders and rack mounts.

Bottom Line: The Glide O2 Mako offers a ton of features, great durability, and a fantastic value for SUP anglers.

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Fishing Stand Up Paddle Board 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?

First is the size and shape. If you fish lots of small rivers where maneuverability is important, a smaller board or one with more rocker may be a better option than a very large board. Either way, you’ll want a board with at least 33” of width (if not more) and a wide tail and nose for extra stability. The next thing to look for are fishing-specific features that you need or want. If you have lots of gadgets you like to have on hand (cameras, fish finders, etc.) then you are going to want a board with more accessory mounting points. If you want to carry multiple fishing rods, then it might be best to choose one that can accept a tackle rack with multiple rod holders. You’ll want to match the features with what equipment you have or what equipment you plan to have with you on the water.

All-Around vs Fishing SUP?

Fishing SUPs are larger than a typical all-around paddle board, so they can sometimes be more difficult to maneuver, or may be a bit slower – especially for smaller paddlers. I always recommend purchasing a paddle board (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 paddle board, having those extra features is very handy.

Recommended Gear for Fishing Stand-Up Paddle Boards

While all-around SUP kits will include everything the paddle board 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.
• 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 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 paddle boards 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!

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Editor’s Note
After seeing our list above, you may be asking yourself “what about XYZ brand or model?” First and foremost, we will only review and recommend products we have personally tested. You won’t find spec-only reviews and blind recommendations here. You may notice a few highly rated boards in our reviews are not on this list. While we stand by our reviews and ratings of those boards, last year several companies ceased their affiliate programs. This prevents us from being compensated for the hours, days, and weeks we spend with these products for testing and reviewing (though they still receive the benefit of our content). If you enjoy our content or find it helpful, we ask that you help support Inflatable Boarder by considering brands that continue to support us first. You can read more about how we make money and the reviewing industry as a whole in our recent blog post.

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