Glide O2 Mako iSUP Review – The Ultimate Fishing SUP? | 2025

Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review
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The Glide O2 Mako is a new style of fishing SUP that combines stability, efficiency, and versatility.

Glide O2 Mako iSUP Review: Overview

Deciding what gear to bring fishing with you can be full of anxiety, so why not bring it all? What, because it can crowd your board and make it hard to paddle to your favorite secret spot?

Not with the Glide O2 Mako.

The O2 Mako is a new fishing SUP from Glide that gives you all the space and acapity you could want (and then some) and makes it easy to get to your favorite fishing hole whether you are paddling it as a SUP or using the new Mako pedal drive system.

With a huge kit of accessories, top-notch construction, and performance to match, the Glide O2 Angler might just be the ultimate fishing iSUP.


— Glide O2 Mako iSUP Review Ratings and Review Summary —

Glide O2 Mako
  • Construction & Durability
  • Features and Versatility
  • Stability
  • Speed
  • Maneuverability
  • Tracking
4.6

Overall Score

The Glide O2 Mako is a large, stable, and feature-packed iSUP great for exploring new fishing spots.

Pros

  • Extra large size is great for stability and capacity for larger paddlers and lots of cargo/fishing equipment
  • Lightweight construction is durable and keeps the board more manageable when carrying it
  • 12’6” length gives the O2 Mako improved tracking over longer distances
  • Large accessory kit including fishing rod holders and a kayak seat
  • Compatible with the Glide Mako pedal drive system
  • Lifetime warranty

Cons

  • The O2 Mako comes with a kayak seat, however it does not come with an extra paddle blade (sold separately), and is lacking a camera mounting option
  • The accessory bucket seals the pedal port on calm water, but significant amounts of water do come through during faster paddling or in choppier conditions

Glide O2 Mako iSUP Review: Construction and Durability

The Glide O2 Mako is the newest board in Glide’s lineup and is built with the same updated Glide construction as the 3.0 series iSUPs for maximizing durability while reducing weight.

Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - rail construction
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The O2 Mako has heat-welded rails for maximum longevity.

The O2 Mako starts with Glide’s new AeroMatrix Elite core. This new drop stitch core uses both a woven fabric base layer on the top and bottom of the board and cross-woven drop stitching between those layers.

Woven fabrics provide better rigidity and lower weights compared to the traditional knitted base fabrics. The straight warp and weft yarns of a woven fabric are not twisted around each other like they are in a knitted fabric, so there is less material used and the fabrics can’t be stretched when pulled tight during inflation.

The cross-woven drop stitching connects the top and bottom fabric layers in alternating angles that create an X-shape, rather than a standard V-shape found in most iSUPs. By fully crossing the yarns, Glide’s drop stitch core maintains excellent rigidity with less material and less weight.

The outer shell of the board is made with a reinforced dual-layer fusion PVC material. These PVC layers are applied directly to the drop stitch core using heat and pressure rather than glue. This has the benefit of creating a more uniform and coherent structure while also reducing weight. The new shell materials are lighter weight than the previous generation Glide iSUPs. While still very durable, this does slightly reduce the rigidity of the boards when compared side-by-side.

Once the O2 Mako’s pattern is cut from the raw material, the edges of the board are joined together with Glide’s TriFusion Welded Rail. This heat-welded rail uses three layers of PVC that are bonded together with heat and pressure. Like the Fusion PVC shell, the welded rails physically bond the layers together into a single piece of material rather than relying on a layer of chemical adhesive between the layers. In our experience and testing, welded rails are far more durable than glued rails, especially in high-heat environments.

The welded rails and fusion PVC shell are rated by Glide for internal pressures up to 25 PSI. That is the highest recommended pressure rating from any iSUP manufacturer, but you don’t need that much pressure in the board for excellent performance. We’ve found that there are diminishing returns on rigidity much past 18-20 PSI, especially considering how much effort it takes to continue pumping an iSUP of this size past that point.

After the board is built, the deck pad, fin boxes, and other onboard features are added, giving the O2 Mako a final board-only weight of just 28.6 pounds. Considering the size of this iSUP – 12’6” x 36.5” – that is incredibly light.

Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - rigid while standing
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While standing or paddling normally there is no noticeable flex in the board.

The Glide O2 Mako performed well in our standardized bend test at 20 PSI. With 170 pounds of weight in the standing area of the board, the Mako bent just shy of 1.3”. This is notably better than our current running average for all iSUPs of 1.62”.

Normally, wider boards tend to do very well in our bend test, and at 36.5” wide I was hoping for a little more rigidity. But, when you take into account the weight of the board for its size, the Mako’s stiffness is impressive.

Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - flex while bouncing
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Paddling hard or bouncing on the board does produce a moderately high amount of flex.

While our bend test lets us compare constructions, what really matters is how the board feels on the water.

While standing, walking, and paddling normally on the O2 Mako I don’t feel any flex in the board. There’s no bending under my feet, and the board doesn’t bounce around or bend when underway. By contrast, the Bote Rackham 12’4 Aero did better in our bend test (just over 1”) but the actual stiffness of the single-layer PVC board is much lower with noticeable bending of the deck directly under my feet. Having a more rigid deck on the O2 Mako doesn’t require the small muscles in your feet and lower legs to work as hard and makes the board more comfortable and stable-feeling.

When paddling hard and fast I can feel the Mako begin to flex a little. Not enough that I noticed it impacting the board’s performance, but just enough to notice when I was looking for it.

Jumping up and down on the board does generate a moderately high amount of flex, but the sheer size of the board seems to temper the feeling of the board flexing. Even though it’s moving quite a bit with 215 pounds jumping up and down on it, the board doesn’t become unstable or twitchy, and it has a very comfortable and soft recovery when I stop jumping.

Glide’s construction has always been impressive and the O2 Mako is no exception. This new generation of materials and processes is completely aligned with their brand ethos of durability and longevity. It also continues to be backed by one of the longest warranties in the industry – 10 years!

Specifications

Dimensions
Length12’ 6”
Width36.5“
Thickness6“
Weight
Max Capacity500 pounds
Board Weight28.4 pounds
Kit Weight
(SUP & accessories)
50.8 pounds
Buying Info
List Price$899
Warranty10 years
Returns period30 days

Glide O2 Mako iSUP Review: Features, Accessories and Versatility

The Glide O2 Mako is fully kitted out for almost everything an angler could want to attach to their board with one small exception – a threaded mount for a camera.

Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - size and shape
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The Glide O2 Mako is 12’6” long, 36.5” wide, and 6” thick. It weighs 28.4 pounds and has a maximum recommended weight capacity of 500 pounds.
Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - nose shape
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The Mako’s nose is a broad arrowhead shape to maximize stability while still providing a clean entry through the water when moving.
Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - handles
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There are three padded carrying handles on the O2 Mako – one on the nose, one on the tail, and one in the center of the board.
Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - front cargo area
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The front cargo area is spacious with a fixed bungee cord threaded between six D-rings. There’s plenty of space for large dry bags or tying down even larger items to the D-rings.
Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - rod holder mount
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Just in front of the standing area are two quick-release accessory mounts. These mounts work with the included fishing rod holders and have a locking mechanism to keep the holders from accidentally falling out.
Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - rod holder
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The included fishing rod holders can be rotated in the board mount, but also have a ball-head swivel for precise placement and angle adjustment. The rod holders are compatible with most spin/bait casting rods and fly rods, and have a latching mechanism to keep your equipment secure.
Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - D-ring
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There are four D-rings around the middle of the board. You can use these to attach the included kayak seat, and they are used to anchor the accessory bucket or optional pedal drive system. The rearward D-rings can also be used with the rear cargo area to tie down coolers or other large items.
Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - deck pad
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The deck pad is made with a brushed EVA foam for a soft feel and extended use comfort, and it offers good traction for bare feet and shoes.
Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - Scotty Mount
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There are three Scotty-style mounting plates on the rear of the board for use with other fishing accessories like tackle racks, fish finders, and more.
Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - rear cargo area
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The rear cargo area is relatively small, but can still accommodate a medium-size dry bag.
Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - rear handle and rudder mount
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At the tail of the board you’ll find the inflation valve, carry handle, leash D-ring, and a horizontally-mounted Scotty-style mounting plate for another accessory or for connecting the rudder system for the Mako pedal drive.
Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - sand spear mount
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There are also nylon loops on the sides just behind the standing area for sand spear anchoring devices.
Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - tail shape
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The tail of the board has a very wide (26”!) square tail for maximum stability and capacity.
Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - pedal drive port hole
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The O2 Mako is designed to work with a pedal drive system. The rectangular hole in the front of the standing area allows you to easily drop in the pedal drive and attach it to the nearest D-rings.
Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - accessory bucket
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If you don’t want to use a pedal drive (or at least not for now), Glide includes an accessory bucket to fill this space. It’s a great place to toss a water bottle, shoes, or other smaller items that you don’t mind getting wet from splash over. Keep in mind, though, that it does not have a lid, so if you capsize you might have a bit of a yard sale depending on what you put in there. Heavier items (like water bottles) also help keep the bucket seated in the port and reduce the amount of water that comes up during harder paddling or rougher water.
Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - nose d-ring
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There is an anchor/tow D-ring under the nose of the board.
 Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - rudder mount under board
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The rudder that comes with the Mako pedal drive system attaches to the O2 Mako using the Scotty-style mounting plates on the top and bottom of the tail.
Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - fin boxes
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The O2 Mako has a 2+1 fin setup with a split-style US fin box for the center fin and two flip-lock style quick-connect fin boxes for the side fins.
Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - kayak seat
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The O2 Mako does come with a really nice inflatable kayak seat. The seat has EVA padding on both the bottom and back and a stretch pocket and daisy chain on the back. The seat attaches to the board with four adjustable straps and has two straps to adjust the angle of the backrest. There is also a PVC tube on the front of the seat to connect the rudder system when using the Mako pedal drive unit.

There’s no doubt that the Glide O2 Mako is absolutely packed with features and attachment points for anglers. However, I do feel that there is one feature that is oddly absent – a threaded accessory mount. These types of mounts have become quite common over the years and are compatible with phone/camera holders, speakers, cup holders, and many other common accessories. While the rod holder mounts are compatible with RailBlaza brand accessories, they are less common and have fewer options overall. Having a threaded mount or two near the front cargo area would open up for more versatility – and make it much easier to record your fishing adventures with an action camera.

Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - full kit
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The O2 Mako comes with a massive accessory kit.

The Mako’s accessory kit is truly impressive – almost daunting. In addition to the board itself you also get:

  • Rolling backpack
  • Double-action hand pump
  • Fiberglass SUP paddle
  • Inflatable kayak seat
  • Three fins
  • Coiled leash
  • Accessory bucket
  • Eight adjustable straps
  • Two tackle rack feet
  • Two adjustable rod holders
  • Repair and maintenance kit

That’s a lot of stuff! All together the entire kit weighs in at just over 50 pounds, but considering the size of the O2 Mako, that’s actually pretty impressive.

Glide O2 Mako iSUP Review: Paddle

Glide includes their standard SUP paddle with the O2 Mako. They do have a second blade available to convert it to a kayak paddle, but it is not included in the kit.

Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - paddle
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The Glide paddle uses a fiberglass shaft and fiber-reinforced blade for durability and comfort.

The Glide SUP paddle is a comfortable way to get around on the O2 Mako. The fiberglass composite shaft helps reduce paddle weight and provides a very comfortable flex on the water. With Glide’s other iSUPs, this paddle is a fantastic match. With the size of the O2 Mako – especially if it’s loaded with equipment – the comfortable flex of the paddle does reduce its ability to transfer power into speed.

I found that the Glide paddle felt great with the Mako while casually cruising or paddling around my fishing spots between casts, but I did feel that loss of power and efficiency when putting more effort into my stroke to travel longer distances or move faster.

The fiber-reinforced plastic blade is light and balances well on the paddle. Its medium size and rectangular shape also make the paddle well-suited for most paddlers. It is also more impact resistant than a fiberglass or carbon fiber blade as the tip and edges will flex slightly if you hit a rock, log, alligator, or anything else while paddling in shallow water.

The handle section adjusts the length of the paddle with a simple pin-and clip system. This type of system is very easy to use, holds well without needing adjustment, and the handle has both paddle length and paddler height markings for easy setup. The plastic grip is medium size with slight texturing for improved control.

Overall, the Glide paddle makes a great kit-paddle with features and specs that work well for the majority of paddlers. If you do plan on using the O2 Mako fully loaded, you may want to consider purchasing a more rigid paddle with a slightly larger blade, or opting for the Mako pedal drive system for leg-powered paddling.

Glide O2 Mako iSUP Review: Stability

Stability, thy name is Mako.

Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - stability standing on one foot
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One-footed, off-center, and zero problems staying upright.

I probably could have just left this section at the intro and I think most folks would get the idea. The Glide O2 Mako is incredibly stable. And I’m not surprised considering its size (12’6 x 36.5”) and shape. The broad nose and extremely wide square tail allow the O2 Mako to remain very wide through most of its length.

There’s no rolling, twitching, or other feeling of instability while standing, paddling normally, or even while moving around on the Mako. I could feel the board flex some during harder paddling, but even then its size and shape prevent it from becoming unstable.

Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - stability holding on rail
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So stable it’s hard to show how stable it is!

The parallel shape of the Mako also gives it great secondary stability. While rocking or tilting the board onto its rail, the majority of the board length stays in contact with the water.

There’s so much volume and stability in the Glide O2 Mako that it was actually difficult to hold the board on its edge. Not because it felt like it was going to tip me off the side, but because it was hard to keep it from settling back down flat on the water.

You are going to be hard-pressed to feel uncomfortable or unstable on the Glide O2 Mako. Which is great news for anglers that want to be able to easily move around on their board to access equipment, cast, and land their catch.

Glide O2 Mako iSUP Review: Speed

While the O2 Mako is incredibly stable, it is harder to paddle at higher speeds. But it cruises comfortably at moderate speeds.

Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - speed performance
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Sprinting on the Glide O2 Mako is difficult, but cruising speeds are easy to achieve.

In our speed test we compare sprinting and top speeds, cruising speeds, and overall efficiency. This gives us a broad view of a paddle board’s speed performance, but not every one of those factors is important for every style of SUP.

In our sprinting test, the O2 Mako did well considering its 36.5” width. At a high cadence for a sustained sprint, the Mako clocked in an average of 4.9 MPH. And when paddling all-out I was able to bring the Mako up to 5.4 MPH – but it wasn’t easy. Between the large size of the board, slight flex during hard paddling, drag from the pedal drive port, and the softer-style paddle, there’s a lot going against the O2 Mako’s top speed performance. But, as a large fishing SUP, the O2 Mako’s key focus is on its cruising capability, not its top speed.

At a casual pace of 25 strokes per minute, the Glide O2 Mako travels at a very consistent – and easy to maintain – 3.2 MPH. It’s hard to compare the Mako to other iSUPs as there are so few made in this size. It’s a little slower than some other 11’6 x 34” fishing iSUPs, but it’s almost 3” wider. It’s also a bit faster than some other wider paddle boards 35-36” wide. Overall I’d say the O2 Mako cruises well. It isn’t hard to reach or keep its cruising speed, which makes it possible to paddle for long periods of time without becoming tired.

We gauge paddling efficiency by measuring how far a SUP will travel with a single paddle stroke from its cruising speed before slowing down. The O2 Mako moves an average of 20 feet before slowing. This gives it a gliding ratio of about 1.6 board-lengths per stroke. That’s roughly average when we compare across all iSUPs. It’s average for boards of its width, but below average for boards of its length. While we can compare spreadsheet calculations all day, the feeling on the water is one of acceptably good glide. It’s not super-efficient, but it’s also not inefficient.

Overall, the O2 Mako’s speed performance is right where I expect it to be. It’s comfortable to paddle at a cruising pace, but harder to paddle fast, and it has the efficiency you need to easily get to the next fishing hole without feeling tired when you get there.

Glide O2 Mako iSUP Review: Maneuverability and Tracking

The Mako is responsive to steering and smaller turns, but can be difficult to make large turns with basic strokes. On the flip side, the Mako’s tracking performance is excellent.

Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - maneuverability
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Turning the O2 Mako with basic sweep strokes can be difficult.

The Glide O2 Mako is a big paddle board, and that can make maneuvering it on the water somewhat difficult with basic paddle strokes.

By using just forward sweep strokes (paddling in an arc from nose to tail) it takes an average of 10.5 full sweep strokes to turn the O2 Mako in a full circle. That’s a lot of paddling. But the good news is you rarely need to turn in a full circle, and even if you do, the Mako can do it faster with some different stroke techniques.

Reverse sweeps (paddling in an arc from tail to nose) takes fewer than 5 strokes to make the same turn. By using combinations of bow-draw strokes and sweep strokes I can make 180 degree turns in about 3 strokes, and of course stepping to the tail for a pivot turn spins the board in a full circle in about 2 strokes.

Steering the board while paddling is relatively easy, though. The O2 Mako responds well to changing course and turning in smaller increments up to 90 degree.

Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - tracking performance
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The Mako’s tracking performance is above and beyond for extra-wide SUPs.

While turning the Mako can be a little tricky, it’s extremely easy to keep it moving straight while paddling.

Typically, wider paddle boards are harder to track straight. The extra width forces your paddle to be farther from the midline of the board and makes it harder to use correct forward stroke technique.

But the O2 Mako’s length and 2+1 fin setup help it track well for being among the widest single-paddler iSUPs we’ve tested. In our 10-stroke tracking test, the Mako only drifted off course by 12 degrees at the end of the tenth stroke.

That’s a good result even for boards four inches narrower!

Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - fins
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The O2 Mako has a 2+1 fin setup with US and flip-lock quick-connect fins.

Under the board, the O2 Mako has three fin boxes. The center fin box uses a split-style US fin box that is compatible with hundreds of different size and shape fins to fit your needs. Glide includes a 9” all-around/surf-style center fin with a tool-less quick-connect bearing for easy installation and removal.

The side fins use a short-base fliplock style fin box. This makes the fins easy to install and remove, but does limit your available options for changing these side fins.

We do all of our testing with all included fins as most users will set their boards up this way. However, if you want to have more agility on the water without sacrificing too much tracking performance you can remove the side fins. Or if you are paddling in shallow areas or want maximum maneuverability, you can use the side fins without the center fin.

Glide O2 Mako iSUP Review: Warranty and Customer Support

Glide warranties their paddleboards against manufacturing defects for the reasonable lifetime of the board, and their accessories carry a one-year warranty as well. There is a 30-day return period, however the customer is responsible for shipping costs and a 20% restocking fee. You can contact Glide customer service through their website, via email, over the phone, on social media, or in person through their retail network or at their Salt Lake City, UT warehouse if you happen to be in the area!

Glide O2 Mako iSUP Review: Overall Impressions/Review Summary

Glide O2 Mako Fishing iSUP Review - pivot turn
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The Glide O2 Mako is a large, stable, and easy to paddle fishing iSUP that comes with a ton of accessories.

Anglers, if you haven’t decided to make the Glide O2 Mako your next fishing SUP by now, you should call your doctor. Because there might be something wrong with you!

This paddle board is a SUP angler’s dream come true. It’s extremely stable, it has a huge capacity, it’s lightweight, it comes with a huge accessory kit for fishing, it’s pedal-drive compatible, and it’s great to paddle! Not to mention it carries a lifetime warranty and an extremely reasonable price tag.

It kind of makes me feel bad for the Glide O2 Angler! While it is also a fantastic fishing SUP, the O2 Mako offers even more versatility on the water.

Glide O2 Mako iSUP Review: FAQ

What’s with the hole in the middle of the Glide O2 Mako?

The hole in the O2 Mako is designed to work with the Mako Pedal Drive (sold separately). The Pedal Drive lets you use your legs to move the O2 Mako while seated instead of paddling with a SUP or kayak paddle. If you aren’t using the Pedal Drive, the included accessory bucket fits securely inside the hole for holding water bottles, sunscreen, shoes, or other small items.

Is the Glide O2 Mako iSUP heavy?

The Glide O2 Mako iSUP is surprisingly light for its size. It weighs 28.6 pounds for just the board, and the entire kit weighs just over 50 pounds. Comparatively, the Bote Rackham Aero 12’4 is 46 pounds and has a kit weight of 76 pounds.

How long does it take to inflate the Glide O2 Mako iSUP?

Using the included hand pump will take a while to fully inflate the Glide O2 Mako to 15-20 PSI, about 15 minutes. Electric pumps like the Outdoor Master Shark 3 can do this in about half the time and let you prepare the rest of your fishing equipment while the board inflates.

Can I paddle with a passenger or pet on the Glide O2 Mako iSUP?

Absolutely. The Glide O2 Mako is incredibly stable and has tons of space. However, passengers and pets should be aware of the pedal drive port / accessory bucket as a tripping hazard.

Is the Glide O2 Mako a good fishing iSUP?

Emphatically yes. The Glide O2 Mako is a great paddle board for the dedicated SUP angler. It’s extremely stable, it’s easy to paddle (or pedal), and can easily hold every piece of fishing equipment you want to bring along.

Should I get the Glide O2 Mako or the Glide O2 Angler for SUP fishing?

Both paddle boards are great for SUP fishing. The O2 Angler is shorter and more maneuverable, making it a great choice for fishing smaller bodies of water, rivers, and streams. The O2 Mako is better for larger bodies of water/longer paddling days, and it is compatible with the Mako pedal drive system.

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