The fast-growing popularity witnessed by stand up paddleboarding has drawn attention from many communities, including that of anglers. With the right board, you too can indulge in your favorite pastime activity in a unique manner that you probably wouldn’t have thought possible before. Whether inflatable or hard, the board can provide the means you need to catch fish in peace on freshwater or saltwater. However, not just any board is suitable for this activity, and you need to rely on proper guidance to make a proper pick and be able to fish and unwind in peace on your SUP.
Fishing board types
While SUPs can be categorized using many criteria and depending not only on their manufacturing but the activity the boards are intended for, here we will solely focus on fishing SUP types. Stand up paddleboards that anglers can rely on can be either solid or inflatable.
- Solid: If you are interested in acquiring a solid SUP, then look into a touring board. The displacement of the hulls and the thicker profile makes these SUPs better suited for carrying all the gear you take with you on fishing trips. The boards don’t sacrifice stability and remain easy to maneuver as well, providing the balance you need to catch fish in peace.
- Inflatable: Considerably more convenient when it comes to transport and storage, inflatable stand up paddleboards for fishing can support the weight of the gear you carry and are hardy enough to withstand rough usage. Unlike their solid counterparts, they don’t chip or scratch easily on rocky shorelines either, so you don’t have to be afraid of any serious damage if you knock them around while carrying them.
Tip: Avoid multi-purpose boards as these cater better for SUP yoga, recreational paddling, and other activities rather than fishing.
What is the appropriate paddle size?
A paddle is usually included with the SUP, but it might not always be the most qualitative or appropriate model for you, in which case you should separately acquire one that suits the occasion. Considering that you are bound to spend a lot of time paddling to move the board around, comfort and performance are what you must look into with this important accessory. When you look for the right paddle, there are 3 aspects to take into consideration – size, length, and weight.
Your height is the criteria that determines the length of the paddle and you must make sure for it to feel as comfy and natural to use as possible. Most paddles are adjustable in length, which is a nice feature as you can share it with friends and loved ones who are into paddleboarding too.
Size matters for transport and storage. Paddles can come either in one, two, or three pieces. Evidently, the higher the count the better as you will be able to break them down in a compact manner to make transport easy and not occupy much space where you plan on storing the paddles when not in use either.
The weight of the paddle is another influential factor that you should take into consideration as it makes a huge difference when it comes to your experience as you paddle to the fishing spot of your choice. A heavy paddle ultimately leads to fatigue and your muscles wearing out quickly. What you need is a paddle that goes through the water efficiently, and for this to happen, you should look into one that is made from carbon, aluminum, wood, or fiberglass.
Weight capacity considerations
Evidently, one of the pivotal elements to look into with this purchase is the weight the board can accommodate. After all, fishing gear isn’t light at all, and the board is supposed to carry you, the gear you need, as well as other accessories that might come in handy, like a cooler where you keep drinks or who knows, even throw the fish to keep them fresh until you reach land. Weight capacity increases with the longer, wider, and thicker the board is, so you can max out your choice when it comes to these specifications.
If you opt for a solid touring style board, the special design of the displacement hull will provide you with the space you need to neatly place the gear you intend to travel with. In case you go with an inflatable SUP, you should go with a shorter model as it provides better balance between weight capacity and maneuverability, all while still providing ensuring ease in maintaining stability.
SUP accessories that help
Paddle boards can come with a range of accessories, but only some are truly useful for anglers. To properly outfit your fishing SUP, the accessories you need include a rack and a cooler.
Coolers are quite popular among anglers as they mount securely on the board and provide a convenient place to keep the bait and catch. Moreover, you even gain comfortable seating or even a neat casting platform with this smart addition to your board.
Racks are just as important for the fishing experience as they provide stability and a leaning post for leverage when you are fighting to pull in a big catch. You can even find racks that feature rod holders, so it’s all the more important to not go on your fishing expedition without this accessory mounted to the board.
