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Updated on: January 14, 2024
If regular kayaks for fishing weren’t enough, along came their more comfortable, lightweight, and easier-to-transport cousins. Inflatable kayaks have taken the fishing world by storm thanks to their incredible portability and relatively low price points.
If you’re looking for an inflatable kayak for your next fishing trip, we’ve put together a list of 7 of the best inflatable fishing kayaks to make your decision a whole lot easier.
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Fishing kayaks are extremely similar to regular kayaks, just with some added extras that really set them apart. Like their traditional cousins, fishing kayaks come in a range of designs and styles to put kayak anglers in remote places that once weren’t accessible by larger motorized boats.
Although a kayak is a fair bit smaller than a regular boat, they have a huge amount of benefits when it comes to fishing.
The first is the fact that they’re extremely quiet and streamlined. Some waterways throughout the world prohibit the use of motors, meaning your larger boat isn’t even allowed on the water in the first place. Kayaks, however, are man-powered and can quietly glide over the water without any disturbance.
If you’ve ever been fishing, then you know this lack of noise also bodes well for your catch success. Fish are usually scared by the noise, so the ability to creep up towards them gives you the upper hand over motorized vessels.
Additionally, fishing kayaks are cheaper and easier to transport, especially the inflatable kind. Once an Inflatable kayak is deflated, it can fit into a backpack or duffel bag that can then be easily transported to out-of-reach waters or taken on planes and flown overseas.
If you’re now swayed in the direction of purchasing an inflatable fishing kayak, there are a few things you need to consider.
The first thing you need to consider is whether to opt for a sit-on or sit-in kayak. Sit-in kayaks have an enclosed cockpit, whereas sit-on kayaks are completely open, with the user's entire body exposed.
When it comes to fishing, we suggest a sit-on kayak as they give you more room to store your gear and provide you with larger deck space to move around and cast your line from.
Length plays a role in the overall speed and efficiency of your kayak. Longer kayaks are faster and can cut through the water far more efficiently than shorter kayaks. Shorter kayaks aren’t all bad, however, as they’re much easier to turn and maneuver thanks to their shorter size.
To decide on the length of your kayak, you should think about the water you’ll be fishing on. If you’ll generally be fishing on large lakes, rivers, or even the ocean, then a longer kayak over 12’ is recommended. For smaller bodies of water, then a shorter kayak under 11’ would be easier to maneuver and control.
Kayak width is key when it comes to fishing. When casting your line or reeling in your catch of the day, you need all the balance you can get, and that’s where the width of your kayak comes in.
The wider the kayak, the more stable it is on the water, so look out for a kayak that has a deck of 33” or wider.
Weight isn’t too much of an issue for inflatable kayaks as most weigh under the 50 lbs mark and are quite easy to carry once they’re stored in their dedicated carry bag.
If you’re planning on taking your kayak abroad, however, then the kayak's overall weight would need to be carefully thought out. Too heavy of a kayak could tip the airline’s oversized baggage limit, which would result in oversized baggage fees - the way no one wants to start their holiday.
The weight capacity of a regular kayak is something you may not need to think about as it can typically hold over 300 lbs which are more than enough for most grown adults. But, when it comes to fishing kayaks, this total weight capacity is much more important.
Your weight plus the weight of all your gear could tip past your kayak’s maximum weight capacity and make your kayak sink into the water. If there is too much weight on your kayak, it will be extremely hard to maneuver and paddle through the water, which is why you should always pay close attention to how much weight you’re taking on board.
Combine your weight and the weight of any and all fishing gear that you may have onboard at any given time and compare it to the maximum weight capacities of the kayaks you’re considering. If the numbers come under the limit, you’re good to go; if you’re extremely close to or over the limit, it might be worth opting for a kayak with a larger capacity.
Even inflatable kayaks, with their lower price brackets, can be expensive for some, so finding a kayak with all the included accessories is the way to keep the costs down. After all, you don’t want to purchase your kayak and then be delayed even further by having to spend more money on paddles, pumps, and carry bags.
Now that we’ve covered the benefits of inflatable fishing kayaks and what to look out for, let’s get into the 7 best inflatable fishing kayaks currently on the market.
| Kayaks | Dimensions | Weight | Weight Capacity | Price |
|
1. Sea Eagle 385fta FastTrack Inflatable Kayak  |
12’6” x 36” | 45 lbs | 635 lbs | |
|
2. Elkton Outdoors Steelhead Fishing Kayak  |
12’6” x 33” | 44 lbs | 600 lbs | |
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3. Sevylor Coleman Colorado 2-Person Fishing Kayak  |
10’6” x 36” |
33 lbs |
470 lbs |
|
|
4. Intex Excursion Pro Kayak Series  |
12’7” x 36” | 39 lbs | 400 lbs | |
|
5. Sea Eagle PF7K PackFish Inflatable  |
7’ x 39” | 21 lbs | 300 lbs | |
|
6. Star Challenger Inflatable Sit-On-Top Fishing Kayak  |
10’8” x 38” | 27 lbs | 275 lbs | |
|
7. ADVANCED ELEMENTS StraitEdge Angler PRO Inflatable Kayak  |
10’6” x 38.5” | 45 lbs | 400 lbs | |
| Dimensions | Weight | Weight Capacity | Check Price |
|
12’6” x 36” |
45 lbs |
635 lbs |
The Sea Eagle 385fta FastTrack Inflatable Kayak is a tandem fishing kayak made from 1100 Decitex reinforced fabrics that they claim is almost indestructible. Inside the kayak, you’ll find a non-slip crocodile hide EVA foam protection pad that prevents slipping while also giving the kayak an extra layer of protection against punctures.
Something unique and mentionable about the 385fta FastTrack kayak is the kayak’s drop stitch-constructed keel. Keels help to keep the kayak on track while also allowing it to cut through the water and reach faster speeds than most other kayaks.No other kayaks on our list have this feature, so we thought it was worth highlighting.
For storage, your fishing gear can be easily placed in the front or back bungee storage area, and if you’re paddling alone, you can even remove the front seat to make room for additional gear. With a total weight capacity of 635 lbs, carrying a large amount of equipment on the 385fta FastTrack is totally possible.
Sea Eagle went the extra mile and added front and rear spray skirts to their kayak, which feature built-in rod, hook, and lure holders so you can fish hands-free. Drain plugs at the back of the boat will remove all water from the cockpit, and you can even measure your catch of the day on the 36” side fish rulers.
Sea Eagle equipped their fishing kayak with everything you’d need to get out on the water once your package arrives. This includes two kayak paddles, a carry duffel bag, a hand pump, and a handy repair kit.
| PROS | CONS |
|
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| Dimensions | Weight | Weight Capacity | Check Price |
|
12’6” x 33” |
44 lbs |
600 lbs |
Elkton Outdoors released their Steelhead Fishing Kayak that was constructed with PVC and a rigid drop stitch floor to improve stability when standing and casting your line. As well as improving overall stability, the floor enhances the kayak’s durability allowing it to take on up to class III rapids.
At the front of the boat, you’ll not only find a bungee storage area but also a spray shield that prevents both you and your gear from getting wet. Numerous mounting points throughout the cockpit are available for you to attach rod holders, bait trays, fish finders, and other accessories, and for your larger gear, you can store it in the additional storage area behind the back seat.
Both of the hi-rise EVA seats on the Steelhead are adjustable, meaning you can move them backwards, forwards, or remove them altogether. They even have removable footrests, which come in handy for long days on the water.
The Steelhead kayak comes with two lightweight paddles that can be broken down to fit in the backpack travel bag, a removable skeg for improved tracking, a high-pressure hand pump, and two removable EVA seats and footrests.
| PROS | CONS |
|
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| Dimensions | Weight | Weight Capacity | Check Price |
|
10’6” x 36” |
33 lbs |
470 lbs |
The Sevylor Coleman Colorado was built with fishing in mind. Sevylor designed their kayak from 8-gauge PVC and added a 1000D tarpaulin bottom with an 840D nylon cover to make it as durable as possible against rocks, logs, and other water debris.
Tandem inflatable fishing kayaks are a great option for anglers as the front seat can be removed to make room for casting or for storing fishing gear. This is no exception when it comes to the Coleman Colorado, as both the seats can be taken out and adjusted to suit your personal preferences.
To aid in the kayak's durability, Sevylor kitted it out with multiple air chambers, so if one succumbs to a puncture mid-paddle, you’ll be able to make it safely back to shore thanks to the remaining inflated chambers.
One thing the Coleman Colorado lacks is bungee storage areas to tie down bigger gear, but there are mesh pocket storage areas down both sides of the kayak that can hold smaller items like lures, reels, and snacks.
D-rings all over the boat make the perfect attachment points for other equipment, and there are even paddle holders to store your paddles away when they aren't in use. For a hands-free fishing experience, Sevylor added Berkley Quick Set Rod Holders on both sides of the Coleman Colorado so you can secure your rod in place and paddle simultaneously.
Although the Coleman Colorado excels when it comes to fishing accessories, the package it comes with, or lack thereof, is a different story.
With the Coleman Colorado, you’ll only receive the kayak and adjustable seats, meaning you’ll have to source all other accessories separately.
| PROS | CONS |
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| Dimensions | Weight | Weight Capacity | Check Price |
|
12’7” x 36” |
39 lbs |
400 lbs |
The Intex Excursion Pro Kayak is made from touch laminate PVC and features a polyester core to make it lightweight and highly resistant to damage. Intex included high-pressure spring-loaded valves to the Excursion Pro for easy and quick inflation right at the water’s edge.
Although there are front and back storage areas on the kayak for your gear, you can also mount accessories such as fishing rod holders and fish finders to the adjustable mounting bracket by the back passenger seat or one of the numerous D-rings located throughout the cockpit.
Both the seats in the kayak are removable and have adjustable backrests and footrests to improve overall comfort. Intex also included a booster seat to improve the back paddler's visibility on the water.
The Intex Excursion Pro even comes in a smaller singular variation for those who prefer paddling solo.
The Intex Excursion Pro comes with all the relevant accessories, including two paddles, a high-output pump, a carry duffel bag, a pressure gauge, and two skegs for improved tracking.
| PROS | CONS |
|
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| Dimensions | Weight | Weight Capacity | Check Price |
|
7’ x 39” |
21 lbs |
300 lbs |
The Sea Eagle PF7K PackFish Inflatable Kayak is a unique fishing kayak as it is only 7 feet long, making it resemble a dinghy more than a kayak. Once inflated, the PackFish is 39 inches wide, but due to the extremely thick sides, the interior space is only 13 inches wide which could be a problem for larger paddlers.
With that being said, the two-chamber kayak is extremely comfortable thanks to its fully inflatable seat, which features a high backrest. Sea Eagle created their PF7K PackFish from 30 mils thick Polykrylar and added an 840D nylon protective cover to improve its durability and allow it to withstand a beating.
Although the PackFish is small, it is ideal for fishing due to its front molded rod holders, 36” fish rulers, and molded paddle holder that keeps your paddle secure even when you’re reeling in the big fish.
Storage was also carefully thought about in this kayak, and although you can’t fit your entire fishing gear collection in the cockpit, you can securely store important items away in the built-in orange zippered side storage bags.
The deluxe PF7K PackFish package comes with a carry backpack, an inflatable seat, a foot pump, an oar set, and a kayak repair kit.
| PROS | CONS |
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| Dimensions | Weight | Weight Capacity | Check Price |
|
10’8” x 38” |
27 lbs |
275 lbs |
The Star Challenger Inflatable Sit-On-Top Fishing Kayak really takes the sit on top kayak aspect to an extreme. This dedicated inflatable fishing kayak, in some ways, resembles a paddle board as it has extremely low sides compared to most traditional kayaks.
Star Challenger wanted their fishing kayak to be simple and streamlined because sometimes, simple is all you need. The open deck gives you a large space to store gear, and there are even front bungee systems to secure said gear in place.
Positioned in the center of the kayak is an aluminum-framed mesh seat that puts you at a high vantage point, so you have excellent visibility of the water. For additional gear like your rod holders and fish finders, you can attach them to the bow and stern daisy chains or one of the five surface mounts to allow you to be hands-free on the water at all times.
Although the Challenger Inflatable Sit-On-Top Fishing Kayak is incredibly lightweight, Star added front and back carry handles to make it even easier to transport.
The Star Challenger Inflatable Sit-On-Top Fishing Kayak doesn’t come with an included paddle, but you do receive a carry backpack, a pump, a repair kit, and an all-water fin.
| PROS | CONS |
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| Dimensions | Weight | Weight Capacity | Check Price |
|
10’6” x 38.5” |
45 lbs |
400 lbs |
Advanced Elements constructed their StraitEdge Angler PRO Inflatable Kayak from PVC tarpaulin with polyester fabric sandwiched between the layers. This construction ultimately enhances the StraitEdge’s durability so it can take on many aggressive water conditions.
To further improve the kayak’s durability, Advanced Elements added abrasion pads in high-use areas and designed it with multiple air chambers to prevent the whole boat from going down in the event of a puncture.
To improve tracking, they included built-in aluminum ribs which define the bow and stern, and for stability, they inserted a drop-stitch floor to make the kayak rigid.
The high-backed seat in the StraitEdge is completely adjustable, removable, and made from an aluminum frame to keep you comfortable on the water for long periods of time. Front and back bungee areas will secure all your larger gear in place, while your rod holders and fish finders can be attached to the included accessory frame system.
The package for the StraitEdge includes two removable accessory frames, a high-back aluminum seat, a duffel bag with shoulder straps, a repair kit, and a manual.
Your paddle and pump would need to be bought separately.
| PROS | CONS |
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Inflatable kayaks are a great option for fishing for a few different reasons. The first is that they’re extremely comfortable for long days out on the water.
Secondly, a common misconception about inflatable kayaks is that they aren’t durable. This is completely untrue because as inflatable kayaks have evolved, so have the fabrics they’re made from. Many inflatable kayaks are now just as or even more durable than traditional hard shell kayaks because their inflatable properties aren’t susceptible to dents and dings.
An inflatable fishing kayak is also far easier to transport than regular kayaks. They can be deflated and packed into a small duffel bag or backpack, which can then be carried to remote waterways that aren’t accessible to larger boats.
Inflatable kayaks are a fantastic investment. If you take proper care of an inflatable kayak, it can last for many years and still remain in excellent condition.
One of the many and most favored perks of inflatable kayaks is the fact that they can be deflated and packed into a small backpack or duffel bag. Once deflated, they can be stored in small storage spaces like under your bed or in a closet.
If that wasn’t enough, inflatable kayaks are also extremely durable and are typically a fraction of the price of regular kayaks.
When it comes to stability in inflatable kayaks, you need to pay close attention to the kayak's width. In general, wider kayaks are more stable than narrower kayaks, so opting for a kayak that is over 34” will give you all the stability you need for casting and reeling in your fish.
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