Inflatable fishing kayaks are the best choice for anglers who need to transport their boat easily. A boat that is easy to transport is vital for anglers who want to reach remote lakes. A boat that is small enough to store in an indoor space is ideal for anglers who don’t have access to a garage or backyard.
The right fishing kayak can make all the difference in how you experience the water. Inflatable fishing boats take the best features of polyethylene kayaks and make them lightweight and portable.
This range of inflatable fishing kayaks from Hobie, STAR Inflatables, and Sea Eagle offers various options for getting you out on the water and, more importantly, into those hard-to-reach lakes.
The Top Inflatable Fishing Kayaks Available Are:
(in no particular order)
- Intex Excursion Pro Kayak
- Advanced Elements StraitEdge angler PRO
- Innova Kayak Halibut
- AIRE IK Angler
- Airhead Angler Bay Inflatable Boat
- Aquaglide Blackfoot Angler, 125 HB
- STAR Pike Inflatable Fishing Kayak
- Elkton Outdoors Steelhead Fishing kayak
- Hobie Mirage Inflatable 12
- Sea Eagle FastTrack Angler 385FTA
Intex Excursion Pro Kayak
Intex’s Excursion Pro Kayak has adjustable chairs and footrests that will keep you relaxed. The Excursion Pro Kayak from Intex features fish rod holders on both sides that allow hands-free fishing. A waterproof bag locks into the front so you can take anything with you on the water. The Excursion Pro’s inflatable design makes it easy to stow in your car. The handles at the front and back allow for easy transport over land or to the beach. The Intex Excursion Pro Kayak comes with two aluminum oars as well as an air pump.
Advanced Elements StraitEdge angler PRO
The StraitEdge angler PRO from Advanced Elements is designed for kayak anglers. It features excellent stability, multi-layer material, and multiple air chambers. In addition, it comes with maximum durability. The removable kayak’s Accessory Frame System allows anglers the ability to modify it with aftermarket accessories. The kayak also has a drop-stitch flooring for rigidity and standup ability, as well as Advanced Element’s ultra-comfortable AirFrame Pro seat.
Innova Kayak Halibut
The Halibut is Innova۪ Kayak‘s first inflatable fishing kayak. The Halibut is designed to be strong but still agile and quick. The floor is slip-resistant, providing stability for casting off and reeling in. Comfortable sitting on the adjustable high-standing seat ensures comfort while embarking, disembarking, and trolling in the water. For added maneuverability, the Halibut has a well-defined tracking fin. The Halibut, like all Innova kayaks, is lightweight. The Halibut weighs 38 pounds, compared to the 70 pounds that a hard-shell kayak typically weighs. It can also be packed into its own dry transport bag. This Halibut comes with many accessories: a bottle holder, Cannon fishing rod holder, sonar bracket, tracking fin, safety ropes, and more.
AIRE IK Angler
AIRE’s IK Angler 11′ is a fishing-specific kayak ideal for avid fishermen who wish to reach more open water. The adjustable seat is designed to provide comfort and support to your lower back. The kayak is compact, lightweight, and comes with AIRE’s Integrated Gear System. It includes a movable base attached to a sleeve, allowing for cargo pockets, rod holders, and anchor mounts.
Airhead Angler Bay Inflatable Boat
Airhead’s Angler Bay Inflatable boats are made to provide all you need for a memorable fishing trip. You find two-rod holders, multiple drink holders, drain plugs, and a battery storage bag. It is lightweight and portable, making it ideal for lakes or slow-moving streams. The Angler Bay is made of heavy-duty vinyl and has electronically welded seams. An inflatable floor and a removable seat are two of the comfort features.
Aquaglide Blackfoot Angler, 125 HB
The Aquaglide Blackfoot series is named after the Blackfoot River in Montana. The Blackfoot Angler125 HB has a Duratex body and a drop-stitch HardBottom flooring. These technical features will enhance your experience on the water. In addition, Scotty mounts allow you to store oarlocks or rods, and D-rings make it easy to tie down your gear.
STAR Pike Inflatable Fishing Kayak
The Pike Inflatable Fishing Kayak lets you reach places you couldn’t get in a conventional boat. The lightweight, portable, and easily transportable Pike IK kayak opens up hard-to-reach waters for kayak anglers. The Pike is lightweight and portable and offers the necessary stability, capacity, and outfitting to fish effectively.
Elkton Outdoors Steelhead Fishing kayak
The Steelhead Fishing Kayak is built for fishing. The Steelhead Fishing Kayak features attachments and storage, including multiple Scotty-style connection points, a long waterline with two skegs for long glides, good tracking, and firm plastic nose cones at both the front and back. There are also 1,000D reinforced layered vinyl PVC and self-bailing drains on its floor. Steelhead is easy to set up and comes with a pump x ubbhyand a bag.
Hobie Mirage Inflatable 12
The Mirage Inflatable 12 by Hobie offers all the space and cruising capabilities of a full-sized kayak but is infinitely mobile. The Mirage i12s inflatable PVC vinyl hull is 12-foot long and offers speed without compromising stability. A large storage area above the deck, secured by bungee, provides ample hauling capacity, ideal for weekend getaways or provisioning trips from the family cruiser. This is a pedal-drive kayak, and the i12s MirageDrive delivers all-day comfort and performance. In addition, it’s now available with the reversing MirageDrive 180 with Kick-Up Fins.
Sea Eagle FastTrack Angler 385FTA
Sea Eagle’s FastTrack Angler 385FTA is an inflatable fishing kayak that can carry one to two people. It’s lightweight and easy to use to get you to the fish quickly. The NeedleKnife keel is a patent-pending design that cuts through the water. Sprayskirts can be customized with rod holders and cutouts for hooks and other tools, ensuring your gear stays at arm’s reach.
How We Chose The Best Inflatable Fishing Kayaks
When choosing the best inflatable fishing boats, there are many factors to consider. Here are the factors we consider when choosing the right kayak for you:
- Purpose. Comparing apples with apples.
- Performance. How well does it do its job?
- Features. Sometimes bells and whistles are all we need, other times not.
- Real-world testing. We put them to the test on the water.
- The price. Is it reasonable? Is its performance worth the price?
- Sales. For a reason, the best-selling models are often best-sellers.
- Availability. It will not be worth it if you are unable to buy it.
- Read Interviews with designers and brands. We ask those who created it why.
Let’s find the perfect inflatable fishing kayak by using the buyer’s guide’s specs, reviews, and expert rankings to you choose the best kayak for your needs.
Let’s be clear: there is no “bad” fishing kayak. We instead discuss the best fishing kayaks that you can use to fish. A kayak that is expensive and flashy doesn’t necessarily make it the best. A simple boat with just a few accessories and a three-figure price tag is ideal for many anglers.
It is difficult to believe the high price of fishing kayaks. A super-yak with top-of-the-line propulsion and accessories is as expensive as a new car. However, there are many great options available at a lower price. For a few hundred dollars, you can go on the water with a minimum of accessories without sacrificing comfort.
You can search for the best fishing kayak based on price, just like buying a car. However, no matter how expensive a kayak is, it will catch fish regardless of its price.
Fishing Kayaks By Propulsion
Over 4,000 years ago, Inuit hunters used the first kayaks. A kayaker made their own paddle from driftwood back then. Today, kayakers have many options for propulsion. This means that anglers of all abilities can get on the water more often, regardless of physical ability. Intrepid kayakers can fish farther and harder than ever before.
A two-bladed kayak paddle is the easiest way to get on the water. Paddles are lighter, more affordable, and allow the kayak to go anywhere. There is some learning curve for beginners. However, most anglers soon learn the ropes after spending a day churning and banging on the lake.
Paddling is as tiring as a brisk walk, making it a great exercise. The key to choosing a paddle is picking the lightest, stiffest stick you can afford. Each mile requires hundreds of strokes. With each mile wanting hundreds of paddle strokes, any weight or loss of efficiency adds up.
Designers have created pedal systems that are simpler and more efficient to control and thus make kayak fishing more accessible and easier. Driving either a small propeller or a pair of flippers, pedal-driven boats take the intimidation out of kayaking. Since legs are stronger than arms, pedal kayakers can travel farther and faster with less energy. However, pedal kayaks weigh more and are more costly, as there are many moving parts. A paddle is necessary for pedal anglers who want to travel in shallow water and make tight turns.
Many anglers are pushing the boundaries of kayak fishing by using electric- or gas-powered motors for their boats. These boats are primarily powered by an electric motor. However, some boats can accommodate a gas outboard. A motor can add weight to the boat and require heavy batteries or gallons of fuel. Many manufacturers offer motorized paddle kayaks with integrated power systems.
Anglers have more options to propel their kayaks, making it easier to take the sport to the next level. When choosing the best fishing kayak by propulsion, consider how you will use and transport the boat and how much you want to invest in your hobby.
Fishing Kayaks By Category
Kayak fishing is booming, and anglers demand special features that cater to specific types of fishing. A different kayak is required to pond hop for panfish and cross open water for trophy species. A fly angler will need a different layout than a bass guy. With the sport spreading coast to coast, there is the best fishing kayak category for every angler.