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Best Inflatable Fishing Kayak
The Sevylor Coleman Colorado 2-Person Fishing Kayak is the Best Inflatable Fishing Kayak available. Having fitted mounts to pop your fishing gear into is a great design feature that really brings this one over the top. It leaves you hands-free while your fishing line rests safely on the customized attachments.
Plus, there are other mounts that can prove useful, such as fixing your kayak fish finder in place, so you don’t lose it in your gear. Let’s face it, you don’t have a lot of room in any fishing kayak, so these extra fittings can be very helpful.
For further details on the Colorado, see the Product Reviews section below.
Runner Up: Blow Up Fishing Kayak
The Sea Eagle 370 Pro 3 Person Kayak can take so much more weight than most inflatable kayaks, due to the extra toughened material it’s constructed from. Although it only has two seats, it can take up to 3 people as discussed in our review below.
It’s a little more expensive than some inflatable kayaks, but it has extra features that account for the increased cost. Such as asymmetrical paddle heads and the self-bailing drainage valves. Plus, the fitted spray skirt on the kayak body that helps to cut down on splashing.
A lightweight craft at only 30 lbs, means you can take the deflated kayak with you anywhere. Especially once it’s packed away inside the supplied carry bag.
To learn more about the Sea Eagle 370, see the Product Reviews section below.
Inflatable Fishing Kayak Buyer’s Guide
Inflatable kayaks are increasing in popularity for those who love water sports. This is certainly due to their convenience and compactness. Although they’re lightweight, most are made with puncture-resistant vinyl. And should you be unfortunate to get a puncture, there are usually multiple air chambers so you still stay afloat and to paddle back to safety.
Many inflatable kayaks have extra fitments attached for fishing, such as mounts for fishing lines. Others have nothing added other than paddles and pump. There’s no reason why any inflatable kayak can’t be used on a fishing trip. If you’re well organized with your gear you can tie the dry bags down with bungees to the front and back of your craft.
One real disadvantage of fishing in an inflatable kayak is that you are usually unable to stand up in them, unlike hard-shell stand up fishing kayaks. The floor is usually one inflatable chamber.
While it’s strong enough, they’re not usually very level. Many fishing enthusiasts the hang of it and manage to do it, others take along a piece of smooth board to stand on. Problem solved, if you have the space. Of course, you could always buy the Sea Eagle 370 Pro which the makers state you can stand inside.
Positioning
Most inflatable kayaks are the sit-on-top type. This positions you quite high, which gives you a good reach with your fishing line. In general, the higher you sit, then the wider the craft will be.
Seating
For any fishing trip, you want to be comfortable. Look for high back seating to give you support. Also, you need plenty of legroom and foot support. The wider the kayak then the better for your fishing trip.
Standing room
Inflatable kayaks are very stable when it comes to tipping over. If they do, then they’re usually easy to flip back again.
They aren’t so stable when it comes to standing up, even if the bottom inflatable chamber is rigid. By nature, the hull of an inflatable kayak is a little flexible. You could always take along something solid to stand on, such as a sanded down smooth piece of wood.
Though, with practice, you may get the hang of it so can stand while you fish, as long as you don’t mind getting wet while practicing!
Dogs
If you’re a single fishing enthusiast who likes to take your dog along, then do it. The toughened vinyl of inflatable kayaks is made to be puncture-proof. If you’re extra concerned about it, then place a piece of tarpaulin on the bottom to protect your hull. You could always buy a 2 person inflatable to give you more space.
Waters
Inflatable kayaks aren’t built for speed because they’re quite wide. Nor are they built for white water rapids, unless it states that they’re suitable on the instructions. Best to stay on lakes, mild rivers and even the seashores where the waves aren’t too big.
Draining
All kayaks take in water, usually when you use your paddles, so don’t expect to stay dry. Some have self-bailing drains to let any excess water out. If yours doesn’t, then use large sponges or keep a small container handy to bail out now and then. Don’t worry, you won’t sink as they don’t let that much water in there, just the splashes.
Paddles
Often the supplied paddles need replacing. Go for a longer length as they can give you a little more speed. The longer and narrower the craft, the faster it will go.
Storage
One great advantage of inflatable kayaks is how lightweight they are. This makes it easy to transport and store, and like folding kayaks, can collapse into a super-convenient size. On most kayaks, there’s not a great amount of storage. It’s important to choose your fishing gear with care and take only the essentials.
That said, some inflatable kayaks have fitted mounts, such as a rod-rest, so your hands are free. Learn how to balance your luggage in your kayak, so it’s safe. Place the lightest gear towards the tips of the bow and stern. Followed by the medium load, and then the heaviest in the middle of the craft.
Weight
Try not to use the full weight capacity allowed because the heavier the load, the lower down in the waters your craft will sit. Use around 70% of the recommended weight given, if you can. Not that you’ll sink, it’s more a case of the lighter your craft the higher it will sit in the water.
Inflatable Kayak Care
Be mindful of maintaining your kayak. As with all sports equipment, take care of it and it will last you for years, such as:
- Make sure it’s completely dry once deflated, and before you store it away in the provided carry bag. If it remains damp, mold will start to grow and weaken the vinyl.
- Don’t drag your kayak on stones as you may cause a puncture. The materials are tough and can withstand some abuse from rough grounds. Punctures are still possible though, if you catch it on a sharp object, including corals.
- If you use an electric pump, be careful not to over-inflate. In warm weather, a kayak expands. Too much air may cause one of an inner septum to break. If the craft feels rock-hard, then let out a little air. Equally, if the weather’s cold the kayak may lose air, so it might need an extra pumping-up if used over a long period.
- Wash your kayak, particularly if you’ve been in saltwater. If you’re hosing it down, try not to get any water in the valves.
- Patch up any leaks properly. That way, there’s no reason why you can’t continue using you kayak.
- It’s fine to use your kayak in the sun, most are UV protected. But, don’t leave it standing in the sun. Treat it at the end of the season to a specialist spray that will continue its protection.
Stay safe on your fishing trip:
- See our article on fishing safety in an inflatable kayak for more information.
- Consider buying a kayak anchor for your inflatable craft. Particularly when on a fishing trip where you may want to stay in one place awhile. Or, if you want to jump in for a swim.
- Always let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return.
- Carry a whistle, or signal flares, in case you get into trouble and need help.
- Check the weather forecast before you set off.
- Learn how to handle the kayak should it flip over. Many swimming pools have kayak training courses
- Even if you can swim, wear a PFD jacket (see our article on best kayak PFDs for women) or a life jacket. In 2016, US Coast Guard statistics reported that 83% of victims who drown in boating accidents, were not wearing life jackets.
- Make sure you take drinking water. Then should your trip take longer than you expected, you don’t get dehydrated. Don’t drink the water you’re kayaking in, it might not be fit for such purposes. Pack a few energy bars too, even if you don’t plan on eating them. Though, you’ll be amazed how much energy you use when paddling.
- Don’t forget the sun cream lotion and bug repellent.
- If your kayak has multiple air chambers, you should continue to stay afloat if you get a puncture. Though you should always carry a repair kit for any punctures, so the damage doesn’t get any worse.
- Get some experience at paddling and feeling the currents, before you embark on deeper or whiter waters.
- Don’t fall asleep in the kayak if you’re alone.
- Don’t drink alcohol, you need to able to think quickly if you get in any trouble.
- Remember, be respectful of your surroundings when out kayaking and fishing. Don’t abuse wildlife and nature in any way whatsoever. Take your litter home and be mindful of your environment.
- Have a good time and take care of your kayak so it lasts you for many more years of happy fishing trips.
Inflatable Fishing Kayak Reviews
In this section, we review 5 of the best inflatable fishing kayaks around.
Intex Challenger K1 Kayak
Key Points at a Glance
- 1 person capacity
- L9 x W2.6 feet
- Weight capacity 220 lbs (100kg)
The Details
Intex has been around for more than 40 years. The company has come a long way since it produced its first beach balls and swimming pools. Their philosophy of producing high-end products at affordable prices has paid off. Today, they have stringent safety policies that test their products to pass all official safety standards. This includes TUV approval and U.S. Coast Guard I.D, NMMA Certified.
A 2 chamber inflatable craft that uses Boston valves for the supplied High-output pump. This kayak inflates and deflates in a matter of only minutes. Though the pump is plastic and quite small, it is a double-action piece of equipment which means it inflates with the downstroke and upstroke of your hand. Whilst the kayak does come with a repair kit, you can have confidence in the heavy-duty vinyl. It’s made to be puncture resistant and will withstand most knocks and bumps.
Row upriver with the provided solid 86 inch paddle, that also comes apart for storage. At the same time use the detachable skeg that fits underneath, for easier direction in the water.
This 1 person fishing kayak is a lightweight craft, weighing only 20.4 lbs when inflated. Transportation is easy in the provided carry bag. Once inflated, it’s easy to carry around using the grab line at either end.
With a cargo net situated on the top of the bow, for storage, enjoy free movement of space in the cockpit area. Here you’ll find an adjustable and removable inflatable seat, with a backrest for added support. You can deflate the seat to sit lower in the kayak. There’s also an inflatable footrest to make sure your body positions comfortably throughout the fishing trip. Overall, the craft allows a low profile position. It’s an ideal craft for any lake or calm river fishing trip.
There are no drainage plugs so taking in water could be an issue. Take along a sponge for soaking and squeeze it out over the sides. This a very stable kayak though, so should you capsize it’s an easy craft to upright.
If you’re over 6 feet tall, you might find the legroom a little confining.
Should you lose your skeg it can be difficult to replace. To remove the skeg, you do need to press down a tab that helps it fit tightly into a slot, so all should be good.
As with many inflatable kayaks, there are no added fitments for fishing tackle. If you’re well organized with your gear though, that shouldn’t be a problem.
- Kayak has a 220-pound capacity making it great for...
- Comfortable and spacious cockpit with inflatable...
- Inflatable I beam floor for comfort and rigidity,...
- Strong molecular structure of this plastic makes...
- Easy-to-store and carry package includes...
Intex Excursion Pro
Key Points at a Glance
- 2 person capacity
- L12.7 x W3.1 feet
- Weight capacity 400 lbs (180kg)
The Details
Continuing with Intex, let’s look next at the Excursion Pro, a tandem inflatable fishing kayak. After all, fishing is most enjoyable when you have someone to share the experience with.
This 2 person kayak is specially designed with fishing in mind, as it has lots of extras. Not only does it have a couple of integrated fishing rod holders, but there are removable mounting brackets for other gear, such as a fish finder or GPS.
This Kayak comes with adjustable bucket-shaped seats with backrests. Added to this, you can insert an extra inflatable booster cushion to sit higher, which is great for youngsters. For extra comfort, the hardware footrests are also adjustable to make sure you have good posture all day long.
Also provided are two-directional skegs for different depths of water. Though you’d need to put the skeg in position on the underneath whilst out of the water. You can’t change it in the middle of a paddling.
Made with toughened laminate-PVC with a polyester core, this is a three-chamber inflatable kayak. This includes 2-sides and the 1-piece floor. Should you suffer any punctures, you can still row confidently back to safety. The package comes with a puncture repair kit, so don’t forget to pack it and take it along with you on your trip.
Storage in these longer 2 person kayaks is excellent. There’s plenty of space in the bow and the stern, with added steel rings for tying storage bags down. A pair of fold away paddles are supplied, as is a pressure gauge with a high output pump. This helps to ensure that you don’t under or overfill with air.
At the end of your trip, the kayak deflates in around 10 minutes, using the spring-loaded Halkey-Roberts (HR) valves. Dry it, fold it and store it away in the generously sized provided carry bag.
Often these larger inflatable tandem kayaks are difficult to manage with one person. Not so with this inflatable kayak as it has adjustable seating, using Velcro’s strips. It means you can use it with one seat only, should you fancy a solo fishing expedition. You can even sit on the floor and take out all the seats if you prefer to be positioned at a lower level with higher sides.
With the seats in place, you will sit quite high on this craft, which can make you more prone to any wind and water splashing. Though it is a fishing kayak that can manage any lake or river, though not white waters. The hardness of the material means it could also withstand shoreline fishing in the ocean, though don’t go out into the larger waves.
- Intex Excursion Pro Kayak made with low profile...
- Kayak with built-in footrest and adjustable seats...
- Versatile 2 Person kayak featuring 2- 86 inch...
- Inflatable and foldable kayak comes with US Coast...
- Lightweight and equipped with carrying handles on...
Sevylor Quikpak K1 1-Person Kayak
Key Points at a Glance
- 1 person capacity
- L8.7 x W3 feet
- Weight capacity 400 lbs (180kg)
The Details
With a history of over 70 years in inflatables behind them, they are quite new to kayaking. The original French company can boast inventions such as the Dou Dou, an inflatable tub-bath, in the early 1940s, and the Ski Bob™ in the late 1980s. This is a company with a serious reputation. Today, they’re a popular contender for high-quality inflatables, among other outdoor products.
A single person inflatable kayak that you can carry in the provided backpack. The backpack then turns into the seat once you’ve emptied it. How innovative is that?
This 1-person Kayak has multiple air chambers, 5 in total, so it will stay afloat should the craft puncture. Not that it will puncture easily as it’s made from 21 gauge PVC, with tough tarpaulin protection on the bottom. It comes with a high-pressure hand pump and inflates in only 5 minutes, using double-lock valves.
The flat bottom design makes it a durable craft in any lake, mild river or calm shoreline seas. There are a couple of small skegs fixed underneath but they are more like fins. They give you an advantage with direction. The supplied 84-inch paddle also helps with direction and comes apart for storage.
There’s a cargo net on the streamlined bow of the hull, for storage. With further space behind the seat, at the stern, for using bungees to secure more gear. The added cup holder means you can keep your drink secure and close at hand.
This is a sit-on-top craft. As your legs stretch out and fill the molded legroom, you can sit comfortably with a fishing rod in hand. You can adjust the positioning of leg/footrests to steady yourself, as they also inflate. The blow-up seat is molded into the craft with a backrest for support.
The backpack pads strap onto the seat, adding extra support. One of the main disadvantages is that the backpack pads get quite wet if you use them as part of the seat. Then, when it comes to packing up your deflated kayak, the bag is wet.
This is a lightweight craft weighing only 18 lbs, so it’s easy to carry around. Especially with the grab handles situated on top at the front and back of the kayak. The open cockpit makes it easy to dive into the water and have a swim if you wish. It’s also easy to get back in again, or to upright the craft should you flip.
- 5-minute setup lets you spend more time on the...
- Easy-to-carry backpack system turns into the seat
- 21-gauge PVC construction is rugged for lake use
- Tarpaulin bottom provides durable protection from...
- Multiple air chambers allow another chamber to...
Sevylor Coleman Colorado 2-Person Fishing Kayak
Key Points at a Glance
- 2 person capacity
- L10.9 x W3.3 feet
- Weight capacity 470 lbs (213kg)
The Details
Staying with Sevylor, let’s next look at the Sevylor Coleman Colorado, a tandem inflatable that’s designed with fishing in mind.
This inflatable 2 person fishing kayak allows you to fish hands-free, using the integrated adjustable rod holders. These aren’t the only useful mounts on this craft. There are others to hold more fishing gear, such as fish finders or GPS trackers. One of the best features is the trolling mount so you can add a motor should you want speed to get to your destination.
Made from 18 gauge PVC, with an 840D nylon covering and 1000D tarpaulin bottom covering, it’s ideal for lakes, rivers, and even ocean fishing. Stick to the shoreline waves as it’s not meant for choppy waters, but the material is salt resistant.
There are three chambers to inflate and the craft’s guaranteed not to leak with its unique Airtight® System. Whilst there are paddle holders, you’ll need to buy the paddles separately as they aren’t supplied. The same goes for the pump, it’s NOT supplied either. Though the Boston valves are double-threaded to make inflating quick and easy. There’s a skeg, in the form of a red plastic fin, that snaps on to the underneath to assist with directional paddling.
With lots of storage behind the rear adjustable padded seats, there’s also meshed bags fitted on the inside to keep personal items close by. The fitted D-rings will allow you to use bungees to fasten down extra storage bags.
The extra width of this kayak means you can sit comfortably throughout your fishing trip. It keeps inflated for a long time so you won’t need to keep pumping it up, even if your trip lasts days. Many users indicate that once you adjust the rear seat you can paddle with only one person, should you want a bigger kayak for yourself.
The Colorado is the Best Inflatable Fishing Kayak available.
- 18-gauge PVC construction is rugged for lake use
- 1000D tarpaulin bottom and 840D nylon cover...
- Multiple air chambers allow another chamber to...
- International products have separate terms, are...
Sea Eagle 370 Pro 3-Person Inflatable Kayak
Key Points at a Glance
- 2 person capacity
- L12.6 x W2.10 feet
- Weight capacity 650 lbs (294kg)
The Details
Sea Eagle produced their first inflatable kayak, the Pyrawa, in 1968. Fifty-two years later they design, test and make some of the best water sports equipment on the market. That includes the Sea Eagle 370 Pro inflatable kayak, a craft that’s ideal for fishing trips.
A 2 person inflatable kayak that has the capacity to hold up to 650 pounds in weight, that’s impressive!
The Pro comes with a pair of deluxe, canvas-covered inflatable and adjustable seats. They lend great back support for any long fishing trip. The seats can be removed and the kayak has the potential to take up to 3 people, such as 2 adults and 1 child, or 2 people and a dog. The tough 33ml K80 PolyKyrlar flooring can withstand those doggy claws. Or, you could fix a single seat and use it as a one-man craft, giving you lots of storage space for your fishing gear.
The material is both sun and salt resistant so it’s ideal for a range of fishing environments. Though, it’s best used in lakes, calm rivers, and coastal ocean waters. Sea Eagle kayaks are multi-purpose vessels. The toughened hull means you could even enjoy class III rapids if you want a break from fishing.
There are no inbuilt holders, so it’s all about good management with your storage. You can pack it at the front and rear of the craft. Use bungees to hold down dry bags with fishing gear on the bow and the stern. The craft has a user-friendly design so you can balance your gear out sensibly.
Comes supplied with a foot pump, two asymmetrical bladed paddles, and a carry bag. This gives you all the basics to get started. This lightweight craft takes only around 6 minutes to inflate.
Grab lines at the front and back, help to carry the inflated kayak into the waters. The 5 one-way valves will keep you afloat, allowing no air to escape from any of the chambers. In the unlikely event of a puncture, don’t forget to take along the supplied repair kit.
This allows you to do a quick-fix and continue on your fishing trip. Cruise along using the two skegs fitted on the underneath for directional paddling. When you stop at your favorite destination, you can even stand up in this inflatable kayak because it has such a sturdy bottom.
This is our Runner-Up choice among the Best Inflatable Fishing Kayaks
- PROFESSIONAL 3-PERSON outdoor kayak is ideal for...
- BUILT WITH DURABLE MATERIALS with an I-beam floor...
- INFLATABLE SEATS PROVIDE SUPERIOR BACK SUPPORT and...
- INFLATE OR DEFLATE THE KAYAK with ease with the...
- PRO PACKAGE INCLUDES (2) Deluxe Inflatable kayak...
Conclusion
All of the inflatable kayaks listed in our review are excellent choices. Any will serve you well, depending on your needs. Our favorite is the Sevylor Colorado, an inflatable designed really well for fishing. And our runner up choice is the Sea Eagle 370, a fantastic 3-person kayak great for fishing.
Good luck, and happy angling!
