When you're looking for the best inflatable fishing kayak for your budget - you can quickly find your online searches going in circles (like a novice paddler with one broken blade). Having done a lot of the digging work for you, this guide boils it down to a choice between just three boats.
Let's see if we can get you on the water even if you don't have the storage space or the roof bars for a rigid-hull kayak...
What Makes a Boat the Best Inflatable Fishing Kayak for You?
With pretty much any item I can think of, a perfect fit for one person will be completely useless for another. In fact, it's probably pointless to recommend a single, universally best inflatable fishing kayak. With that said, creating some categories based on the most common priorities could work pretty well and save you a lot of leg-work.
It's highly likely you'll have a particular budget you're comfortable with allocating to getting the experience you want. That makes price-bracket useful to include in any categorisation. Then there will be the specific use scenarios you have in mind. For this guide, I've created three categories based on combinations of price, number of occupants/payload, paddling/seating mode and even whether you can mount an electric outboard!
Clickable links in the (dropdown) Table of Contents below will scroll directly to the category you're interested in:
Note: I've also done my best to pick boats that are reliably available (since I found a lot of results to online searches for inflatable fishing kayaks actually point to products that have been pulled from sale). That (along with the shipping logistics) is one reason I've used Amazon Associates links in this article. Qualifying sales resulting from using those associates links do not alter the cost of that item to you - while at the same time earning a typical commission of around 4% for Fishing Discoveries - with my thanks!
However, it is undeniably true that kayak anglers in the USA are far more "spoiled for choice" for inflatable options than the UK...
Best Inflatable Fishing Kayak: Premium Sit on Top/SUP High Payload PLUS Transom for Outboard motor (up to 2 person)
Sea Eagle FishSUP 126 Inflatable FishSUP - Swivel Seat Fishing Rig Package
Now, one reason the category is such a mouthful is that this pick from Sea Eagle covers so many bases in an incredibly compact and portable kit. Not only can you use this boat as a sit-on-top mode with the included swivel seat and standard kayak paddle, you also get a stand up paddleboard (SUP) paddle too. You can see in the image the multiple rod-holder mounts (2 supplied Universal Scotty Rod Holders) in action and also the mount/transom board ready to accept an electric outboard at the back. The maximum load of 500lb is impressive too - creating the scope for up to two occupants within that weight limit.
The manufacturer-reported inflation/assembly time of 7 Minutes compares pretty well to new user reports of 10 to 12 minutes - though the advantages of purchasing an electric pump would seem worthwhile.
Sea Eagle FishSUP 126 Round Up
PLUS POINTS:
COULD DO BETTER?
Mega-Affordable, Two Person Sit-In Category
Intex Excursion Pro Kayak, Professional Series Inflatable Fishing Kayak, K2: 2-Person, Red
OK, so it's a red fishing kayak and there's no mistaking that this is an inflatable option - but look what you get for an exceptionally low price-tag:
The above features are impressive and also need to be considered in relation to the higher-priced kayaks in this guide. In other words, don't forget that it wouldn't be completely fair or appropriate to expect the exact same level of construction and performance as something costing 4 or 5 times more!
It's fair to say that the user reviews are generally very positive.
The exceptions include one or two reminders that it's important to check for any damage or signs of use on what are sold as "new" items (as mistakes can happen with high-turnover/lower cost warehoused items and any shipping/logistics program).
Premium-priced products are, of course, not immune to the same problems within the logistics chain..
Intex Excursion Pro K2 Round Up
PLUS POINTS:
COULD DO BETTER?
Mid Price Solo Paddler Pick for Best Inflatable Fishing Kayak (includes Two Person Option Also)
Elkton Outdoors Steelhead 130 Fishing Kayak (with Steelhead 150 2-person option)
While the "130" model of this kayak is included to meet the solo-angler category requirement, it's also available as the two-person "150" model (via the USA link only though!).
Self-Bailing Drainage holes help to eliminate shipped water while 1000D reinforced/layered PVC and high-backed padded seating combined with proper "fishing" colours and rigid drop-stitched flooring for stand-up casting make a compelling case for being the best inflatable fishing kayak as a true "paddle only" boat. As a sit-in kayak, its profile is more streamlined and refined than the Intex. The long waterline and pair of skegs create good tracking and support long glides.
Core Features include:
Elkton Outdoors Steelhead 130/150 Fishing Kayak Round Up
PLUS POINTS:
COULD DO BETTER?
Best Inflatable Fishing Kayak Final Thoughts
I hope this guide is genuinely useful in cutting through the overwhelming sensations of being spoiled for choice when faced with so many possibilities and factors to compare. The adventure of getting out on the water in your own craft (and not being confined to only fishing from the bank) are fantastic benefits which enrich your angling. Innovations in inflatable fishing kayak technology and design have created some brilliant opportunities at a surprising range of price points - including highly affordable options.
That's really a great gift to all anglers who would struggle to find (or justify) the storage space required for rigid-hull kayaks. Even the ability to transport your boat to the water can be a huge problem if you don't want to (or can't) fit roof bars to your vehicle. If you're on a family trip, your roof bars might already be occupied by other items. It's amazing how well the boats in this guide pack down - and equally amazing how they peform when fully set up.
I wish you the very best in finding the very best inflatable fishing kayak for your exact needs and budget. I also look forward to hearing about your kayak fishing adventures in the comments below.
Paul
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Interesting, Paul. I’ve only been a kayak angler a very few years (nearly always fished from the shore previously) but I researched things carefully, first getting a s/h Stearns Spree One inflatable in very good order; this worked really quite well, and at barely 3m long (or inside a large bag before inflation) was highly portable. But it was a bugger to paddle in a straight line, and worse, it was cramped. I swapped it for a s/h rigid plastic job, the Mk1 Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100. After installing various fittings by Scotty and Railblaza to hold rods, my Lowrance Elite 5Ti fishfinder sonar, and GoPros, I’ve used it quite a bit. Car-topping it is a bit of a hassle but I devised a method of making things easier on my dodgy back (I’m over 70), and once in the water it’s a delight.
I do sometimes hanker after an inflatable: they’re getting better all the time, and so convenient. The Sea Eagle FishSUP 126 you’ve listed looks really interesting – will have to research its availability in UK/France. But there’s an alternative you might well have mentioned: a Czech firm called Gumotex uses a very tough material, and they offer a dedicated kayak called Halibut, well spec’d – check it out on YouTube etc, costs around £1100 in UK.
rgds Tony
Thanks for the heads up Tony I’ll have to look into suppliers for Gumotex to point people towards (and dig out some specifications on the “Halibut”) when I get the chance to add updates to the article.
Paul