Anglers Only : 5 Best Inflatable Fishing Kayak Reviews

Inflatable fishing kayaks offer one of the best versatility and flexibility among other fishing kayaks. The best part? They’re great space savers!

If you’re having trouble transporting your kayak or need one you can bring around quickly, inflatable fishing kayaks won’t disappoint.

Compared to their traditional counterparts, inflatable fishing kayaks are just as durable and stable. In fact, some models can even withstand whitewater terrains!

For your next fishing outing, we recommend taking a look at these 5 best inflatable fishing kayaks.

5 Best Inflatable Fishing Kayak Reviews

1. Sea Eagle 350fx Inflatable Fishing Kayak: Best Overall Pick

Part of Sea Eagle’s Explorer Series, the 350fx Inflatable Fishing Kayak, shares the same hull design and material as the other kayaks in that series. However, some key differences make the 350fx unique.

Performance

Its floor is made of drop stitch, making it stiff and allowing anglers to stand upright in the kayak, something not all kayaks can do.

It has sufficient storage below, with bungee rope lacing on top for additional storage. This kayak’s 3 separate and independent air chambers with one-way valves keep you safe while still being able to inflate in just 7 minutes.

In case your inflatable kayak takes in water, it has 16 High Capacity Self-bailing Drain Valves [R] to do the work for you so you can concentrate on fishing.

It has a large, removable, rear skeg for increased tracking, allowing you to maneuver your kayak under most conditions easily. It also has Sea Eagle motor mount receivers, in case you plan on using a motor.

Note that this kayak is not designed for long paddles across the lake. While the detachable e skeg [R] limits yaw [R], this kayak does not have a keel and is not as sleek as other kayaks designed explicitly for lake paddling.

Design

The difference between the 350fx and other Explorer Series kayaks is that its hull is further reinforced in the middle of the boat to protect you from hooks and other sharp objects.

Another difference is that the 350x Inflatable Fishing kayak comes with rod holders, a custom front and rear skirt, and is designed to accept many fishing-friendly options. Some of these fishing-friendly options are a high seating platform with a swivel seat and a motor mount to attach trolling motors.

Air is stored in its multiple air chambers. These 3 chambers are entirely separate and have one-way air valves, preventing unwanted air leakages.

It has a removable double-layer drop stitch floor that is right enough to let anglers stand on it. For even better stability, it has a non-slip EVA foam padding.

For your gear, this boat also has storage below with room for additional storage on the bungee lacing on top.

Is the Sea Eagle 350fx for You?

If you love fishing on your own and want customizable options for your inflatable kayak, this is the boat for you. It offers extreme durability, excellent performance, and stability, all at an affordable price point.

2. Advanced Elements StraitEdge Angler Pro Inflatable Fishing Kayak: Best Value Pick

The Advanced Elements Inflatable Fishin Kayak is an excellent all-rounder at a fantastic price. With a combination of outstanding durability and impressive performance, you know you are getting the best value with this kayak.

Performance

The Advanced Elements StraitEdge Angler Pro has a 300 lb weight capacity, making this fishing kayak more than enough for your solo angling trips.

It has spring valves for fast and easy inflation, making this kayak extremely easy to set up. Now you can spend more time on the water and less time setting up your boat!

For extra durability, it is made of thick multi-layer materials and has abrasion pads. This kayak is also very stable because of its wide beam. A high-back seat with inflatable lumbar support will keep you comfortable all day.

Built to be durable and to withstand up to Class III rapids, this kayak will keep you safe. Its patented frame allows for better tracking and maneuverability on the water so you can easily access difficult spots where the fish are usually gathered.

Design

This Advanced Elements StraitEdge Angler Inflatable Fishing Kayak comes in a combination of bright yellow and light grey. It uses a thick multi-layer material and patented aluminum rib frame to maintain its structure.

The two attached fishing rod holders make it easy to access your gear. There is also a heavy-duty bungee lacing or D rings for extra storage for your equipment.

In case you want to use fishing tech like a GPS and depth finders once in a while, this inflatable kayak has a removable mounting rail for all these accessories.

Is the Advanced Elements StraitEdge Angler for You?

If you are new to inflatable kayaks, the sport of fishing, this inflatable kayak is excellent for you. It comes fully assembled and only requires inflation to its full size and the addition of the seat. Then, it is ready to go.

3. Sea Eagle 370 Inflatable Fishing Kayak: Best Budget Pick

Despite being the most affordable on this list, the Sea Eagle 370 Inflatable Fishing Kayak is a great all-around kayak. This is an excellent choice for trips on your own or with a fishing buddy on various kinds of waterways.

Two in One : Fishing Kayak Or Tandem Kayak

You might think It is not originally made for fishing but sea eagle has Sport Fishing Package, which makes you use only one seat

So you catch that with the removable seats, you can switch for the tandem to the fishing pack, for that you need to buy additional seat if you go for the sport fishing package.

Performance

This fishing kayak is very easy to set up. It only takes 8 minutes to inflate it fully.

Despite being lightweight at only 32 lbs, it can carry up to 650 lbs, allowing you to fit up to 3 people inside. This makes it ideal as a 2-person fishing kayak, as well.

Finally, the fully inflatable kayak seat offers superior comfort and support to keep you on the waters all day. It also comes with two fishing rod holders so you can easily access your rods.

Design

With a robust exterior made from a strong 38 mil PolyKrylar (K80 PVC) and seams that are welded together using a high frequency, the risk of any air leakage is very low.

Even in the most unlikely event that this inflatable kayak might get punctured, you need not worry. It comes with its very own repair kit for quick and easy spot repairs.

You can store all your gear in the multi-purpose storage box. It also comes with an AB30 paddle, A1 foot pump, two interchangeable skegs, and a carry bag for portability ease.

Is the Sea Eagle 370 for You?

If you are a beginner to fishing and concerned about your budget, this is the best inflatable fishing kayak for you. Moreover, if you frequently go on short fishing trips between work, this kayak is an excellent choice with its fast inflation.
It is also for you if you want to switch from the tandem to the fishing kayak.

4. Sea Eagle 385fta FastTrack Inflatable Fishing Kayak

The Sea Eagle 385fta Fast Track is the best inflatable kayak for superb paddling across lakes. It is part of Sea Eagle’s Fast Track series, which are kayaks designed for quick and simple paddling across large water bodies.

Performance

Kayaks in this FastTrack series all have an inflatable keel. Combined with the detachable skeg, this boat tracks very straight. There is virtually no yaw that will slow you when paddling with this kayak. You can even control the amount of yaw and speed!

Its stiff drop stitch floor also allows anglers and fishers to stand upright in the boat, while the non-slip EVA foam padding on the floor keeps you stable.

This kayak has a very narrow width, which reduces drag and makes it easier to paddle. The smaller pontoons further minimize surface area contact with the water and significantly reduce the wind’s effect on the boat’s steering.

The double-layered material makes this kayak extraordinarily durable and ensures protection against any air leakage. In case of accidents, it also comes with its very own repair kit so you can make it back safely.

This fishing kayak cannot be used on heavy whitewater as it is only rated for Class II whitewater, though a talented paddler can use this on weaker Class III rapids.

Design

This kayak comes in a custom hunter green color. Its thick double-layered hide hull material is held together by double-reinforced welded/glued seams, making it durable enough for its rating.

The SeaEagle 385fta fishing edition inflatable kayaks come with rod holders, an optional swivel seat with a heightened seating position, and a motor mount for trolling motors.

If you are fishing on your own, this kayak is excellent. It is completely tricked out for fishing with customized front and rear spray skirts and built-in rod, tools, hooks, and lure holders.

You have sufficient storage below and on the bungee rope lacing. It even has a built-in fish ruler so you can easily measure your prize-winning catch!

Some disadvantages are these inflatable kayaks are not as stable as those with double pontoons. The narrow interior width also limits the amount of gear you can store.

This is not an ideal 2-person fishing kayak due to its limited space. While two anglers may fit, it may be very uncomfortable with two sets of fishing gear included. There is, however, storage below and through the bungee rope lacing.

Is the Sea Eagle 385fta FastTrack for You?

If you have no use for gas motors on the water and you typically prefer long paddling across large bodies of flat water, such as lakes, this is the kayak for you. Primarily designed for lake paddling, this kayak will make that long solo trip a pleasurable experience.

5. NRS Star Pike Inflatable Fishing Kayak

The NRS Star Pike kayak is a good fishing kayak with incredible features in a convenient and compact package. This angler is jam-packed with everything you could want in your very own kayak.

Specs:

Performance

The Star Pike has 3 separate air chambers and a top-quality Leafield C7 valve to ensure against air leakages and make inflation/deflation easy.

The patented high-pressure, 4-inch thick flat platform gives sufficient rigidity and stability for sight fishing [R]. You can also choose your preferred skegs so you can customize it to your tracking requirements.

This kayak has a self-bailing feature and includes a repair kit in case of emergencies.

You can easily optimize your setup with the adjustable seat and optional fins. For all your accessories, you can secure them with the 3 mounts on the kayak.

And if you have gear you need to access quickly, you can clip them near your hand with the two daisy chains of nylon webbing in the stern.

While this may not be the fastest kayak around, it offers the perfect balance of stability and speed for non-competitive anglers or novices.

Design

This boat uses 1000-denier abrasion-resisting PVC material, making it very durable and sturdy. The high-pressure drop stitch floor has an 8-10 PSI rating. The result is a design that gives sufficient stability and rigidity for standup fishing.

The collapsible yet cozy seat allows you to choose the perfect sitting position for you. This kayak is easy to carry around with its two carry handles. However, it is a bit heavy compared to other boats.

Is the Star Pike for You?

If you are new to being an angler, the Star Pike is a good choice because you can easily mount and fish against strong winds with this kayak. While this may not be the fastest boat available, it may be a good choice for novices.

At least, you can be sure this boat is safe and sturdy enough for your sight fishing.

Why Choose an Inflatable Fishing Kayak?

The advantage of inflatable kayaks is they are easy to store and transport. They are also extremely buoyant for fishing in whitewater rivers.

If you prefer fishing in the surf, inflatable kayaks are also very easy to transport to shore. We all know how annoying it can be to carry and drag a heavy kayak onto the beach.

They are also great for tournament bass fishing and high-speed fishing if you have a kayak trolling motor.

What are the Inflatable Fishing Kayak Features I Should Consider?

Fishing kayaks are some of the most capable watercraft available. They are ideal for any sport fishing and can even outperform larger boats in some aspects.

But how do you choose an inflatable fishing kayak for yourself?

Passenger Capacity

Do you usually fish on your own or with a buddy? Maybe both?

There are inflatable fishing kayaks that offer additional seating so that it can fit you and your companion. A great feature to watch out for if you sometimes take fishing trips with someone is to have removable seating.

Weight Capacity

A lovely day out fishing requires a marine cooler filled with ice and drinks. Having a fishing buddy will also affect the total weight of your kayak. It would help if you considered how much weight your kayak has to carry to avoid unwanted accidents.

Consider all the fishing gear you usually bring and check how much they weigh. Figure out how much storage space you need in your kayak to fit all that gear, too.

The floor space between the pontoon runs the boat’s length, but we all know you will end up feeling cramped and claustrophobic if you do not distribute your load throughout the kayak, especially if there isn’t enough space.

Stability

Stability is one of the most critical factors you have to consider when sport fishing. You must be able to stand and cast with accuracy. This lets you read the water better when standing and make longer and more accurate casts.

The primary factor that affects your stability in an inflatable kayak is the width of the boat. The greater its width, the more stable your kayak will be.

You also need to make sure you keep the floor clear so you do not step on anything that can throw off your balance.

Overall Weight

An inflatable kayak is easy to transport. But exactly how easy this task is will depend on the overall weight of the kayak. This is even more important if you plan to hike to your eventual fishing location.

The average weight of an inflatable kayak is around 40 pounds. This may not seem like much if you are carrying your kayak from the car to the lake, but it gets heavy after a few miles on the trail.

Consider where you would typically use your kayak, and if you need a lighter option.

Self Bailing

It is normal to have to go through some pitching in light whitewater to reach the best fishing holes. When getting through the surf to reach the good schools beyond the beach, the waves can introduce a large amount of water into your kayak.

If you usually fish in wet conditions, a self-bailing inflatable kayak might be a handy feature to have. This gives you more time to focus on getting that trophy or catching the biggest fish, rather than on shoveling water out of your kayak.

Fishing Features

Having specialized fishing features are extremely helpful for holding extra rods and mounting accessories like fish finders. The adaptability and versatility of inflatable fishing kayaks have greatly improved with recent innovations.

Mounting surfaces such as gear rails and D-rings let you mount nearly anything you want: extra rod holders, trolling motors, and even Bimini tops.

Our Winner For The Best Inflatable Fishing Kayak

Reading through this guide to the best inflatable fishing, kayaks makes it easy to see more than one definition.

While there are features common to all that you must look for, such as heavy-duty construction and materials, the perfect one for you may not be the perfect one for another.

The choice highly depends on your needs, the type of sport you are in, and the kind of water you usually use your boats on.

For us the Sea Eagle 350FX Inflatable Fishing Explorer is the best choice in term of easy portability, durability, space for gears.

Make sure to consider your skill level, experience, budget, and preferences when choosing among the best inflatable fishing kayaks.