Best Inflatable Fishing Kayaks 2022 – Inflatable Fishing Kayak Reviews

Last Updated on February 13, 2022 by Afsar

Are we looking for the best inflatable fishing kayaks? Gone are days when you could only think of hard-shell kayaks for fishing. Nowadays, there are tons of inflatable fishing kayaks on the market to step up the game of portability. One may argue that inflatable kayaks are not suitable for fishing, but the inflatable kayak manufacturers are proving them wrong. In this article, I will share multiple inflatable fishing kayaks that are equipped with all the features an angler could ever ask for. By using stronger materials with smart engineering, these manufacturers have proved that their inflatable kayaks can be compared neck to neck with their hard-shell counterparts. At first, I am going to share some of the best inflatable fishing kayaks on the market. And then I will share a how-to guide to help you decide which fits you the best.

Best Inflatable Fishing Kayaks 2022

Inflatable Fishing Kayak Reviews

Advanced Elements StraitEdge Angler Pro

Advanced Elements StraitEdge Angler Pro is the best inflatable fishing kayak available on the market. Advanced Elements used multilayer material with multiple air chambers to provide the maximum durability to tackle harsh marine conditions. The length of the kayak is 10 ft 6 inches, it weighs 45 pounds, and has a maximum weight capacity of 400 pounds.

It comes with a brilliant accessory frame system which offers an easy-access option for the anglers. It allows you to mount aftermarket rod holders, fish finders and other gears. The famous and patented aluminum-rib frame technology from advanced elements provides excellent tracking and performance. Drop-stitch floor technology allows the angler to stand up with confidence for better casting. The drop-stitch technology creates a high-pressure form that is very rigid. Besides that, it also adds better tracking ability to the kayak and ensures more stability in harsh conditions.

FInding a good seat in an inflatable kayak is quite rare. That didn’t stop Advanced elements from providing a high-back and aluminum-frame Airframe Pro seat into this kayak. It has mesh paneling which provides great support with good comfort for a long day of fishing. Unlike most fishing inflatable kayaks, this one doesn’t take a lot of time to inflate. The spring valve system offers reliable inflation.

StraitEdge system of the kayak provides a distinctive bow and stern design which ensures improved tracking. Unlike most other products listed in this article, this kayak manages to provide amazing storage options to the pro anglers. Front and rear bungee deck lacing along with the stainless-steel D-rings delivers a good amount of storage option.

Best Inflatable Kayak For Fishing

• Drop-stitch floor technology allows the angler to stand up for better casting and pull hard-fighting fishes
• Spring-valve provides reliable inflation
• High durability: Multilayer material and multiple air chambers
• AirFrame PRO™ seat has mesh paneling with provides support and comfort on long days
• Accessory frame system provides easy-access options
• Aftermarket rail-mounts can be added to use rod holder, fish finder or other gears
• Patented aluminum-rib frame technology for better tracking and superb performance
• Stainless steel D-rings to attach extra gears
• Bungee deck lacing storage
• Paddle holders
• StraitEdge system for distinctive bow/stern design offers improved tracking
• Includes a duffel bag, repair kit, and two accessory frames

• Expensive

Intex Excursion Pro Kayak

Intex is a market leader when it comes to inflatable water vessels. Recently, Intex has stepped up their game, and started producing some of the most elegant inflatable fishing kayaks of the market. Intex Excursion Pro is an inflatable kayak for fishing with tons of cool features. Super-tough laminate PVC with the polyester core is used to make this kayak. It is very lightweight but highly resistant to damage from impact, abrasion, and sunlight. 

High-pressure inflation of the Intex Excursion Pro ensures the extra rigidity and stability. The high-pressure spring loaded valves offer easy inflation and fast deflation. Primarily, Excursion Pro is made for anglers in mind. It comes with fishing rod holders on each side to offer hands-free fishing. You will also find two floors mounted footrests and two adjustable bucket seats. There are two directional removable skegs provide for optimal maneuverability through the deep and shallow waters. As a result, it becomes easy to fish in almost any places from your kayak.

You can also attach or mount additional accessories like kayak GPS in the removable and adjustable mounting bracket. There is ample storage in the bow and stern that can be used to stow gears, cloths, or other stuff. You can also use the stainless steel D-rings to attach a dry bag or other equipment. The maximum weight capacity of the kayak is 400 lbs, and it comes with two paddles and a carry bag.

• Super tough laminate PVC with polyester core
• Lightweight and highly abrasion resistant
• High-pressure inflation offers excellent rigidity and stability
• Easy inflation and fast deflation
• Two floor-mounted footrests
• Handles on both sides
• Storage space in bow and stern with stainless D-rings
• Two removable skews for deep and shallow water
• Two integrated recessed fishing rod holders
• Integrated drain plug
• I-beam floor offers rigidity
• Total weight capacity: 400 lb
• Two paddles, high-output pump, carry bag, and repair patch included
• Three chamber construction

• Good for beginners, not for professionals
• Durability could be better

Sea Eagle SE370 Kayak Fishing Package

Sea Eagle is a legendary inflatable kayak manufacturer with a high reputation on the market. Sea Eagle’s SE370 is primarily a recreational kayak, but with the help of the Multi-purpose storage box, this can be used as a fishing kayak. The storage box comes with two-rod holders. It’s not much but it still helps the fishing process. 

This kayak weighs only 32 lbs and has a maximum weight capacity of 320 lbs. Up to three people can use this kayak at the same time. It can carry a lot of gear at the same time for weekend fishing trips, camping adventure, and more. SE370 is very lightweight but offers incredible durability. It comes with two molded skegs which improve the tracking. You can go faster and further with less paddling effort, thanks to these skegs. If not fishing, you can take this inflatable kayak for white water too. The whitewater rating of SE370 is class III. Sea Eagle used 38 mil Polykrylar (K80 PVC) with a high-frequency welded seam which offers great durability. It will take around eight minutes to inflate the kayak. You will also find an AB30 paddle, Deluxe inflatable kayak seat, A41 foot pump, carry bag, and small repair kit.

• Whitewater rating: up to class III
• Three air chambers
• 5 Delux one-way air valves
• Can carry up to three people
• Can be used for multi-purpose
• Two molded skegs for better tracking
• It takes eight minutes to inflate
• Material: 38 mil PolyKrylar K80 PVC
• High-frequency welded seam
• Exterior: 12′ 6″ x 2′ 10″

• Not for professional fishing

Elkton Outdoors Steelhead Fishing Kayak

If you are looking for an inflatable kayak which can be used for multi-purpose, you need to take a look at Elkton Outdoor Steelhead. This inflatable kayak can be used for fishing, touring, and simple recreational purpose. Elkton provides a solid drop stitch floor which allows the paddler to stand to cast. There are self-bailing drains in the floor which can be opened to drain water. This becomes a great feature if you are paddling in the rough water. If you find water on the kayak, just open the bailing drain, and it will drain the water.

Elkton Outdoor Steelhead is primarily made for fishing. It has multiple Scotty style mount attachment points where you can mount fishing rods and gears. Elkton uses Long waterline and two skegs, which offers great tracking. 100D reinforced layered PVC plastic nose cones are used in both bow and stern. It is fairly easy to set up and allows high portability to the anglers. One downside of this inflatable fishing kayak is the number of storage options. There is front bungee storage, and not much more. Elkton Steelhead is available for both solo and tandem version.

• Solid drop stitch floor allows stand-up casting
• Self-bailing drains in the floor
• Multi-purpose kayak: fishing, touring, and recreational
• Multiple Scotty style mount attachment points
• Front bungee storage
• Long waterline and two skegs for long glides
• Two skegs
• 1000D reinforced layered PVC
• Easy to setup
• High portability
• Available in solo and tandem version
• Paddle parks

• Not for professional anglers
• Storage is low

Sevylor Coleman Colorado 2-Person Fishing Kayak

Sevylor’s Colorado is a two-person inflatable fishing kayak with some amazing features. The 180gauge PVC construction makes it rugged for lake use. 1000D tarpaulin bottom along with the 840D nylon cover provides protection from punctures. Multiple air chambers are used in this kayak. So if one of the chambers is punctured, the kayak will still stay inflated. That being said, the Airtight system is guaranteed not to leak. You will find adjustable seats which will keep you paddling comfortably for a long time.

Coleman Colorado is blessed with some amazing fishing features: Berkley Quick Set Rod holders which allows the angler to have hands’free fishing experience by adjusting the pole angle. Once you have your hands-free, you can easily take care of your fishing gears. You can keep your fishing gears in the mesh pockets or attach it to the provided D-rings. You can also use the paddle holders to secure your paddles. The Boston valve used in this kayak is double threaded, which offers easy inflation and deflation.

• 1000D tarpauling bottom with an 840D nylon cover to protect from punctures
• Multiple air chambers
• 18-gauge PVC construction
• Great for lake use
• NMAA certified
• Berkley quick set rod holders are adjustable which offers hands-free fishing
• Paddle holders to secure your paddles
• Adjustable seats
• Mesh pockets
• D-rings to attach gears

Elkton Outdoors Cormorant

Elkton Outdoors Cormorant is a two-person inflatable fishing kayak which comes with tons of features to make fishing easier. Once inflated, this compact kayak achieves a dimension of 118in. x 35in x 16in, making it a fully-sized kayak ready for fishing. This rugged and durable tandem fishing kayak is made of using 18-gauge rip resistant 1000D PVC which makes it tear and hook resistant. Three separate removable air chambers allow quick and easy adjustments with faster diagnosis and repair.

This ten feet long kayak comes with two adjustable seats to make it more comfortable for the users to fish for long hours. It is easy to connect, has comfort Gell interior, and no inflation is needed to set up. Outdoors Cormorant is packed with features two make fishing easier. It comes with two vertical, two full action, and two trolling rod holders. You can set up your fishing rods in different combinations to maximize your fishing experience. There is a storage bag to keep your shoes, hats, and extra gears. The mesh storage compartment is easy to remove. Additionally, there are six mesh pockets to keep different gears and items. The package comes with double sided oars, double action pump, and carry bag. 

• Quick inflation
• Two adjustable seats
• Easy to connect seats
• Rugged and durable: 180gauge rip resistant 1000D PVC makes it tear and hook resistant
• Two vertical, two action, and two trolling rod holders
• Three separate removable air chambers that allow quick adjustment, diagnosis, and repair
• Removable mesh storage compartment and six mesh pockets
• Double action pump and Carry bag provided
• Lightweight and easy to carry

How to Find the Best Inflatable Fishing Kayaks

Choosing an inflatable fishing kayak can be tricky if you are not aware of the factors to consider when making a purchasing decision. You can check our inflatable fishing kayak reviews above if you want to skip the process. I will share some of the factors which will allow you to land the best fishing inflatable kayak for your next trip. Let’s start with the durability:

Durability

Unlike hard-shell kayaks, inflatable kayaks are prone to punctures from the hook and lure of the fishing rods. This is why it is crucial for an angler to check the material of the inflatable kayak before buying it. A couple of years ago, people would prefer hard-shell kayak over inflatable for fishing purpose on any day. The primary reason behind is the inflatable kayaks would get punctured. However, the time has changed, and manufacturers are using more durable fabric and material to make inflatable fishing kayaks. Nowadays, inflatable kayaks made for fishing are more robust and can tackle sharp objects like knife, hook, lure, and pliers. You need to check the material used to make the upper of the kayak, and also see if any other material like tarpaulin is used to reinforce the strength of the bottom. In this way, you know that the kayak is strong enough to withstand the harsh marine environment. Manufacturers use different types of materials to manufacture the surface of the inflatable kayak. You can look for the material online, and see the durability and strength of it. Some of the manufacturers will mention if their materials are puncture proof or not. They use different mechanisms to protect from punctures. Sometimes, they will provide a repair kit to repair the leaks. Try buying a kayak which comes with multiple air chambers. So, if one of those air chambers get punctured, you can still float. Some of these air chambers can be removed easily for diagnostics and repair.

Construction Material

When choosing an inflatable kayak, one needs to look carefully for the material it is used to make. If you have been looking at the market, you will notice that the most inflatable kayaks are primarily made out of three materials: PVC, Nitrylon, and Hypalon. Each of them got their own advantages and disadvantages over other materials. Maybe this is why some clever manufacturers are using multiple layers of materials to achieve the best possible performance for their kayaks. In that way, the modern inflatable kayaks are more durable and offer better performance than their old generations. Let’s check more about these materials:

PVC: PVC is most probably the most used material in inflatable kayaks. The primary reason behind using PVC is the cost. Unlike its other counterparts, PVC material is cheap and offers great performance. However, inflatable kayaks made of PVC needs to have protection from UV. Some of the manufacturers will treat the PVC to protect it from UV, but you can also increase the longevity of it by using a heavy-duty UV protection spray. Besides that, it is not resistant to some chemicals, gas, and abrasion. If you are using a PVC inflatable kayak, try to store it in a place which doesn’t get enough sunlight.

Nitrylon: Nitrylon is definitely stronger than traditional PVC material, but more expensive. The good side is it is more puncture resistant, easy to patch up, and performs excellently in colder areas. Another advantage of using Nitrylonmaterial is its abrasion resistance. Other than being expensive, another concern about this material is the weight of it. Nitrylon is heavy, and if a kayak is made out of only Nitrylon, it will become cumbersome to carry. This is why manufacturers are now using Nitrylon on the outer side of the chambers where there will be the most wear and tear.

Hypalon: The most durable material that has ever been used in the inflatable kayaks. Hypalon is basically a synthetic rubber that is patented by DuPont. Hypalon has better UV resistance, very resistant to environmental factors like mildew and fungus. The U.S military and coast guard use Hypalon material. Thus, you can imagine the strength of this material. However, Hypalon is the most expensive material than others, and unlike its counterparts, it is not welded, but glued. Hypalon is used as the exterior coating, and neoprene is used to coat the inner side of the boat.

Fishing Features

The primary reason why we are looking for an inflatable kayak is to fish with comfort. So, besides the other features, it is vital for us to check if the kayak comes with enough features that will enhance your fishing experience.

At first, you need to check if the kayak has enough fishing rod holders for you. For most people, two-rod holders are enough, but if you are a pro or looking for more rod holders, you will have to consider that factor. Most of the inflatable fishing kayaks will come with only two or three-rod holders. However, the Elkton Outdoors Cormorant comes with six fishing rod holders. For a seasoned angler, I would suggest them buying Advanced Elements StraitEdge Angler PRO or the Cormorant.

I am a big fan of the paddle holders, as they allow the anglers to go hands-free. In that way, you can focus more on fishing instead of wasting time on handling the paddles. Also, storage is a very crucial factor to check, which we will discuss later.

Storage

Let’s get one thing straight. We are anglers, and we are buying this kayak to fish. We want to catch a lot of fishes, and we want to be able to store them with ease. Unlike hard-shell kayaks, inflatable kayaks are not famous for storage. Most of the inflatable kayaks on the market will come with very few to no storage options. However, most of the fishing inflatable kayaks mentioned in this article comes with quite good storage options.

Besides storing fishes, an angler would need to carry more fishing gears like a kayak fish finder or a fishing net. Some of these kayaks use D-rings to attach more gears of dry bags to carry more equipment. Some of the kayaks have extra pockets where you can keep different stuff like cellphone, snacks, or maybe pliers. Sometimes, the kayak may feature storage on the deck, or you may use the bungee to secure your belongings. If storage is a big issue for you, I suggest checking the StraitEdge Angler Pro, Intex Excursion Pro.

Weight Capacity

Usually, hard-shell kayaks have a high weight capacity. This is one of the biggest reasons why anglers used to prefer hard-shell kayaks. Nonetheless, most inflatable kayaks today comes with the high weight capacity. Having a high weight capacity means that the user can carry more gears, fish, or other things. For a larger paddler, both the size of the kayak and weight capacity plays a significant role. This might not be an issue for a solo paddler. However, it is an issue for a tandem kayak. Some of the kayaks can carry three people at the same time.

For such tandem kayaks, a maximum weight capacity of 600 lbs may not be sufficient if you are taking a lot more extra gears and catching fishes. Try to figure out the total weight of the paddlers and gears before getting into an inflatable kayak. If it is just you and your fishing gears, there is nothing to be worried about you. Some of the tandem kayaks also come with enormous weight support, and thus, it might not even be a problem to consider in many cases.

Air Chambers

Having multiple air chambers ensures that you get an extra security layer of protection if one of the chambers gets punctured. Usually, these inflatable kayaks come with three air chambers. I strongly suggest buying an inflatable kayak which comes with multiple air chambers.

Inflation / Deflation

If you are buying an inflatable kayak, you need to take a look at the average inflation and deflation time of it. If you have a ton of time at your hand and doesn’t mind spending a couple of extra minutes inflating or deflating, this might not be an issue for you. However, for an angler who wants to invest all possible time for fishing might care about the inflation time. Personally, I am okay with slow inflation or deflation time. Usually, most inflatable kayaks take around 5-10 minutes to inflate and deflate. The average would be 8 minutes. Some of the inflatable kayaks on the market can take a tiny amount of time to inflate or deflate, thanks to the specialized valves used in those kayaks.

Seating arrangement

Unlike the hard-shell kayaks, most inflatable kayaks don’t have a good seating system. Sure, you can find a good seat for paddling and recreational purpose, but finding a seat that helps you cast can be tough. If you are a newbie or just fishing for fun, you may not want to care about it, but for a seasoned angler, this can be a big deal. I am a big fan of the advanced Elements StraitEdge for its seating arrangement. It is uncommon to find such a comfortable seating arrangement in an inflatable kayak. If you plan to spend a lot of time fishing on an inflatable kayak, I would recommend you buying a kayak that comes with a good seating arrangement.

FAQ

What is the benefit of using the inflatable fishing kayak?

The biggest benefit of using an inflatable kayak over the traditional hard-shell kayak is the portability. Inflatable fishing kayaks can be transported to a new place with more ease than the hard-shell kayaks. They weigh less, takes less storage space, can be placed on the trunk of a car, and can be turned into a backpack. If you are trying to reach a remote place for fishing, it might be a good idea to use an inflatable kayak. Additionally, if not in use, you can store your inflatable kayak in a bag or closet.

Final Verdict

I hope this article helped you to find the right inflatable fishing kayak for your fishing trips. As an angler, I would ask you to focus more on the fishing features rather than other small issues. A lot of newbies tries to save money but ends up buying a kayak that doesn’t fulfill their needs. Getting a kayak that doesn’t make you feel good when you hit the water is like wasting money in my humble opinion. I would suggest you spend a generous amount of money to get the best fishing inflatable kayak available on the market. If you don’t have any budget issues, my vote for the StraitEdge Angler Pro. However, if you wish to catch some fishes with your friend or partner, try looking at Intex Excursion Pro.

(5 votes, average: 4.80 out of 5)

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