Fishing Paddle Boards

Yes! Inflatable paddle boards can make excellent fishing platforms. The biggest advantage of using a paddle board to fish, compared to a kayak or canoe, is the elevated standing position. This gives you a superior vantage point to spot fish and structures down in the water, and a 360-degree casting radius. For this reason, paddle boards are almost unbeatable for sight casting. With their flat profile and minimal displacement, paddle boards are also incredibly stealthy, allowing you to quietly approach spots without disturbing fish. Because they’re inflatable (portable using a backpack), these boards can also let you access remote waters that would be impossible to reach by trailer boat.

While you can technically fish off of any stand-up paddle board, a fishing paddle board is a board that is specifically designed to be a stable, customizable platform for anglers. The best fishing paddle boards are wider and longer than normal paddle boards, providing a solid foundation for casting, moving around, and landing your catch without tipping. What also sets a fishing paddle board apart from a normal paddle board is the inclusion of integrated mounts for crucial accessories like rod holders, fish finders, tackle bags, coolers, and seats.

When choosing a paddle board for fishing, prioritize stability and customization. Look for a wider board (at least 33 inches) with a high weight capacity, so you can create a stable, solid platform for casting, storing gear, and moving around. The most crucial feature of a dedicated fishing paddle board is a system of integrated rail mounts and D-rings so that you can attach accessories: fishing rod holders, fish finders, or a seat. Ample deck space with bungee storage for a cooler and tackle bag is also essential. Our June Fishing Paddle Board is a great choice, and also comes with an integrated ruler to measure your catch!

Fishing off a paddle board has a small learning curve, but it's much easier than you might think, especially once you're comfortable with basic paddling. The key to making it easy is starting with the right equipment: a dedicated fishing paddle board. These boards are extra wide and stable, minimizing wobble and creating a solid platform. When you’re learning to fish on your board, start by casting from a kneeling position or sitting in the integrated seat. Once you’re comfortable, you can progress to standing up and casting. With a bit of practice, you’ll probably find that fishing from a paddle board is incredibly rewarding and allows you to get closer to the action than ever before!

Compared to hard (epoxy) boards, inflatable paddle boards are the superior choice for fishing. Their biggest advantage is durability; the tough, military-grade PVC construction is highly resistant to punctures from dropped hooks, tools, or bumping against rocks. Hard boards—although puncture-proof—are easily dinged or cracked. Inflatable boards are also far more portable, allowing you to pack them into remote fishing spots, and their softer deck pad is more comfortable to stand or sit on for long periods of time. Although a hard board may offer a slight edge in speed and glide, these performance gains aren’t particularly useful for the specific needs of an angler. Ultimately, the combination of extreme toughness, portability, and excellent stability makes an inflatable paddle board the most practical and popular option for most paddle board fishermen.

Inflatable kayaks and paddle boards have various advantages and disadvantages for fishing, but for anglers who value sight fishing, freedom of movement, and a customizable, spacious deck, the stand-up paddle board is the superior and more versatile platform. The advantages of an inflatable kayak are a low center of gravity, protective gunwales, and natural seated position. Our fishing paddle boards come with a detachable seat so they can be paddled just like a kayak, but some paddlers may still prefer the enclosed feeling of a traditional kayak cockpit. A kayak will also be more stable than a paddle board in slightly windy or choppy conditions.

In addition to having a wide, stable, and puncture-resistant deck for casting, the best fishing paddle boards will come with accessories designed to make your fishing trip easier. With our June Inflatable Fishing Paddle Board, these include front and rear bungee nets, an action camera mount, a hook-and-loop paddle holder, two fishing rod holders, 16 D-rings, six EasyLink connection points to attach the included carry strap and AerComfort Inflatable Seat, and a built-in ruler for measuring your catch! Like all retrospec paddle boards, fishing paddle boards also come with a convertible paddle, a fin set, a leash, a waterproof phone case, a repair kit, a dual-action pump with both inflate and deflate functions, and a backpack to carry the deflated board. You have everything you need to hit the water! See the “Specifications” tab for more information.

The best fishing paddle boards will be wider than a normal paddle board. This makes them more stable for stand-up casting, and also provides extra space for gear and accessories, such as a cooler, tackle box, and inflatable seat. Our June Inflatable Fishing Paddle Board, for example, is 35 inches wide. While length is less of a concern than width for fishing, you’ll also want a board that’s on the longer side (11 to 11.5 feet or longer).

For paddle board fishing, a three-fin setup is almost always the best and most effective choice, compared to a single fin. In a three-fin setup, the two smaller side fins work alongside the larger center fin to provide more lateral stability across the board. This helps prevent the board from tipping side-to-side, and is crucial when you are moving around on the deck, casting, or leaning over to land a fish.

Our June Fishing Paddle Board has a recommended weight capacity of 320 pounds. Our kids’ model, June Nano, has a recommended capacity of 250 pounds.

Our June Fishing Paddle Board weighs 24.5 lbs. Our June Nano, designed for kids, weighs just 18.5 pounds. Whichever board you choose, with the included carry backpack, it’s easy to haul these paddle boards anywhere you can imagine!

Yes, you can absolutely put a seat on the best fishing paddle boards, and our June Inflatable Fishing Paddle Board comes with an inflatable (and removable) seat! Attaching a seat to your board allows you to easily switch between standing up to cast and sitting down to paddle and relax. It also adds comfort and back support for long days on the water, and gives you a lower center of gravity for enhanced stability on windy days or when navigating choppy water.

Anchoring your paddle board is simple and key to staying in a productive fishing spot. You'll need a compact, lightweight mushroom- or grapple-style anchor, typically around three pounds. Attach the anchor line to a D-ring at the nose or tail of your board (never the side rail, as this can make the board unstable in wind or current). Then, simply lower the anchor to the bottom; there's no need to throw it. For more advanced positioning, some anglers use an anchor trolley system, which allows you to adjust the anchor point along the length of the board.

The best paddle for fishing on a paddle board is one that is both lightweight and adjustable. Look for paddles made from aluminum, fiberglass, and other lightweight materials, as this will significantly reduce fatigue in your arms and shoulders during a long day of paddling. An adjustable paddle is crucial, because you can shorten its length for more efficient paddling while sitting down, and then lengthen it for proper form when standing up. (If possible, also look for a convertible paddle, like our iSUP/Kayak Hybrid Paddle, which can be transformed from a single blade paddle to a double-blade paddle. This allows you to transition from a traditional kayak paddling stance when sitting down to a single paddle stance when standing up.)

Landing a fish on a paddle board is an exciting part of the experience. It might seem tricky to keep your balance at first, but it’s very manageable with a bit of practice (and a stable board). Once you've hooked a fish, it's often best to take a knee or sit down on your seat or cooler to lower your center of gravity. From this stable position, you’ll have an easier time fighting the fish and bringing it alongside the board. From here, using a small net or a set of fish grips is the easiest and safest way to bring the fish onto the deck without having to lean over too far.

Wind is one of the biggest challenges for any paddler, and on a fishing paddle board, your standing body can act like a sail. This makes it more difficult to hold your position and paddle in a straight line. To manage this, you can significantly reduce your wind profile by paddling from a kneeling or seated position, which will also give you more power and control. Using an anchor is also helpful to avoid being blown off your fishing spot. Always check the wind forecast before you go, and plan your trip accordingly.

Yes, our inflatable fishing paddle boards are perfectly suited for saltwater environments and are a fantastic way to fish in coastal flats, bays, and mangroves. The durable PVC material is not affected by salt, but proper care after your trip is essential to ensure your gear’s longevity. After every saltwater use, thoroughly rinse your board, paddle, fin, and all metal components (like D-rings and mount screws) with fresh water. This simple step prevents salt buildup and corrosion, keeping your board in great condition for years of adventures to come!

Proper storage is key to your board’s longevity! Always rinse it with fresh water, and ensure it's completely dry before storing to prevent mildew. You can store it either lightly inflated, or fully deflated and rolled loosely in its carry bag. Whichever you choose, make sure it’s a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Also, avoid storing heavy items on top of the deflated board to protect the fin boxes and mounts.

Safety should always be priority one. Our paddle boards come with a coiled ankle leash to keep you near your board in open water, but you should always wear a properly fitted personal floatation device (PFD) when paddling. It’s also smart to carry a waterproof pouch for your phone—if you don’t have one, no worries, our paddle boards come with one for free! Finally, don’t forget to bring enough water, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.