5 Best Inflatable Fishing Kayaks of 2023 – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Do you want to get rid of crowded ramps, high fuel costs, and ramp fees? Say goodbye to all these issues and buy an inflatable fishing kayak. Inflatable fishing kayaks are made with the ease of storage and transport in mind and are real life-savers for anglers. Inflatable kayaks combine the lightweight structure with the performance features for compact storage, ease-of-transport, and offer an unmatched fishing experience in remote water bodies.

If you have come here searching for the best inflatable fishing kayaks, we’ve got the five best options. After testing several inflatable fishing kayaks, we have shortlisted the five best that stood out for quality and performance. Plus, a buying guide, in the end, will help you make a wise decision.

Best Inflatable Fishing Kayaks Compared

IMAGE	PRODUCT	FEATURES	PRICE
TOP PICK	Intex Excursion Pro Professional Series	Lightweight and Highly Resistant Removable & Adjustable Mounting Bracket Includes 86 Inch Aluminum Oars and High-Output Pump	Check Price
COMFORTABLE PICK	Sevylor Quikpak K5 1-Person Kayak	Easy-To-Carry Backpack System 24-Gauge PVC Construction Tarpaulin Bottom & Polyester Cover	Check Price
PREMIUM PICK	ADVANCED ELEMENTS StraitEdge Angler PRO	Versatile & Hull design Comfortable & Durable Accessories Included Length: 10’6”, Width: 38.5″, Weight: 45 lb Max. Weight 400 lb (181 kg), Max. Paddler Height: 6’1″	Check Price
SMART PICK	Sevylor Coleman Colorado™	18-Gauge PVC Construction  M1000D Tarpaulin Bottom & 840D Nylon Cover Mesh Storage Pockets Berkley Quick Set Rod Holders	Check Price
AFFORDABLE PICK	AIRHEAD Angler Bay Inflatable Boat	Includes An Inflatable Floor & A Movable Seat Constructed Of Heavy Duty Vinyl 3 Person. 96inch x 54 Inch, 24 Gauge Equipped With Wrap Around Grab Lines	Check Price

Best Inflatable Fishing Kayaks – Top Picks Reviewed

Top on our list is Intex Excursion Pro. It is a professional-grade inflatable fishing kayak that comes packed with a lot of fishing features for an unbeatable fishing experience and rough sea adventures. The most standout feature of this fishing kayak is its top-notch build quality. The kayak is made of super-tough laminate 3-ply PVC, which is highly resistant to abrasion and other damaging factors. Also, it is a lightweight material and doesn’t sacrifice the kayak’s portability.

Additionally, this kayak is built with the needs of serious anglers in mind and therefore offers impressive stability. The high-pressure inflation coupled with the multiple chamber design makes the kayak exceptionally stable and safe. Its high-pressure inflation coupled with supportive structure gives you the confidence to take the kayak into rough and highly turbulent waters.

Also, it comes packed with multiple fishing features and supports hands-free fishing. The kayak has an all-inclusive accessory mounting system and ample onboard storage space. You can secure all your fishing accessories like fish finders to the mounting brackets. The best part is that this mounting bracket is removable and adjustable, allowing you to organize the gear the way you want.

Furthermore, it comes with stainless steel D-rings for tieing and securing heavy equipment and dry bags. It also includes high-quality safety valves for quick inflation and deflation and quickly packs into a backpack for compact storage. Also, it has handles on top, and we found it pretty easy to transport over remote locations. Finally, it comes with two high-quality Aluminum oars and a high-pressure pump making it a complete package.

If you are looking for an inexpensive one-person inflatable kayak, Sevylor Quick Pack is an excellent option. This compactly designed 1-person kayak offers a weight holding capacity of 250-pounds and is a perfect choice if you plan short paddling trips with minimum gear. This inflatable kayak is designed with maximum portability and ease of transportation in mind. Weighing only 25.5 pounds, it easily packs into a compact backpack.

The kayak is pretty easy to transport over remote water bodies for a full-of-fun paddling experience. It is a sit-inside one-person inflatable kayak and comes with an ergonomic seat. In addition to compact and lightweight design, this kayak features the industry’s best 24-gauge PVC constructions. With this heavy-duty construction and multiple airtight chambers design, it offers you safe and secure paddling adventures even in the most demanding conditions.

Although it is a compact one-person kayak, we loved the ample onboard storage space it offers. It comes with a far-reaching bungee lacing where you can tie and secure all your gear and fishing accessories. The bungee lacing is provided on the stern and top to help you stow your gear at quick access. Additionally, it was delivered with multiple valuable accessories, like two-sided paddles and a spray skirt.

A spray skirt is perfect for keeping you dry, but it is designed only for calm waters. Therefore, you should keep more protective Class IV rapids if you plan to go to more turbulent waters. With its two-piece paddle set, the kayak easily packs into a backpack for compact storage and easy transportation. This kayak is a perfect option for both salty and freshwater fishing but is not very stable and, therefore, not an ideal choice for rough sea adventures.

StraitEdge Angler Pro is a short-length inflatable kayak that is designed for people who love to paddle over long distances and spend a long time in the waters. The kayak is 10 feet 6 inches long and is pretty easy to paddle, thanks to its compact design. In addition to impressive maneuverability, this inflatable fishing kayak comes with a frame accessory mounting mechanism.

Its 1-inch rails mounting mechanism is provided on both front and back where you can attach all your fishing accessories at quick access. Moreover, it comes with stainless steel D-rings at the front for safe and secure heavy equipment storage. The kayak also comes with built-in paddle holders. You can securely place your paddles in the paddle holders when you reel in the ratch.

The feature that we loved most was its incredible stability. It comes with an aluminum rib frame technology coupled with a hull design, making it exceptionally rigid and stable. The kayak features a drop-stitch floor with extra width to make it incredibly stable. The extra floor width makes it pretty easy to stand on and balance yourself on the kayak, even in challenging conditions.

This kayak is made with maximum comfort and cushion in mind. The seat offers incredible support with a solid aluminum frame and features a mesh covering for maximum breathability. The maximum weight holding capacity of the StaritRidge Inflatable kayak is 400 pounds which is pretty impressive considering its competitive price tag.

The kayak packs in a duffle bag and comes with a shoulder strap for compact storage and easy transportation. Although this kayak is the perfect option for long trips, this one is not built for speed. Its short length coupled with a solid hull design and extra width makes it pretty slow. Also, this inflatable kayak doesn’t include a pump which adds extra cost.

Next on our list is the best two-person inflatable fishing kayak featuring rugged 18-gauge PVC construction. This tandem kayak has a maximum weight holding capacity of 470 pounds and is a great choice for long-distance paddling adventures. This inflatable fishing kayak features the industry’s best construction and can easily withstand the most demanding adventures.

It comes with 18-gauge PVC construction and five Airtight system chambers, making it a perfect choice for tough conditions. Additionally, you will get an extensive accessory mounting and onboard storage system. It comes with various mesh pockets to keep your valuables at quick access and stainless steel D-rings for pulling, tieing, and securing all your heavy equipment.

Plus, there is an accessory mounting rail and obligatory paddle holders to keep all your gear organized and safe, making your fishing adventures safe and full of fun. Since the kayak is designed for two people, you will get two fully adjustable seats. Its space is well organized for two adults and fishing gear, and it is the perfect choice for family adventures. Also, you can customize the seating areas to make it a single-person inflatable kayak.

The kayaks’ ergonomic design adds more perfection to your fishing experience. The built-in space for a small trolling motor and obligatory paddle holders let you keep all these things out of sight to help you catch your prey easily. The inflatable kayak was delivered with a carry bag for compact storage and easy transportation. Also, it comes with a pressure gauge but lacks double-sided oars and a high-pressure pump, adding extra cost to the package.

Final on our list is AIRHEAD Angler Bay Inflatable Kayak that comes with all these necessary components you need for a safe and exciting fishing adventure. This two-person inflatable boat features an impressively stable design making it the perfect choice for light fishing adventures. The most standout part of this inflatable kayak is its rugged construction.

It features heavy-duty vinyl construction and offers unmatched resistance against punctures. Also, it is highly resistant to damage in salty waters and offers long-term performance. Plus, its space is used wisely, and it comes with a fully customizable seat. You can adjust to your favorite position for a more relaxed and enjoyable fishing adventure.

Also, it has ample storage space where you can stow all your gear at quick access. In addition to a wide storage area, it comes with D-rings and accessory mounting brackets. This mounting machine lets you tie all your equipment safely and securely. You will also get two rod-holders and a battery storage bag to keep all these things out of sight when you are close to your prey.

The additional safety features of this kayak include electrically welded seams and wrap-around garb lines. Remember, it is a lightweight inflatable kayak that is ideal for slow-moving lakes and calm waters, but we do not recommend it for moving waters like rivers and streams.

How To Choose The Best Inflatable Fishing Kayaks?

Depending upon your needs, budget, and the condition in which you paddle, you need to look at a particular set of features while buying an inflatable fishing kayak. In this buying guide, we have discussed all the key essentials and features of an inflatable fishing kayak one must consider before making an investment.

Stability

The angler’s safety and fishing performance largely depend on the stability of an inflatable kayak. For a safe and rewarding fishing experience, it is advised to look for the most stable fishing kayaks. Stability is a key concern if you love to paddle in choppy conditions and moving water like a river.

Wider fishing kayaks with high-pressure inflation are more stable and let you balance yourself with all your gear and fishing accessories. A shorter length will also make it more stable, but it will reduce the kayak’s speed. Also, a drop-stitch type floor adds extra stability and helps you easily stand on the inflatable kayaks.

Weight Holding Capacity

Weight holding capacity is another crucial factor of an inflatable kayak. A single-person inflatable kayak should have a weight holding capacity of at least 350 pounds. The higher weight holding capacity of the kayak lets you carry more gear and also makes it more stable in the waters. A two-person kayak should have a weight holding capacity of around 450 pounds at least.

Safety Features

The safety features of an inflatable kayak make it suitable for more challenging adventures and offer a fun fish-catching experience. The most sought out feature of the inflatable kayaks is multiple airtight chambers. This design is pretty helpful against punctures. If one chamber gets punctured, the other chambers remain inflated to prevent the kayak from drowning. The self-bailing floor is another critical feature you must look for if you paddle in choppy conditions and rough waters. The self-bailing floor automatically drains the water from holes and keeps the boat from filling up with water.

On-Board Storage

Onboard storage and a comprehensive accessory mounting mechanism are crucial parts of an inflatable kayak. Anglers carry a lot of fishing accessories like fishing reels, GPS systems, fish finders, fishing rod holders, dry bags, spray skirts, and many more. You need ample storage space to keep your gear organized and have quick access. Therefore you must look for an accessory mounting mechanism, mesh storage pockets, paddle holders, motor space, and D-rings to enjoy a hands-free fishing experience.

Build Quality

Last but not least, build quality is a critical factor you need to consider while buying a new inflatable fishing kayak. For a safe and long-term experience, it is advised to invest in professional-grade kayaks featuring high-grade PVC construction. A professional-grade build quality offers impressive resistance against salty waters, punctures, gasoline, and other damaging factors giving you the best value for money.

FAQs

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Final Thoughts

We are hopeful that this buying guide and review of the best inflatable fishing kayak will help you make a wise and well-calculated decision. All the inflatable kayaks reviewed above are tested for quality and performance, but the two we liked the most are:

• Intex Excursion Pro Professional Series Inflatable Fishing Kayak for its rugged build quality, plenty of fishing features, customizable storage space, and ability to withstand the harshest conditions.
• ADVANCED ELEMENTS StraitEdge Angler PRO Inflatable Kayak for its comprehensive accessory mounting system, highly stable design, rugged construction, and competitive price.

Finally, it is advised to look for a comprehensive storage system to make your trips safe and organized. A customizable storage space lets you place all your accessories at quick access and enhances your hands-free fishing experience. Also, you must invest in a high-quality fishing kayak with a weight holding capacity of 400 pounds or above.