Updated on February 6, 2020

What’s more peaceful and fun than casting a line from the top of a stable stand up paddle board? While kayaks used to be kind when it came to watercraft fishing, fishing from a SUP is becoming more and more popular — for good reason. But with so many options on the market, how do you know which is the best fishing SUP for you?

Here at The Adventure Junkies, we are obsessed with finding the best gear and options for nearly every type of paddling fisherman. In this guide, we’ll tell you what to look for when choosing a fishing SUP and show you our favorite models of the year.

For more of our top paddle boarding gear recommendations, check out the Best SUP Boards

 

 

QUICK ANSWER – THE BEST FISHING SUPS

1. BIC SPORT ACE-TEC CROSS FISH 

2. AQUA MARINA DRIFT 

3. PAU HANA BIG EZ

4. AQUAGLIDE BLACKFOOT ANGLER 

5. CALIFORNIA BOARD ANGLER 

6. TOWER ISUP ADVENTURER 2

7. Z-RAY FX7 DELUXE

 

 

 

COMPARISON TABLE – THE BEST FISHING SUPS

PICTURE
FISHING SUP
BEST USE
LENGTH
WEIGHT
INFLATABLE/SOLID
PRICE
RATING
BIC Sport Ace-Tec Cross Fish
Overall
12'0"
43 lbs
Solid
$$$
4.8
Aqua Marina Drift
Overall
10'10"
28 lbs
Inflatable
$$
4.5
Pau Hana Big EZ
Overall
11'0"
36 lbs
Solid
$$$
4.9
Aquaglide Blackfoot Angler
Gear Storage
14'0"
39 lbs
Inflatable
$$$
4.6
California Board Company Angler
Gear Storage
11'0"
31 lbs
Solid
$$$
4.9
Tower Paddle Boards iSUP Adventurer 2
Budget
10'4"
26 lbs
Inflatable
$
4.5
Z-Ray FS7 Deluxe
Budget
11'0"
24 lbs
Inflatable
$
4.5
PICTURE
FISHING SUP
BEST USE
LENGTH
WEIGHT
INFLATABLE/SOLID
PRICE
RATING

 

 

 

FISHING SUPS REVIEWS

BIC SPORT ACE-TEC CROSS FISH

Check out the latest price on:

Amazon | REI

BEST FOR: Fishermen who also want a great all-around board

LENGTH: 12’0”

WEIGHT: 43 pounds

INFLATABLE/SOLID: Solid

PROS: Stable, high-volume, perfect for beginners and versatile conditions, front area for storage space

CONS: Heavy, slow moving, not great for narrow passages

 

 

 

AQUA MARINA DRIFT

Check out the latest price on:

Amazon

BEST FOR: Experienced fishermen with limited space

LENGTH: 10’10”

WEIGHT: 28 pounds

INFLATABLE/SOLID: Inflatable

PROS: Comes with fish cooler box with back support, very compact, tailored for fishermen, stable

CONS: Not the standard SUP shape, slow to paddle

 

 

 

PAU HANA BIG EZ

Check out the latest price on:

Amazon

BEST FOR: Experienced paddlers and fishermen wanting a top-of-the-line board that can do it all

LENGTH: 11’0”

WEIGHT: 36 pounds

INFLATABLE/SOLID: Solid

PROS: Impact resistant, great for larger riders, 25 mounting points for gear

CONS: Too big for petite paddlers, high price point, hard to transport

 

 

 

 AQUAGLIDE BLACKFOOT ANGLER

Check out the latest price on:

Amazon

BEST FOR: Paddlers with tons of gear or even those wanting to paddle tandem

LENGTH: 14’0”

WEIGHT: 39 pounds

INFLATABLE/SOLID: Inflatable

PROS: Extremely stable, can accommodate a lot of gear, comes with a complete set

CONS: Does not pack up as compact as most inflatables, heavy

 

 

 

CALIFORNIA BOARD COMPANY ANGLER

Check out the latest price on:

Amazon

BEST FOR: Fishermen with a lot of gear to bring on excursions

LENGTH: 11’0”

WEIGHT: 31 pounds

INFLATABLE/SOLID: Solid

PROS: Very fast, agile, and tracks straight, comes with storage space and gear rack built for fishermen

CONS: High price point, wood finish distorts if left in sun for too long

 

 

 

TOWER PADDLE BOARDS ISUP ADVENTURER 2

Check out the latest price on:

Amazon

BEST FOR: Versatile paddlers with limited space

LENGTH: 10’4”

WEIGHT: 26 pounds

INFLATABLE/SOLID: Inflatable

PROS: Compact and easy to transport, very rigid once inflated, durable, bungy storage

CONS: Not the best for bigger paddlers – unstable for people over 250 pounds

 

 

 

Z-RAY FS7 DELUXE

Check out the latest price on:

Amazon

BEST FOR: Beginner paddlers who want a stable and inflatable board

LENGTH: 11’0”

WEIGHT: 24 pounds

INFLATABLE/SOLID: Inflatable

PROS: Comes as a complete set with pump and paddle, easy to inflate, very compact, stable

CONS: Has a lot of drag, slow moving

 

 

 

 

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST FISHING SUPS

SHAPE

Since you’ll need more stability than a standard stand up paddle board because of all the movement that happens whenever you fish, you’ll want a stand up paddle board with a wide, long, and stable shape.

Touring boards or surf SUPs won’t be great for fishing as touring boards tend to be too narrow and surf SUPs tend to be too short, loud, and slow. An all-around board or yoga specific SUP could be a great compromise if you’re wanting a board that isn’t fishing-specific.

Fishing SUPs should be at least 10 feet long and 30 inches wide. The nose should be round, rather than very pointed, unless you have enough length to make the board more stable. Fortunately, with the right paddle technique, you can easily make most fishing SUPs work for you thanks to their friendly and sturdy shape.

 

WEIGHT

If your board is too heavy for you to carry, chances are that you’ll rarely use it. Opt for a board on the lighter end of the scale if you won’t be getting a carrier. Some fishing-specific SUPs can be as heavy as nearly 70 pounds, a weight that’s too heavy for most people to carry long distances. Standup Journal has advice for transporting your SUP, so it’s possible that even a heavy board could still work for you.

If you want a fishing SUP that is lightweight and easy to transport, inflatable SUPs tend to be much lighter and can roll into the size of a backpack.

 

FISHING FEATURES AND STORAGE CAPACITY

Fishermen often paddle with a plethora of gear. One of the biggest differences between a standard SUP and a fishing SUP is storage capacity. You’ll want — at the bare minimum — a SUP that has a bungy section for tying down tackle boxes. You can also get a SUP that comes with a rod holder, built-in cooler box, and dedicated tackle area. Some fishing SUPs can even transition into semi-kayaks complete with seat rests for when it’s time to simply sit and relax.

Keep in mind that the more fishing-specific a SUP tends to be, the bulkier it might get. Fishing kayaks also tend to have more things that can snag or catch, so they don’t typically make the best SUPs for children or beginner paddlers.

 

INFLATABLE VS. SOLID

There are pros and cons to having an inflatable or solid (traditional) stand up paddle board.

Inflatable boards tend to be more prone to tearing and are less stable than a solid board, but can be deflated and rolled for easy transport. Inflatable SUPs are a great option if you’re limited on space or don’t have a vehicle that’s capable of fitting a large board. These also are often cheaper than a solid SUP, which makes them perfect for fishermen on a budget who still want a nice piece of gear. You can learn how to inflate your SUP from Tower Paddle Boards.

While solid boards tend to be heavier, more expensive, and harder to transport, they are typically built better and are more sturdy than inflatable stand up paddle boards. Most advanced paddlers opt for a solid paddle board with more fine-tuned dimensions and features.

READ MORE

For more of our top stand up paddle boarding gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer's guides:

Stand Up Paddle Boards

Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards

Touring SUPs

Fishing SUPs

SUP Paddles

SUP Roof Racks