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Stand Up Paddle Boards Are Great for Anglers on a Budget
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October 25, 2012
Stand Up Paddle Boards Are Great for Anglers on a Budget
By Tim Romano
Call me crazy, but I'm starting to believe that SUPs or Stand Up Paddle Boards are some of the most versatile fishing craft the average angler can afford and take to destination fishing locations. I know some might disagree with me, but I'm guessing they don't have the wherewithal to balance on one—or perhaps even know how to paddle.
You get height on your side, get to stand to cast, and draft almost nothing when using one. Not to mention they cost quite a bit less than a decked out fishing kayak. I've used mine at my home for bass, trout and carp. I've brought it to upstate New York for smallies and recently targeted redfish in South Carolina.
No, you can't go off-shore or super long distances on it, but the inflatable SUPs are packable, don't require any gas and can be used for a number of applications. Case in point, much to my wife's chagrin, I insisted on bringing my inflatable NRS SUP with us on vacation not knowing what type of water we'd be near. We were staying outside Beaufort, SC, with friends and family. I put the SUP, my daughter's stroller, car seat, my fishing gear, and luggage in the car. It really wasn’t that much more to bring. I didn't need a trailer and I checked the SUP in with ease at the airport.
Once there, I pumped it up, slid it in on a high tide, and paddled over un-wadeable mud bottom flats to some perfectly wadeable hard-bottomed grass flats I could have never been able to reach on foot. I proceeded to find multiple tailing redfish right out the backdoor of the place we were staying. What could be easier? I personally cannot think of another boat that you can travel with that can slink along the grass flats, power out to reefs, cruise trout rivers, or scout local bass water.
Am I nuts, or are SUPs one of the most economical easy to travel with fishing craft available right now?
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Comments (22)
I've been kicking around the idea of trying one out for shallow-water duck hunting (hardboard, not an inflatable, but who knows, maybe an inflatable would work as well?).
Think it might work pretty well for skinny water, sloughs, small protected bays and other stillwater duck hunting applications. Or I might just get myself killed. Haven't figured out which is the most likely scenario...
Much more portable than my kayak. Check my photos to see what it looks like when I pack mine...Yes, I drive that.
Tim,
Upstate NY is my neck of the woods. Did you write up that particular trip and if so is there a link? Too bad you didn't tie into a nice fat chromer: you could've added wakeboarding to the list.
Are they reliably stable too, or is the slightest miss-step gonna mean getting wet and possibly losing gear?
Are they reliably stable too, or is the slightest miss-step gonna mean getting wet and possibly losing gear?
I just got one and I love it. I'm taking it up to Montauk this weekend and launching right under the lighthouse. Way more portable than pulling my boat up there for sure. Next weekend I'm gonna try it in the Niagara River for steelies. Thanks for opening my eyes on SUPs, bro...again : )
I was so sold into sup's befofre all the field and stream articles but one factor made me stop and reconsider. how are you gonna handle standing on that thing all day especially the older fishermen. all the young fishermen and fishermen at least up to 30-something can toughen up and handle it but what about older fishermen lets say 40 and up,with potentially joint issues? and other health problems.I for a fact know outdoorsmen and women are a hardy and passionate bunch but you have to consider these things.and all the field and stream fly talk and fishing writers are doing are talking about sup's as all pro's and no con's. thats why I dont take f and s sup talk seriously.
SUP's rock. I have fished from a Kona inflatable SUP for 2-3 seasons now, on a Wisconsin lake, and I love it. The ability to stay high and see the fish better is great, esp. in the morning hours when the sun is low in the sky and illuminates the lake bottom. I use a 10lb anchor to keep me from getting blown into shore when winds come up. I find it very stable and portable. I upgraded to a Badfish MCIT recently, and am looking forward to seeing their Badfishing model, which will be a bit wider and with some fishing-specific accessories. Next summer I plan to explore new lakes by transporting the deflated SUP on my motorcycle :)
Good point omar. I think those who shouldn't be using paddle boards for those reasons know they shouldn't be using paddle boards. Those people will read these posts, realize that it's not for them, and chalk it up as "does not apply to me." Personally, I'm sticking to my kayak because of my clumsiness. It's bad enough for me to be in a yak. I would like to try the paddle board though. It's something that didn't ever cross my mind. But, then again, I'm 25 and able bodied. Also, as went unmentioned by the author, ukuleles go wonderfully with paddle boards.
If Cermele and Romano have one, I'm getting one.
I'll be damned if they get to have all the fun.
Tim, Do you have any recommendations for what styles are best for fishing? Length? Width? Do some models have accessories such has rod holders and such?
I'm going to look into this. The portability thing is certainly a plus.
I'll be impressed enough to fish off one after someone drives a half bucket of golf balls off one.
Buckhunter, I know that NRS makes a model designed for fishing. Unlike regular SUP's, it includes bungees on the fore and aft to lash down gear.
Buckhunter, my post here was fully sarcastic. I do not have one. But if you want one I really like the Contender 32 CC paddleboard with twin 250 Yammies...you know, in case you get tired of paddling.
Joe, Ya know, I was sort of wondering...
I was with you, Joe. I've never been to the lighthouse on Montauk but I don't think Johnny Knoxville would attempt the Lower Niagara on a SUP. But see if you can get Kessler on one. That would make for a helluva Hook Shots.
I'll stick with my 1976 sea nymph and the 9.9 hp johnson anybody with a big johnson doesn't belong in one of these things:)
You might wanna get yourself a SUP, then, Trapper! Haha ;)
It must be hard to fight a fish and balance on one of thoose things for long.
It must be hard to fight a fish and balance on one of thoose things for long.
@Big Sebago: That's what I thought, too. When I watched a video with them, they were wider than I thought. It still looked more difficult than I would want to deal with.
Get a used canoe. One quarter to one half the price.
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I just got one and I love it. I'm taking it up to Montauk this weekend and launching right under the lighthouse. Way more portable than pulling my boat up there for sure. Next weekend I'm gonna try it in the Niagara River for steelies. Thanks for opening my eyes on SUPs, bro...again : )
Much more portable than my kayak. Check my photos to see what it looks like when I pack mine...Yes, I drive that.
I'll stick with my 1976 sea nymph and the 9.9 hp johnson anybody with a big johnson doesn't belong in one of these things:)
You might wanna get yourself a SUP, then, Trapper! Haha ;)
I've been kicking around the idea of trying one out for shallow-water duck hunting (hardboard, not an inflatable, but who knows, maybe an inflatable would work as well?).
Think it might work pretty well for skinny water, sloughs, small protected bays and other stillwater duck hunting applications. Or I might just get myself killed. Haven't figured out which is the most likely scenario...
Tim,
Upstate NY is my neck of the woods. Did you write up that particular trip and if so is there a link? Too bad you didn't tie into a nice fat chromer: you could've added wakeboarding to the list.
Are they reliably stable too, or is the slightest miss-step gonna mean getting wet and possibly losing gear?
Are they reliably stable too, or is the slightest miss-step gonna mean getting wet and possibly losing gear?
I was so sold into sup's befofre all the field and stream articles but one factor made me stop and reconsider. how are you gonna handle standing on that thing all day especially the older fishermen. all the young fishermen and fishermen at least up to 30-something can toughen up and handle it but what about older fishermen lets say 40 and up,with potentially joint issues? and other health problems.I for a fact know outdoorsmen and women are a hardy and passionate bunch but you have to consider these things.and all the field and stream fly talk and fishing writers are doing are talking about sup's as all pro's and no con's. thats why I dont take f and s sup talk seriously.
SUP's rock. I have fished from a Kona inflatable SUP for 2-3 seasons now, on a Wisconsin lake, and I love it. The ability to stay high and see the fish better is great, esp. in the morning hours when the sun is low in the sky and illuminates the lake bottom. I use a 10lb anchor to keep me from getting blown into shore when winds come up. I find it very stable and portable. I upgraded to a Badfish MCIT recently, and am looking forward to seeing their Badfishing model, which will be a bit wider and with some fishing-specific accessories. Next summer I plan to explore new lakes by transporting the deflated SUP on my motorcycle :)
Good point omar. I think those who shouldn't be using paddle boards for those reasons know they shouldn't be using paddle boards. Those people will read these posts, realize that it's not for them, and chalk it up as "does not apply to me." Personally, I'm sticking to my kayak because of my clumsiness. It's bad enough for me to be in a yak. I would like to try the paddle board though. It's something that didn't ever cross my mind. But, then again, I'm 25 and able bodied. Also, as went unmentioned by the author, ukuleles go wonderfully with paddle boards.
If Cermele and Romano have one, I'm getting one.
I'll be damned if they get to have all the fun.
Tim, Do you have any recommendations for what styles are best for fishing? Length? Width? Do some models have accessories such has rod holders and such?
I'm going to look into this. The portability thing is certainly a plus.
I'll be impressed enough to fish off one after someone drives a half bucket of golf balls off one.
Buckhunter, I know that NRS makes a model designed for fishing. Unlike regular SUP's, it includes bungees on the fore and aft to lash down gear.
Buckhunter, my post here was fully sarcastic. I do not have one. But if you want one I really like the Contender 32 CC paddleboard with twin 250 Yammies...you know, in case you get tired of paddling.
Joe, Ya know, I was sort of wondering...
I was with you, Joe. I've never been to the lighthouse on Montauk but I don't think Johnny Knoxville would attempt the Lower Niagara on a SUP. But see if you can get Kessler on one. That would make for a helluva Hook Shots.
It must be hard to fight a fish and balance on one of thoose things for long.
It must be hard to fight a fish and balance on one of thoose things for long.
@Big Sebago: That's what I thought, too. When I watched a video with them, they were wider than I thought. It still looked more difficult than I would want to deal with.
Get a used canoe. One quarter to one half the price.
Post a Comment