Inflatable kayaks can be excellent for fishing and have the big advantage of being extremely portable.
They can deflate and fold up into a carry bag that can be transported in the trunk of your vehicle, taken on a larger boat or even checked on to an airplane.
Bottom line… With an inflatable fishing kayak you can get on the water anytime anywhere.
There is one company that rules in the inflatable fishing kayak world and that is SeaEagle.com.
They have been a leader in the industry of inflatable boats for over 30 years and their fishing kayak options are beyond anything else out there.
There are TWO models in particular that really stand out because they are fully loaded with all the accessories an angler could want. They are also extremely durable, functional, stable and portable.
These are the two BEST fishing inflatable kayaks on the market right now.
Note: If you’d rather a fishing boat as opposed to a kayak Sea Eagle has some fantastic options that you can see here, including their popular frameless pontoon boat.
SEA EAGLE 350FX
- 11’5” long
- 39” wide
- Weighs 50.7 lbs.
- Max Load 575.5 lbs.
- Can handle up to Class IV rapids
- Engine Capacity: 34 lbs. thrust electric (max engine weight 15 lbs)
The 350fx offers the ultimate in comfort. My partner and I LOVE paddling this kayak, it just feels great. Load it up with a ton of gear, bring out the dogs if you like and paddle in comfort.
The 350fx is quite versatile. It cruises well on flat water and can handle whitewater with up to class IV rapids so you can basically take it just about anywhere and know that it will handle fine.
It has nice large sides that offer a lot of stability. This kayak can hold up to 575 lbs. easily. We have found the comfort level of the 350fx to be well above most other inflatable kayaks.
The high back seats can be adjusted for more back support so you can make them as rigid as you like and the cushioned bottom will keep you out for hours in comfort.
This is a solo model so it fits one adult plus gear. It turns quickly and easily. Tracking is decent for the width of this model and we have no trouble paddling straight into wind and chop.
Unique Features For Fishing Include:
- 16 Drain Valves
- 22 D-ring Attachments
- Front and Rear Spray Skirts
- Built-In Rod, Tool, Hook & Lure Holders
- Extra-Reinforced Black Sides
- Rigid High-Pressure Floor – You can stand and fish
- Built-In 40” Fish Ruler
- Sea Eagle FlexBrace™ – For added support to maximum comfort and power when paddling.
- Sea Eagle Motor Mount Receivers
- Right & Left Side Anchor Trolley Attachment D-rings
Learn more about the 350fx in our full comprehensive review.
SEA EAGLE 385FTA
- 12’6” long
- 36” wide
- Weighs 44 lbs.
- Max Load 635 lbs.
The 385fta is just as awesome as the 350fx but it is a little longer, a little lower profile and a little faster to paddle.
Whereas the above 350fx excels in comfort and added stability the 385fta is a few inches leaner, a good foot longer, glides a little faster, tracks a little straighter and is an overall better performer.
It has a drop-stitch keel that helps this kayak cut through the water smoothly and track straight.
It doesn’t have the same versatility as the 350fx because it is better suited for calmer water however it is a really nice ride.
I have used it often on flat water lakes, on calm rivers and even around protected ocean bays and I have always been happy in it.
Even though this kayak is a little longer it actually weighs almost 6 lbs. less than the 350fx. I personally like the lighter weight and find it easier to lug in and out of my vehicle.
The sides are not as large as what you see on the 350fx but this kayak is still very stable even in choppy water.
It is made equally as durable, has the same angler green color and is loaded with great features.
Important Features Include:
- Front and Back Spray Skirts
- Front Bungee Rope Lacing
- Built-In Fish Ruler
- Separate High Pressure Floor
- EVA Foam Padding on Floor and Sides – Prevents slippage and added protection from fishing hooks.
- 4 Ergonomic Carry Handles
- 2 Drain Valves
- 18 D-rings
- Drop Stitch Keel
Learn more about the 385fta in our full comprehensive review.
Other Options
Now if neither of those two kayaks fit your budget there is another good option. Sea Eagle offers a fishing package for their 370 Sport kayak for a fraction of the price.
See more details below…
SEA EAGLE 370 SPORT
- 12’2” long
- 34” wide
- Weighs 32 lbs.
- Max Load: 650 lbs.
The 370 Sport has been around for years and is very popular. It is the ultimate starter kayak because it is well-made yet affordable, easy to paddle and highly portable.
Sea Eagle tends to give you a lot for your money and I love that the 370 Sport still comes with their 3-year warranty and full package options.
So how does the 370 compare to the above two kayaks?
Well it isn’t as rigid and it doesn’t perform quite as well. It doesn’t have the high pressure floor that you can stand on as seen in the 350fx and 385fta models. It also doesn’t have all the same awesome features.
It is a base kayak with a base price tag but sometimes that’s all you need.
It is very quick to inflate and a lot of fun to paddle. This kayak is perfect for keeping in the RV or on a boat.
I have a friend who keeps this kayak in the trunk of his car and heads to the water after work several days a week.
It is convenient and easy to use and has a TON of great reviews.
The fishing package comes with:
- A multi-purpose kayak storage box that includes two rod holders (You can actually use this storage box in any kayak or on any paddle board. )
- 7’10” 4-piece kayak paddle
- Deluxe inflatable kayak seat
- Foot pump
- Carrybag
- Small repair kit
Learn more about the 370 Sport in our full comprehensive review.
Common Questions
The most common questions I get with regards to using an inflatable for fishing are:
How durable are they?
And…
Can a fishing hook puncture it?
The answers are if you get a good quality one such as the models I have listed above it will be extremely durable and tough.
Often the fishing specific models have extra layers of material for added durability and are decked out to be convenient for anglers to use.
To puncture the boat with a fishing hook you would have to work pretty hard at it. I have never heard of a single issue related to fishing related punctures.
However even if there ever was a leak you would not sink. The great thing about inflatable kayaks is that they have 3 separate air chambers… one for each side and one for the floor.
If there were an issue with one air chamber, the other two would safely get you back to shore.
If you want a convenient way to get out and fish, spend some relaxing time on the water and explore new areas then an inflatable fishing kayak is an excellent way to go.
Stress Relief
Did you know that fishing from a kayak is a fantastic way to relieve stress and clear your mind?
Studies have in fact proven it to be so therapeutic and so effective at calming the nervous system that fishing from kayaks is used in several different programs to help with PTSD and stress relief.
From military to first responders to anyone with challenges or stress, fishing from a kayak might be exactly what you need to find some peace. You might be surprised at just how many benefits there are and how good you will feel after an hour or two out on the water.
Have you used a kayak for fishing before? What has been your experience? Leave a comment below, we’d love to hear from you!
Can I kill a fish, and keep it on a stringer for an hour or two to continue fishing in a kayak?
Why kill it??? Just put it in the stringer and rock on
Thanks for sharing these valuable tips. It is very useful information for me.
I wanted to buy a 385FTA swivel seat fishing kayak but they are all back ordered , I wonder how durable the 370 would be for fishing, plan to take it to Mexico in the salt water and am concerned it could puncture from a hook or a fish
Has anyone ever used one of these for hunting. It seems like if you can stand up in them for fishing you should be able to stand up in them to throw out decoys and retrieve downed birds.
I haven’t used it for hunting but I agree it makes sense that it would work well. They are stable and you can definitely stand with the high pressure floor.
Hey there
I am considering purchasing an inflatable kayak for sea kayaking across the shoreline and maybe for throwing a line in for fishing sometimes. I am totally new to the kayaking area so I would appreciate some additional advice.
Because I am new to this, I don’t want to spend too much money in my first kayak. I am 6′.3” tall and my wife is 6′ so something like the sea eagle 370 will provide sufficient space for short excursions.
1. Do i need a drop stich floor for sea kayaking? I plan using it not in a very long distance from the shore, and mostly in a gulf. Is it a good solution?
2. I also checked Aquaglide’s Chinook 120 and Saturn ocean kayak 14”. Are they good enough? And finally, in saturn’s website everything is out of stock. Is the company still in business?
3. Any other suggestions?
Thank you in advance for your response!
Hi James, I apologize for being a little late getting back to you here. An inflatable kayak will be great for what you describe. To answer your questions:
1. A drop-stitch floor isn’t critical but it really helps with performance by eliminating drag and flex. I find it’s a much nicer ride with the drop stitch floor.
2. The Aquaglide Chinook 120 is decent and would suit your needs. I’m not a huge fan of Saturn. I don’t find their kayaks to be made that well and have had issues with them in the past. I’ve also had quite a few people email me regarding issues with their Saturn kayaks so I tend to stay away from them. I would suggest the Sea Eagle FastTrack any day over the Saturn 14′ ocean kayak. I haven’t heard anything about Saturn going out of business though so not sure about that.
Hope that helps!
I am looking for an inflatable to use for fishing. I recently sold my NW Propel10 pedal kayak.Used it for 4 years but it got to be too heavy for me to pull up from our marina to my car. I am old ..79 ..and am not overly impressed with the reviews i have read on the durability of inflatables. The prices of the two Sea Eagles you rate the highest are pretty high for an inflatable but i wouldnt want to be out on Lake Lanier with one when it started deflating! Are there any places where you can actually see one of these models instead of ordering directly and returning it if not happy? I really need to get back to fishing…what do you think of the Sea Eagle Packfish 7 Pro as an alternative or the Sea Eagle SE9 ? Thanks for doing these reviews.
Hi Jerry, I have a friend who owns the Packfish 7 Pro and he loves it. It’s extremely portable, easy to setup and comfortable to paddle. I know he’s used it a lot and hasn’t had any issues at all.
How long do these take to inflate?
With the hand pump it takes me between 5 and 8 minutes to inflate depending on how big the kayak is.