Advice For Fishing While Standing On An SUP Paddleboard

Maybe you have never thought of fishing from your paddleboard or kayak. Or maybe you took up paddleboarding with the express purpose of expanding your awesome fishing capabilities. Either way, if you are interested in SUP fishing, you’ll want to know a few tips and what the advantages of stand-up paddleboard fishing are, and what kind of board you might choose if kayak or paddleboard fishing is on your horizon.

Why Go Fishing On A Paddleboard?

Depending upon where you live, you may see individuals out on their paddleboards at all times of the year, and at anytime of day, especially if you’re in a warm environment. However you can also wear a wetsuit or dry suit and paddleboard or kayak in colder conditions, such as if you are paddleboarding after dark instead of during the day.

Paddleboarding at Night

One other idea that you might want to consider is paddleboard fishing at night, if you live in a warm enough climate for it. The beauty of taking your paddleboard out at night rather than during the day is that you can attach lights to it, which light up the water around you and actually attract fish to your board.

You can see them more clearly, and you can bring your fishing gear with you to do some paddleboard fishing right around you while it is dark outside. If you have a busy day and only a little time to get outside in the evening before the sun sets, SUP fishing at night on your stand up paddleboard can give you another advantage and a way to work around your packed schedule every day.

Kayak Fishing vs Paddleboard Fishing

Another option available to you is kayak fishing, or taking your fishing gear in a fishing kayak as you go out on the water. While it is comparable to SUP fishing in some ways, kayak fishing has a few differences. There are pros and cons to kayak fishing when comparing it with SUP fishing. An advantage of fishing kayaks is that they do not require you to stand up, so you do not have to worry as much about keeping your balance and losing your cooler and your equipment if you fall into the water (there is still a risk you could tip over in a kayak, so be careful).

On the other hand, the fact that you are unable to stand in a fishing kayak can be a disadvantage. The great thing about SUP fishing is the flexibility of position that it allows. With more freedom of movement, you may be better able to prepare your fishing rod, reach for your tackle box, or react to a fish biting at your line than you would be if you felt restricted in a fishing kayak.

A paddleboard also allows you to change positions, standing up, sitting, or kneeling alternately if you get tired of standing on the SUP. This process is easier on your back and provides better exercise for your body than having to sit in one position for long period of time like you would in a kayak.

Where Can You Fish?

As long as it’s legal to do so, and if you’re able to get out on your paddleboard, you ought to then be able to fish. Remember before you go paddleboard fishing that you will also need to check with the wildlife department of the state you plan to fish in to find out if you need a fishing license, because in many cases you will. If you are going SUP fishing, you’ll also need to pack your equipment well and make sure you aren’t prone to losing anything off of your paddleboard. Ensure your tackle box, cooler, fishing rod, and other gear is secure and attached to your board even if you move around. Some paddleboards for SUP fishing even have fishing rod holders to keep your rod secure on the board.

Ideal for Fishing Multiple Locations

If you prepare to fish in a variety of different areas, a paddleboard can be a fantastic vessel, as paddleboards tend to be easier to carry than other vessels and are designed to be easily brought by hand to the shore. Going from fishing spot to fishing spot on your paddleboard when they are connected by water and don’t require you pick up your board, cooler, and the rest of your equipment can be a lot easier than navigating between fishing spots that you need to walk to.

Thankfully, a paddleboard is relatively easy to transport, so if your cooler is not too large, your gear not too heavy, and you have rod holders on your board, you may not have too much trouble carrying your one two many belongings every time you have to move around.

Fishing Far Off Shore

The places people go for great fishing vary widely, and fishing spots can be scattered just about anywhere. Having the ability to take your fishing trip on paddleboards can give you a little more flexibility to not only reach multiple fishing spots, but to get to fishing areas you could not otherwise reach. You may put yourself directly out in a body of water where your line may not easily reach, and being able to see much easier from above the water, you can discover a new favorite fishing spot way far from shore.

Where a Boat can’t go

Having a paddleboard allows you to take your cooler, equipment, and everything else with you over land or water as many times ass needed, giving you access to bodies of water you may not be able to bring a boat in. For example, many rivers could be too narrow for a boat, but can be easy to navigate by stand-up paddleboard. This is another one of the best benefits of standing on the paddleboards for fishing rather than using a boat or in some cases kayaks.

Risks of SUP Fishing

No matter where you live, you have most likely seen individuals on their paddleboards on your national lake, slowly moving along a river, or traveling alongside the sea coast, sometimes doing their own SUP fishing. However, many shallow rocky areas can be a bad idea, as this is a way you can harm your SUP board, in addition becoming threatening to you if you were to fall in.

Paddleboard Fishing in Wind

Windy conditions might not be perfect for SUP fishing either, as it can affect your capability to manage the SUP board, with your body becoming like a sail. The wind can also cause you to feel cooler temperatures as you stand-up paddleboard. If your paddleboard is inflatable, it can be collapsed down while carrying it to make it easy to transport through wind.

When Waters are Rough

Choppy conditions are another thing you might wish to avoid while stand up paddleboard fishing, as this can impact your balance and you may need to kneel or lay down on the board. Your cooler and gear need to be secure on the deck, whether you are fishing using paddleboards or kayaks, so that you don’t lose your cooler or any of your gear in the water.

Securing Your Equipment

This is another case where you will especially need to guarantee that you secure your equipment to the deck of the SUP board and that it doesn’t get blown away. A rod holder would be a great, useful tool to have on deck, and a deck pad large enough to be a little more forgiving could make it possible for you to continue fishing in wind or rougher water.

What Are The Advantages?

Due to the fact that you’re standing as opposed to sitting on the deck, one of the primary advantages of paddleboard fishing is that you can have a much better exposure and a clearer view under the water. If the water beneath you is clear while you’re paddleboarding, this may mean that you’re able to capture more fish because you should be able to view them.

Natural Pain-Preventative Exercise

Since you’re standing on your stand-up paddleboard while you’re fishing and paddling, you will be getting a more natural form of exercise for your body, which might help to minimize some of the issues associated with sitting back. You can always sit down on the paddleboard if you choose to, however. Riding a stand up paddleboard can even be a form of physical therapy, and a good choice of exercise for recovering from injury or dealing with stiff joints, chronic back pain, and sore muscles.

The Sons are Free

When it comes to catching fish, one can use all the great advantages they can get. Having a paddleboard to fish from offers clear benefits and a vantage point that will make your fishing experience favorable. We all understand the value of favor, especially in the context of fishing. Jesus Christ sent his disciple (who was learning how to be a fisher of men!) to get the money needed to pay his taxes from the mouth of a fish he had caught. He used it to illustrate a point that the sons of a king had a kind of freedom that others under the authority of the king don’t have. I’m sure we all could use a few anglers expensive enough to pay our taxes!

Finding an SUP for Fishing

How do you determine what type of board is best suited for fishing? Could kayaks be a good alternative option? Here are two tips for finding a great board that has the right features you need in a paddleboard for fishing, as well as where to find the best brands of paddleboards and gear (like rod holders!).

What Features Should I Watch out For?

When choosing a board for fishing, there are a few factors you’ll want to take into consideration. The size of the SUP board and deck will make a big difference in the difficulty of balancing on it (add fishing to this, and the difficulty rises). The length and shape of the hull also make a difference, as they will result in a different motion in the water as well as varying degrees of movement.

Length And Hull Forming

There are various types of SUPs, each designed for a different function or activity, with a medium sized board with a planing hull being an excellent choice for SUP fishing and adaptability. These SUPs are flatter and broader than the longer touring SUPs that have a more streamlined displacement hull.

Starting with a Large Board

It’s a good thing to keep in mind that the larger the SUP board and deck pad, the more stable it should be and the narrower it is, the more hydrodynamic it must be, so a larger SUP board might be a great option for novices to use, at least till you discover your feet on the water.

Stand-Up Paddleboard Designed for Fishermen

You might also have seen that there are specifically designed paddleboards for SUP fishing, that have more of a pontoon design hull, which can offer more stability as you’re out there hunting for anglers and anything else you can find in the water. They may be even more easy to transport than a regular SUP as well, offering one more great advantage.

An Inflatable SUP for Fishing

When it comes to fishing, SUP inflatable boards can offer two other advantages, and for this reason, a lot of fishermen prefer them. Having an inflatable SUP gives you the ability to more easily transport your board in the event you need to carry it on your back, and it also allows for easier storage with better accessibility. If you are considering getting a new board for fishing, SUP inflatable boards are a great option for you to consider!

Let us be your Paddleboard Resource!

At Paddle Sesh, we specialize in all things paddleboards and surfboards. We offer some of the best brands for paddleboards and equipment, and we offer extensive guides, tips, and information about paddleboarding. If you are learning paddleboarding for the first time, we can help you get the hang of it in no time. If you want to know what other awesome things you can do with your paddleboards that you might like, such as racing, yoga, bringing your dog with you, or getting exercise while pregnant, we can give you all the details! We can even help you determine the size and type of boards that will be ideal for your purposes. Let us know how we can help you, and get you started on your very own epic stand-up paddleboard fishing journey!