Standup paddleboards offer an easy way to get on the water. The lightweight, compact and versatile boards require less storage space and are easy to transport. On the water, a SUP is perfect for short trips on shallow, sheltered water. The latest trends in fishing paddleboards bridges the gap between a board and a kayak. The addition of an electric motor or pedal system allows SUP anglers to go farther and fish harder. This year saw a great crop of gear and tackle for standup paddleboard anglers. Versatile and durable rods, reels, and accessories that cover the bases and get the biggest bang for the buck.
Best New Fishing Gear for SUP Fishing
Toadfish Carbon Elite II Spinning Rod
MSRP: $148
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SUP anglers need a corrosion resistant and extra-tough fishing rod to withstand the harsh marine environment. The Toadfish brand was developed in the South Carolina Lowcountry to meet the needs of local anglers. The second generation of the Toadfish Carbon Elite II is lighter and tougher with high-quality carbon fiber blank and premium Fuji K-Series stainless steel line guides designed to reduce windknots and tangles. An all-carbon split grip and threadless reel seat are both durable and ergonomic. For extra traction on the rod handle, Toadfish designers inlaid the carbon grip with soft-rubber accents that are soft and water resistant. I tested the 7’2″ medium action model, which is stiff enough for a ¼-ounce lure and powerful enough to tangle with pissed off bluefish and chunky striped bass. I use the rod with a ½-ounce jig head for deeper water and bigger adversaries.
Hobie Hull Float Sunglasses
MSRP: $119.99
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As a precaution, standup paddleboard anglers prefer gear that floats. Hobie’s Hull Float sunglasses are high-quality polarized sunglasses that won’t sink. The lenses are coated with a hydrophobic material to repel water. The Hull Float is good for the environment, too. The lens material is a bio-based plastic and the frames are upcycled plastic left over from Hobie kayak production.
Garmin inReach Mini 3
MSRP: $449
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GARMIN BASS PRO SHOPS ACADEMY SPORTS AMAZON
One of the most important gear advancements is Garmin’s inReach Mini 3 satellite communicator. Building on the capable inReach Mini, the new model has an interactive touchscreen to make messaging and sending photos easier. Connected to the Garmin app, the inReach Mini allows messaging and sending photos off the grid. In the event of an emergency, push a button on the inReach and Garmin’s emergency network contacts rescue services.
Berkley PowerBait CullShad
MSRP: $10.99
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BASS PRO SHOPS DICK’S SPORTING GOODS BERKLEY AMAZON
Standup paddleboard anglers don’t have space to store a ton of tackle, so one lure needs to cover a lot of bases. Berkley’s PowerBait CullShad is a soft-plastic paddletail that can be rigged with a jighead to fish deep or a weightless, weedless hook to work through the grass or swim along the surface. The lure is also available rigged with a treble hook. The CullShad is juiced with PowerBait taste package to keep the fish chewing. The best feature is the honeycomb pattern tail reinforced with a durable material to produce maximum movement and keep the lure in one piece. The big-body swimbait swims ultra-slow to entice a finicky fish or speed up the retrieve when the bite is aggressive.
Sea Eagle FS1210
MSRP: $1,349
When Sea Eagle released the FS1210 inflatable paddleboard, social media influencers announced the demise of the rotomolded plastic kayak. For decades, inflatable kayaks and plastic kayaks competed for respect. Inflatables win for easy storage and transport but lose points for performance and fish-ability. So, what makes the FS1210 inflatable better than a plastic fishing kayak? The motor.
Electric motors have become the great equalizer for kayaks and paddleboards. Light and compact electric and gas motors bring the same high performance to an inflatable fishing platform.
The FS1210 has four pre-mounted Scotty bases for a variety of accessory attachments. Bases near the seat are convenient for elevated rod holders. Sea Eagle accessory bases in the bow and stern host an anchor trolley, power anchor or motor mount.
The FS1210 has an adjustable casting bar to improve stability for standup fishing. The casting bar provides a solid support to grab or lean on when I’m making a long cast or fighting a big fish.
To move the FS1210 on land, an integrated kayak cart folds behind the seat. Using the cart to launch and recover the boat prevents the vinyl from touching the ground.
Adding a small electric motor to the FS1210 turns the board into a formidable fishing machine. The boat I tested was rigged with an ePropulsion eLite electric motor. The eLite is an all-in-one battery and motor in a 15-pound package.
The little power plant pushed the boat as fast as I wanted to go on an inflatable kayak. Turning and direction were intuitive and nimble. The eLite motor is light and compact to fit unobtrusively on the FS1210.
If you live in an apartment and drive a hatchback, the FS1210 offers a serious fishing platform that fits in your life. Or, if you are traveling in an RV and looking for a full-feature kayak to take fishing on the road, the FS1210 stuffs into a luggage compartment or storage trunk. There is a long list of situations where the FS1210 offers a serious fishing solution that is easy to own.
Does a motor-powered inflatable paddleboard make traditional kayaks obsolete? | Feature photo: Sea Eagle
