More and more people are beginning to go kayak fishing instead of traditional angling. People were tired of having to purchase large, expensive, and heavy boats that were a pain to stow and transport.
They wanted something that was small and light, that could easily be carried and stored.
So people started buying lighter and cheaper kayaks instead of the heavy aluminum boats, and kayaks have only become more popular since then.
A stand-up paddle board (SUP) has entered the market and is challenging the other products.
Fishing vessels in the west and saltwater areas became increasingly popular, leading to the transformation of many anglers’ boats.
Nowadays, east coast fishermen use them after they migrated across the country.
Many companies are making SUPs specifically for fishing which are causing kayaks to lose their place as the best small vessel for fishing.
What Is a Paddle Board?
A paddle board is a vessel that uses a paddle to move through the water. It is typically made of wood, plastic, or fiberglass.
The board is strapped to the paddler’s feet and pushed out into the water.
Why Use a Paddle Board?
Paddle boards and kayaks can both be used for touring the local waterways and fishing. Paddle boards are Large, stable and easy to learn how to use, while kayaks are small and more maneuverable.
Here are some reasons why you might want to choose one over the other:
- Paddleboards outperform kayaks in terms of speed, making them ideal for transportation.
- Paddle boards are steadier than kayaks and don’t take much energy to paddle through the water.
- Paddle boards are much easier for people with disabilities or limited mobility to get on and off of than kayaks are, making them a great option for those individuals.
- Kayaks are great for fishing because you can move around a lot in them and they don’t take up much space. Paddle boards are better for touring than kayaks because they provide a more peaceful experience.
Both motorboats and sailboats can be used for other activities, like swimming, sunbathing, and windsurfing.
It is essential to choose a watercraft that best suits your needs and preferences. People have different opinions on whether kayaks or paddle boards are better. Some people think kayaks are more versatile, while others find paddle boards more fun.
How to Choose the Right Board for You
If you want to have fun in the water without lugging a lot of gear around, you should try paddle boarding. Here’s how to choose the right board for your needs:
Your paddling style should be taken into consideration when choosing a paddle board. Do you enjoy pushing your limits or riding more relaxed? Do you usually prefer to be standing up and moving around or sitting down and not moving?
Some people find kayaks too slow and cumbersome for their fast-moving paddling styles, while others find they can’t get enough speed out of a less responsive board. You will need to try different boards and see which one works better for you.
Your weight and size are important factors to consider. Most boards are designed for people who weigh between 120 and 255 pounds, and are approximately 6’2″ tall.
If you’re taller or wider than the average person, you may want to get a different type of board. This is important to know if you are not an average size.
Make sure the board is stable in the water and easy to control. Some skateboards are more durable than others, but you will need to practice on all of them to get better.
After you have decided on the best board for yourself, take into account the water and land conditions where you will be using it. A surfboard is not a good choice if you want to swim in calm water near a sandy beach.
You should take your time finding the perfect board instead of rushing into a purchase.
What Is a Kayak?
Kayaks are boats typically made of wood, with either a single or double hull. They are shorter than traditional canoes, which makes them easier to transport on land and less intimidating for first-time kayakers.
Paddle boards are similar to kayaks in that they are both watercraft propelled by the user. However, instead of using a boat paddle, paddle boards use the power of the user’s feet.
Paddle boards can be used for many different activities, not just exploring rivers, lakes, and coastlines. They can also be used for more extreme water sports like whitewater rafting and SUP surfing.
Best Kayaks for Beginners
Kayaks are a good choice for beginners because they are easy to get into and offer good stability.
Kayaks are a great choice for beginners because they are not as fast as paddle boards.
Inflatable kayaks are ideal for shorter trips or calmer waters.
Paddle boards may be a good option for you if you want something more challenging.
Is kayaking better?
Both kayaking and paddle boarding are great exercises that can provide a lot of fun.
However, which one is better?
Some things to think about when making this decision include:
The most important thing to think about is how you’re going to use the sport.
While kayaking is excellent for exploring scenic waterways, paddle boarding is better for covering long distances in smooth water.
If you are looking for a sport that you can take with you wherever you go, kayaking might be the better option for you.
While paddle boards may be bulkier and harder to transport, they offer a more stable and enjoyable experience on the water.
Paddle boards also offer more versatility than kayaks.
This type of kayak is good for both touring and racing, so if you’re someone who likes to paddle for both fun and competition, this would be a good type for you to get.
The best sport for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.
If you’re hoping to find an activity that is both fun and will help you stay in shape, you should consider kayaking or paddleboarding.
The Differences between Paddle Boards and Kayaks
A paddle board is a boat made from a board with interconnected circles, or “blades,” attached to it.
The typical kayak is oval-shaped and has a level surface on each side of the hull. The seats are at the front and back of the boat, and the fishing rod holder is on the bow.
There are several key differences you should consider before purchasing a paddle board or a kayak.
First, paddle boards are much faster than kayaks. Paddleboards can move much faster than kayaks, up to 20 mph.
Paddle boards are better for activities like surfing and windsurfing because you can go faster with them.
Second, paddle boards have much more stability than kayaks. Canoes are more stable than kayaks because they don’t rely on the Moment of Inertia principle.
In physics, the principle of mass-inertia dictates that the more mass an object has, the more difficult it is to alter its speed or direction. A kayak is less stable in choppy water and requires more effort to stay upright.
Paddle boards are much easier to transport than kayaks, which is the third advantage they have. This means that they don’t take up extra space and can be packed up and stored when you’re not using them.
Finally, paddle boards are less expensive than kayaks. The reason canoes don’t work as well for fishing is because they lack features that kayaks have, such as a fishing rod holder and seats.
Benefits of kayak fishing and SUP fishing
Let’s take a look at what they have in common before we move any further.
Lightweight
Both of these objects are created from plastic and their weight can vary depending on the size. Overall, these are easy to transport for one person. The light weight of these items makes them easy to put away.
Skinny water fishing
If you want to fully cover a small river or creek, you’ll need a boat that’s larger than a bass boat. A kayak or SUP’s shallow design lets you float through a few inches or feet of water easily.
This allows you to fish in locations that were previously inaccessible and reach fish that other anglers could not.
Maintenance
There’s an old joke that I’m sure you’ve heard.
There is a saying that the two happiest days in a boater’s life are the day he buys his boat and the day he sells it. For those who have never owned a boat before, they may not know that the maintenance on it can be an absolute pain.
The true beauty of kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding comes from their versatility. Outside of regularly rinsing your deck and making sure it’s not exposed to bad weather, you don’t have to do much to maintain it.
We now know the qualities each of them share, so we will go a little deeper to see which one is a better fit for you.
Fly fishing or spin casting?
Whether you’re throwing a Texas rigged worm to a largemouth or chunking a streamer to a brown trout you need to know which vessel is going to work best for your style of fishing.
Fly fishing from a kayak
It can be challenging to get a decent back cast when sitting in a kayak. Since you’re so close to the water, you need to make sure your flight doesn’t end up behind you.
The problem can be solved by standing up, which many sit-on-top kayaks are stable enough to do.
If you are standing up while kayaking, remember that you might lose your balance and fall into the water, so be careful.
Spincasting from a kayak
If you want to be close to the water while you are sitting down, you can easily cast your spin caster or bait caster.
Since you are casting so close to the water, you don’t have to worry about your back cast going anywhere. Additionally, you can easily cast underneath docks and overhanging tree limbs.
Fly fishing from a SUP
Fly fishing and SUPs go together like peanut butter and jelly.
Since the extra stability allows for easy weight transfers while casting, and you’re standing, you have plenty of room for your back cast.
If you want to sit down and then stand up to throw to rising fish, an elevated seat or a stripped-down cooler is a good option because there is no wasted effort.
Spincasting from a SUP
Just like you would with a kayak, you should be able to cast your spinning setup. You could choose to stand, kneel or sit. You could even lie down if you want to!
Overall
The SUP makes it just as easy to cast a fly rod or a spinning rod. If you are looking for a board that will allow you to easily cast both methods, then the SUP is the answer.
But don’t discredit the kayak. Fly fishing rods can be tedious to cast, but it is possible to do.
Gear Storage Is a Major Consideration
One of the largest subcultures of the fishing world has got to be gear heads. The people who always have to have the latest and newest trends.
You should prioritize the amount of gear your vessel can hold if you want to be a successful fisherman. This is because you will need the latest and best equipment, which takes up a lot of space.
Kayak storage options
You’ll have plenty of storage space as long as you don’t buy a kayak that’s specifically designed for whitewater rafting.
Sit-ins have two areas where you can store a tackle box or a small cooler. There is also a flat area in front of the paddler that can be used to store other items. The kayak’s lip will prevent your belongings from easily sliding off.
SUP storage options
Surfboard manufacturers commonly use straps at the front and back to secure a cooler or gearbox to use as a seat.
The compartment can hold a few different items, from a tackle box to food, and some smaller items. You can attach rod holders to your cooler to bring different setups with lures and flies.
This boat is perfect for the fisherman who wants to keep things simple. It has enough space for what you need but not much extra space.
Overall
The kayak leads the way in gear storage. You can hold whatever you want and then some. If you want to paddle out with only the essentials, then the SUP is a great way to go.
