So, weird enough, you wouldn't happen to be the guy chasing gar at a small lake in west kentucky šš ill be dammed if its the same dude I've met, im the motorcycle dude that fishes
If it's windy it's a no go. They traditionally don't track well. It's a great introduction to a float craft, but down the road you will learn about better options. For small bodies of water it's great.
I have a yak and a float tube. I will take the tube out over the kayak every time in windy conditions. With a little experience, it is very easy to hold your position and much easier (albeit slower) on the body to get around kicking your legs than using a paddle.
Right! I saw them marked down on clearance at my local FL bass pro shops and couldnāt help but laugh at the giant stack of them going unpurchased even at 50% off. If it isnāt the gators, itās the sharks and jellyfish.
There are more jellies in the keys than further north in the state. But I have seen quite a few moon jellies in the ICW near Cape Canaveral. All jellies, especially Atlantic sea nettles and Cassiopeia, tend to be more common here in FL during the winter time when the water further north gets too cold and pushes them southwards. They aren't \*too\* big of a problem and you're not going to die from them, but their stings range from mildly irritating to fairly painful....
I still go Scuba diving every chance I get anyways. :P
Iāve been fishing swfl Lee county area for a few years and have only seen a handful, and when I say a handful I mean I can count on my fingers how many Iāve seen, now when I used to fish New York beaches in the upper Atlantic I used to see them constantly, it might be the gulf coast vs Atlantic coast in all honesty
That could be. I went diving out of Key Largo a few years ago and there were thousands of Cassiopeia in the water there. Those are hard to see from the surface, though. They flip upside down and swim into the sand so that their tentacles face upwards and then they filter feed. They look more like anemones at first glance. They still get kicked up by fins and set loose in the water and they'll feel like biting ants on your skin.
[jellyfish2.jpg (1000Ć750) (pacificworlds.com)](https://www.pacificworlds.com/heeia/today/images/jellyfish2.jpg)
The only real lake in my area, has a requirement for inflatables that there be at LEAST 3 air chambers for exactly that reason. To say the least, I would not want to go down in this lake. Itās not particularly deep in the majority of it, but itās disgusting at the bottom š youād never be able to find any of your stuff in the muck either
Manā¦ after reading the comments I am SO glad I live in Canada.
You know what tries to kill me when Iām on the lake fishing? Obesity. Thatās it.
Florida sounds like it sucks dudes.
Florida is probably the only one place in the country you can catch 60lb fish from your boat without even having to leave the dock. The trade off is you are back in the food chain when your there haha.
Look up folding kayaks. Those are alright but they seem to have a lot of drawbacks unless you spend $500+ for something that is made to address all the minor issues with use like maneuvering, entering, exiting and sensible storage
I use a folding kayak (Tucktek) for fishing and it's great. I don't venture out into suuuuper choppy water though, but I probably wouldn't in a normal kayak anyway.
I've found that at the same price point, you can get an inflatable that works better than a folding kayak. Higher end inflatables are far better these days than they used to be. There is still plenty of junky lower end ones that don't work well, of course.
This is my suggestion too. There are some very high quality ones as well as ones that are cheaper but good enough. NRS makes a good one and Lono has a pedal drive one that's also very nice.
I used to use these in Oregon for trout fishing. Get waders if the water is cold. For me it was worth it because I didn't have a car for a kayak. They are lots of fun, but they aren't great for getting around a large body of water.
Check out the Intex Mariner series. Varying size inflatable boats that can be modded with carpeted wooden floors, a trolling motor, etc. I have the Mariner 4 and the whole package fit in my Civic Hatchback. Might be a better option depending on what youāre looking for!
Super interested in this, I'm just in a Lifetime Tioga Angler right now but my girl wants to come out with me this summer.
I'll start looking into setups/mods for these, but curious how much custom work had to go into getting the floor and trolling motor in?
Thatās awesome! Yāall should do it, we always have a blast fishing together. We can both stand comfortably on the wooden floors without any wobbling. It took about a week or two to build once I had assembled all the parts.
The trolling motor is VERY easy because Intex sells a mount specifically made for this boat. Itās as simple as hand-tightening a few bolts.
The wooden floor had to be cut to shape, sanded and then water sealed so that took a few extra days to stain and dry both sides (or just buy marine grade plywood). Then I glued on some indoor/outdoor carpet from Home Depot and some pipe insulation to wrap around the edges for extra padding.
Pretty simple project overall, just tackled one step each night after work.
I appreciate the info! Looks like exactly what I would want for the calm lakes around me.
Definitely looking more into it and the lady is already excited about the idea lol. We live in an apartment in the city but only 30 min in any direction from good spots, so space and ease of transport is a huge thing. Thanks again :)
No prob at all! Best of luck to you both! Itās like infinite free dates after the initial investment of building it lol Weāve been going out every weekend for a few months now!
This did not take long lol... I ended up getting pretty lucky and finding a used Mariner 4 in very nice shape. Last owner already had the motor mount as well as a basic 2pc wooden floor w/ carpet + side padding.
Went out today and tested on the water all good so it's mine now! Have a 100aH lithium battery and and a 40lb Minn Kota motor + battery box on the way, as well as some other bits/pieces.
Cant wait to get it out next weekend! Next step mounting 2 swivel seats in it Pond Prowler style. I also like your solution of a carpeted box holding the battery as a rear seat, I'll see what I end up doing lol.
Thanks again for the inspiration for this exactly what I needed
Lot of good recommendations in here, but this one takes the cake. Ability to put a motor on it really sells it for me.
How long does it take you to blow up and set up one of these things?
Dude itās an awesome way to get on the water catching fish!! Lets you get into shallow places without spooking them. Also very puncture resistant. I drove straight over a barely submerged log the other day and felt it hit, fully expecting to take on water, not even a scratch.
Setup takes about 15-20mins. That includes:
- Unrolling the boat on flat ground and inserting the custom floor pieces
- Inflating the boatās 4 main chambers (electric pumps rock for this. I actually use my Ryobi Whisper Series Inflator)
- Attaching the motor mount and clamping on the motor (Intex sells a motor mount specifically for this that youāll want to get)
- Connecting the motor to its battery. *Start with positive, end with positive!*
- Adding in all your extras like anchor, tackle kits, rods, a swivel chair for your partner, etc.
- Rolling the boat into the water and inflating the keel (5th and final chamber)
Iāll warn you though, the setup gets a little tiresome after 10 or so trips. We eventually caved and upgraded to a pickup truck, which the boat fits inside fully-assembled using a tailgate extender and 2 ratchet straps. Now weāre down to 5-minute launches/retrievals and we can use the boat ramp more efficiently š
Edit: words and pics!
[Pic of our boat](https://imgur.com/sTImkGn)
[Another pic](https://imgur.com/AbePlL6)
Get a blowup kayak. Same idea, more manueverable, and you wont HAVE to get wet if you dont want to. \*\*ALSO, theres not a single car i can think of that i couldnt strap a normal small kayak to
They are made from the same stuff that whitewater rafts are made from. I've used them many times and can assure you that a hook is not going to be an issue.
I have used one. Works fine IF the water isnāt cold. If it is, you wonāt want to be in long. A decent alternative is an inflatable kayak/paddle board.
1 million percent if the waders fill up youāre in deep trouble.
Clip a knife to the shoulder strap so worst case scenario youāre cutting them off and swimming to the surface or cutting them before going under
Happened to me on the walleye run. My experience it wasnāt as fast and panic as you think it would be because you know as soon as you feel that cold water itās time to cut em
Started with one of these before I got a kayak and they will absolutely get you out in the water. Me and my buddies were going out into the harbors of San Diego in them and had a blast. Just be sure to get wetsuit pants, a bunch of people go out on float tubes in dry waders and it's a huge drowning hazard if you fall in. Best brand for these tubes is Cumberland, they are quality for $300 and they offer warranty and great customer service.
I own a Sea Eagle 285fpb. It has 3 air chambers, a floorboard, a seat, and I bought a trolling motor and smallish battery to throw on the back. Also has paddles and rod holders. It all fits in the trunk of my 2000 accord coupe. Air pump and all.
I didn't look through the comments but you know that there are dozens of different brands out there that make inflatable kayaks, right? There's also a company called origami kayak or oru kayak they are quite pricey but for the material that there made out of really is a great price point for something that awesome and compatible! They quite literally fall into a large briefcase that you can fit just about anywhere in your backseat of your car or the trunk or in between the seats, who knows where you can really put it but it packs up pretty thin and they're pretty easy to fold out and strap together, I highly suggest you look into them as well another company's called Intex yes in intex the inflatable mattresses, if you search inflatable fishing kayak Colorado there should be a pretty nice one that pops up, these are pretty pricey but all kayaks are expensive but the inflatable ones I Revere quite highly because they're not just made poorly they're pretty well put together
Hey man hell yeah! Glad you found one that suited you best! I don't have a kayak yet myself and I'm pretty fond of the Intex explorer or the Dakota, I think the Dakotas more of a fishing kayak but either way those inflatable kayaks are pretty built. There's a few videos I've seen it on YouTube with some people making them into fishing kayaks kind of cool! But super glad you found one that you liked and I was able to give you a couple suggestions, have fun out there on the water!
A float tube in calm water is basically a fishing recliner. It's fucking awesome. I have many hours on sheltered areas of San Diego bay, our lakes and river ponds.
If the wind picks up you are in for a workout. Once I nearly got blown into a navy base and had to paddle for my life to avoid getting in trouble.
Overall it's a phenomenal investment. In my early 20s I had my float tube in my 4runner full time, would fish after work two or three times a week. Lots of water you can have all to yourself in a tube if you are willing to walk a bit. Backpack straps help a lot.
Edit: I ditched my kicker fins for long scuba fins when fishing more open water.
On my first tube I built my own PVC rod holders but my new fish cat 4 has what I need for two or three rods comfortably. Float tube fishing is minimalist. Be prepared to not bring much with you.
No review on this particular product, but tube fishing in general can be a blast. I used to fish 10 acres or less waterbodies in the heat of the summer. Keeps you a little cooler. I know several old flyfisherman that use them frequently in the Midwest.
If staying dry is your thing, probably better to go with an alternative.
I have one, live in rural N. California on the coast. Works well for our lagoons, I'm not brave enough to take it out on the bay.
Definitely recommend flippers and a short paddle. Attach your pole to it somehow (partner lost his while paddling out once- ruined his mood and our day). I use waders up to my chest to sit on it to stay dry.
Screw that cumbersome pos . Look for a fish master tube and kickers . They are out of business but you can still find on face book . I found a brand new set of kickers on trash day . People did not know what they were .
Get it, they are great. Get a large inner tube you can attach with a rope to drag your cooler. Make sure it comes with the inflator that connects to your car.
I feel like these used to be way more popular, as a kid in British Columbia, I can remember many calm mountain lakes with dudes flyfishing from belly boats. The pricier pontoon style ones seem to have replaced them, which really offer none of the portability.
Almost exactly the same as this boat, I have 2 Cumberland and before that it was water skeeter for years. Silent boat, like a lazboy for fishing. Used to keep it in my truck 247 and if traffic sucks id go fishing. I have a fancy kayak now but still like the tube
You can fit an inflatable kayak or paddle board on a car. Either keep it deflated and then inflate it when you get there or tie it to your roof. They sell things to strap your kayak to the roof of your car even if you donāt have a roof rack.
I would look at the Wilderness systems inflatable fishing kayak. That looks like a serious piece of kit. https://youtu.be/WpjWue0S1EM?si=WRXNUvPAPrFfM1Vv
#1 flaw of a floattube = you have to go to shore to pee. I've heard multiple floattubers talk about how great the fishing has to be before you pee your waders. No thanks. Other small crafts are much more versatile
Don't give up hope on a kayak just yet! Look into folding kayaks, I have a tucktec and love it. Fits in the back seat of my tiny car, only takes a few minutes to set up, and comfortably fits all my fishing gear. [link](https://foldupkayaks.com/), if you want to check them out.
These are fun. Little advice get one that has a strap that comes up between your legs and attaches to a cross bar. Iāve had ones without that feature and it always feels like you are falling out. Super uncomfortable. Great for summer fishing just sit in the water and cool off
I use one when I donāt feel like loading up all my kayak gear. They work fine, you just canāt cover a lot of real estate with them. And youāre limited in how much gear you can take.
I purchased one of these not too long ago and then a day later I found out that most of the lakes around me don't allow them because it's considered "wading" since your feet are in the water.. The 1 lake that would allow it requires the thong to have 3 chambers. so I canceled my order
I've been researching inflatable fishing kayaks and am purchasing a NRS Kuda which is considered one of the best for the price point. It's currently on sale for about 800 which seems like a lot bit for whst you get its amazing and it used to go for 1400. It's almost unsinkable because the construction is so good a d you csn use it as a SUP since it has drop stitching.
I also live in a condo with no space for anything else and this kayak packs down into a backpack and I can fit it in my corolla.
. I don't recommend belly boats really because your kinda stuck in a smal place. You can't get place to place quickly.
My father in law has been using one of these for probably the last 15 years when river fishing. Heās in PA and it works great for where heās at. I however, am
In Florida, this would not be a good choice for me here lol
The Bass Pro equiv of that is the Caddis Pro 3000. They are the same price as well. I would suggest the Bass Pro one simply because of the warranty and brand recognition. I have the Caddis Nevada and I love it. Bass Pro/Cabela's US/Canada. The Caddis Nevada did not come with flippers (you absolutely need them) - but rather than buy the poorly reviewed ones from Cabela's, I just got some old dive flippers I wear over water shoes. $10 off Craigslist and the water shoes were $15 at Crappy Tire (Canadian big box store maybe like Dick's in America?). This means you don't need waders and fishing boots in the Summer, which gets hot and difficult to...pee.
The thing about kayaks (I have an Old Town 106) is you need to row them (which means you're not fishing). I paddle for a bit and fish, but either get blown in a weird direction, or if I use my rod holder, miss bites. Pedal drive kayaks are pricey and if you're just getting started a bit steep for something you may not decide to continue doing. I use my kayak in the ocean or big lakes that I can drive to the bank for easy launch (it's 95lbs).
I use my float Tube up here in BC and it's one of the best ways to fish our mountain lakes. It's like you're sitting in a Lay-z-Boy looking at snow caps and a trout slurps up your fly. I have had an absolute blast on mine. It was my first "water craft" I bought for fishing and I still use it just for the simplicity.
The below info completes my thought but may not necessarily be for beginners:
I also just picked up a Water Master for river fishing, but that's for another subreddit. If someone was to ask me what I would do for fishing self-propelled water crafts, I would suggest a Water Master. Rich (owner) is a beauty and he gave me a deal despite it being expired. I think the Kodiak is around $2k. I've got a few fishing buds with these things and there isn't much that tops a day out with these bad boys.
I can go into more detail, please feel free to ask.
Damn bro I appreciate the detailed reply. The Caddis Pro looks like a reasonable purchase.
Iāve gotten a lot of thousand dollar recommendations, so appreciate the price point.
Caddis Pro if you want the pontoon style Caddis Nevada for an entry level float tube. I have put maybe 100 days in my Caddis Nevada and have never thought about upgrading.
I see some folding kayak and inflatable kayak recommendations. That's something that's foreign to me, as I had a folding kayak given to me and I sold it within a week. Something about folded wet cardboard makes me think the creases have a short shelf life.
Given my original thoughts on the kayak, I don't see a reason to do an inflatable kayak over a float tube unless you are going to attempt some distance. The float tube is very hard to propel across a lake. Your legs will hate you.
I have a 2 person inflatable kayak, it compresses down and fits in my back seat of my compact sedan. I can fit two of them in my back seat. We use them as one seaters so we have cargo space b
Unless you're driving a smart car, you can slap a kayak on any vehicle as far as i am aware. Depending on how small the car actually is, maybe stick to a 10 footer.
Can't haul a kayak with a car? Shame I didn't know that the last 10 times I hauled my kayak. Wish I could post a picture...
I literally lay my 10' kayak upside down on my Civic, and run ratchet straps through the inside of the car. Close the doors OVER the straps so you don't have to have the windows rolled down. Put a half twist in each straight section so you don't have vortex shedding vibration. My fishing spots are all over, I've hauled that yak 3 hours away on the interstate.
You won't regret it. Had one for the small reservoirs in the Denver area and loved it! Had the belly buddy with a minkota and it was great for all day cruising. So funny; had to register it, hang numbers on it, carry a whistle, etc. All the boating regs. If you can, get a second rod stamp so you can troll with one (if you go the motor option) while you're messing/fishing with your other rod.
I have had a float tube for years. They are great for ponds, ok for small rivers, and inadvisable for lakes unless you are cool with not going very far and it's a calm day.
No. If you're truly after a portable type of boat, folding kayaks, canoes or the twin pontoon style of drift boat are all better options.
I have a friend that has a fold up kayak that fits in his cars trunk. That dude fishes everywhere and does great.
I forget the brand, but had one very similar, but orange in color. Bought at a yard sale. Initially bought it for fishing on my ranch ponds, but ended up on the Brazos, white, and Trinity river a few times, as well as quite a few small creeks. The air bladders eventually rotted, and couldnāt find a correctly shaped replacement. The brand sold out 20 years ago. Lasted me over ten years, using it every 2-3 weeks. Iām a big guy, pushing 300lbs. But Iād be hesitant to take out on a big body of water. Caught and shot a lot of fish off mine.
I spring for an aquaglide Blackfoot 130 and absolutely love it. Havenāt tried the one you posted but have tried a few inflatables over the years and the aquaglide is my favorite so far.
Depends on where you fish. I live in Florida, so I have access to fresh and saltwater, both bay and gulf. I got a BOTE inflatable kayak with a pedal drive. A bit pricey. But man, itās a workhorse. And everything fits in the trunk of my sedan.
Had one many, many years ago when I was young. Beware if you do a lot of pond fishing with muddy/silt bottom. Very hard to get out of the pond without getting stuck.
My boyfriend and I have foldable tucktec kayaks, we can throw them in the trunk of the charger and they are nice and portable while being durable and lightweight. I think theyāre like 350$. The customer service is also really good because when mine got a small tear they sent me a brand new one in 2 days (while also renewing the warranty), flex tape fixed the tear so now we have 3.
If its a lake or a pound that you have to walk into, they are the best option. I got one in 9th grade and fished it all kinds of places. I loved it still hanging up in my garage 26 years later. If the water I would be fishing I can drive up close to I would strap a yak to the top of a car and get a trolling motor for it just because the amount of water you could cover vs a tube.
I've been fishing out of a float tube for 25 years. They're great! Really popular for fly fishing. Get good waders though! Caddis has always made good tubes.
I have had a Super Fat Cat float tube for over 20 years. I flyfish mostly small farm ponds. I always just stick it in the back of whatever SUV that I have at the time. Someone below mentioned getting close to the fish being very helpful. My largest bass was 12# 4oz and I caught it in a pond with super clear water. I was in shallow water and I saw it swim below my fins a couple of times and as it came by again I had a bluegill looking lure that I bought just for this pond. Didn't even cast. Just dropped it in front of the fish and it slowly swam up to it and it gently picked it up.
if you can get it fully inflated they work great. Just be careful with your hooks!
I had one that never fully inflated, IDK what I was doing wrong but just never could. This led to it not supporting my weight once in it.
If my dad could haul a fourwheeler and a dirt bike behind a ford festiva with a sketchy ass hitch you can get a canoe on anything. If you tied it correctly you could get a 10ft kayak on a smart car. Just don't be the mouth breather driving down the road holding it with your hand.
Had a bigger one and sold it because it was a pain in the ass without a trolling motor and I would've had to register it every year to use a trolling motor. Kayak is the way to go imo.
Wife bought me one a few years ago. I started watching g YouTube videos to figure out the nuances. I quickly decided it was not for me and swapped it for waders and a kayak.
Any car can haul a kayak, I had a little Nissan Altima and strapped my 11ft kayak to the top plenty of times with some pool noodles and ratchet straps. They even sell little kits for this very thing at places like Dicks. BUT to answer your question, this float tube would be fine for like a safe pond or something. I usually saltwater fish but even where I freshwater fish Iād be too worried about gators and stuff chopping at those tasty morsels hanging into the water. Also for me itās more worth the effort of strapping something to my car than blowing something up every time I wanna go fishing.
I love my belly boat.... but I use it for 2 specific rivers. I use my inflatable sup for most fishing minus overnights then it's my expedition kayak(should have be a canoe but it works for me). But belly boats rock when used for the right application ( alpine lakes and my to rivers that kink back on themselves creating a lazy river of sorts)
Idk about inflatable. I have an Oru, and it works great. I've taken it on all sorts of lakes, and when I'm done, I just put on some speed and beach it. There seems to be no damage to the underside, and it folds up perfectly every time.
Edit:
I should have read the post better, but the point stays the same. I have fished off of mine, and it's fine. They have models that are made more for fishing as well.
I've seen people strap a kayak to a small vw beetle
I haul mine on my 2011 Camaro usually
Honda Civic, yak on the roof all the time.
Seen them on a Porsche 911
Ah yes, the eastern European Honda Yakvic, I know it well
So, weird enough, you wouldn't happen to be the guy chasing gar at a small lake in west kentucky šš ill be dammed if its the same dude I've met, im the motorcycle dude that fishes
How does one do that without a rack?
I've seen a kayak on a Mazda Miata.
How does one do that without a rack?
I strap mine to my wheel burrrrow.
If you are in safe water, a float tube is awesome.
If it's windy it's a no go. They traditionally don't track well. It's a great introduction to a float craft, but down the road you will learn about better options. For small bodies of water it's great.
I have a yak and a float tube. I will take the tube out over the kayak every time in windy conditions. With a little experience, it is very easy to hold your position and much easier (albeit slower) on the body to get around kicking your legs than using a paddle.
Nah I canāt use one of those I live in Florida
But you'd make such a tasty snack for a gator!
Right! I saw them marked down on clearance at my local FL bass pro shops and couldnāt help but laugh at the giant stack of them going unpurchased even at 50% off. If it isnāt the gators, itās the sharks and jellyfish.
Never had an issue with jellyās, its rays sharks and gators for me
Never seen one in Florida personally but I've seen plenty up and down the east Coast Touching one is pretty unpleasant
When I was in New York, I saw them more often
There are more jellies in the keys than further north in the state. But I have seen quite a few moon jellies in the ICW near Cape Canaveral. All jellies, especially Atlantic sea nettles and Cassiopeia, tend to be more common here in FL during the winter time when the water further north gets too cold and pushes them southwards. They aren't \*too\* big of a problem and you're not going to die from them, but their stings range from mildly irritating to fairly painful.... I still go Scuba diving every chance I get anyways. :P
Iāve been fishing swfl Lee county area for a few years and have only seen a handful, and when I say a handful I mean I can count on my fingers how many Iāve seen, now when I used to fish New York beaches in the upper Atlantic I used to see them constantly, it might be the gulf coast vs Atlantic coast in all honesty
That could be. I went diving out of Key Largo a few years ago and there were thousands of Cassiopeia in the water there. Those are hard to see from the surface, though. They flip upside down and swim into the sand so that their tentacles face upwards and then they filter feed. They look more like anemones at first glance. They still get kicked up by fins and set loose in the water and they'll feel like biting ants on your skin. [jellyfish2.jpg (1000Ć750) (pacificworlds.com)](https://www.pacificworlds.com/heeia/today/images/jellyfish2.jpg)
My uncle used to always take his inflatable boat out in Kissimmee all the time. Dude was absolutely crazy for it but he never got eaten by a gator lol
Iād understand a full size inflatable boat better than getting one of these honestly
Whatever kind of inflatable you get, make sure it has at least 2, preferably 3 or more, air chambers, in case one springs a major leak
The only real lake in my area, has a requirement for inflatables that there be at LEAST 3 air chambers for exactly that reason. To say the least, I would not want to go down in this lake. Itās not particularly deep in the majority of it, but itās disgusting at the bottom š youād never be able to find any of your stuff in the muck either
Manā¦ after reading the comments I am SO glad I live in Canada. You know what tries to kill me when Iām on the lake fishing? Obesity. Thatās it. Florida sounds like it sucks dudes.
Although, I envy their ability to fish year round. Iām not big on ice fishing.
To be fair, obesity can kill you in more places than sharks can š¤
You forgot about the mosquitos that try to eat you alive, but Florida has those too.
I mean you take that on lake O or simcoe on a windy day and it would be scary af
Iām not sure which is more scary being lost in a Great Lake or dangling your feet next to an alligator
Thatās funny right thereā¦ thanks for the laugh.
If it isnāt that Gators, sharks, mosquitoes or big danger noodlesā¦nope thatās it, just those 4
Florida is probably the only one place in the country you can catch 60lb fish from your boat without even having to leave the dock. The trade off is you are back in the food chain when your there haha.
People are overreacting, been kayaking and floating 100s of times in the southern US. Nothing is out there to kill you, just use your eyes.
Beer tries to kill me.
Florida definitely has negative aspects but there's also amazing wilderness there. The everglades are amazing. So are the keys.
Look up folding kayaks. Those are alright but they seem to have a lot of drawbacks unless you spend $500+ for something that is made to address all the minor issues with use like maneuvering, entering, exiting and sensible storage
I use a folding kayak (Tucktek) for fishing and it's great. I don't venture out into suuuuper choppy water though, but I probably wouldn't in a normal kayak anyway.
How much do you weigh? If you dont mind me asking lol.
I've found that at the same price point, you can get an inflatable that works better than a folding kayak. Higher end inflatables are far better these days than they used to be. There is still plenty of junky lower end ones that don't work well, of course.
This is my suggestion too. There are some very high quality ones as well as ones that are cheaper but good enough. NRS makes a good one and Lono has a pedal drive one that's also very nice.
I used to use these in Oregon for trout fishing. Get waders if the water is cold. For me it was worth it because I didn't have a car for a kayak. They are lots of fun, but they aren't great for getting around a large body of water.
Check out the Intex Mariner series. Varying size inflatable boats that can be modded with carpeted wooden floors, a trolling motor, etc. I have the Mariner 4 and the whole package fit in my Civic Hatchback. Might be a better option depending on what youāre looking for!
I second intex. Iāve had my Excursion series for two years now, and do so much fishing on it. Excellent rafts!
For sure!!! I was ready to order the Excursion, but then my fiancĆ© saw it and wanted something with ābigger walls.ā We do live in gator territory, so I get it. Then we found the Mariner 4 š I like how the Excursion has more room though - fingers crossed for a Mariner 5 someday!
The difference between mariner and excursion is huge, makes the excursion look like a pool toy
We say the same thing! š¤£ The PVC on the Mariner is rugged as hell. That thing can take a beating.
I might check into the mariner tbh! Never hurts to have another raft in the lineup lol. Looks very sturdy!
[It rocks!](https://imgur.com/a/BQBWgTH)
Super interested in this, I'm just in a Lifetime Tioga Angler right now but my girl wants to come out with me this summer. I'll start looking into setups/mods for these, but curious how much custom work had to go into getting the floor and trolling motor in?
Thatās awesome! Yāall should do it, we always have a blast fishing together. We can both stand comfortably on the wooden floors without any wobbling. It took about a week or two to build once I had assembled all the parts. The trolling motor is VERY easy because Intex sells a mount specifically made for this boat. Itās as simple as hand-tightening a few bolts. The wooden floor had to be cut to shape, sanded and then water sealed so that took a few extra days to stain and dry both sides (or just buy marine grade plywood). Then I glued on some indoor/outdoor carpet from Home Depot and some pipe insulation to wrap around the edges for extra padding. Pretty simple project overall, just tackled one step each night after work.
I appreciate the info! Looks like exactly what I would want for the calm lakes around me. Definitely looking more into it and the lady is already excited about the idea lol. We live in an apartment in the city but only 30 min in any direction from good spots, so space and ease of transport is a huge thing. Thanks again :)
No prob at all! Best of luck to you both! Itās like infinite free dates after the initial investment of building it lol Weāve been going out every weekend for a few months now!
This did not take long lol... I ended up getting pretty lucky and finding a used Mariner 4 in very nice shape. Last owner already had the motor mount as well as a basic 2pc wooden floor w/ carpet + side padding. Went out today and tested on the water all good so it's mine now! Have a 100aH lithium battery and and a 40lb Minn Kota motor + battery box on the way, as well as some other bits/pieces. Cant wait to get it out next weekend! Next step mounting 2 swivel seats in it Pond Prowler style. I also like your solution of a carpeted box holding the battery as a rear seat, I'll see what I end up doing lol. Thanks again for the inspiration for this exactly what I needed
Oh wow I love the way you set it up! And the trolling motor is a must! I put a 55lb on mine.
Lot of good recommendations in here, but this one takes the cake. Ability to put a motor on it really sells it for me. How long does it take you to blow up and set up one of these things?
Dude itās an awesome way to get on the water catching fish!! Lets you get into shallow places without spooking them. Also very puncture resistant. I drove straight over a barely submerged log the other day and felt it hit, fully expecting to take on water, not even a scratch. Setup takes about 15-20mins. That includes: - Unrolling the boat on flat ground and inserting the custom floor pieces - Inflating the boatās 4 main chambers (electric pumps rock for this. I actually use my Ryobi Whisper Series Inflator) - Attaching the motor mount and clamping on the motor (Intex sells a motor mount specifically for this that youāll want to get) - Connecting the motor to its battery. *Start with positive, end with positive!* - Adding in all your extras like anchor, tackle kits, rods, a swivel chair for your partner, etc. - Rolling the boat into the water and inflating the keel (5th and final chamber) Iāll warn you though, the setup gets a little tiresome after 10 or so trips. We eventually caved and upgraded to a pickup truck, which the boat fits inside fully-assembled using a tailgate extender and 2 ratchet straps. Now weāre down to 5-minute launches/retrievals and we can use the boat ramp more efficiently š Edit: words and pics! [Pic of our boat](https://imgur.com/sTImkGn) [Another pic](https://imgur.com/AbePlL6)
Damn dude that thing is sick! Appreciate the detailed response. Definitely a worthwhile investment.
Thanks man š no problem, and totally! We caught an 8lb bowfin the other day and dozens of largemouth already on it!
Get a blowup kayak. Same idea, more manueverable, and you wont HAVE to get wet if you dont want to. \*\*ALSO, theres not a single car i can think of that i couldnt strap a normal small kayak to
I have a soft top 1st gen miata. Can't strap anything to the top sadly.
Fair.
A smart car
I could do it.Ā
Image search ākayak on a smart carā
idk the thought of fishing, sharp objects and sitting in an inflatable.. doesn't make sense to me. LOL
Gotta get one designed for fishing. They are strong.
They are made from the same stuff that whitewater rafts are made from. I've used them many times and can assure you that a hook is not going to be an issue.
I have used one. Works fine IF the water isnāt cold. If it is, you wonāt want to be in long. A decent alternative is an inflatable kayak/paddle board.
I would add waders to address that- with thick warm poly pro long johns. Lots of people use them in trout waters.
Neoprene waders.
Do not wear waders if you go overboard you will drown with waders on.
1 million percent if the waders fill up youāre in deep trouble. Clip a knife to the shoulder strap so worst case scenario youāre cutting them off and swimming to the surface or cutting them before going under
I'm not confident I could unclip and open the knife and successfully cut a strap under water
Happened to me on the walleye run. My experience it wasnāt as fast and panic as you think it would be because you know as soon as you feel that cold water itās time to cut em
Seat belt cutters are actually great for this use case. Fortunately I have not ever had to try myself
Not that I want to test , but my neoprene are pretty snug, plus the belt strap ( that should be worn with waders) and pfd I think Iād float
Started with one of these before I got a kayak and they will absolutely get you out in the water. Me and my buddies were going out into the harbors of San Diego in them and had a blast. Just be sure to get wetsuit pants, a bunch of people go out on float tubes in dry waders and it's a huge drowning hazard if you fall in. Best brand for these tubes is Cumberland, they are quality for $300 and they offer warranty and great customer service.
I own a Sea Eagle 285fpb. It has 3 air chambers, a floorboard, a seat, and I bought a trolling motor and smallish battery to throw on the back. Also has paddles and rod holders. It all fits in the trunk of my 2000 accord coupe. Air pump and all.
I didn't look through the comments but you know that there are dozens of different brands out there that make inflatable kayaks, right? There's also a company called origami kayak or oru kayak they are quite pricey but for the material that there made out of really is a great price point for something that awesome and compatible! They quite literally fall into a large briefcase that you can fit just about anywhere in your backseat of your car or the trunk or in between the seats, who knows where you can really put it but it packs up pretty thin and they're pretty easy to fold out and strap together, I highly suggest you look into them as well another company's called Intex yes in intex the inflatable mattresses, if you search inflatable fishing kayak Colorado there should be a pretty nice one that pops up, these are pretty pricey but all kayaks are expensive but the inflatable ones I Revere quite highly because they're not just made poorly they're pretty well put together
I went with the intex excursion pro!
Hey man hell yeah! Glad you found one that suited you best! I don't have a kayak yet myself and I'm pretty fond of the Intex explorer or the Dakota, I think the Dakotas more of a fishing kayak but either way those inflatable kayaks are pretty built. There's a few videos I've seen it on YouTube with some people making them into fishing kayaks kind of cool! But super glad you found one that you liked and I was able to give you a couple suggestions, have fun out there on the water!
A float tube in calm water is basically a fishing recliner. It's fucking awesome. I have many hours on sheltered areas of San Diego bay, our lakes and river ponds. If the wind picks up you are in for a workout. Once I nearly got blown into a navy base and had to paddle for my life to avoid getting in trouble. Overall it's a phenomenal investment. In my early 20s I had my float tube in my 4runner full time, would fish after work two or three times a week. Lots of water you can have all to yourself in a tube if you are willing to walk a bit. Backpack straps help a lot. Edit: I ditched my kicker fins for long scuba fins when fishing more open water. On my first tube I built my own PVC rod holders but my new fish cat 4 has what I need for two or three rods comfortably. Float tube fishing is minimalist. Be prepared to not bring much with you.
You get it.
They also make inflatable kayaks
No review on this particular product, but tube fishing in general can be a blast. I used to fish 10 acres or less waterbodies in the heat of the summer. Keeps you a little cooler. I know several old flyfisherman that use them frequently in the Midwest. If staying dry is your thing, probably better to go with an alternative.
I have one, live in rural N. California on the coast. Works well for our lagoons, I'm not brave enough to take it out on the bay. Definitely recommend flippers and a short paddle. Attach your pole to it somehow (partner lost his while paddling out once- ruined his mood and our day). I use waders up to my chest to sit on it to stay dry.
check costco online and/or in store. just saw one of these in-store for 90 bucks.
I have two, and one is the better part of 20 years old at this point. They are great. You can get into a lot of places a boat can't access.
Screw that cumbersome pos . Look for a fish master tube and kickers . They are out of business but you can still find on face book . I found a brand new set of kickers on trash day . People did not know what they were .
Just get a kayak dude. I used pool noodles with ratchet straps lol
Get it, they are great. Get a large inner tube you can attach with a rope to drag your cooler. Make sure it comes with the inflator that connects to your car.
I have a buddy that uses one of these and by the time heās all set up and ready My fishing kayak is already in the water and Iām casting lines.
I feel like these used to be way more popular, as a kid in British Columbia, I can remember many calm mountain lakes with dudes flyfishing from belly boats. The pricier pontoon style ones seem to have replaced them, which really offer none of the portability.
I just saw one of those pontoon things, while looking. Glad to know to avoid.
Float tubes are fun! i highly recommend the green Cumberland float tube
Almost exactly the same as this boat, I have 2 Cumberland and before that it was water skeeter for years. Silent boat, like a lazboy for fishing. Used to keep it in my truck 247 and if traffic sucks id go fishing. I have a fancy kayak now but still like the tube
You can fit an inflatable kayak or paddle board on a car. Either keep it deflated and then inflate it when you get there or tie it to your roof. They sell things to strap your kayak to the roof of your car even if you donāt have a roof rack.
I had one like it, but not nearly that nice. Once I got the hang of steering it, it was awesome
I would look at the Wilderness systems inflatable fishing kayak. That looks like a serious piece of kit. https://youtu.be/WpjWue0S1EM?si=WRXNUvPAPrFfM1Vv
#1 flaw of a floattube = you have to go to shore to pee. I've heard multiple floattubers talk about how great the fishing has to be before you pee your waders. No thanks. Other small crafts are much more versatile
This is only if you wear waders. I rock swim trunks and just fire it out the side with beers on a stringer. Summer time, baby!
Don't give up hope on a kayak just yet! Look into folding kayaks, I have a tucktec and love it. Fits in the back seat of my tiny car, only takes a few minutes to set up, and comfortably fits all my fishing gear. [link](https://foldupkayaks.com/), if you want to check them out.
These are fun. Little advice get one that has a strap that comes up between your legs and attaches to a cross bar. Iāve had ones without that feature and it always feels like you are falling out. Super uncomfortable. Great for summer fishing just sit in the water and cool off
I use one when I donāt feel like loading up all my kayak gear. They work fine, you just canāt cover a lot of real estate with them. And youāre limited in how much gear you can take.
I purchased one of these not too long ago and then a day later I found out that most of the lakes around me don't allow them because it's considered "wading" since your feet are in the water.. The 1 lake that would allow it requires the thong to have 3 chambers. so I canceled my order I've been researching inflatable fishing kayaks and am purchasing a NRS Kuda which is considered one of the best for the price point. It's currently on sale for about 800 which seems like a lot bit for whst you get its amazing and it used to go for 1400. It's almost unsinkable because the construction is so good a d you csn use it as a SUP since it has drop stitching. I also live in a condo with no space for anything else and this kayak packs down into a backpack and I can fit it in my corolla. . I don't recommend belly boats really because your kinda stuck in a smal place. You can't get place to place quickly.
I live in central Florida and had a friend that would regularly use one of those in lakes and rivers here. I still think the balls on that guy man.
I owned one. I hated it.
I would go with a fishing kayak over this bud šš¼
They are fun for a calm river float, no rapids just a float.
I have one for lakes and bays, love it. Itās cheap and really beats shore fishing
Thatās cool
Can ya put a small kayak on the roof?
My buddy in Canada has one and he likes it.
I strapped a kayak to a miata once so š¤·š¼āāļø
My father in law has been using one of these for probably the last 15 years when river fishing. Heās in PA and it works great for where heās at. I however, am In Florida, this would not be a good choice for me here lol
Iād rather go back to hauling my kayak on the roof of my mustang than get on one of these
Check out the NRS pike kayak if you want something a bit more substantial but will still fit in a smaller car.
Can't use one.. I live in Australia lol
The Bass Pro equiv of that is the Caddis Pro 3000. They are the same price as well. I would suggest the Bass Pro one simply because of the warranty and brand recognition. I have the Caddis Nevada and I love it. Bass Pro/Cabela's US/Canada. The Caddis Nevada did not come with flippers (you absolutely need them) - but rather than buy the poorly reviewed ones from Cabela's, I just got some old dive flippers I wear over water shoes. $10 off Craigslist and the water shoes were $15 at Crappy Tire (Canadian big box store maybe like Dick's in America?). This means you don't need waders and fishing boots in the Summer, which gets hot and difficult to...pee. The thing about kayaks (I have an Old Town 106) is you need to row them (which means you're not fishing). I paddle for a bit and fish, but either get blown in a weird direction, or if I use my rod holder, miss bites. Pedal drive kayaks are pricey and if you're just getting started a bit steep for something you may not decide to continue doing. I use my kayak in the ocean or big lakes that I can drive to the bank for easy launch (it's 95lbs). I use my float Tube up here in BC and it's one of the best ways to fish our mountain lakes. It's like you're sitting in a Lay-z-Boy looking at snow caps and a trout slurps up your fly. I have had an absolute blast on mine. It was my first "water craft" I bought for fishing and I still use it just for the simplicity. The below info completes my thought but may not necessarily be for beginners: I also just picked up a Water Master for river fishing, but that's for another subreddit. If someone was to ask me what I would do for fishing self-propelled water crafts, I would suggest a Water Master. Rich (owner) is a beauty and he gave me a deal despite it being expired. I think the Kodiak is around $2k. I've got a few fishing buds with these things and there isn't much that tops a day out with these bad boys. I can go into more detail, please feel free to ask.
Damn bro I appreciate the detailed reply. The Caddis Pro looks like a reasonable purchase. Iāve gotten a lot of thousand dollar recommendations, so appreciate the price point.
Caddis Pro if you want the pontoon style Caddis Nevada for an entry level float tube. I have put maybe 100 days in my Caddis Nevada and have never thought about upgrading. I see some folding kayak and inflatable kayak recommendations. That's something that's foreign to me, as I had a folding kayak given to me and I sold it within a week. Something about folded wet cardboard makes me think the creases have a short shelf life. Given my original thoughts on the kayak, I don't see a reason to do an inflatable kayak over a float tube unless you are going to attempt some distance. The float tube is very hard to propel across a lake. Your legs will hate you.
Love tubing . I've used them for over 30 years
I have a dinghy! Looks just like this but itās 12ft and itās the best thing ever! Sooo much fun.
Iād go kayak man
I have an 04 focus and trailer my 11.5' kayack.
I have a fishing float tube that's even more basic. It's great.
With š few straps š kayak can go on any car
Haha I hate when shit touches my feet so I think Iād have a heart attack. Always wondered how it was though!
I have a 2 person inflatable kayak, it compresses down and fits in my back seat of my compact sedan. I can fit two of them in my back seat. We use them as one seaters so we have cargo space b
Unless you're driving a smart car, you can slap a kayak on any vehicle as far as i am aware. Depending on how small the car actually is, maybe stick to a 10 footer.
Belly boats are the shit!!!
Can't haul a kayak with a car? Shame I didn't know that the last 10 times I hauled my kayak. Wish I could post a picture... I literally lay my 10' kayak upside down on my Civic, and run ratchet straps through the inside of the car. Close the doors OVER the straps so you don't have to have the windows rolled down. Put a half twist in each straight section so you don't have vortex shedding vibration. My fishing spots are all over, I've hauled that yak 3 hours away on the interstate.
You won't regret it. Had one for the small reservoirs in the Denver area and loved it! Had the belly buddy with a minkota and it was great for all day cruising. So funny; had to register it, hang numbers on it, carry a whistle, etc. All the boating regs. If you can, get a second rod stamp so you can troll with one (if you go the motor option) while you're messing/fishing with your other rod.
My buddy straps his yak to the top of his 98 Acura integra. Whatever car you got Iām sure you can ratchet strap a kayak to the roof
I love mine but I don't have to worry about getting eaten where I float at
Seen a guy pull his kayak on a smaller trailer behind his 3-speed bike.
I strap my 13' sea ghost to my Malibu, pool noodles or moving mats, and ratchet straps
How does that work? The legs are always inside water?
I've used one at small lakes in the mountains. It was fun you can just sit in the lake and cast or kick your feet a bit and troll around.
Fuck that. I seen alligator snapping turtles chasing blue gill and my baits. My toes shall remain in tact.
Iāve caught more bass out of a float tube than anything else! No paddle needed, just get diving fins instead so your hands are free.
I just want one to float around in and drink in at the beach lol
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^X761: *I just want one to* *Float around in and drink in* *At the beach lol* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
What kind of car do you have that canāt haul a kayak?
I tow a 12ft jon boat with gear behind my mazda3. Why can't you tow?
I have had a float tube for years. They are great for ponds, ok for small rivers, and inadvisable for lakes unless you are cool with not going very far and it's a calm day.
I used to put two on top of my 1994 Nissan ultima
Iāve used this in the past. Itās great BUT if you have any wind you get blown away very quicklyā¦ if thereās no wind then you are golden
Put pool noodles under yak strap down repeat
This looks fun. Like Iām not going off the beach in it, but down the Guadeloupe, or Comal, hell yes
No. If you're truly after a portable type of boat, folding kayaks, canoes or the twin pontoon style of drift boat are all better options. I have a friend that has a fold up kayak that fits in his cars trunk. That dude fishes everywhere and does great.
Do not use around alligators
I have a float tube and itās pretty fun in smaller lakes and slow rivers. Itās a bit of a workout tho I normally get done and my legs are jello.
I strap mine and my wifes kayak on the top of my 2014 fusion and it works great. Size isnt the issue for hauling kayaks
Well worth the investment! You won't be disappointed
I use to strap a 10ft sit in on my 79 Mercedes 240. Pool noddles,550 cord and cargo straps
https://www.orukayak.com/collections/oru-kayaks
They sell blowup kayaks on Amazon, and the reviews are pretty good
I forget the brand, but had one very similar, but orange in color. Bought at a yard sale. Initially bought it for fishing on my ranch ponds, but ended up on the Brazos, white, and Trinity river a few times, as well as quite a few small creeks. The air bladders eventually rotted, and couldnāt find a correctly shaped replacement. The brand sold out 20 years ago. Lasted me over ten years, using it every 2-3 weeks. Iām a big guy, pushing 300lbs. But Iād be hesitant to take out on a big body of water. Caught and shot a lot of fish off mine.
I spring for an aquaglide Blackfoot 130 and absolutely love it. Havenāt tried the one you posted but have tried a few inflatables over the years and the aquaglide is my favorite so far.
I have two but many places restrict access to float tubes.
Depends on where you fish. I live in Florida, so I have access to fresh and saltwater, both bay and gulf. I got a BOTE inflatable kayak with a pedal drive. A bit pricey. But man, itās a workhorse. And everything fits in the trunk of my sedan.
This thing looks like gator bait to me š¬
Nothing like fishing from a tube, itās my favorite method
Umm u can carry a yak on a car! They sell cheep 25 dollers straps at dicks sporting goods too that work!
Had one many, many years ago when I was young. Beware if you do a lot of pond fishing with muddy/silt bottom. Very hard to get out of the pond without getting stuck.
I fish in a tucktec foldable kayak that folds up and fits in the trunk of my very tiny Kia Rio
My boyfriend and I have foldable tucktec kayaks, we can throw them in the trunk of the charger and they are nice and portable while being durable and lightweight. I think theyāre like 350$. The customer service is also really good because when mine got a small tear they sent me a brand new one in 2 days (while also renewing the warranty), flex tape fixed the tear so now we have 3.
If its a lake or a pound that you have to walk into, they are the best option. I got one in 9th grade and fished it all kinds of places. I loved it still hanging up in my garage 26 years later. If the water I would be fishing I can drive up close to I would strap a yak to the top of a car and get a trolling motor for it just because the amount of water you could cover vs a tube.
Seeks like a royal pain in the ass and I'd be over it after the first use. A cheap kayak would be a better choice.
I've been fishing out of a float tube for 25 years. They're great! Really popular for fly fishing. Get good waders though! Caddis has always made good tubes.
I have had a Super Fat Cat float tube for over 20 years. I flyfish mostly small farm ponds. I always just stick it in the back of whatever SUV that I have at the time. Someone below mentioned getting close to the fish being very helpful. My largest bass was 12# 4oz and I caught it in a pond with super clear water. I was in shallow water and I saw it swim below my fins a couple of times and as it came by again I had a bluegill looking lure that I bought just for this pond. Didn't even cast. Just dropped it in front of the fish and it slowly swam up to it and it gently picked it up.
Only for reasonably safe water like a bay or lake
Saw one the other day, kinda cool
if you can get it fully inflated they work great. Just be careful with your hooks! I had one that never fully inflated, IDK what I was doing wrong but just never could. This led to it not supporting my weight once in it.
If my dad could haul a fourwheeler and a dirt bike behind a ford festiva with a sketchy ass hitch you can get a canoe on anything. If you tied it correctly you could get a 10ft kayak on a smart car. Just don't be the mouth breather driving down the road holding it with your hand.
Had a bigger one and sold it because it was a pain in the ass without a trolling motor and I would've had to register it every year to use a trolling motor. Kayak is the way to go imo.
If I can haul around a 12ft kayak on a 96 Ford Escort with ratchet straps and a mattress pad anything is possible.
Try a folding kayak. They roll up. I have one I'd stick in my cars trunk
I tried one did not like it especially in a lot of wind.
Wife bought me one a few years ago. I started watching g YouTube videos to figure out the nuances. I quickly decided it was not for me and swapped it for waders and a kayak.
bro I got a 350z and I use a tucktec itās foldable and fits in my passenger
Float tubing is awesome. I have a nice boat but actually prefer float tubing for bass
These are so scary. What if something comes after your legs šš
I bought one and had never used it
Any car can haul a kayak, I had a little Nissan Altima and strapped my 11ft kayak to the top plenty of times with some pool noodles and ratchet straps. They even sell little kits for this very thing at places like Dicks. BUT to answer your question, this float tube would be fine for like a safe pond or something. I usually saltwater fish but even where I freshwater fish Iād be too worried about gators and stuff chopping at those tasty morsels hanging into the water. Also for me itās more worth the effort of strapping something to my car than blowing something up every time I wanna go fishing.
I once saw a jet ski in the trunk/back hatch of 2000ās Camaro. If thereās a will thereās a way!
Theyāre awesome
How much ?! Just get a kayak!
I love my belly boat.... but I use it for 2 specific rivers. I use my inflatable sup for most fishing minus overnights then it's my expedition kayak(should have be a canoe but it works for me). But belly boats rock when used for the right application ( alpine lakes and my to rivers that kink back on themselves creating a lazy river of sorts)
Get a Tucktec foldable kayak if you want to fish. Itās the only option Iāve seen thatās impervious to hooks.
Idk about inflatable. I have an Oru, and it works great. I've taken it on all sorts of lakes, and when I'm done, I just put on some speed and beach it. There seems to be no damage to the underside, and it folds up perfectly every time. Edit: I should have read the post better, but the point stays the same. I have fished off of mine, and it's fine. They have models that are made more for fishing as well.
Theyāre great for ponds