Just picked up an inflatable kayak..any tips?

[bgaviator]

After being frustrated for too long being confined to the shore, I finally just got an Aquaglide Navarro 145 inflatable kayak. I know it’s probably not the most ideal model for fishing, but at a closeout $186 price, I couldn’t pass it up. If I enjoy it, maybe I can upgrade to a fishing specific model someday like the new Wilderness Iatak 110. But until I see how often I’ll actually use it and if I enjoy using a kayak, I wanted to save the money for now and use that savings towards the other gear I’d need. 

[Koz]

The number on tip is don't get frustrated. I've never been on an inflatable kayak, but I bet they drift and spin at the slightest breeze. If it was me, I'd find a way to anchor from both the bow and the stern or use a few stakeout poles to stay in place.

[BrianMDTX]

Koz is right about one thing. Inflatables do move quite a bit in the breeze. An anchor helps. 
 

But, getting out on the water vs being bound to the bank is so much better. 

[FishTank]

Avoid large bodies of water with big boats. The wakes will put you into the bank. Also, fast moving streams. The risk of puncture is greater with moving debris.  

 

Wind will blow those things a mile. Pay attention to the weather.  

 

Buy a kayak specific life jacket.

 

Limit the amount of gear you take. 

 

Have a patch kit. Think safety first and have an emergency kit as well. 

 

 

 

[Bankc]

The Navarro 145 isn't a fishing kayak, so stability will probably be an issue.  It being an inflatable would probably compound this issue.  So I would limit the gear I take with me, just in case you roll over.  And there are other issues, some stated, that would make this less than ideal.  But, at $186, ideal isn't to be expected.  And that's cheap enough, that it shouldn't be too hard to get your money's worth out of it! 

 

So have fun.  Be safe.  Enjoy the ride!

[Swamp Girl]

Fish from four to eight a.m. when there's little to no wind and stay close to shore. Apply the other tips too. 

[padlin]

I’ve never tried one but do have a canoe that blows around easy.

 

As mentioned, go out early to avoid the wind, do check the weather looking at the hourly wind projections. They are often wrong but better then nothing. Stay fairly close to shore till you learn how it handles in the breeze, it sucks when the wind kicks up and you are a good way from the put in.

 

Fishing from a non fishing inflatable I’d do everything I could to be ready for hooks punching holes in it. Maybe carry patches, have a good vest, carry just one pole to start to minimize exposed hooks. Stay away from gators.

 

might need a short net if it is awkward reaching over the sides.

 

Do a search for kayak or canoe anchors and do your best. 
 

 

[FishTax]

I'd go out without fishing gear, but with life vest of course and a knife on the vest..I have an inflatable. Only used a few times before I upgraded to old town pedal drive but I let me know I loved being on the water and hated being blown around and having to paddle a lot. Mine was the equivalent of an air mattress. Very tough to control, but I did catch bass on it so it got the job done!

[Bazoo]

Practice using the patch kit before you need it.

[WackyWormNedRig]

Some of new inflatable kayaks at icast looked so cool. I might dabble in the future. They looked pretty durable. People were stand and fishing in them.

[TnRiver46]

Me and my buddy had a heckuva day catching big SMB in a tandem inflatable kayak, darn thing was $68 . Rats chewed holes in it while stored in an outdoor shed, rat scoundrels 

 

[airshot]

I would trade it for something that doesn't need air to float.  To many unpleasant options or possibilities on an inflatable.  Just my .02

[TnRiver46]

Air floats very well, coast guard and police use inflatable boats. As well as class 5 whitewater rafters 

[airshot]

5 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Air floats very well, coast guard and police use inflatable boats. As well as class 5 whitewater rafters 

Bet their hull material is much more heavy duty than his inflatable kayak...

Been whitewater rafting, those are rough rafts, might be difficult to stick a hook into, but not that blowup kayak..

[TnRiver46]

2 minutes ago, airshot said:

Bet their hull material is much more heavy duty than his inflatable kayak...

Been whitewater rafting, those are rough rafts, might be difficult to stick a hook into, but not that blowup kayak..

Well yeah, but you said get something that doesn’t use air to float. Air floats better than metal…….

 

sure a whitewater raft is tougher but they run the roughest waters on the planet 

[UmairF]

Looking for a high-end inflatable kayak. Been trying to figure out ways to get off the shore on my own but lack storage options. Otherwise I’d consider a hard-shell old town pdl or even a jon boat.

Just started digging down this rabbit hole but have a couple questions:

- Can I stand and fish?
- Compatible pedal drives
- Can I add basic electronics?
- Who are the Shimano/Daiwas of the inflatable kayak industry?
- Anything I should know that I wouldn’t find online before buying one?

Willing to get an inflatable with the bells and whistles since I probably won’t be having much of a storage solution other than the trunk of my SUV for a while lol.

Thanks!
Umair