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

[bgaviator]

On 1/27/2025 at 12:24 AM, UmairF said:

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

My kayaks are Aquaglide brand but they have recently merged with Bote and are purging all their existing inventory. A lot of people liked the Blackfoot Angler models but I believe they’re sold out now. 
 

look at the Iatak 110 Kayak…or even the new Isle Flywater inflatable skiff. 
 

also look at Reel Yaks. They have hardshell kayaks that are modular and can separate into two pieces. I am possibly looking into getting one of these. I love my inflatables but by the time I get them set up I tend to already be exhausted!  The modular hardshell kayaks would be much quicker to put together and get out on the water. 

[UmairF]

7 hours ago, bgaviator said:

My kayaks are Aquaglide brand but they have recently merged with Bote and are purging all their existing inventory. A lot of people liked the Blackfoot Angler models but I believe they’re sold out now. 
 

look at the Iatak 110 Kayak…or even the new Isle Flywater inflatable skiff. 
 

also look at Reel Yaks. They have hardshell kayaks that are modular and can separate into two pieces. I am possibly looking into getting one of these. I love my inflatables but by the time I get them set up I tend to already be exhausted!  The modular hardshell kayaks would be much quicker to put together and get out on the water. 

I ended up finding a new Aquaglide Blackfoot 130 Angler! Did a lot of research the last month since I last posted here and it seemed like the best option for the freshwater ponds and lakes I’ll be fishing in.

 

Love how customizable it is as well. Got it in the mail last week just waiting for the weather to warm up a little more for its maiden journey!

[Darth-Baiter]

On 3/17/2025 at 11:16 PM, UmairF said:

I ended up finding a new Aquaglide Blackfoot 130 Angler! Did a lot of research the last month since I last posted here and it seemed like the best option for the freshwater ponds and lakes I’ll be fishing in.

 

Love how customizable it is as well. Got it in the mail last week just waiting for the weather to warm up a little more for its maiden journey!

that thing looks great!!

 

I've been trying to convince my wife that she needs a Hobie inflatable, but we have been married too long for her to not see thru my Wiley ways.  

[UmairF]

12 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

that thing looks great!!

 

I've been trying to convince my wife that she needs a Hobie inflatable, but we have been married too long for her to not see thru my Wiley ways.  

Going to try fitting both myself and the wife in my blackfoot and fish together. I’ll be paddling for us most of the time but it’ll be worth it getting her on the water with me!

[bgaviator]

On 3/18/2025 at 1:16 AM, UmairF said:

I ended up finding a new Aquaglide Blackfoot 130 Angler! Did a lot of research the last month since I last posted here and it seemed like the best option for the freshwater ponds and lakes I’ll be fishing in.

 

Love how customizable it is as well. Got it in the mail last week just waiting for the weather to warm up a little more for its maiden journey!

Get yourself a rechargeable battery operated automatic pump. You can set the psi and it will automatically stop at the right pressure. Mine is called the Shark 2S from Outdoor Master

[UmairF]

13 minutes ago, bgaviator said:

Get yourself a rechargeable battery operated automatic pump. You can set the psi and it will automatically stop at the right pressure. Mine is called the Shark 2S from Outdoor Master

Oh yeah I’m on top of that. Found out the types of attachments you can mount on the universal plates. Bought a couple yak attack mighty mounts specifically for inflatables so I’ll be able to add a rod holder and paddle holder. Didn’t want to spend the money on an anchor wizard so I’m trying to put a system together using a dog leash and a 5lb dumbell. Just need to understand how itll work once im on the water.

 

Definitely seems like this will be an expanding project to work on this year to see what works best for me but Imm excited. Told myself I wont get any fancier electronics till I get the basics down. (Although I think I’ll probably go with a Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 using the Yak Attack cell block transducer mount)

[Fishingmickey]

17 hours ago, UmairF said:

Going to try fitting both myself and the wife in my blackfoot and fish together. I’ll be paddling for us most of the time but it’ll be worth it getting her on the water with me!

Three lessons when taking the wife. One make sure she is comfortable, two make sure she is comfortable and has food and drink.  Three don't try to keep her out there for long periods of time. Couple, three hours and call it.  Four, keep it simple.  Five, make sure you know where a decent bathroom is and how long it will take you to get there.  That was more then three...

FM

[UmairF]

2 hours ago, Fishingmickey said:

Three lessons when taking the wife. One make sure she is comfortable, two make sure she is comfortable and has food and drink.  Three don't try to keep her out there for long periods of time. Couple, three hours and call it.  Four, keep it simple.  Five, make sure you know where a decent bathroom is and how long it will take you to get there.  That was more then three...

FM

These rules are almost as important as wearing a PFD! Lol thanks