so i was coming in yesterday afternoon to pitt street and was loading everything up when somebody came up (like they usually do - asking if i really fish out of a kayak…and what kind of fish i catch) and told me he worked for a company that makes paddle boards and they’re trying to design something for anglers. out of courtesy, i asked him about it and he said it would be a more sturdy platform and have places to put your gear. i wanted to say so you want to make something like a SOT kayak, but less comfortable?..but, i was being courteous, so i didn’t say this. i dont remember who he said he worked for, but he seemed like they were pretty serious about it.
so, am i the only person that thinks this is a really bad idea? my view of paddle boards as a whole might be jaded since i live on shem creek and during the summer, i (and everyone else that fishes the shem creek area) experience the groups of paddle boarders (and rental kayakers) that see me fishing from a distance and say to eachother “hey, what do you think that guy’s doing?” a few minutes before coming over to see for themselves and getting tangled up in my line.
Well I have never experienced “…the groups of paddle boarders (and rental kayakers) that see me fishing from a distance and say to eachother “hey, what do you think that guy’s doing?” a few minutes before coming over to see for themselves and getting tangled up in my line.” so I don’t have any problems with paddle boarders. I actually think this could be a really cool thing. You could add things such as a leaning platform and stand and fish much easier. the only thing I can see that would a problem with this is there are no compartments. And it may be a pain to paddle around for awhile.
“In every species of fish I’ve angled for, it is the ones that have got away that thrill me the most, the ones that keep fresh in my memory. So I say it is good to lose fish. If we didn’t, much of the thrill of angling would be gone.” Ray Bergman
I’ve often thought they would be a great fishing platform. One of the best things about yak fishing is minimalism. Bring only what you need. Thats what I do. Many others go to the extremes. I bring a few jigheads, some leader material, a couple packs of paddletails, pliers, and thats it. Many yak fishermen want to stand. A handful allow you to. Most are big and heavy. A SUP seems like a great idea to me. Plus the Mrs can take it out and do yoga on it or whatever they do…
Paddleboard fishing is definitely a growing sport. Native makes the Versa Board, which has options for seating to be used as a kayak. I see them being great for getting back into the grass on flood tides, or into skinny water during the winter. Guys on the west coast have been big game fishing off of paddle boards for years.
i just looked at the versa board (http://capmel.com/PR.vboardMMc.htm) and googled paddleboard fishing. the way the guy i talked to sounded, he made it sound like a brand new concept. obviously i’d never heard/seen it.
the mrs. has wanted to buy some for a while (not for fishing), but they’ve never been appealing to me. i’m probably too clumsy for them anyways. i struggle sitting down sometimes.
Some company came out wiht a paddleboard fishing thing wiht a big seat and leaning bar and all and had some great videos but the thing handled like a manatee and was not waht it was cracked up to be… cool concept but poor execution… hope someone has better plans…
Seems like a good idea to me. Lightweight, site fishing, and minimal gear. Wonder how they handle chop and wakes? I never really considered the draw to paddle boarding until I read this.
If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there’d be a shortage of fishing poles. ~Doug Larson
Still remember the good old days of paddling my Bear longboard out at Carolina beach with a spinning rod and a couple of extra Hopkins spoons for blues and spanish. Hard to believe that was 35 years ago.
I have been finding the Versa Board very useful as an alternative to wading a flat. It’s quieter, faster, and a good quick/simple kayak alternative. I actually prefer it to a kayak if I’m not going far and only bringing basic gear.
I can go as far as I want, but if it’s a flat that takes say 20 minutes or more to paddle to I will usually take a kayak, either an ultimate 14 or a ride 135. The kayaks are quicker for covering distance and better for capacity but when I want the easiest boat control and I’m just bringing my tackle box and a few rods the versa board has been getting a lot of use.
