Best Inflatable Fishing Boats (2023 Guide)

Inflatable fishing boats have become incredibly popular as a convenient and affordable option for fishing enthusiasts. Not only can they be easily stored when not in use–because they are small and lightweight, inflatable boats make it easy to transport them to fishing locations. They are also a great option when you don’t have a lot of storage space for a regular boat.

In this guide, we’ll provide some tips on how to choose the best inflatable fishing boat for your needs, along with our top recommendations for 2023.

Advantages of Inflatable Fishing Boats

When thinking about fishing boats, you may be wondering what makes an inflatable boat better than a regular boat. That’s a great question!

There are several advantages to using inflatable fishing boats for your angling adventures.

Probably the greatest feature about inflatable boats is that they are extremely portable and easy to transport. Unlike traditional boats that require a trailer and a large vehicle to tow them, inflatable fishing boats can be easily packed into the trunk of a car. They can even be carried on your back! This makes them perfect for traveling to distant fishing spots or for exploring new bodies of water.

Inflatable fishing boats are also much lighter than traditional boats. This makes them easier to handle and maneuver. This can be especially useful when launching and removing the boat from the water or when navigating through narrow channels and shallow waters.

Best Fishing Rods Under $100 (2023 Guide)

Another great thing about a well-made inflatable fishing boat is that it is very durable and can withstand punishing conditions on the water.

Most of these boats are made from heavy-duty materials such as PVC, making them a lot more resistant to punctures and abrasions than your average swimming pool floaty. This means you can enjoy your fishing trip without having to worry about damaging your boat–and sinking in the water.

In addition, inflatable fishing boats are also very affordable when you compare them to the price of traditional boats. They need less maintenance and have lower upfront costs, making them a great choice when you don’t have buckets of cash to fork over for a boat.

Overall, inflatable fishing boats offer a convenient and affordable option for anglers of all levels.

How Many People Can an Inflatable Fishing Boat Hold?

{Affiliate links included below.}

The capacity of an inflatable fishing boat depends on the size and design of the boat.

Inflatable fishing boats come in a range of sizes–from small one-person boats to larger models that can accommodate up to six people.

Inflatable fishing boats are generally rated for a specific number of passengers based on the manufacturer’s guidelines.

However, when trying to figure out how much you boat can carry, it’s always a good idea to err on the side of caution and not go over the maximum capacity listed for your particular boat.

It’s better to have a little extra room to move around and be comfortable than to overcrowd the boat and potentially put yourself and any passengers in danger.

Best Fishing Sunglasses Under $50 (2023)

How Much Weight Can an Inflatable Fishing Boat Hold?

Most inflatable fishing boats have a weight capacity in addition to a passenger capacity.

It’s important to pay attention to both of these numbers when selecting an inflatable fishing boat. Going over the correct weight capacity can cause the boat to become unstable and potentially dangerous.

In general, a two-person inflatable fishing boat will have a weight capacity of around 500-700 pounds, while a four-person boat will have a capacity of around 900-1200 pounds.

Be sure to consult the manufacturer’s specifications for the specific model you are considering to find out how much weight your boat can safely hold.

Are You Required to Register an Inflatable Fishing Boat?

Everyone knows that you have to register a regular fishing boat. But what about inflatable ones? Does Uncle Sam have to get his part of those too?

Whether or not you have to register an inflatable fishing boat varies by state and country. In the U.S., most states require boats to be registered if they are used on public waterways. However, the specific requirements for registration can vary from state to state.

As a general rule, inflatable fishing boats that not more than 16 feet in length and powered by an electric motor or oars don’t need to be registered.

However, inflatable fishing boats that are powered by a gas motor or are longer than 16 feet may be required to be registered.

Be sure to check with your state’s license or boating agency to find out the specific registration requirements for your boat.

In some cases, even if you don’t have to legally register, it could still be a good idea to register your inflatable fishing boat anyway.

Registration provides proof of ownership and makes it easier for you to recover your boat if it gets lot or stolen.

In addition, some states may offer discounts on boat registration fees for boats that are powered by electric motors.

Even if registration isn’t required for your inflatable fishing boat, you may still be required to carry a valid boating license or take a boating safety course.

You can check with your state’s licensing or boating agency for the specific requirements in your area.

What to Look for in an Inflatable Fishing Boat

If you’re thinking about buying an inflatable fishing boat, there are some important things to think about to make sure you get the best boat for your needs.

Size and capacity

As we mentioned up above, inflatable fishing boats come in a pretty big range of sizes and capacities.

You’ll want to think about how many people will be using the boat, as well as the weight of your gear and supplies. Be sure to choose a boat that’s large enough to hold everyone and all your gear comfortably.

Material

Make sure the boat you end up buying is made from heavy-duty materials such as PVC–this can helps resist punctures and abrasions.

Look for a boat made from high-quality materials that can withstand rough conditions on the water and things that could make holes in the skin.

Stability

Stability is a really important factor when choosing an inflatable fishing boat.

A stable boat will feel more secure and be a lot less likely to tip over. Look for a boat with a wide, flat bottom and multiple air chambers–this can go a long way in improving stability.

Features

Inflatable fishing boats will have different features such as oar locks, fishing rod holders, and storage compartments

Decide which features are most important to you and choose a boat that meets those needs.

Price

Inflatable fishing boats can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

The cost depends on the size, features, and materials used. Determine your budget and look for a boat that offers the best value for your money.

Warranty

It’s always a good idea to choose a boat that comes with a warranty to protect your investment. Look for a boat that offers a good warranty period and coverage for any defects or quality issues that may arise.

By making sure you take these factors into account when shopping for an inflatable fishing boat, you can find a boat that’s well-suited to your needs and won’t bust your budget.

Our Top Picks

After researching the available options, these are our recommendations for best inflatable fishing boats.

Here we go over our top choices for inflatable fishing boats for one person, two people, three people, and four or five people.

As an extra bonus, we’ll also go over our favorite high-end inflatable fishing boat.

Let’s go ahead and take a look!

The Goplus Inflatable Float Tube is our top recommendation for a one-person inflatable fishing boat.

This compact and lightweight inflatable boat is perfect for your solo fishing trips. The float tube is made from heavy-duty PVC material. Since inflatables have the risk of punctures and abrasions, you’ll definitely want something tough enough to withstand rough conditions on the water.

The float tube has a comfortable seat and backrest that can be adjusted to your desired support level. There are also built-in storage pockets–just the thing for stashing away your gear and munchies.

A netted shelf behind the seat is a cool feature to hold more of your equipment and supplies.

The Goplus Inflatable Float Tube is easy to inflate and deflate, and comes with a carry bag for convenient storage and transport.

It also comes with a lightweight aluminum paddle that allows you to navigate through the water with ease.

This float tube is perfect for the leisure fisherman who wants to get out on the lake or pond for a day of outdoor fun.

You can watch a video of this boat here:

The Goplus Inflatable Float Tube is an affordable and convenient way to enjoy solo fishing trips on the water.

---

The Intex Excursion Pro Kayak is our top choice for a two-person inflatable fishing boat.

Intex is a well-known outdoor recreation company and makes a line of affordable medium-to-high-quality inflatable rafts and kayaks.

This particular Intex kayak is made from durable, heavy-duty PVC material that is puncture-resistant.

The Excursion Pro features a sleek design and a streamlined hull that allows for easy paddling and excellent tracking on the water.

It has two comfortable, adjustable seats with a high backrest for added support, as well as a footrest for extra comfort.

Cleverly used storage bag in the bow keeps your fishing gear organized.

Adjustable mounting brackets are prefect for fish finders, fishing rod holders, and more.

The Intex Excursion Pro Kayak also comes with any aluminum paddle that is lightweight and easy to use.

The kayak also has built-in front and back carrying handles and a carry bag for convenient storage and transport.

This inflatable fishing kayak is suitable for solo or tandem paddling and can accommodate up to two people.

Overall, the Intex Excursion Pro Kayak is a reliable and high-performing choice for fishing.

---

Our pick for best 3-person inflatable fishing boat is the Intex Mariner.

The Mariner is a reliable inflatable boat that’s perfect for a day of cruising around and finding new fishing spots.

It’s made from heavy-duty 3-ply PVC material and does a good job at resisting punctures and manhandling rough spots out on the water.

It also has a sturdy I-beam floor for added stability–after you, you don’t want to take a spill in the water, do you? Multiple air chambers make for added safety.

The boat has a comfortable, adjustable seat with a high backrest for added support, as well as a built-in cooler bag for storing your drinks and snacks.

One really cool feature is that The Mariner Inflatable Boat comes with two oars and rotational oar locks. This makes oaring a whole lot easier!

This boat also features a motor mount fitting. You’ll need the actual Intex motor mount kit that would be perfect for a motor like this one. (And don’t forget the battery!)

Here’s a video of the Intex Mariner used as a one-man boat with a swivel seat:

With its durable construction and versatile design, the Intex Mariner Inflatable Boat is a reliable choice for your next fishing trip.

---

The Intex Excursion Inflatable Boat is our choice for a 5-person inflatable fishing boat.

It is rated for a whopping 1,100 pounds of weight, which would easily handle 4-5 average adults with a full boat load of gear.

For added security and stability on the water, the Intex Excursion Inflatable Boat is equipped with three air chambers, including an inner auxiliary chamber tucked inside the main hull. This clever design not only provides extra buoyancy, but also ensures that you and your gear stay safe and afloat, even in choppy conditions.

It also has a rigid I-beam floor for additional stability.

The boat also has two comfy end seats with a high backrest for support and a third seat cushion in the middle.

Due to its significant bulk, paddling this boat can be a bit of a chore.

Like with the Intext Mariner 3-Person Boat discussed above, you’ll need the Intex Motor Mount, motor and battery to propel this big boat around the water.

For a fun time fishing at an affordable price, the Intex Excursion Inflatable Boat is a great choice.

---

Our final top choice inflatable boat is the Sea Eagle FishSUP 126. Although this is more expensive than the other boats mentioned above, this high-end boat has some really cool features that sets it apart from the crowd.

The Sea Eagle FishSUP 126 is not only an inflatable fishing boat–it’s also a versatile stand-up paddle board (SUP) that’s perfect for fishing!

This one-of-a-kind SUP combines the stability and comfort of a traditional stand-up paddle board with all the cool features of an inflatable boat.

The FishSUP 126 is made from high-quality, heavy-duty materials–this keeps you afloat and catching more fish!

It features a wide, stable platform with a non-slip deck pad, making it easy to stand and move around on the board. The swivel seat is very convenient for easy access for accurate casting.

The SUP also has two universal Scotty Rod Holders and multiple D-ring attachment points for all of your gear needs.

The FishSUP 126 comes with both a kayak and a SUP paddle to fit your paddling style. The SUP is easy to inflate and deflate, and comes with a carry bag for convenient storage and transport.

You can watch a video of the Sea Eagle FishSUP 126 in action here:

Closing Thoughts on Best Inflatable Fishing Boats

Here we’ve gone over our recommended picks in several categories for best inflatable fishing boats.

These fishing boats are an awesome choice for people who like to fish but can’t afford–or don’t have the space for–a traditional boat.

They are easy to carry around and can be used in ponds, lakes and sometimes even on the ocean!

These boats are designed to be very strong and have safety features to keep you going in the water.

We think you’ll love joining all the other anglers who have found inflatable fishing boats to be a lot of fun. They truly are a great investment for any fisherman who loves being out on the water.

So get your boat, grab a rod and other gear, and head on out to the water for a great day catching fish!