Best Stand Up Paddle Board for Fishing – 2025

One of our favorite things about SUP’ing is that our boards allow us to get into some pretty remote spots that would be unimaginable for a larger boat or anything with a motor. We also love that they’re quiet and cause very little disturbance in the water so as to not scare off any local wildlife. Given these traits, it’s no surprise that SUP fishing continues to grow in popularity.

A paddleboard allows you to non-disruptively settle into those hard to reach sweet spots to start reeling ‘em in. Throughout this post we’ll outline our list of our favorite Fishing SUPs of 2025 to help you make the best decision when it comes to choosing a fishing SUP for yourself.

Best Fishing SUPs

• Glide Angler Elite
• BOTE Rackham Aero
• Blackfin Model XL
• Thurso Surf Max Multipurpose
• Retrospec June
• BOTE HD Aero
• Atoll Outrider
• BOTE Rover Aero

1. Glide Angler Elite

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The Glide Angler Elite takes the top spot for our best fishing SUPs list for several reasons. Even if you set aside the excellent upgraded construction that makes the Angler super light without losing rigidity, and even if you set aside the fact that it comes with a complete kayak conversion kit with an inflatable seat and second paddle blade, the Glide Angler Elite is still a top-notching fishing SUP.

At 11’ x 36”, this is an impressively stable paddle board. The extra wide tail and broad, pointed nose gives the Angler a 500 pound capacity and the ability to comfortably move anywhere on the board to cast, fight, and land your catch. There are two massive cargo areas on the nose and tail, two Scotty plate mounts at the rear of the standing area, and two Rail Blaza mounts at the front of the standing area. Glide includes two fully-adjustable, lockable, fishing rod holders to go with those Rail Blaza mounts so you can carry your rods without them getting in the way or slipping off into the deep.

The Angler is also an impressive paddling SUP. While it’s not going to win any races, that doesn’t stop the well-implemented design from being easy to paddle, highly maneuverable, and tracks well over moderate distances.

2. BOTE Rackham Aero

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Taking the number one spot on our Best Fishing Sups of 2023, the BOTE Rackham Aero excels in stability with a twin-chamber recessed deck at 12’4 long x 38” wide. It’s a fishing geared SUP that doesn’t make massive sacrifices when it comes to overall paddling performance, though it’s not as easy to casually paddle as the BLACKFIN Model XL. The Rackham Aero is more than capable of carrying along your gear or another adult with its 400lb weight capacity, while being a relatively lighter weight of 45lbs.

As far as features go, the Rackham Aero is one of BOTE’s most loaded options aside from the Rover Aero. This SUP has 3 grab handles, 14 D-rings, 6 action mounts, and 4 scotty mounts for tons of space and versatility to store and mount your gear and accessories. It’s also compatible with a kayak seat conversion kit, a sand spear, travel strap, rac systems, a paddle sheath, cooler tie downs, and a wheel rac. We also like the stamped EVA deck pad that keeps your feet stable, comfortable, and dry on the Rackham’s recessed standing area.

BOTE does a great job of including all of the accessories you need to get started SUP fishing right out of the box. With the Rackham Aero, you receive a 3-piece fiberglass adjustable paddle, 10” removable center-fin, a pair of slide-in rac receivers, a removable paddle sheath, a removable sand spear sheath, a repair kit, a single chamber dual action hand pump, and a roller travel bag that eliminates the challenge of transporting a 70 lb packed kit. Overall, this is an extremely inclusive kit for a great value.

3. BLACKFIN Model XL

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The BLACKFIN Model XL is a great choice for those who want the option to fish from their SUP, but don’t want to lose performance when it comes to standard SUP’ing. At 11’ long and 34” wide, and has plenty of stability to accommodate light fishing with its 485 lb weight capacity. However, at the same time, It’s easier to maneuver and paddle through the water than other larger, heavier fishing SUPs.

As with any BLACKFIN board the Model XL is loaded up with features. This board sports 20 D-rings (including front and rear cargo areas), 8 action mounts and 2 scotty mounts for tons of versatility when it comes to gear attachments and storage. It’s also compatible with a sand spear that doubles as an anchor or a push-pole in shallow areas, as well as a kayak conversion kit and a fishing rack attachment to store rods, coolers, buckets, etc. Another notable feature of the Model XL is that it is constructed with a carbon rail to add stability and rigidity, improving performance on this lightweight, fishing capable SUP. We also enjoy the BLACKFIN’s stamped deck pad that perfectly balances traction and comfort whether you’re just paddling around or chasing fish. Lastly, the BLACKFIN Model XL is easy to move around due to its comparatively lightweight on this list as well as its 3-handle configuration.

Fishing features and high all-around performance make the Blackfin Model XL our top choice for someone who wants a fishing SUP that they can also paddle as a regular all-around SUP.

4. Thurso Surf Max Multipurpose

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The Thurso Max Multipurpose really lives up to its name. The Max is a great board for beginners and larger paddlers, paddling with dogs, kids, or other people, and of course as a fishing SUP.

The 11’6 x 34” platform is extremely stable, but still a little sporty thanks to the smaller tail profile. The full-length deck pad lets you use the entire length of the board confidently, and it also helps keep items from slipping under the bungee cords. The biggest drawback to the Max as a fishing SUP is that there are no dedicated fishing mounts (Scotty, Rail Blaza, etc), but Thurso does include five threaded accessory mounts (including one with a built-in GoPro mount) that are compatible with tons of accessories like rod holders, cup holders, and more.

When purchased as a complete kit (the Max is also available as just the board for those paddlers with their own accessories already), the Max comes with a great carbon fiber/nylon hybrid paddle and a rechargeable electric pump. Combined with new cross-woven interior construction and heat welded rails, the Thurso Max Multipurpose is a fantastic, durable choice for SUP anglers.

5. Retrospec June

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If you’ve been wanting a great dedicated fishing SUP, but been put off by the pricetag from some of those bigger brands, get ready. The Retrospec June fishing SUP brings all the features and kit you want in a fishing SUP to your door at a fraction of the price.

The June is full sized and full featured. At 11’6 x 36”, the June is one of the largest boards on our list and thanks to the parallel sides and wide nose and tail, the June is incredibly stable. It comes with a full set of onboard features including large cargo areas, multiple threaded accessory mounts, GoPro mount, Scotty plates, and a printed measuring scale on the deck to show off your catch. If that isn’t good enough for you, the June also comes with a full kayak conversion kit, two adjustable rod holders, a waterproof phone bag, and a shoulder sling.

So what’s the catch? The June uses an older construction method that results in a heavier board, glued rails, and the included paddle is aluminum/nylon. While these aren’t as flashy as the construction and kit of the other boards on our list, at less than half the price, the June is the perfect turn-key option to get started SUP fishing without breaking the bank.

6. BOTE HD Aero

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While it may not be the most important feature on the Bote HD Aero, I can’t help but talk about it: the way it looks! Who says looks aren’t important when searching for the top fishing SUP? There are multiple different colors and looks you can choose from, and we are big fans of all of them. There is even an option that is called ‘Native Abalone,’ which fits right into its fishing vibe that we are depicting here.

To get started, this board is 11’6x34x6, so it’s in the larger category. Which means it has a lot of room to move around on, strap down gear, or pile up fish! It also has a high weight capacity of 315 lbs, which we think is necessary for a fishing SUP.

On Bote’s website, there are a lot of pictures of suggested accessories and how they attach to the board, with the majority of them being fishing accessories. We love that BOTE makes it easy to envision how the board will look when it’s loaded up with fishing gear. Spoiler alert, it’s awesome. There are even options to buy the board as a package, which is specifically tailored to people who want to fish! The packers include an inflatable belt PFD, a white tackle rac, a cooler, and a leash. Purchasing this package deal makes it super simple to start fishing right away because all of the fishing accessories are compatible with the Scotty mounts that are already on the board. On the nose of the board there are attachment points for what is called a ‘paddle sheath,’ which is a fancy paddle holder that allows the paddle to be secure but also super convenient for when you are ready to use it. We love this option and design, especially for fishing because you need to use your hands a lot but you also need to paddle around to where all the fish are. The paddle sheath makes that possible in the simplest way we’ve seen so far.

And to top it off, the board itself gets the job done and is fun to paddle. The shape of the board is pretty consistent to most all-arounds, and the construction of the board makes it a rigid and stable setup.

7. Atoll Outrider

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The Atoll Outrider is the newest board to make it to our list of best fishing SUPs. This new board shakes things up with a longer shape that is focused a bit more on efficiency and capacity for multiday trips.

As a fishing SUP, the Outrider is extremely stable thanks to the 12’ x 34” frame and wide-nose outline. It also features a larger-than-standard deck pad (though not totally full-length), three threaded mounting points and two Scotty plates.

The Outrider excels as an expedition fishing SUP thanks to its easy to use and highly versatile cargo management system. With over 20 mounting points along the outside of the deck you can perfectly tie down bags, boxes, coolers, and more to keep the board perfectly trimmed and comfortable to paddle.

8. BOTE Rover Aero

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The BOTE Rover Aero 12’6 is going to move the top spot on our list of Best Fishing SUPs for 2022. This iSUP/Micro-Skiff hybrid gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to SUP fishing with the convenience of a motorized skiff. At 12’6 long, 40.5′ ‘ wide, this iSUP/skiff is solid as a rock. BOTE even went the extra mile for stability and rigidity by combining a recessed deck pad with dual chamber construction to avoid any balance issues. Of course, this is a heavier SUP at 63lbs inflated, and 85lbs for the whole kit, but still remarkably lightweight when compared to solid traditional micro skiffs. You also should have no problems loading on gear or two adults, as the ROVER has a weight capacity of 500lbs.

BOTE definitely wasn’t shy on the features for this fishing SUP/micro-skiff either. The Rover Aero has 16 action mounts, 4 scotty mounts, 12-d-rings, paddle holders, ‘Moto-RAC’ receivers/compatibility, and boat’s ‘Magnepod’ cup-holders. With that amount of features, I can’t think of much that you wouldn’t be able to accomplish with the Rover Aero. There’s plenty of space for gear storage, phone and camera mounts, a paddle sheath, grab-rack, or fishing rod holders. I also love the recessed deck pad that is cushy and deeply grooved to keep your feet dry and comfortable during a long day on the water.

Another thing we love about this SUP/skiff is that BOTE included a load of accessories to get you paddling straight out of the box. Included with the BOTE Rover Aero, you’ll receive a 3-piece adjustable fiberglass paddle, paddle sheath, sand spear sheath, Motorac, motorac receivers, grab strap, detachable slide-lock center fin, single chamber dual action hand pump, repair kit, and a large Aero Bag to comfortably store everything. To fully utilize the Aero’s micro-skiff capabilities, you’ll need to purchase an outboard motor separately, which is also available on BOTE’s site. While it would be convenient to include the motor with the board for an increased overall kit price, I appreciate the ability to shop around for a motor or use one you may already have on hand. I also wish BOTE would have opted for a carbon fiber paddle to include in this kit, as this is a heavy SUP to pull through the water, though the fiberglass paddle is sufficient to paddle short distances, which is more realistic if you add on the motor.

Bottom line – this is essentially a micro-skiff that can be transported in your trunk or your backseat. This board is a great option for SUP anglers that want the convenience of a boat in not having to paddle for hours to your fishing hole, but also want the advantages of a SUP in being able to get into tight, shallow areas. It;s also an affordable price for tons of customization ability in features and accessories.

What Makes a Great Fishing Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP)?

Ultimately, what truly makes a fishing SUP great is how well it fits into your personal needs, lifestyle, and preferences. With that in mind, we’ll go over a few key characteristics that we considered while building this list, to provide a short buyer’s guide that will help you make the most educated purchasing decision possible when picking out a fishing SUP of your own.

• Stability
  As always, stability is top of the list when it comes to traits to consider when SUP shopping in any discipline. When it comes to SUP fishing, you’re doing more than just standing and paddling on your board. You’ll need the added stability to move around between rods, bait, cast, and hopefully reel in a few big ones without focusing on staying balanced.

  Stability primarily is dependent on board size, with an emphasis on its width. Wider boards tend to be more stable, but of course you do lose some maneuverability (though sharp sudden turns are likely not on the agenda for a day of SUP fishing anyway). Fin set-up also contributes to stability with a 2+1 configuration being the most stable option. Lastly, a well constructed board usually will have some added rigidity which helps with both stability and overall performance/durability of your SUP. We’ll delve more into construction as we get into our list of the best fishing SUPs of 2022.

• Weight Capacity
  Weight capacity tends to go hand in hand with stability, but there is some nuance that we’ll discuss. Most SUPs will have a listed weight capacity that simply tells you at what weight the board will continue to stay afloat. However, as you get closer to this weight capacity, you’ll see drastic decreases in stability and overall performance.

  We think it’s more valuable to determine what volume of board you’ll need in regards to your body weight, plus an estimate of your gear’s combined weight. A good reference is that the volume of your board (usually listed in the specs) should be 1.5x or more of the weight of yourself and your gear. If you want even more stability, increase your volume and vice versa.

• Fishing Mounts/Equipment Compatibility
  When it comes to equipment storage, you’ll want to ensure that your SUP is capable of hauling and utilizing any equipment that you already have. As you’ll read on this list, many SUPs have a variety of action mounts, d-rings, scotty mounts, kayak seat compatibility, fishing rac compatibility, and rod holders. The combination that you need on your SUP really comes down to what type/how much equipment you’ll be wanting to bring along, as well as any accessories that you intend to use.




• Deck pad
  SUP fishing usually entails a decent bit of standing. As such, you’ll want to look for a deckpad that has the right balance between grip and comfort. If you need a bit of extra traction, you’ll do well with a diamond patterned and deeply stamped deck pad, where as if you’re looking for a more comfort focused option, consider grooved deck pads. Also as a side note, if you’re someone that values aesthetics, you may want to look for a darker color that muck/fish blood won’t stain as easily.




• Paddle
  Most SUPs will come with a kit-included paddle. However, the quality of these varies and can really affect your ride if it’s not up to par with what you need, especially considering the fact the fishing SUPs tend to be on the larger/heavier side and need something a little more sturdy to pull them through the water.

  Entry-level, lower price range SUPs will usually come with a plastic or aluminum paddle. While plastic is typically the lighter option of the two, you’ll experience more flex in the shaft as you pull your board through the water, which overall will give you less leverage and will force you to work harder to get your SUP going. While this is not an issue for short distances, it can become really noticeable as distance increases. Aluminum is much sturdier, but is on the heavier side and will also cause you to tire out faster when it comes to paddling longer distances.

  Mid-range SUPs will typically include a fiberglass paddle, which is lighter than aluminum and stiffer than plastic. It won’t cause you to tire out as fast when paddling long distances, but we have found that it tends to irritate our hands a little bit, though that is just us being nit-picky.

  The best performing paddles will be those made out of carbon fiber or a carbon fiber blend. These paddles are lightweight yet rigid to keep you going for miles without feeling like your shoulders will fall off (at least not quite as early) or like you can’t quite get a grip on the water to pull yourself forward.

  Another important thing to note is that several options for paddles are sold separately, so if you find a board that is your perfect match, and the paddle isn’t quite what you’re wanting, there’s always the option to upgrade.

• Warranties/Guarantee periods
  All of the boards on this list are from reputable companies that make durable products built to last through nearly anything you could put it through. They also all offer warranty periods and some return windows that will provide a bit of a safety net, should you experience any issues with your SUP.

  Keeping all of these factors in mind, you should feel confident choosing the best fishing SUP to match your lifestyle, skills, and preferences.

Why Use a Fishing SUP

If you’ve read through our list and are still debating if a fishing SUP is the right option for you, we’ll go through a few advantages below.

• Cost
  One of the downsides of traditional open-water fishing is that the price of boats can make it largely inaccessible for a large group of people. A great fishing SUP can usually be purchased for about $1,500, which is still an investment, but only a fraction of the cost that a boat would require. Many companies also offer 12-month financing plans as well, if the price is too high up-front.
• Access
  A great thing about SUPs is that they can get into tighter, shallower spots than boats can. This allows you to tap into some lesser fished areas, and likely have more success.
• Storage/transport
  When it comes to storing and transporting, inflatable SUPs are exponentially easier and more convenient than a boat could ever be. iSUPs can roll up into their bag and be stored in the trunk of your car and by stored in a closet. A boat, on the other hand, requires a trailer and a place to store it when it’s not being used, which adds to the overall cost aspect of fishing.
• Less disruptive
  SUPs allow you to quietly ease into your fishing spot with very little disruption to the fish already there.
• Added workout
  Paddling is great, low impact full body exercise that will slowly build up your core strength and join stability without really even having to think about it.

Optional Fishing SUP Accessories to Consider

While each of the boards on this list includes a variety of accessories to get you started on the water, we’ll list a few accessories below that we’d recommend to help you have a better day on the water and make the most out of your fishing SUP.

• Fishing rod mount/holder
  One challenge to overcome when it comes to SUP fishing compared to fishing on a boat is determining how to best utilize and be efficient in a smaller space. Rods can add up and take up space quickly, but adding a rod holder and a few rod mounts to your SUP can help you free up vital standing space to better enjoy your day.
• Paddle sheath/ holder
  When you reach your fishing spot and no longer need your paddle, it’s nice to be able to stow it within reach but out of your way. A paddle sheath or holder will give you somewhere to stash it that won’t trip you up and will free up your hands to cast or reel.
• Stripping basket
  This is mostly applicable if you’re fly fishing on your SUP, as this will eliminate the risk of getting your line wrapped up and tangled while you’re preparing to shoot.
• Kayak conversion kit
  We’ve said a few times throughout this post that SUP fishing can sometimes involve a decent bit of standing. However, the purchase of a kayak conversion seat can give you the option to sit back and relax. This is also great if you’ll be fishing in choppier or bumpier water that could make it difficult to balance while you’re fishing
• Anchor/Sand Spear
  If you’re fishing in a river, a tidal body of water, or simply a windy lake, it’s easy for your SUP to get pushed out of position if you’re not constantly paddling it. The addition of a Sand Spear or anchor to your SUP kit can help you keep glued to your spot without much effort.
• Electric Pump
  We say it so much on this site, but an electric pump is truly one of the best investments you can make when it comes to building out your SUP kit. When it comes to a larger fishing SUP, this point is even more important because they can be quite a job to inflate using a hand pump. An electric pump will take away the work of inflating your SUP and allow you more time to prep the rest of your gear.

Tips for Making the Most of your Fishing SUP

Once you have your fishing SUP, it’s easy to get out in the water and settle into your rhythm. Below we’ll list some tips that we’ve learned along the way to help you get the most enjoyment out of your fishing SUP right away.

• Hone in your Balance Before Starting to Fish
  If you’ve never used a SUP before purchasing your fishing board, it’s best to practice and hone in your balance on the water before piling on gear and trying to fish. One of the most important ways you can avoid going for an accidental swim is to keep your head and shoulders up and in line with your body. When you look down at the board or water, you push your center of gravity forward and are more likely to fall. You’ll also want to keep your knees loose to help absorb any wake or water movement. Lastly, remember to keep your paddle submerged and use it as a third leg to help you stay upright.
• Minimize Movement/Disruption
  Finding fish is easiest when you’re not actively scaring them away. While we already have an advantage with SUPs being significantly less disruptive than boat motors, it’s still best to minimize any splashing/disruption from your paddle and sudden movements on the board.
• Try trolling Methods to Imitate Bait Fish
  Anchors are great if you’re in a river or tidal body of water and are fishing out of a hole or nook in the stream. However, if you’re fishing a wider area of fish, trolling can be great to imitate normal bait behavior. Because SUPs are so light, they’re easy to troll with the current without even needing to paddle. Simply float in the direction of the water. Depending on your bait, it also helps to jig or bounce your line to catch light and make your rig more noticeable to fish.
• Minimize Your Gear
  As we’ve said before, one challenge with SUP fishing is determining how to best utilize a smaller space. One way to do this is to minimize the amount of gear you need to have a successful day or fishing. This will free up standing space for you to move around your board and be able to fish in several directions. It also can help with stability, as added gear weight can decrease your board’s performance.
• Secure Your Gear
  Once you do narrow down your gear to give yourself the most space possible, it’s important to secure it in a way that it won’t be falling off, rolling into your feet, or otherwise tripping you up. This is where rod-holders and mounts really come in handy.
• Have a License and Follow Local and Federal Laws
  Most bodies of water require a license to fish, especially if you’re catching to keep. Make sure to always obtain and carry a license before SUP fishing and familiar yourself with any local or federal laws. Most of these laws are put in place to help protect the wildlife and waterways that we love to keep them healthy for everyone’s enjoyment, so it’s important to play your part.

Conclusion

SUP fishing gets people outside and enjoying the water in a more accessible, less disruptive way than traditional boat dependent fishing. It allows you to get into those hard to reach, tight, shallow spots, without the risk of grounding yourself or getting stuck, while maintaining the quiet of the environment.

We hope our list of the Best Stand Up Paddle Board for Fishing of 2025 has been helpful in your search for the perfect board, and we hope you’ll make the most of your experience using the tips we’ve discussed above.

As always, wear a life jacket, stay safe, and have fun paddling!

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SupBoardGuide

Heyo! At SupBoardGuide.com we are a team who love the water, the outdoors, and are more than grateful that our full-time job allows us to review stand up paddle boards. We paddle year round (it helps that we are just about 2 hours outside of Las Vegas), and we bring in a wide range of paddlers with the goal of providing our readers with the best, most in-depth, and accurate stand up paddle board reviews.

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