Just entering the sport of paddleboard fishing

I've just ordered an assault paddleboard from Dave Scadden. I intend to get back into fishing from this platform, and possibly some hunting. Does anyone own this board that could review it for me? I'm also wondering if you could recommend a good cooler for all day fishing/hunting, preferably camo. I'm not sure if paddleboards are popular on a float tube site, but mainly looking for feedback on Dave Scadden products.

I don't know about others here, but I attempted to fish from a paddleboard several times before. Everything is wet all the time, uncomfortable seating all the time, uncomfortable travel all the time, but you can haul ass to get wherever you are going. The board is only 5 inches thick on average, any wave can wash over getting everything wet, even when it is in a a milk crate style box. That means reels, lures, or whatever is in the box. The board is too wide to straddle comfortably when sitting and standing is too wobbly for comfort. The best part is getting where you are going.

This is a six inch inflatable, 3 ft. wide, designed for fishing. I'll mostly be in calmer waters.

Well keep us posted!
I might have come of sounding like I'm against the idea, but that is not the case.
The best part by far is travel speed; I can reach places on the board I never will in a tube.

I've been wanting to try this as well just to see what it's like (and for the hauling ass factor, haha). The Scadden's look pretty cool. I've seen a lot of people recommend a Bote, but they are really pricey.

As far as a cooler, it doesn't get better than a Yeti, but those are really pricey as well. Kind of crazy that a cooler could run $300. It better be able to cook my food for me at that price!

I just bought a coleman 50 extreme wheeled for $40 and an igloo 28 qt. to ice the fish I catch in.

Thanks for starting this thread. I've been reading up on inflatable paddleboards for the past couple years. I own a Civic for hauling around 2 inflatable pontoons and have dreamed about adding a paddleboard. Please share your thoughts and experiences (good or not so good) as you work out the kinks.

Yea, I will. I've thought about it for years as well, mainly because I like the idea of standing up and paddling, my lower back gets sore pretty fast sitting in a canoe or kayak. Plus you can see into the water a lot better standing.

Ya I would like to here more about this as well, there is not much information on this forum about these boards but I also am interested. Anyone have any info to share please don't hesitate to post up your info.

I have fished from my standup paddle board that I surf with so its not a true fishing SUP. It's an 11' er and not as stable to fish standing up as a thick still water board. I wish I could stand up and fly cast for better sight fishing vision. I use it as an alternate to fishing from my float tube which is my primary. As others have stated the main advantage is getting to and moving from location to location. The down sides are lack of maneuvering while fishing. I counter this by taking my float tube fins with me and use them when I start fishing. I straddle the board with the tail of the board in front of me so I can use the board's skeg as a stabilizer. The other disadvantage is it is easy to dump things overboard, so you should leash or float all of your valuables; paddle, poles, etc. I have a "Board Fisher" crate which is nice to organize and lash your stuff to. A good soft water proof cooler that is priced pretty well is the AO Cooler. The make a SUP version that straps to your board.
I like it during warmer month where it's nice and you can trunk it. I have also suited up in my wetsuit when the water was colder, and I have also wadered up at times. Problem with the waders is that it's always in the back of my mind that if I go in, my waders are gonna fill up. IMO the SUP is not an ideal fishing platform, but it's worth it for me to re-purpose something I already have and use when I have to move and cover water.
DT2

Now that you mention it, what kind of fins would be good for it? What is a good life vest for fishing/paddling? So far I like the field and stream fishing life vest at Dicks for $60, still seems like a lot for a pretty average vest though.

Fins would be whatever you have since it kicking won't be your primary method of moving. I just use fins to keep station while fishing and fighting fish. Without fins you are at the mercy of current and wind while fishing. I use my float tube fins (Force Fins) but body surfing fins would work if you are barefoot. Other slip-over float fins or scuba/snorkel fins would work. No need to overspend to get fins just for this. Whatever is cheap and comfortable.

Here is what I have come up with so far. I like it a lot, it works pretty well. The only problem I had was it was windy when I first put in, I tied on a lure and by the time I was ready I had blown across the lake!

Looks awesome man! How was the stability?

That's a good question. If you pay attention, it's no problem and is very stable. But you can't just go shifting your weight out to the sides and not have it wobble on you. It seems like the stability depends on you. All in all I thought it was very good, but..it is still a paddleboard, and balance is required.

fireme wrote:Here is what I have come up with so far. I like it a lot, it works pretty well. The only problem I had was it was windy when I first put in, I tied on a lure and by the time I was ready I had blown across the lake!

That's a great looking set up.
Is that a pad for sitting on the big ice chest?

Yep, but I've got a better seat now with back support to strap to my cooler.

Welcome aboard. Cool looking raft thingy you got there. Ever think about an anchor? Maybe some smaller dumbells might work.

Funny you should mention it. I just ordered one yesterday. Got one of those 3.5 pounders that comes with a fastener, a float and a bag for $20