A Beginner’s Guide to Stand-up Paddleboard Fly Fishing

Fly fishing is a great way to target all kinds of fish species. But to reach many fish, anglers need to ditch the banks and take to the water. While some will no doubt opt for a raft, drift boat or skiff, a new breed of anglers is choosing to cast to everything from trout and bass to redfish and bonefish on a stand-up paddleboard.

A traditional flats skiff or a dependable drift boat will likely always top the list for guides and anglers who need true mobility. But SUPs are growing in popularity and proving to be surprisingly effective for adventurous anglers.

Welcome to fly fishing from a stand-up paddleboard–but why a SUP?

Stealth

Certainly, an inflatable paddleboard can work on moving water, as long as the angler takes needed safety precautions and has the skill set to read water and handle rapids. But the inflatable fishing SUP is really built for stealth on calm or flatwater.

For lake anglers hoping to sneak up on bass or pike, a carefully navigated SUP can put them right on top of fish, and in position to make the ideal cast to fish lurking in weed beds, under drowned wood or hanging over rock shoals and drop-offs.

An inflatable SUP shines even more in salt water. Nothing is quite as stealthy in the marsh as a paddleboard, and it’s equally effective on the flats for bonefish and permit.

When you’re atop an inflatable SUP, your profile is less intrusive than standing on a casting platform on a traditional skiff. If you can dial in your fisheye and find the bones, you’ll enjoy an advantage over traditional flats anglers who cast from the deck.

And, you’ll also have a bit of an advantage over wading anglers. First, you’ll be casting from just above water level, which will help you better spot and stock fish. Second, you won’t be mucking up the flats—you might be able to fish all day without setting foot on the bottom.

Exercise

Fly fishing from a paddleboard is also great exercise. Anglers who fish from a paddleboard for the first time will discover core muscles they didn’t know they had. In time, they’ll develop the skills needed to paddle or pole across the water and reach fishy honey holes that others might struggle to access.

Portability

Incredibly stable SUPs are available in inflatable models, like the NRS Heron. While inflatable paddleboards might seem like an illogical craft for an angler, state-of-the-art technology enables anglers to inflate the boards up to 20 psi, resulting in a rigidity that rivals a traditional hard board. Plus, they inflate and deflate in minutes and fold down compactly for transport and storage, making them a versatile tool for fly anglers. You don’t need a trailer. You don’t need a truck or roof rack. You don’t even need a car, really. Having an inflatable SUP takes the stress out of the logistics. Toss it deflated into the back of your rig with the rest of your gear and venture as far from home as desired.

NRS SUPs are so portable that once deflated, they meet most airlines’ checked baggage restrictions. Try that with a traditional hard board.

Affordability

It’s best to look at any watercraft purchase as an investment. And an inflatable SUP is something that you’ll use for years. But, compared to other options, like a flats skiff or a drift boat, an inflatable SUP is a very affordable option.

You may spend several thousand dollars on a boat, and you’ll spend even more on a motor if you’re a flats angler or a stillwater angler. The purchase price for a stand-up paddleboard fully outfitted for fly fishing pales in comparison.

And, for what you get, it’s a bargain. Mobility and maneuverability are second to none. Stealthiness is unmatched. Convenience is unbeatable. For the reasonable price of a high-end inflatable SUP, you’ll open doors to new and varied fly-fishing opportunities—and maybe have budget left over for a bucket list trip.

That DIY trip to the Bahamas suddenly looks more doable, huh?

Tips for Stand-up Paddleboard Fly Fishing: Practice, practice, practice.

If you’re interested in casting flies to your favorite fish from the deck of an SUP, we suggest spending some time practicing.

Yes, SUPs are very stable. But newbies might struggle with balance and control at first. At the beginning, take your SUP out on the water without your fly gear and practice maneuvering it around the water. Balance is everything, but so is trusting the craft.

If you’re new to SUPs, give it time. Move around the board to feel the difference in weight distribution. Get to know the limits and understand the board’s tipping point. And then, fall off. Practice flipping the board, righting it and getting back on top. Being able to self-rescue is an important part of stand-up paddling. Your body will eventually respond to the balance necessary to stay on the board and you’ll be cruising around the water in no time.

After a few times on the water, paddling or poling around an area similar to what you’re hoping to fish, you’ll be ready to start fly fishing. And once you do, you’ll open a new world of angling opportunities.

But do yourself a favor. Put in the practice time. It’ll be safer for you and the expensive fly gear you risk losing if you capsize.

Once you’re competent on the SUP, it’s time to start fishing. Using the many accessories available, you’ll be able to head out on the water with confidence.

How to fly fish from an inflatable SUP.

If you’re an avid fly angler, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you’ll become a competent caster from an SUP. If you can cast a fly with relative accuracy on foot or from the casting deck of a flats boat, you can do it from the deck of a paddleboard, too.

Sure, you’ll have to dial in your balance and understand how weight is distributed, but it won’t take long from your first foray on the water to when you acquire complete competence as a stand-up paddleboard angler.

Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Make your cast compact. Anglers with a good cast will have the most success from the deck of an inflatable SUP. Keeping the fly cast compact reduces motion and keeps the angler’s balance centered, reducing movement.
• Widen your stance if you’re not immediately comfortable. Keep a bend in your knees. Identify the center of the craft and do your best to keep your weight distributed as close to the middle as possible.
• If possible, move closer to your target using your paddle or pole. It’s the same logic for any footbound angler taking advice from a guide. A good guide will have you move your feet rather than ask you to make a “hero cast.” The same applies to fly fishing from an inflatable SUP. Shorter casts are easier and more compact, which will reduce motion and help you maintain balance.
• Use your perch to your advantage. From the deck of a paddleboard, you’ll be able to see better than you would if you were footbound. Use that height to dial in your “fisheye” and see fish sooner than you would if you were wading.
• Don’t be afraid to move around. Mobility is one of the greatest advantages to fly fishing from an inflatable SUP.

How to choose a ‘fly fishing’ paddleboard.

Yes, there are SUPs designed specifically for anglers. These models, like the NRS Heron fishing SUP, can be equipped with accessory mounts for things like rod holders, and bungee deck rigging for everything from fly boxes to coolers.

Fishing-specific paddleboards feature a wider deck, giving anglers room to move and cast from different locations. Inflatable models generally feature multiple air chambers for durability, safety and enhanced stability.

These paddleboards are big and designed to allow anglers to access quiet, remote waters. But they’re also built to handle larger water and, with the right personal flotation device within reach, they’re very safe.

You bought an inflatable stand-up paddleboard… now what?

Well, now it’s time to go fishing—almost. There are two essential pieces of gear needed before hitting the water, a paddle and PFD. While we encourage anglers to wear a PFD on the water, check your local regulations regarding PFD laws and stand-up paddleboards. Most waterways require a paddler to at least have a PFD that’s in good working condition on board their craft.

It’s also a good idea to outfit your board with additional fishing-specific accessories to enhance your success on the water. Out of the box, the Heron SUP Board features two YakAttack® accessory mounts on the side tubes, perfect for rod holders, a third accessory mount on the center deck pad and a fourth accessory pad toward the nose. We’ve taken care of the mounts, you just need to purchase the accessories.

Here are some ideas:

• The NRS Fortuna 100 Adjustable SUP paddle. This SUP paddle can adjust in length between 68 and 84 inches, giving anglers more versatility when moving between fishing spots or maneuvering to make the next cast.
• The NRS Zephyr inflatable PFD. This self-inflating PFD comes in an adjustable rip-stop nylon waist pack that stays out of the angler’s way when fishing and casting, but easy to reach should it be needed. It meets standard U.S. Coast Guard specs for a Type III PFD ONLY when worn. A Zephyr stored under the bungee rigging would not meet USCG regs.
• Rod Holders: Rod holders let anglers carry not just one, but two or even three rods on the water. Most holders are adjustable and swivel, ensuring that anglers won’t get tangled up in the rod they’re not using.
• GoPros: Never miss that personal best. Mount a GoPro or other camera to the nose of your board and capture all the action for the ‘Gram.
• Fish Finders & Depth Finders: We live in the digital age. There’s no shame in using gadgets to get on top of the fish.
• Cup Holder: From dawn patrol coffee to mid-day H2O, keep your beverages close at hand on the water.
• Fly Boxes: Use the bungee rigging on the nose of the board to secure your fly boxes, coolers or dry pack.

Not every angler is going to need every bit of hardware to make the inflatable SUP experience enjoyable. But there are lots of options designed to assist anglers. Consider what you’ll need for a day on the water, and outfit your SUP accordingly. Remember, these crafts are stable and maneuverable. And, a board like the Heron can support 300 pounds of weight.

Recap: Fly Fishing from a Stand-up Paddleboard

Inflatable SUPs are solid options for fly anglers interested in accessing hard-to-reach fishing spots.

SUPs designed for anglers boast accessories and hardware that are made to make fly fishing from a paddleboard easier and more enjoyable. Simply put, inflatable SUPs offer the adventurous angler another avenue they can explore in the fly fishing realm.

And don’t forget about portability and affordability. Inflatable SUPs offer anglers an opportunity to expand their horizons and take to the water with confidence, without the need for trailers, roof mounts or a spacious vehicle.

Once inflated, they offer serious stealth for anglers who want to sneak up on their quarry and make spot-on casts. Inflatable SUPs are quiet and maneuverable. With practice, they are very easy to use.

Most importantly, they’re incredibly safe and very durable. For anglers interested in expanding their fly fishing repertoire, an inflatable SUP might be exactly what you’re looking for.