By Mike Hammond
When I first tried an inflatable standup paddleboard (iSUP) several years ago, I dismissed the board and all other iSUPs as toys. It wobbled and took the shape of the waves passing under me. I felt like I was paddling a noodle. Fortunately, iSUPs have come a long way over the years and are now a legitimate paddlecraft for angling adventures. The most obvious advantage of an iSUP is its lack of need for storage space. Finding an open area that is 11’ to 14’ long and 34” wide, for a traditional board, is much more difficult than throwing a large backpack in a corner or closet.
Travel is also easier as there is no need for roof-racks or worrying about the board when driving on the interstate. Just put your iSUP in the vehicle and you are set. International travel can be easier as well. Many airlines charge $100 each way for “surfboards” and may not take large SUPs at all. Depending on the airline, iSUPs will be treated like normal luggage – no different from a backpack.
There are iSUPs on the market that are designed specifically for angling. They are stable, can carry a lot of weight and have tie-downs and attachments for rod holders. Our iSUP has tie downs in the back for the cooler/tackle box we sit on that has rod holders. Additional rod holders can be attached directly to the board and another soft tackle box can be tied down to the nose. That’s potentially six rods and two tackle boxes. There is also a guide on the nose of the board for an anchor line.
The iSUP, bag, paddle, leash, repair kit and pump should all be included. A good pump makes a huge difference in the time and energy spent preparing to paddle. Our pump allows you to push air in the board during both the up and down motions. I usually pump our boards up to about 11 to 12 PSI (pounds per square inch) and let the Florida sun warm and expand the air in the board to about 15 PSI. Do not force more air into the board than it is rated for, otherwise it may blow up. While this is difficult to do by hand, people using electric pumps have popped iSUPs by over-inflating them.
We will have a few Body Glove iSUPs – the Marina, designed for anglers – at the 2019 Calusa Blueway Kayak Fishing Tournament. One board will be the prize for the SUP division, a second board will be raffled off by the Candlelighters of Southwest Florida, and a third board will be available for demos. Anyone interested in trying it out is welcome come to the Olde Fish House on Nov. 9 and take an iSUP for a paddle.
For more information, check the 2019 Calusa Blueway Kayak Fishing Tournament Facebook page or contact Gulf Coast Kayak (239) 283-1125.