Bass fishing is extremely popular in many states around America. It seems like every time you find yourself watching the fishing channel, the anglers are trying to lure in bass fish.
In recent years, more and more anglers are buying paddleboards to go fishing. These stand-up paddleboards (SUP) have been growing in popularity, especially among those who like to fish. If you don’t own a boat, a SUP is a cheaper alternative that can help you get out to areas where you won’t be able to cast your line from the banks of a river or a lake. On top of that, paddleboarding is a lot of fun and a great form of exercise too.
Are Paddle Boards Expensive?
The first time you saw a paddleboard was probably in a fancy resort while on vacation. These longboards were often made with fiberglass. Storing a 10 foot fiberglass board is not easy, especially if you drive a small vehicle that lacks storage. On top of that, hauling the board with you to your fishing destination, along with your tackle box and your fishing rod is not going to be easy.
In recent years, inflatable SUPs have been growing in popularity. Fiberglass SUPs often cost a lot of cash, unlike a lot of the inflatable SUPs on the market. Although an inflatable board might not sound strong enough to hold your weight, you might be pleasantly surprised. When they are inflated they are almost as solid as fiberglass boards. When they are deflated, you should have no problems storing them in a large backpack. Most paddleboards come with a backpack designed specifically for the SUP, so you don’t have to invest in a new backpack. You can adjust the paddle to make it smaller so it can fit in the bag alongside the board.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can invest in a light chair that is designed for a SUP. There are also fishing rod holders that you can attach to the board.
Fishing for Bass on a SUP
Catching bass on a paddleboard can be a lot of fun, but it can also improve your chances of catching more fish. Although a lot of bass prefer to swim in shallow areas, you will be able to find them in other areas too. Because you will have an aerial view when you are standing up on your paddleboard, you can easily locate areas with vegetation, submerged trees, and bridges where bass like to stay.
A SUP makes finding good spots to fish a lot easier. If you have had plenty of experience with SUPs, you can even consider taking it out on slow-moving rivers. Anglers are aware that largemouth bass is often found in these areas, so you might be able to take your board out if you are confident enough.
If you are fishing in clear water, you might be able to see bass swimming around. You might even get to see them feeding on ducklings, snakes, mice, and largemouth bass like to prey on young bass, too.
Things you Need to Know Before you Go Fishing for Bass on a SUP
The last thing you will want to do is go fishing for bass on your brand new SUP without practicing the different techniques first. There is a good chance that you will fall off and you and all of your fishing gear will end up in the water.
Although paddleboarding might seem difficult, it’s not as hard as you might think, but this doesn’t mean you should go fishing on it straight away. You should practice several times before you decide to bring it to the water to fish. You will want to know the different techniques, and how to keep your balance before you try and catch a fish on it.
There are plenty of fishing videos published to streaming services like YouTube where you can learn how to fish while paddleboarding. It might be worth your while watching these clips first. If you are not a strong swimmer, make sure that you wear a life jacket at all times. It is inevitable you will fall off the board when you are learning how to use the device, which is all part of the fun when learning, but it can also happen to people who have been using the board for several years. Most paddleboards have nets attached to the top of the board. Consider hooking your equipment onto the net, so if you fall off, your gear will stay safe.
Only bring a limited amount of equipment with you. Don’t bring more than two rods on the board with you at any time. Securely strap a small waterproof tackle box or bag onto the board and you are good to go!