The Stand Up Paddle is a boat that is increasingly on the rise in the summer, whether for the pleasure of sliding or for sea fishing. Easy, light, quiet and stable, this support has many strengths.Explanations.Text and photos by Philippe Mesmeur.Passionate about sliding sports, and fishing, I regularly travel the Brittany coast with my van, in which is my windsurfing board, my paddle, and my fishing equipment.Thus, by dint of skimming the coast, I inevitably came across areas more or less distant from the coast that tickled my fishing instinct.It was on a summer evening, still in Brittany, seeing a promising pitfall for lure fishing that I got into the practice of SUP Fishing.A light wind, a perfectly practicable body of water and above all the call of the fish and the sliding inevitably pushed me to take out my inflatable paddle and my rod.Operational in a very short time, and after a few strokes of the paddle, I had already arrived at my position.Verdict: my instinct did not deceive me, I was quickly hitched to an old lady and then to my first young bass.If the feeling of satisfaction to have validated this combination between SUP and fishing was strong, however, I quickly realized that I had to improve my paddle.Therefore, I suggest that you come back, point by point, to the improvements that I have been able to make to make this support suitable for fishing and to make it an ultra simple and effective practice.Especially since the SUP, unlike the boat, can sneak in discreetly as close as possible to the fish caches.So of course the depth sounder is not included as on many motorized boats, even if you can install one.In short, SUP Fishing has this big advantage: little equipment for maximum freedom.It all depends on your expectations.Do you opt for storage and its weight?It will then be necessary to move towards an inflatable stand up paddle, practical and lighter.On the contrary, if you want a better glide and avoid punctures, the rigid will be required.One thing is certain, if you want to evolve in the 300 meter band and stay along the coast, it is advisable to equip yourself with a paddle of at least 9 or 10 feet for fishing.Of course, there are no contraindications to taking bigger.The width is an important point.Take a width of at least 29''.Below, the balance becomes precarious.If for once you want to exceed the 300 meter band, it is possible, the board must measure at least 11.6 feet (3.50 M) and the maritime code requires some additional material elements.I will come back to this in the security section.I mentioned earlier the risk of a puncture.Yes, guess what, it's possible.The backbone of the fish or a hook can damage your inflatable paddle.Don't worry, an inflatable paddle slowly deflates and remains unsinkable.The bad luck factor is very low but it can happen.A point of special lure or pvc glue will be the solution.To avoid this, slide your fish slowly across the deck so they don't get too excited, or use a landing net.As for the hook, visualize your fluoro coming out of the water, this will be your mark to avoid planting your lure in the paddle.I recommend this website to equip yourself with a paddle: www.side-shore.com.If the objective is to go along the coast a little or to test two or three spots over a short distance, the aluminum paddle will be more than enough and much less expensive.However, if you want to go for miles, fiberglass or carbon are strongly recommended to ensure good power transmission with each paddle stroke, maneuverability and above all lightness.I easily do between 5 and 10 km when I go fishing.A powerful and light paddle is therefore essential.Details make perfection, and perfection is not a detail.Similar to the practice in a boat or kayak, the sea anchor can effectively curb drifts, whether related to winds or currents.It is possible to buy one via HPA, or even to make one.There are many tutorials.Thanks to this slowdown, you will be able to prospect more, make better catches and above all increase your discretion.This waterproof case is perfect for storing several boxes with all types of lures or accessories: pliers, scissors, glue, lamp, rope, fluoro… There are several models of Bakkan, in particular those with a rod holder and some useful accessory storage.Everything will depend on the budget.Personally, I opted for an AVID ST-Croix in 2.13 m and in 7-17.5 gr.The reel will be enough in 2500-3000.The ideal remains a short or compact cane, to draw quickly on strategic positions or during flash hunts.For the lure part, I have my box of soft lures containing 4-8 gr for close fishing and in little water like the Black Eel from Fiiish.As for bringing back quickly, I use the Crazy Sand Eel in 20 gr or the crazy paddle.For scratch or slow fishing, it will be black minow or Black Eel in 10-20 gr.Having two or three floating lures at hand can also make the difference.I made these accessories from a PVC board to accommodate my rod holder and also to hold my Bakkan in place, all equipped with a GoPro support.It is possible to make it in wood, plastic / PVC or plexi.I opted for PVC, certainly less ecological, but water-repellent, light and solid.I also have a rod holder on my belt to draw even faster.It's simple to design, for DIYers.There is also the possibility of buying some as at HPA for example.Its usefulness depends on your types of outings.If you don't want to clutter too much, there won't be much point.On the other hand, to bring back memories, report to those around you, complete your fishing diary or even broadcast beautiful images on your social networks, then yes this support will prove useful.I told you about my rod holder / Bakkan a little earlier in the part "a Bakkan for what?"".As mentioned, I also installed my camera there.A PVC or wooden leg on an axis so that it is pivoting.An aluminum rod for rigidity, lightness, opening of the angle of view and so that it does not fear the salt.Here is a rotating GoPro, ready to record the images of your fights quickly.Overall, as on many supports, to keep the balance you have to look far.Flexed on the legs, the bust a little leaning forward, we paddle two or three times on one side then on the other.The hands are wide apart, the low hand should be in the middle of the paddle.The objective to slide well is to seek amplitude: send the blade as far forward as possible and bring it back towards you.If the wind picks up, it will be difficult to row against the current and your balance will be very affected.Advice: anticipate the evolution of the weather and the tidal range before embarking on a SUP Fishing session.In summer I manage to practice three to four lure fishing techniques.Linear throwing and bringing back is generally very effective on spots that present these structures: small islands of pebbles, a slab, or sand.Then there is the possibility of fishing in traction, that is to say to raise and let lower the lure.Always on spots of sand or pebbles.Vertical fishing on deeper areas not far from rock heads.Finally, trolling is a very interesting type of fishing for me.I can paddle at the same time as my fishing lure.I made some great shots with this one.It should be noted that it is not necessary to delay giving inertia to the board, once the lure is in the water, at the risk of catching the bottom.The first piece of advice I can give is the leash.Even if you are comfortable on your paddle, I assure you that as soon as the wind picks up, there is choppy water or even current in certain corners, there will be a chance of ending up in the water. .Once in the water, you think about your paddle, but it's already too late.Your paddle will have already drifted a few meters.In the 300 meter band, a paddle will be considered as a "beach machine".Boards under 11.6 feet or 3.50 m.Inflatable boards equipped with a single valve and regardless of size will also have the same label.For those who plan to practice paddle fishing between 300 meters and 2 miles from a shelter, the paddle will be considered a "craft".The board will have to measure at least 11.6 feet or 3.50 m, ideally rigid.The inflatable will remain possible provided that it is equipped with two inflation valves.Either a separation between two inflated compartments, so that there is always an inflated compartment in the event of a puncture.In addition to these requirements, the fisherman must have mandatory equipment in the event of an inspection:– a buoyancy aid vest (50N) or thick suit in 5/4 mm.– a leash.– a towing device (a line between 2 and 3m).– a means of individual light identification, waterproof with a battery life of 6 hours.– a means of communication such as a VHF or a mobile phone (In case of emergency, n°196 on the mobile phone and channel 16 for the VHF).– even a first aid kit…Your email address will not be published.Mandatory fields are marked with *