SUP hunting

[OBLIGATED]

Got the boards in today.Wind is blowing and the temp dropped.Ill try to get some pics today.If the body doesnt ache too bad Ill take a few out and give a review in a day or so.The SUP PACK looks pretty cool.Basicly a backpack with a inflatable SUP and a pocket for odds and ends but well built and thought out.

[OBLIGATED]

Got the boards unwrapped.The hard boards come as a package with bag,leash and Carbon fiber adjustable paddles and bungee cord for tie downs.The SUP Pack looks like a big backpacking pack.They come with a pump,leash,repair kit and a choice of paddles.I have a three piece aluminum to pack and the Carbon fiber paddles.
If you guys are up in the North Georgia mountains PM me and Ill try to get you on the water for at least a few hours to try the boards.If its warmer we can do a night paddle.I have underwater LEDs so the boards are lit up at night.
These boards are rated for around 230# except for my grey board which is rated for 400#.I carry a cooler and fishing gear paddling and I weigh around 225-230 depending on how many toll house cookies I eat so I max out the other boards to be efficient paddling with gear.

[OBLIGATED]

Got to paddle the SUP PAC Inflatable today for a little while.Grandson got tired and had to escort him back to his parents.Still did about a mile on it.
Board did good considering Im 230# and it was choppy past the cove.It has lots of tie downs and was pretty comfortable.It takes about five minutes to pump up the board and put the removable fin on.I still like my big board but for convenience its a great board.Just throw the packs in the trunk and go!No racks,straps or wondering who is scoping out your board for theft.Out of sight out of mind.
I have some girls this week that want to try some boards out.Ill try to get the Tour board out in some chop to see how she performs.You guys might even enjoy the pics of the girls

[Mango Tango]

Originally Posted by Dr.P

OP, I'm using my first ever post to say you are the freaking man! Holy smokes, my mind is blown! I've been fishing on a longboard style SUP ATX in Tampa Bay for 5 years and have been needing a new one is mine is dinged and had a foot chopped off for repairs. I contemplated getting a race board in order to cover water quickly but worried about storage space and stability for fishing while anchored. I checked out the Live Watersports and Bote boards, they are stable fishing platforms but pretty slow and heavy.

As a fellow hardcore SUP fisherman, I have to stay you have by far the coolest fishing SUP concept I've ever seen. You have motivated me to go check out the Starboard race boards for my new spearing and hook n line board. I can barely squeeze a 12'6" thru my apartment stairwell, so that'd be my hard limit for size. Any recommendations on a 12'6" race style board that can hold a 200 pounder with similar gear? I'd prefer fiberglass as I know how to repair it when I inevitably ding it.

[Dr.P]

Originally Posted by Mango Tango

OP, I'm using my first ever post to say you are the freaking man! Holy smokes, my mind is blown! I've been fishing on a longboard style SUP ATX in Tampa Bay for 5 years and have been needing a new one is mine is dinged and had a foot chopped off for repairs. I contemplated getting a race board in order to cover water quickly but worried about storage space and stability for fishing while anchored. I checked out the Live Watersports and Bote boards, they are stable fishing platforms but pretty slow and heavy.

As a fellow hardcore SUP fisherman, I have to stay you have by far the coolest fishing SUP concept I've ever seen. You have motivated me to go check out the Starboard race boards for my new spearing and hook n line board. I can barely squeeze a 12'6" thru my apartment stairwell, so that'd be my hard limit for size. Any recommendations on a 12'6" race style board that can hold a 200 pounder with similar gear? I'd prefer fiberglass as I know how to repair it when I inevitably ding it.

Thanks for the kind words. I realize this is the sort of project that only paddle guys can really appreciate. There has been a lot of tinkering and experimenting along the way, it is certainly a labor of love. Starboard makes a great, low maintenance race SUP, but there are others out there. If 12'6" is the limit, I would definitely look for something thicker and wider. The Starboard ACE is inherently an amazing board for this application, because it is purpose built for the open ocean, and it has massive volume for its size. I chose it for exactly those reasons. Guys use these boards in conditions most people wouldn't take a serious boat out in. And, it is still a competitive shape in flat water. In addition, my carbon 17 footer is less than 30 pounds, so it's easy to handle for its size. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I've helped several people set up boards with what I've found works and doesn't through trial and error.
You have an open invitation to paddle out to the reefs with me anytime. I fish the bay 1-2 times per week, but I prefer a buddy when heading into the open ocean.

[Mango Tango]

Originally Posted by Dr.P

Thanks for the kind words. I realize this is the sort of project that only paddle guys can really appreciate. There has been a lot of tinkering and experimenting along the way, it is certainly a labor of love. Starboard makes a great, low maintenance race SUP, but there are others out there. If 12'6" is the limit, I would definitely look for something thicker and wider. The Starboard ACE is inherently an amazing board for this application, because it is purpose built for the open ocean, and it has massive volume for its size. I chose it for exactly those reasons. Guys use these boards in conditions most people wouldn't take a serious boat out in. And, it is still a competitive shape in flat water. In addition, my carbon 17 footer is less than 30 pounds, so it's easy to handle for its size. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I've helped several people set up boards with what I've found works and doesn't through trial and error.
You have an open invitation to paddle out to the reefs with me anytime. I fish the bay 1-2 times per week, but I prefer a buddy when heading into the open ocean.

Yes that ACE is sick and I'm sure would have no problem island hopping in Hawaii. You could probably make it out to the middle grounds if needed haha.

A board I was interested in several months ago and thanks to you is now back on my radar is the Starboard Elite Touring, 12'6" and either 30" or 31.5" My only concerns with this board is that it may get bogged down pretty good when my gear is loaded and be slow, which defeats the purpose of upgrading for me. I need to go check one out, I believe there is a distributor in St. Pete. From what I can see online your SUP has like volume of around 400 L where the Elite touring has only 254 L.

Thanks for the invite, I am totally down to go ASAP. My next few weekends are booked for travel but I have Nov 6-9 off as well as every weekend. My current board is a 12', err 11' Longboard style which I am at max capacity for as far as weight and cargo room. I'm sure I will be MUCH slower than you but if you don't mind, I certainly don't either. I can keep up with the 14' fishing kayaks pretty well as long as the wind isn't in my face.

PM me your number and we'll plan a trip.

[Sheri]

Hey, that looks like fun!

Dr. P and Mango Tango, I've been looking for someone to share SUP Hunting tips at The Blue Wild next April. I like to have new and fun topics, and this sounds perfect. Plus, I already have some SUP exhibitors there. Do you know about the Expo? Do you live in Florida and would you be interested in doing a short workshop???

[Dr.P]

Originally Posted by Sheri

Hey, that looks like fun!

Dr. P and Mango Tango, I've been looking for someone to share SUP Hunting tips at The Blue Wild next April. I like to have new and fun topics, and this sounds perfect. Plus, I already have some SUP exhibitors there. Do you know about the Expo? Do you live in Florida and would you be interested in doing a short workshop???

I sent you a PM

[Dr.P]

Originally Posted by Mango Tango

Yes that ACE is sick and I'm sure would have no problem island hopping in Hawaii. You could probably make it out to the middle grounds if needed haha.

A board I was interested in several months ago and thanks to you is now back on my radar is the Starboard Elite Touring, 12'6" and either 30" or 31.5" My only concerns with this board is that it may get bogged down pretty good when my gear is loaded and be slow, which defeats the purpose of upgrading for me. I need to go check one out, I believe there is a distributor in St. Pete. From what I can see online your SUP has like volume of around 400 L where the Elite touring has only 254 L.

Thanks for the invite, I am totally down to go ASAP. My next few weekends are booked for travel but I have Nov 6-9 off as well as every weekend. My current board is a 12', err 11' Longboard style which I am at max capacity for as far as weight and cargo room. I'm sure I will be MUCH slower than you but if you don't mind, I certainly don't either. I can keep up with the 14' fishing kayaks pretty well as long as the wind isn't in my face.

PM me your number and we'll plan a trip.

I'm familiar with that board, and I honestly never really considered it because I tend to stick with carbon race shapes, but that would probably be a really great board for diving. It's based off of a starboard race shape but with more volume. I would definitely check it out.

[Mango Tango]

Originally Posted by Sheri

Hey, that looks like fun!

Dr. P and Mango Tango, I've been looking for someone to share SUP Hunting tips at The Blue Wild next April. I like to have new and fun topics, and this sounds perfect. Plus, I already have some SUP exhibitors there. Do you know about the Expo? Do you live in Florida and would you be interested in doing a short workshop???

Hi Sheri, I'm way too new to spearing to give a presentation, but definitely try to book Dr. P. I've been SUP fishing since before they made fishing SUPs and can tell he knows his stuff. Most guys fish on wide stable boards which are comfortable to stand on but limited in range and speed. Dr. P's setup is pushing boundaries and I can see SUP fishing heading in that direction in the near future.

Originally Posted by Dr.P

I'm familiar with that board, and I honestly never really considered it because I tend to stick with carbon race shapes, but that would probably be a really great board for diving. It's based off of a starboard race shape but with more volume. I would definitely check it out.

Yeah at 31.5" it's actually wider than my longboard style cruiser SUP, so it doesn't fit your criteria as race ready board. The 30" is surely a little faster but with my weight and occasional hook and line fishing I'm leaning towards the wider one. Do you have a shop or distributor to recommend in the Tampa Bay Area?

[Dr.P]

Originally Posted by Mango Tango

Hi Sheri, I'm way too new to spearing to give a presentation, but definitely try to book Dr. P. I've been SUP fishing since before they made fishing SUPs and can tell he knows his stuff. Most guys fish on wide stable boards which are comfortable to stand on but limited in range and speed. Dr. P's setup is pushing boundaries and I can see SUP fishing heading in that direction in the near future.



Yeah at 31.5" it's actually wider than my longboard style cruiser SUP, so it doesn't fit your criteria as race ready board. The 30" is surely a little faster but with my weight and occasional hook and line fishing I'm leaning towards the wider one. Do you have a shop or distributor to recommend in the Tampa Bay Area?

I don't have a particular shop to recommend, because I'm always buying and selling boards through different connections and such, but I recall seeing the boards you are talking about on Tampa Craigslist recently. I think they were new from a dealer, but reasonably priced.
I might even consider the wider model. Even though it's fatter than your typical race shape and certainly would not be competitive from a pure paddle perspective, it looks to me like that hull is based off of the Sprint, which is their fastest flatwater hull. In a 12.6, you're going to need extra stability. When I started experimenting with 12.6s, I was paddling as far as 7 miles fully loaded, but it was challenging and for ideal conditions only. The boards I was using were 25" wide or less, though. Width adds a ton of volume, and thickness even more.
When I swapped to the unlimited board, I was able to double -even triple- my cruising distances and stay comfortable, all while maintaining very respectable speeds.

[Sheri]

Mango, no worries, I'm already talking to Dr. P.

I agree -- I have the feeling SUP Fishing is going to become a "thing". It seems to be the ultimate in self-powered/natural form of hunting. Must give you quite a feeling of accomplishment to do it that way.

I hope to try it someday. Meanwhile, we are planning to do a fun workshop at the Expo!

[Dr.P]

Whoever said the sherpa are on was right... got this big guy diving from the SUP this week. Fish sandwiches for days.

[Mango Tango]

Awesome sheepshead Dr. P! I need to get out with you before it warms up! I saw a couple monster sherpa from my board yestsday but they evaded me in the water, my best was 17".

[Tyson Brown]

That's a huge sherpa - did you get a weight?