Best Fishing Chairs Reviewed and Tested
Anything that helps keep you fishing longer increases your chances of catching that personal best trophy fish or at least helps fill your freezer with fresh filets.
Whatever your goal is when fishing, you need the tools to keep you on the water. Can a great fishing chair help you catch fish? Yes! Absolutely.
Fatigue often sets in on long days on the water. Being able to sit comfortably can help relieve that fatigue.
Our Top 3 Picks
- Earth Ultimate Chair
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Our rating - Durable
- Price: See Here
- Soonyean Fishing Chair
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Our rating - Sturdy
- Price: See Here
- Stansport Deluxe Chair
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Our rating - Lightweight
- Price: See Here
That doesn’t mean that you should just bring any old folding chair that you picked up at a yard sale for $3, though.
A fishing seat is made specifically to provide you with features that will improve your fishing outing.
The best fishing chairs are those that can handle long exposure to salt, water and sun. Be comfortable to sit on for long periods. And,not to mention be easy to clean. You do plan on getting plenty of fish scales and blood on it, right?
The perfect fishing chair also needs to be portable. You sometimes need to visit multiple fishing spots a day and can’t have your chair bog you down.
10 Best Fishing Chairs
1. Earth Ultimate 4-Position
Need to take a nap at some point so you can stay on the water longer? Then just lean the chair back like a recliner and doze off in comfort!
The material of this carp fishing chair is cushioned for a comfortable sitting experience with a padded pillow for your head.
It folds up nicely and flatly into an easy to carry unit.
It’s got 2 cup holders and a nice little storage bag for your keys or accessories.
Rated up to 325 pounds, it is sturdy and durable for just about any sized angler.
One knock against it is that it isn’t very lightweight folding fishing chair. So, that durability for heavy weight comes at a bit of a price in being a bit heavy to carry or store on a boat.
- Comfortable
- Sturdy
- Easy to get in and out of
- Does not come with instructions
2. Soonyean Fishing Chair
The cooler bag is made from the same material and lined inside so you can fill it with ice or ice packs. Keep either your lunch and drinks cool, or even your catch if you are going for smaller fish like mackerel or herring.
The front of the cooler has a storage pocket that is big enough to hold keys and a wallet as well as some other small items that you need to keep handy.
This little chair is extremely sturdy and can handle up to 400 pounds.
- Perfect for portable needs
- Sturdy
- Practical
- Back rest a plus
- It may not support 400 lbs as advertised
3. Stansport Deluxe Utility
It’s lightweight, folds up nicely for easy storage and has shoulder straps for great portability.
The frame is lightweight and durable aluminum that won’t rust or rot. The fabric is a waterproof polyester that is also comfortable to sit on.
Though it won’t win comfort awards if you plan to sit on it for hours at a time, it is comfortable enough for when you need to take a load off and have a drink while you are waiting for a bite.
- Comfortable
- Stylish
- Great price value
- Somewhat fragile
4. GCI Outdoor Freestyle
Not everybody is looking for adrenaline pumping fishing action.
It may not have a lot of features that will help you with your fishing, but you need to be comfortable to fish then this is the chair for you. Sometimes just being comfortable will keep you at the water longer which will in turn put you into more fish.
This chair folds up nicely and has a convenient carry handle.
- Good quality
- Wide
- Great price value
- It might squeak
5. Oasis Backpack
It also sports a cup holder and a sturdy rod holder, as well.
The chair frame is made from lightweight, yet strong aluminum. The fabric is a high test polyester material which is comfortable and fast drying.
The best part about this chair? It’s also reclinable to three different positions. You might get so comfortable that you doze off! Don’t worry, when you hook into the big one that will wake you right up.
The downside to this fishing chair is that it is very low to the ground. Men of a certain age like me have a little trouble getting up out of the chair. Think of it as a deluxe beach chair and you get the idea of the height.
- The chair holds the fishing rod
- Comfortable
- Sturdy
- A rather small chair with short legs
6. Genji Fishing Chair with 3
Three built in rod holders are conveniently located in the front of the chair right between the legs for easy access. With two different tilt angles, they won’t get wrapped up in each other.
The backrest is short, but, does provide relief to the lower back.
The fabric is waterproof and dries quickly. For the price, you get a handy little fishing chair that is durable and convenient with 3 rod holders. A bargain.
- Reasonably comfortable chair
- Lots of storage
- Good quality
- No back support
7. Compaclite Swivel Steel
The rods fold down to a size of just 15 inches long and 5.5 inches high. When it’s set up, you not only have a super comfortable bucket chair, but it also swivels completely around to 360 degrees.
It’s so small it takes up hardly any space in your car trunk or boat. The carrying bag has a handy shoulder strap so portability is easy if you have to run from one spot to another, or have to hike from the car to your fishing area.
The fabric is waterproof and has a nice camo effect. It folds up separately from the rods and has it’s own attached bag. The bag it folds into is attached to the front of the chair so you can use it as a storage bag.
The only thing I can say that I don’t like about it is the feet. They are great on the deck of a boat as they won’t slip. They are not so great on soft ground. They can sink into the dirt a little unevenly.
If you are fishing off a dock then that won’t be an issue.
- Extremely comfortable
- Great swivel
- Good price value
- Noisy metal posts
8. G4Free Portable Ultralight Outdoor Fishing Folding Chair
And, I love the fact that the bag it comes in can be hung by the side of the chair so you can use it as a water bottle or put your keys and things in there.
The seat is a super comfortable bucket design. It is really a relaxing chair to sit in for hours without feeling sore or stiff. The fabric is almost elastic like so it stretches. It’s also waterproof and dries quickly when it gets wet.
The feet are tipped in the same way a hiking pole is. In other words they have a sharp end that sinks into the ground a little adding to the stability.
For a good all around fishing chair that you can use for other things like camping, then this is highly recommended.
- Quick and easy to assemble
- Nice and compact
- Qualitative materials
- Not as stable
9. Eskimo Folding
The frame is made from stainless steel tubing which is lightweight and won’t rust or rot.
Transporting it is easy as it takes up a tiny amount of space due to the way it folds up tightly. It comes with a handy carrying back that it slides right into in a second.
It’s great for jig fishing as there are no armrests to get in your way. It’s low profile means you can bend over to get to water level easily without having to get up from the chair.
In all this is a great inexpensive way to add some comfort to your fishing experience.
- Comfortable
- Easy to use
- Sturdy
- Its design may not suit everyone's taste and level of comfort
10. SmarTech's Fishouflage Pro
The legs aren’t adjustable, so it should be used on a flat surface. Either on the deck of a boat or a pier.
The frame is made from lightweight, but durable aluminum. Guaranteed not to rust or rot. When you need to keep your load light on a boat, this is a great chair since it doesn’t weigh much.
You can fish all day on this chair and not have a tired or sore butt afterwards. The cushion is made of high density foam for firm support, but still soft enough to be quite comfortable.
The camo design blends in great with the foliage around lakes and ponds. Perfect if you are doing some freshwater fishing.
- Wide enough
- Comfortable
- Sturdy
- Great price value
- None
Types of Fishing Chairs
Folding fishing chair
Just about every fishing chair out there will fold up. Some deck chairs for boats may not. However, many folding fishing chairs are also used on fishing boats.
Folding chairs are an absolute must for fishing. A fishing chair needs to be portable, not take up too much space and be easy to fold and open.
Look for a chair made out of durable material. Folding and opening the fishing chair puts a lot of stress on it. You want a material that is built to take some abuse.
You will find some chairs that fold like a tripod. They have a slim profile and often come with a bag to store and transport them in.
Others just fold in half and can be slid into a car trunk and stacked on top of each other.
Fishing chairs with rod holders
You may want a chair that can hold your rod freeing you up to do other things. Like nap!
With a good, solid rod holder, you can rest assured that if you hook up while sitting, the rod won’t be taking a ride into the water. I wouldn’t recommend walking away while you have your rod in the holder, as the weight of the chair won’t prevent a fish from pulling the rod and chair together into the water.
They are perfect for if you need to warm your hands up, drink your coffee or adult beverage while you fish. You can just sit and daydream about the monster you are about to catch. Whatever you need to do, you are free when you can safely put your rod somewhere.
Fishing chairs with storage
Having more storage available thanks to your fishing chair is a great benefit. When you want to have easy access to your fishing gear, lunch, or other stuff you need to bring with you, a fishing chair with storage will provide it.
Many of them have what looks like a backpack with pockets attached to the back of the chair.
What to look for in a fishing chair
Storage
You only have so much room in your car, truck or boat. After you stuff all your fishing gear in, how much room is left for your fishing chair? The best fishing chairs are the ones that will actually make it on the trip because they don’t take up too much space. You could have the best fishing chair on the planet, but if it doesn’t fit and ends up staying in the garage then it is worthless.
Material
Your fishing chair is going to be exposed to some harsh elements. The material it is made from is crucial. Whatever the material, it should be rust and rot proof. Easy to clean. Durable and able to withstand a lot of weight and pressure. If it’s a folding chair, the hinges need to be able to open and close even after long periods of being wet. Consider carefully how long your fishing chair will last based on what it is made from.
Comfort
You will be sitting for long periods of time on your chair. That’s the hope, anyway. This bit is all personal preference. Some like a nice deep cushion. Some like canvas that kind of envelops you when you sit on it. Other like a nice firm seat.
Do you need a back rest? Do you want it to adjust or lie back? Try to understand exactly what is comfortable to you and what isn’t before settling on a chair.
Weight
Many fishing chairs are made of aluminum to be lightweight and easy to carry around. If you are walking a fair distance from your car to your fishing hole, you can’t be weighed down by your chair.
Packing multiple chairs onto a boat means being extra attentive to how much they weigh. Every ounce is important when you are fishing on a boat. Especially if it is on the small side.
Stability
Your fishing chair isn’t sitting on a flat surface like your kitchen floor in most cases. It is important that the chair stay put and not slide around. The feet of the chair should be able to keep the chair in it’s place.
Adjustable legs means that you can sit level even if you are fishing on a slope. Uneven terrain is easily conquered if you can make each leg a different height.
FAQ
Q: How much weight can a fishing chair handle?
A: That varies wildly between different chairs. Look for a chair that has the features you like and then check the specs to see how much weight it is able to handle.
Q: Can I use the same fishing chair on a boat and on shore?
A: Usually that is not a problem. Of course, you have to check what the feet of the chair are like. Some cheap fishing chairs have a spiky bottom to the feet so they give stability is soft ground. That won’t work on a boat. It’s important that the fishing chair has non-slip feet.
Q: Is it ok to sit on the chair in the water?
A: A chair made specifically for fishing will almost always be made with metal that won’t rust if it gets wet, or at least have an anti-rust coating. If you are using a folding chair that isn’t meant to be fished in then check to make sure the legs can handle exposure to water.
Q. Hоw tо mоunt fоldаblе сhаіrѕ оn ѕеаt benches?
Inѕtаll rесtаngulаr аlumіnum tubing in between 2 seat benches. This wіll create a rіgіd аlumіnum frаmе аnd wіll рrеvеnt bеnсhеѕ tо rоllіng bасkwаrd whеn rеѕtіng аgаіnѕt bасk ѕuрроrt оf thе chair. Uѕе wіngnutѕ tо mаkе аѕѕеmblу/dіѕаѕѕеmblу ԛuісkеr. Thеn drill holes іn bеnсhеѕ to mаtсh hоlеѕ оn thе bоttоm оf fоldаblе сhаіrѕ. You саn bolt сhаіrѕ dіrесtlу to benches, оr install ѕwіvеl рlаtfоrm with ԛuісk rеlеаѕе mount to make сhаіrѕ rоtаtе аnd ԛuісklу dіѕсоnnесt frоm benches.
Q. How dоеѕ a lightweight fіѕhіng сhаіr work?
Wеll, уоu sit in іt, аnd уоu’rе соmfоrtаblе! But there’s mоrе to it thаn that wіth lіghtwеіght fishing сhаіrѕ. These аrе сhаіrѕ thаt аrе соllарѕіblе, light, and еаѕу tо carry around and buіlt for the рurроѕе: аftеr аll, you’re gоіng to bе doing a lоt of ѕіttіng around whеn уоu’rе wаіtіng fоr thоѕе fіѕh to bіtе! The beauty оf a lightweight fіѕhіng chair іѕ that it gіvеѕ уоu a chance to rеlаx, ѕо you can еnjоу your fіѕhіng еvеn mоrе.
Decision time
For the simple fact that it is loaded with features with the fisherman in mind we highly recommend the Earth Ultimate 4 position chair. For comfort and convenience it can’t be beat.
If for whatever reason that fisherman chair isn’t right for you, I am confident that armed with the information provided in this guide to the best fishing chairs, you should have a better idea which one will suit your needs.
Happy Fishing!
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