Fish Surfboards. What Size Should I Buy?

October 28th, 2009 by Luc Stokes

Compared to when the fish surfboards were first designed in the 1970′s, there are now many sizes to choose from. There are now fish surfboards out there that are up to 8 foot long. What’s style suits you best? Before purchasing your fish surfboard there are a few things to keep in mind.

The fish surfboard has exceptional flotation, due to its thicker rails and width, giving it extra volume. The fish surfboard has been designed for maximum maneuverability and control on smaller waves. You’ll typically only see one of two people on fish surfboards: surfers who have moved on to longer surfboards but miss the maneuverability of their old shortboard; or a newer surfer that has started on a longer surfboard and feels ready to tackle a shortboard.

If you already ride a shortboard, generally the fish surfboard you end up with can be a few inches shorter than what you would normally ride.

When purchasing a fish surfboard you need take into consideration the thickness of the rails and the thickness of the center of the board. The width of the board is also another important factor. The wider the fish surfboard, the more buoyant it will be, and the easier it will be to paddle.

Other important factors to take into consideration are the size of the waves you are planning on riding. If you will be riding smaller 2 – 6ft waves a retro fish surfboard will probably be the ticket. If you will be riding 3ft – overhead surf than the quad fish surfboard or hybrid fish surfboard may be a better choice.

Before selecting a fish surfboard you also need to check yourself out. Your body weight, age, fitness, and surfing ability will all play a vital role in determining the perfect size fish surfboard. A keen little grommet who weighs next to nothing will be buying a much shorter fish surfboard than the person who has thickened up a bit. Generally, the bigger the rider, the longer and wider the fish surfboard tends to be.

Retro fish surfboards use the original 1970′s shape combined with modern surf technology. The retro fish surfboard tend to be shorter in length and are best suited for small to medium surf.

Hybrid fish surfboards are available in longer sizes than the retro fish surfboard. Hybrid fish surfboards can go up to 8ft or so but typically the best hybrid sizes are in the long 6′s or around 7ft. Hybrid fish surfboards can be ideal for the older or heavier surfer who wants the extra flotation, but still wants the looser moves of a short board.

Fish surfboards are ideal for those surfers wanting to combine the buoyancy of a bigger surfboard with the looseness of a shorter surfboard. Fish surfboards are great for when the surf is messy and small. The extra flotation allows the surfboard to float through the slop. Turning ordinary surf conditions into ripping fun with a fish surfboard.

So if you’re looking to get a fish surfboard the best rule of thumb is 2-4 inches shorter than your shortboard. Now if you’re getting a fish as your first “shorter” board than go a little meatier. This is accomplished in either a thicker surfboard or longer board. The right length and thickness will be based on your height and weight. I will give you what I ride as a point of reference. I am 6’0″ 180lbs and I ride a 6′ retro fish or our Pivot Fish, and I ride a 6’2″ hybrid fish or our Flyin’ Fish. Hope that helps.

Posted at 10:33 pm: 50 comments

Give us a little feedback. Whacha think?

50 responses to “Fish Surfboards. What Size Should I Buy?”

Mac writes:

Nice post….very useful information…..

[Reply]
@ February 15th, 2010 at 16:26
Ryan writes:

Wow, I appreciate your post, but you really didn’t give any advice – you just told what the different types of fish boards are….

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
April 26th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Yeah I just went and added another paragraph to the end of the post to shed a little light on it. It’s sort of a personal preference but I put up what I ride as a point of reference.

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@ April 24th, 2010 at 21:33
James writes:

nice post.. im thinkin of getting a retro fish board, just wondering wat size board i should be getting? im been learnin on my dads old single fin board from back in the day, im 6’3′ and 70-75 kg, im 18 and fit.. any advice?
cheers

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
July 8th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Hey James,

Pick a Pivot Fish 2-4in shorter than your shortboard.

-Luc

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@ July 7th, 2010 at 23:48
ivan writes:

Luc-
I have been wanting to down size from 8’6″ semi-egg to something different for awhile. The past few trips to Kauai has shown me that the fish would be the way to go. I actually sold the 8’6″ over there. so now the next trip out of AK will land us in baja for the switch from south to north swell and I am thinking… with what you have described (I am 6′!” and slim two hundo) with my ability a quad hybrid fish would be my next purchase. I am leery of dropping more that a foot, but it sounds like the bouyancy is there , it will be the looseness that I will appreciate. Are there boards in the 7’4 -7’7″ range in quad fin?

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Hey Ivan,

We can certainly make you one that big but the biggest we carry is a 6’6″. If you want a longer one give us a ring here and we’ll talk about your options.

Cheers,

-Luc

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@ July 21st, 2010 at 23:58
Scott writes:

Im 5’6″ 130lbs. What do you recommend for a fish size.

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Luc Stokes Reply:
February 16th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@Scott – What size of shortboard have you been riding and what are you wanting this fish to do for you? What fish shape are you looking at?

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Hung Trinh Reply:
July 23rd, 2011 at 8:06 pm
@Luc: Hi Luc, I’ve been riding a fun board 7’6″ and I would like to change to a fish board since I’ve been researching and fish board is a suitable board for beginners to become intermediate. I’m 5’6 and 142 pounds and can you please tell me what size of a fishboard suit for me?…Where I surf, waves are around 2-5 feets average..

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
July 26th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Prob a 5’8″ or 6′. Its a tough cal because those boards are designed to be short but since your skill level isn’t there yet you’ll need to go a bit bigger for the stability. Hope that helps.

@ February 1st, 2011 at 15:37
Santiago writes:

Im trying to change from my 7 ft funboard to sth a little bit smaller.
I’d like to know wich size of board would suit me (im 6ft tall and weight 64 kilos)

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
February 24th, 2011 at 6:00 pm
@Santiago- What kind of waves do you want it to perform best in? What are you hoping a smaller surfboard does for you?

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@ February 19th, 2011 at 20:13
Scott writes:

Hey Luc, great advice above, very helpful. I’m looking around for a fish too. Started off on a 6’9″ for a few years, wasn’t surfing regular enough to improve much, switched to a beginner BIC 7″3″, surfed more and improved a good bit, ready for the switch to a fish I think, don’t ride anything bigger than overhead, and really I’ve just got my drop in and my bottom turn sorted and only just starting to get across waves. I’m 6′, 75Kg, and looking for stability and progress over fun for now. I was thinking 6’6″ with max width and depth…am I on the right lines?

Your advice is gold dust, hard to find these kind of specifics on the web,

thanks

Scott

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
March 8th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Scott-

6’6″… yeah depending on the type of fish. I will give you the sizes I surf. I am 6′ 180lbs. I surf a 6’4″ Flyin’ Fish and a 6’2″ Pivot Fish. I could surf shorter but I don’t like to paddle that hard. I certainly wouldn’t go longer than 6’6″ for your size. Just know that if you go with a 6’6″ you may at some point want to get something smaller because of maneuverability. Hope that helps.

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@ March 8th, 2011 at 16:31
peter writes:

hey, i’m wondering what size hybrid fish or retro fish i should get..i live in ny so the waves don’t get too big i’m 5’10 160lbs…i tried some longboards before and looking for something smaller..hybrid? Retro? any advice? Thanks!

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
@peter,

I’d go with a retro in 6’0″. That’s assuming your skill level is at a point where riding a longboard is cake. Cheers.

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@ April 16th, 2011 at 16:22
Josto Marco writes:

Hi Luc, I’m looking for a retro fish to surf small waves. I’m 177 cm for 66-70 kg..I use a 6.2 shortboard,, I was thinking this size:
5.8 x 21 x 2 5/8..what do you think about it?
thank you !!
josto

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:30 am
@Josto- Yeah I think the 5’8″ is going to suit you best also. Let me know if you have any other questions.

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@ April 20th, 2011 at 08:35
Martin writes:

Hey, I am 5’7″ 150 lbs (65Kg)and wondering what dimensions to get for my fish. My normal board is 6’0″ x 18 1/4″ x 2 1/8″ and I am an intermediate with some time out of the water now. So I want to get a fish to help me get back into shape while still having the shortboard maneuverability. Any advice? Really Appreciated.

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:31 am
@Martin- What kind of fish are you looking for? What kind of waves are you planning on surfing with it or what hole in your quiver are you trying to fill?

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@ April 21st, 2011 at 21:59
Martin writes:

Hey Luc,

Thanks for the response, so I am looking to get a small fish, similar to the Channel Island Fishcuit which seems to be a retro/pivot fish. I am going to be taking it to Peru, where I will be surfing mostly point breaks so I want a board for the 6ft and below range.
I was thinking 5’5″x 20 1/4″x 2 3/4″ or 5’6″x 20″x 2 1/2″ do you think I should go a bit bigger on any of these dimensions?

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
April 25th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
@Martin- If you’re surfing a 6′ shortboard then I wouldn’t go shorter than 2-4″ shorter than it. So that would make a 5’6″ on the extreme small end and you prob would have just as much fun, and a little more float, on a 5’8″. To each their own though. I know a lot of guys are going shorter and shorter these days… it’s just not my philosophy. For me I like the ease of paddling and wave catching that a little bit longer board provides. Let me know if you have any other questions. Cheers.

[Reply]
@ April 24th, 2011 at 01:33
Dan writes:

Sup Luc Im interested in getting a pivot fish for small to head high waves, I weigh about 140 and I ride a 6’2″ shorty. Would I fit the 5’8″ fish?

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 9:58 pm
@Dan- For your weight the 5’8″ is ideal. How tall are you though?

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@ April 27th, 2011 at 18:48
Nick writes:

Hey Luc,

I’m 6’3″ 170 and grew up longboarding in malibu. Im in NY now but take trips about twice a year to surf in panama and morocco etc, usually no more than 6-8′ waves. Next trip is to Portugal in August. I’ve been surfiing on a 7’6″ semi-gun I picked up in panama, but want to go shorter and think a fish would be great. I’m thinking 6’0″ but I definitely want to keep some float under me. Think a 6’2″ is too long? Thanks for your advice.

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
July 5th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
@Nick- Depends on the fish. For our Pivot Fish I would go 6’2″ with your size and if you go Flyin’ Fish I would go 6’4″.

[Reply]
@ June 27th, 2011 at 14:31
Jess writes:

Hi, nice info here, so figured I would ask something too, have a chance to get a used 6’2″ fishcuit, which I would give to a friend, he is a beginner and rides longer, but I figure with the float this would suit him fine, though he is 5’9″ and like 175lbs, he does not carve just paddles and catches the wave and sometimes down the line, and that he would get skilled faster, plus the size is better for portability than a longboard, what do you think? thanks!

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
July 7th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
@Jess- Sorry I am not up CI’s boards. I have no idea what would be an appropriate size in that board.

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@ July 7th, 2011 at 06:07
zOro writes:

thanks very useful information!

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@ July 9th, 2011 at 02:04
Tyler writes:

Im 5′ 6″ 135 pounds, 19 yr old good athletic shape. I ride a 9’6″ right now and and looking into getting a retro fish. I found a 5’6″ retro fish for sale where I live. It is 21 inches wide, I learned to ride on a 6’3″ shortboard, but didn’t catch many waves with it because the surf is so small in VA and NC. Do you think I can catch VA and NC waves on a 5’6″ retro fish?

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
July 26th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
I think that is going to be on the small size. I think that the size of it is fine for your height/weight but because you’re making such a huge jump from a 9’6″ that you’ll need to go bigger. Look for like a 6′ – 6’2″. Our Pivot Fish would be just the ticket. http://www.degree33surfboards.com/surf-gear/surfboards-by-shape/fish-surfboards/pivot-fish.html

[Reply]
@ July 20th, 2011 at 07:18
raul writes:

Hey I’m looking into buying a flying fish but i don’t know what size to get I’m 5,10 185lb.

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
September 12th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
Depending on your skill level, I would get the 6’2″. If you have less experience you may want to go bigger to compensate for stability and paddling.
http://www.degree33surfboards.com/surf-gear/surfboards-by-shape/fish-surfboards/flyin-fish.html

[Reply]
@ September 6th, 2011 at 18:42
Donald writes:

Great site. I have been surfing for almost 15 years and ride a 6’5” (20″ wide, 2-1/2″ thick) hybrid fish as my main board and a 7’2” hybrid for bigger days. I am 6’2” at 200 lbs, 33 years old and in moderately decent shape. I have been thinking of going to a retro fish board for smaller mushier days because the 7’2” hybrid is not fast enough to get around sections when conditions are mushy. What dimensions should I be looking at for a retro fish on days that are 2-6 ft and mushy?

Thanks

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 8:59 pm
Probably a 6’4″. You could go 6’2″ but I think it might be on the small side for someone 200lbs.

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@ September 13th, 2011 at 07:41
MESPLEDE Arthur writes:

HI, thanks for all the informations you give, i’m looking for your advice as the other many people before me.

I’m 70 KG (~140 LBS) and 6’2 I have surfed 7’6 bic epoxy for 2 years and i want to buy a quad fish.
what size would you give me ?

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:56 am
Hey Arthur,
Before I respond, I can tell you’re doing a metric/US conversion on your height and weight. Could you give me your metric size and weight to make sure we are on the same page? 6’2″ and 140lbs doesn’t quite sound right unless you are really tall and super skinny. If you are please forgive me.

[Reply]
mesplede Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:43 am
your right actually it’s 6’1 and 155 lbs i misconverted the weight sorry.
i never used the US metric system before
I’m still a bit skinny anyway

[Reply]
mesplede arthur Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
to make sure i m not wrong again, to answer properly your question. in european metric system i’m 70 kg and 1,86 m

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
October 5th, 2011 at 10:17 am
Sorry I haven’t responded right away. If you’re going to do our Pivot Fish I would get a 6’2″ and if you are going to go with the Flyin’ Fish go with the 6’4″. If this is your first shorter board then prepare yourself for a little bit of a learning curve. Let me know if we can do anything else.

@ September 29th, 2011 at 05:50
Justin Bosch writes:

Great info but just to be sure on what sized fish I should get. I’m 5-10 and 195 was thinking a 6-2 retro(pivot) but let me know your expert thought!! thanks a bunch

Justin

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
October 5th, 2011 at 10:17 am
What size of shortboard do you ride?

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@ October 3rd, 2011 at 11:01
Leo writes:

hey dude!! im surfing a 6’10 want to drop size just wondering wich size… Im a 31 years old 73 kilos and 1.76 mtrs high … so confusing about wich one to choose!!
tanxs dude!

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
October 25th, 2011 at 12:16 am
Really what it all boils down to is what you want the board to do. What kind of conditions do you want it to perform best in? What type of wave? What is your skill level?

[Reply]
@ October 22nd, 2011 at 04:21
Will writes:

Hi Luc

Ive been riding a 7’6 mini mal fairly well, which i started on and looking to go shorter to get a bit more maneuverability on the waves. Im 6’4 and 200lb and will be surfing waves normally in the 2ft-6ft range, what size and type of fish would you recommend?

Many Thanks

Will

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
October 25th, 2011 at 12:20 am
Either the 6’4″ Pivot Fish or the 6’6″ Flyin’ Fish. If your waves are usually mushy, even when they get bigger, go with the Pivot Fish. If you want a little more versatility when it comes to wave shape go with the Flyin’ Fish.
http://www.degree33surfboards.com/surf-gear/surfboards-by-shape/fish-surfboards/index.html

[Reply]
@ October 24th, 2011 at 03:03
Dix writes:

Hi, I am intersting to change my board to get other one much radical,
I am 21yearOld, 61kg weight and my height is 5.9 (1.71m) , And I am intermediate to advanced surfer (I dont like those typicals shortBoards beacause paddaling is harder and dont catch a lot waves I use to surf on 6fts waves )actualy i have been ridden a retro fish 5.9 20.5 2.35 Epoxy, and I would like to get one as MTF altered like Dane’s rides like 5.8 19.5 with two large Fins and trailer fin. I am not sure about the ThickNess y would like 2.3 Epoxy. I love speed getting big carves, big slides with couples airs(I am working on it)
Is it right for me? …

[Reply]
Luc Stokes Reply:
November 13th, 2011 at 9:15 am
Best advice I can give you is to go surf one and see how you like it. Sizing after the beginner stage is so personal that it would be tough for me to tell you whether or not it’s right for you. Best of luck.

[Reply]
@ October 30th, 2011 at 20:58
Kendrick writes:

Hey luc!
I love all the comments. It’s great to see what other people are riding or thinking about riding. So currently I’m riding a 6’4 20.5 2.4. It’s good but I wanting something a little more Stable and maybe a little Easter to paddle into waves. There’s a fish that a friends selling and it 6. 19 3/4 and 2 3/4 it’s a epoxy board and the last epoxy I rode was awesome so much float although it was a bit too big for my liking. Do you thing this would be a good board to hone in on my pop ups and carving? Usually it’s like 3 feet and mushy at the top so not much power. But I wouldn’t mind being able to take it out when it gets bigger too. And you think it’ could be duck divable? Thanks a bunch!

[Reply]
@ January 22nd, 2012 at 00:57