The Wild Tribe Sequoia XL Bass—The Ultimate Angler’s Paddleboard
A review and buyer’s guide for The Wild Tribe’s Sequoia XL Bass stand-up paddleboard
Quick Verdict: Five Things We Love (Plus One Honest Note)
- Fully integrated fishing package—rod holders, dedicated cooler, back fishing rack, and built-in ruler are engineered into the board rather than bolted on as afterthoughts, which makes the Sequoia XL Bass the only Wild Tribe board designed specifically for anglers.
- At 34″ wide, the Sequoia XL Bass is the widest board in the entire Wild Tribe lineup—the largest, most stable platform they make, and genuinely appropriate for the demands of casting, fighting fish, and net handling while standing on an inflatable.
- 11’6″ length provides excellent reach and positioning flexibility—long enough to maintain heading stability while drifting over a fishing spot, but manageable enough to navigate between structure and into tight coves.
- The fully-equipped nature of this board means no secondary shopping trips, no compatibility guesswork and no mounting hardware to source—everything arrives in one box, ready for your first fishing session.
- Wild Tribe’s 3-year warranty and premium construction package (Fusion Double-Layer PVC, heat-welded rails) means the Sequoia XL Bass is built to survive the specific abuse that fishing inflicts: wet gear, sharp hooks, tackle boxes and hard landing surfaces.
- Note: The Sequoia XL Bass is priced at $1,899 (currently on sale for $1,647)—the most expensive board in the lineup by a wide margin. Anglers on a tighter budget could start with the Tahoe XL 11 or Sequoia 11′ and add aftermarket fishing accessories (rod holders are widely available for iSUPs), though the cost of good quality aftermarket accessories and the time investment in installation means the premium for the fully-integrated Bass package is well-justified for anyone serious about SUP fishing.
Best Uses for the Sequoia XL Bass
- Freshwater fishing on lakes and calm rivers—the board’s raison d’être and what everything about its design serves. We won’t be going over rapids on this baby.
- Bass fishing specifically (as named) but equally effective for pike, walleye, trout, and any species accessible from a stable floating platform.
- SUP fishing in shallow water where a boat can’t access—the board’s shallow draft opens up fishable water that motorboats and even kayaks can’t reach.
- Fly fishing—the elevated stance of a SUP actually improves line management and visibility for fly anglers.
- Photography and wildlife watching—the integrated gear storage and stable platform serve nature photography as well as fishing.
- Sunrise solo adventures where the combination of paddling and fishing makes the morning complete.
- Anglers transitioning from kayak fishing who want the visibility advantage of a standing platform.
Construction and Build Quality
The Sequoia XL Bass is built on Wild Tribe’s premium construction foundation: Fusion Double-Layer PVC, X-woven dropstitch core, and heat-welded side rails. At 34″ wide, it is structurally the most generous board in the lineup, and the premium construction materials ensure that the extra width doesn’t come with compromised rigidity.
The fishing-specific additions are all constructed to the same quality standard as the board itself. The rod holders are stainless-steel mounted and integrated into the board structure rather than surface-attached—they won’t pull free under the load of a fighting fish. The cooler is purpose-fit and attaches securely to the rear deck without interfering with the fishing rack above it.
The deck EVA foam is full-coverage with a non-slip texture pattern selected specifically for wet conditions—critical for fishing, where you’re frequently taking fish out of the water, handling wet nets, and splashing yourself in the process. The grip holds even with fish slime and wet hands, which is a detail that sounds trivial until the day you need it.
The rear fishing rack is the most distinctive structural feature: a frame system that creates elevated storage behind the paddler’s standing position, accessible while paddling, and compatible with various tackle storage configurations. Combined with the cooler below it, the system creates a genuine mobile fishing station that rivals purpose-built fishing kayaks in organization and capacity.
What’s in the Box
- Carbon paddle—adjustable, appropriate for maneuverability around fishing spots.
- Wheeled transportation bag—eessential for a board of this size and accessory load.
- Integrated cooler—attached to the board’s rear deck.
- Fishing back rack—rear storage frame system.
- Rod holders—stainless-steel integrated mounts.
- Built-in ruler on the deck—for immediate catch measurement.
- Safety leash.
- Removable fin system.
- Dual-action pump with gauge.
- Repair kit.
Detailed Specs and Why They Matter
| Length | 11’6″ (138 inches) |
| Width | 34 inches (widest in lineup) |
| Core Construction | X-woven dropstitch |
| Shell Material | Fusion Double-Layer PVC |
| Rail Construction | Heat-welded |
| Deck Pad | Full EVA, non-slip fishing-grade texture |
| Fishing Features | Rod holders, cooler, back rack, built-in ruler |
| Price | CA$1,647 |
| Warranty | 3 years (board) |
| Return Policy | 45-day returns |
Why 34″ width is specifically right for fishing: Fishing from a SUP involves dynamic, asymmetric loading that doesn’t happen during regular paddling. A casting motion—particularly a full overhead cast—moves your centre of gravity laterally and forward simultaneously. Fighting a fish does the same with the additional variable of an unpredictable fish load on the line pulling you in whichever direction it chooses. The extra width margin of the Sequoia XL Bass (34″ vs. the 33″ Tahoe XL) provides additional stability for these fishing-specific dynamics.
Why integrated versus aftermarket fishing accessories matter: Aftermarket rod holders for SUPs are universally designed around D-ring attachment—they work, but they’re never perfectly positioned for your specific stance and casting style, they can rotate under load, and the best ones cost $30 to80 each. The Sequoia XL Bass’s integrated holders are positioned by Wild Tribe’s designers for optimal reach and security. The difference is immediately apparent in use.
Benefits Over Competing Fishing SUPs
The dedicated fishing SUP segment includes boards from BOTE (their HD Aero and FLOOD Aero), Fishermen SUP, and Bluefin’s fishing models. Against all of these, the Sequoia XL Bass’s 34″ width is among the widest available, and Wild Tribe’s Fusion Double-Layer PVC construction competes with the highest quality boards in the category. BOTE’s fishing SUPs are the most recognized competitor—their brand dominance in the fishing SUP space is undeniable—but the Sequoia XL Bass offers comparable fishing functionality with Wild Tribe’s Canadian service advantage at a comparable or better price point.
For the angler who wants the fishing SUP experience without navigating US-based brands, cross-border warranties and extended shipping timelines, the Sequoia XL Bass is the compelling Canadian alternative.
Warranty and Support
Wild Tribe backs the Sequoia XL Bass with their 3-year board warranty and 45-day return policy. At $1,899, this is the board where warranty quality matters most in Wild Tribe’s lineup, and the 3-year coverage is appropriate to the investment. Fishing SUPs experience specific wear patterns—UV exposure, hook puncture risk, wet gear abrasion that make the warranty’s coverage of manufacturing defects particularly strong. Wild Tribe’s Canadian service means warranty claims on their most premium product are handled domestically, not through an international shipping process.
The Final Verdict
| The Sequoia XL Bass is the most specialized and most impressive board in Wild Tribe’s lineup. For the angler who wants to access every lake, river, cove, and backwater that their boat or kayak can’t reach—standing up, with proper gear storage, and on a board built to handle the specific demands of fishing—there is nothing in Wild Tribe’s catalog that comes close to delivering this experience. |
It’s a premium investment. But it’s an investment that replaces a fishing kayak, eliminates the need for secondary fishing accessory purchases, and opens up water that no other board can access with this level of functionality. If fishing from a SUP is what you want to do, the Sequoia XL Bass is the board that was built for exactly that.
