You and your family are heading out early in the morning for a
day of fishing in your brand new fishing boat. You hit that
highway that leads to the lake, excited voices echoing
throughout your SUV. Your wife and kids are just as delighted
with the new boat as you are and are discussing the whopper they
hope to catch. You arrive at the lake, launch the runabout that
contains the entire family's fishing gear and in no time at all,
you are skimming across the water, every family member safely
encased in a lifejacket. You just know that this is going to be
a great family outing and everyone loves the new fishing boat.
A fishing boat can be anything between a canoe where you dangle
basic bait over the side in a river or stream to a powerful
cabin cruiser or yacht. Basically, all you need to get out onto
the water is a vessel that is seaworthy. There are a large
variety of fishing boats available on today's market. You can
buy them at boat shows, fishing shows or dealerships. Let's look
at some different types of fishing boats.
Freshwater Fishing Boats
If you enjoy fishing in freshwater rivers, lakes and streams,
leave the big, powerful boats for someone else. Choose a
fiberglass or aluminum boat that is lightweight and easy to
transport. A bowrider, runabout, walleye boat or a boat with a
small or dual console will meet all of your freshwater fishing
needs. These boats are perfect for family outings.
Bass Boats
Bass boats ride low in the water and are usually very
colorful and extremely fast. They can be aluminum or fiberglass
and most often they are equipped with platforms in both the bow
and stern for easy casting. If you've always dreamed of owning
the perfect bass boat, be sure to buy one that has a trolling
motor mounted on the bow. These boats are mainly used for sport
fishing and tournament fishing.
Offshore Saltwater Boats
If you enjoy heading out on the open sea for a day of
saltwater fishing that includes huge fish and heavy tackle, you
will need a heavy boat that is dependable and can be relied on
in all situations and weather. Anything less than a cuddy cabin
or center console that's equipped with either twin or single
outboard motors will not fit the bill. The high end of an
offshore saltwater boat is a bluewater or convertible that comes
complete with luxury quarters and elaborate salons. These boats
should be equipped with inboard diesel engines that have maximum
power.
Inshore Saltwater Boats
If you're planning to fish for tarpin, bonefish, trout and
snook or redfish on tropical flats, a light boat will take you a
long way. This type of boat should always be less than a
25-footer and powered by a single outboard motor. The best type
of vessel for inshore saltwater fishing is a basic bay boat or
flat boat. Both types of boats offer a spacious deck for casting
and float well in shallow water.
Float Tubes
Float tubes are devices that allow fly anglers who don't own
a boat easy access to get out onto the water. They are excellent
for fishing ponds, lakes and mountain streams. Essentially a
float tube is a floatation device that is equipped with a seat.
The angler sits in the seat while wearing fins and kicks his way
around while partially submerged. Fly fishing from float tubes
can be difficult, especially for those who are using them for
the first time. It definitely takes time to hone your fly
casting skills from a float tube.
There are two basic types of float tubes - traditional and
pontoon. Traditional float tubes are usually round and have an
opening in the front or middle. Basically, these are an inner
tube with built-in features for fly fishing. These float tubes
can take a lot of time to maneuver because they are round in
shape and cause a lot of water resistance.
The newer pontoon float tubes are much easier to use. These are
equipped with two pontoons, or air chambers, one on each side of
the fisherman. Pontoon float tubes have less water resistance
and offer far less drag than traditional ones because the
pontoons are V-shaped and move through the water almost
effortlessly.
If you are thinking of purchasing a fishing boat, shop around,
talk to anglers who own their own boats and do your research to
help you decide which type of boat you'd like to have. If you
still can't make a choice, talk to a boat fishing guide or the
owner of a fishing charter service. They will be glad to give
you tips on how to choose the perfect boat for you. Fishing
Facts |
