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.
About the Author
Michael can be found online at http://www.fishing-blog.com
|