You and your family are going fishing in your brand-new fishing boat early in the morning. Your SUV is full of excited voices as you drive down the highway to the lake. Your wife and kids are just as excited as you are about the new boat. They are talking about the big fish they hope to catch. When you get to the lake, you start up the runabout with all of your family's fishing gear, and in no time you're skimming across the water with everyone in a lifejacket. Everyone loves the new fishing boat, so you know this is going to be a great family trip.
You can fish from a canoe in a river or stream by dangling simple bait over the side or from a powerful cabin cruiser or yacht. Basically, all you need to get out on the water is a ship that can go through the water. There are many different kinds of fishing boats on the market today. You can get them at boat shows, fishing shows, or dealerships. Let's look at a few different kinds of boats used for fishing.
Fishing boats for fresh water
If you like to fish in rivers, lakes, and streams with fresh water, don't use big, powerful boats. Choose a boat made of fibreglass or aluminium that is light and easy to move. You can fish in fresh water with a bowrider, a runabout, a walleye boat, or a small or dual console boat. These boats are great for trips with the whole family.
Bass Boats
Most bass boats are brightly coloured and go very fast. They ride low in the water. They can be made of aluminium or fibreglass, and most of the time they have platforms in the front and back to make casting easier. If you've always wanted the perfect bass boat, you should buy one with a trolling motor on the bow. Most of the time, these boats are used for fishing tournaments and fishing for fun.
Saltwater Boats That Go Offshore
If you like to go out on the open sea for a day of saltwater fishing with big fish and heavy tackle, you will need a heavy boat that is reliable and can be counted on in all situations and weather. Any boat other than a cuddy cabin or centre console with either twin or single outboard motors won't work. The top-of-the-line offshore saltwater boat is either a bluewater or a convertible, both of which have fancy living areas and salons. These boats should have the most powerful diesel engines on the inside.
Nearshore boats for salt water
A light boat will get you a long way if you want to fish for tarpin, bonefish, trout, snook, or redfish on tropical flats. This kind of boat should never be longer than 25 feet and should always have just one outboard motor. A basic bay boat or flat boat is the best type of boat for fishing in salt water close to shore. Both kinds of boats have a large casting deck and float well in shallow water.
Float Tubes
Float tubes are tools that make it easy for fly fishermen who don't have a boat to get out on the water. They are great for fishing in ponds, lakes, and streams in the mountains. Basically, a float tube is a device that helps you float that also has a seat. The fisherman sits in the seat, wears fins, and moves around by kicking his feet while he is partially submerged. It can be hard to fish for flies from a float tube, especially if you've never done it before. It takes a lot of time to get good at fly casting from a float tube.
Float tubes come in two main types: the traditional kind and the pontoon kind. Most traditional float tubes are round and open at the front or middle. Basically, these are inner tubes that have fly fishing gear built into them. Because these float tubes are round and cause a lot of water resistance, it can take a long time to move them.
The newer pontoon float tubes are a lot easier to use. These boats have two air chambers, or pontoons, one on each side of the fisherman. Because the pontoons are in the shape of a V, they move through the water with almost no resistance. This makes them much more stable than traditional float tubes.
If you want to buy a fishing boat, you should look around, talk to fishermen who own their own boats, and do research to help you decide what kind of boat you want. Talk to a boat fishing guide or the owner of a fishing charter service if you still can't decide. They will be happy to tell you how to find the right boat for you.
