What Kind Of Fishing Boat Do You Need?

A fishing boat can be anything from a canoe to a powerful cabin cruiser or yacht. In fact, 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. You may want to check the paper also. Sometimes you can find good used boats cheap, but make sure you have a spare tire for your trailer.There's nothing more aggravating than seeing someone else with their boat, pass you by, while you are on the side of the road with a flat. You just know they are going to get to the best fishing spot before you do.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 fishing 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. These fishing 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. You don't want a v-shaped hull for the flats unless you have a poling oar or are prepared to jump overboard to push your boat out to deeper water.

Pontoon boats...Pontoon boats are a good choice for large families or large groups of people to fish from. They have a very large deck and are very stable in the water. If you get tired of all that fishing, you have a lot of room to lay down if you want to. The only draw back would be that they are so wide, which may make them a challenge to see around in traffic or when backing up. Mirror extensions can remedy this problem. Although these are not typically classed as a fishing boat, they do make a good one.

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. Again, not really a fishing boat, but it is used to fish from, so we'll mention it.

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. These are like 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 some of your friends who have their own boats and do your research to help you decide which type of boat you'd like to have. You don't want to get stuck with payments on a boat that doesn't do everything you want it to. 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 fishing boat for you. In any case, boat owners will be better to talk to than boat dealers. Talk to boat dealers after you know what you want.