Boat Fishing Ideas - Boats Charters Lake Michigan
Boat fishing is a great family activity. Is there
anything better than getting aboard your boat, your wife
and kids discussing the whopper they plan to catch, and
setting off across the beautiful water?
Of course, there are lots of different types of boat
fishing, and there are a lot of different boats to
match. You can fish from boats that range from a simple
canoe where you dangle a bit of baited string over the
side, right through to a yacht or powerful cabin
cruiser. As long as it's seaworthy, that's basically all
you need! Still, if you're looking to buy a boat,
there's a huge range available. It can be very
confusing, particularly once you start wandering around
boat shows and dealerships. So let's take a look at some
of the different choices you can make for boat fishing.
Offshore Saltwater Boats
When people talk about boat fishing, this is probably
what they have in mind. Heading out on the open sea,
saltwater fishing to catch huge fish with heavy tackle.
If this is the type of boat fishing you're planning, you
need a heavy boat that is dependable. You need to be
able to rely on it in all weather and situations. You
need a minimum of a cuddy cabin or center console, plus
twin or single outboard motors. If you really want to go
upmarket, then look for a bluewater or convertible that
includes luxury quarters and perhaps even elaborate
salons. Inboard diesel engines with maximum power are
generally standard on the bigger boats.
Freshwater Boats
If your taste runs more to boat fishing in freshwater
rivers, lakes and streams, forget the powerful big
boats. Look for a fiberglass or aluminum boat. It needs
to be lightweight and easy to transport. Something like
a runabout, bowrider or walley boat is good, or a boat
with a small or dual console. Any of these will be fine
for freshwater boat fishing, and are great for family
outings.
Bass Boats
Bass boats are mostly used for sport and tournament
fishing. They ride low in the water, and generally are
very colorful and very fast. They can be made of
aluminum or fiberglass, and usually have platforms in
both the bow and stern to make it easier for casting.
The perfect bass boat has a trolling motor mounted on
the bow.
Inshore Saltwater Boats
Perhaps your favorite type of boat fishing is inshore
saltwater fishing, where you can fish for tarpin,
bonefish, snook, trout or redfish. For this type of boat
fishing, you need a light boat, smaller than a
25-footer. You only need a single outboard motor. If you
want the best type of vessel, look for a basic baby boat
or a flat boat. Both of these have a spacious desk for
casting, and float well in shallow water.
Float Tubes
These aren't really "boats" in the traditional sense,
but are great for fly anglers who want to fish a pond,
lake or mountain stream. Basically, it's a flotation
device with a seat. The angler wears fins, and is
partially submerged when sitting in the seat. He can
then kick his way around on the water. Although float
tubes are great, they can be extremely difficult to use
if you've never done it before, and fly-casting requires
a lot of practice. There are two main float tube
designs. Firstly, the round float tube, which is
essentially an inner tube with special features for
fly-fishing. These are particularly difficult to
maneuver. There are also pontoon float tubes. There are
two air chambers, or pontoons, one on either side of the
fisherman. They're basically V-shaped, and so have less
water resistance and drag, making it much easier to move
through the water.
If you're planning on buying your own boat for boat
fishing, then take the time to talk to anglers who use
boats, and find out what would be best for the type of
boat fishing you expect to be doing. Read boat-fishing
guides, or even talk to your local fishing charter
service. Most fishermen are happy to talk about boats,
and will be of great assistance in helping you choose
the perfect fishing boat.
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