Types of Fishing Boats
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.
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