Take fishing to another level - in a boat. But what kind of boat and where to fish? That is the question! Find out about the various ways you and your family can enjoy boat fishing.
Boat Fishing
If you're keen to find a fun family activity, then give boat fishing a try. There's nothing better than heading off on your boat with the wife and kids, talking about the fish you plan to catch that day.
It's important to realize, though, that there are lots of different types of boat fishing, and each one has specialized boat requirements. You can do everything from dangle some bait on a string over the side of a canoe, right through to high-tech rods and a powerful cabin cruiser. It just needs to be seaworthy - the rest is up to you! But if you're keen to buy a boat, you need to do some homework first. It can be very confusing walking into a boat show or dealership and seeing so many choices. You need to think about what you're planning to do with the boat before you can decide which one to buy. Here are some popular boat fishing choices.
Freshwater Boats
If you enjoy fishing in freshwater lakes, rivers or streams, then you don't need a massive boat. Instead, choose an aluminum or fiberglass boat. Make sure it's easy to transport and lightweight. Popular choices include bow riders, runabouts or walley boats, with either a small or dual console. These boats are fine for family freshwater boat fishing outings.
Offshore Saltwater Boats
Fishing out on the open sea is the most common thing people think of when you mention boat fishing. Most people enjoy fishing offshore because they get the chance to catch huge fish and use heavy tackle. It's important to have a dependable, heavy boat for this type of fishing. You'll encounter plenty of different weather and situations on the open sea, so you need to be able to rely on your boat. You can choose twin or single outboard motors, and you definitely need a cuddy cabin or a center console. If you want to spend a bit more, you can start to look at the more luxurious boats, including a bluewater or convertible with luxury quarters, and maybe even an elegant living area. Bigger boats generally have powerful inboard diesel engines as standard.
Inshore Saltwater Boats
If your tastes run to tarpin, snook, trout, bonefish or redfish, then you will want a boat suitable for inshore saltwater fishing. It's best to have a light boat that is smaller than a 25-footer. All you need is a single outboard motor. You're likely to be in shallow water at least some of the time, so something like a flat or baby boat works well. These have a spacious deck you can use for casting, and are still float well in shallow water.
Bass Boats
This type of boat is generally suitable for tournament and sport fishing. They're colorful, fast, and ride low in the water. It's preferable if the bass boat has a trolling motor mounted on the bow. Generally they have a platform at both the bow and stern ends, which makes casting much easier. You can choose from aluminum or fiberglass.
Float Tubes
These don't really qualify as boats, but fly anglers find them very handy for fishing in mountain streams, ponds and lakes. A float tube is simply a flotation device containing a seat. The angler is partially submerged when seated in the float tube, and uses fins on his feet to navigate around on the water. They're tricky to handle, and fly-casting requires lots of practice. You can choose between round float tubes, which are similar to an inner tube, and pontoon float tubes, which have an air chamber either side of the fisherman. The pontoons are slightly eiasier to maneuver, as their v-shaped design reduces the amount of water resistance.
It's always a good idea to speak to experienced anglers who either have their own boat or use one regularly. They can give you lots of help in deciding which type of boat is right for you. Read magazines, guides, and talk to your local boat charter service. Fishermen generally love to talk about boats, and you can learn a lot to help you select the perfect fishing boat for your needs.
Steve Dolan is an experienced and keen fisherman, who enjoys the outdoors almost as much as catching the fish! Click on Boat Fishing and Boat Fishing Trips to find more articles and information
By Steve Dolan
Published: 11/29/2006
2007/12/02
Boat Fishing Tips and Tricks
Glow Fishing Lures Catch More Fish
Learn how glowing lures are simply catching more fish.
The foundational art of fishing will forever be the same but these days some fishermen are using new methods and equipment to reel in more fish. Advanced technology has improved traditional equipment markedly over the last number of years. Rods, reels, lures, and any other type of equipment is steadily improving making it easier for fishermen to catch more fish. One improvement that has proven itself advantageous is the glowing lure.
The secret behind a glowing lure is the light it is able to produce underneath the water. There are two types of glowing lures: those with photoluminescence, like a glow in the dark stick, and those with fluorescent pigments. Many fishermen are claiming great results with these lures from the attractiveness a glow type lure creates. Catching fish is exciting, so when casting out, everyone likes to have every advantage possible in order to be the fish's choice for a snack.
Why does a glowing lure produce better light than any of the colorful lures already in your tackle box you ask? Well, the answer lies in the basic principles of light. The colors that we see, regardless of the object, is the reflection of the sun's visible light rays. Thus, when we are looking at a red lure, the lure's pigments are absorbing all wavelengths except the red portion of the light spectrum. How does this apply to fishing? Well, the sun's rays are mostly reflected off of the surface of the water. The rays that are able to penetrate water diminish quickly and are sparse at regular fishing depths. Therefore, instead of a typical flashy lure at the surface, you are in reality fishing with a grey lure deep in the water; not a very attractive meal to most fish. The good news is that glowing lures are able to capitalize on the minimal light available to them by using ultraviolet light.
Lures that have been painted with photo luminescent paint are able to produce good contrast and bright flashes with a minimal amount of visible light. In fact, the photo luminescent paint is only seen in lower light conditions. In the boat these types of lures are not noticed, but under water they thrive because of the very low light conditions. The best glowing lures also have fluorescent pigments mixed into them when they are manufactured. This technique is used to produce flashes of color in higher light conditions. Thus, any way the light shines, a good glowing lure is going to be doing just that: glowing!
Fish are always on the look out for food that stands out or looks vulnerable. As previously mentioned many normal lures lose their color under water and become grey. This tends to blend in with the darker underwater conditions making that lure somewhat ineffective. However, glowing lures capitalize on low light conditions and tend to stand out and say, "Bite Me!" The bright oranges, blues, violets, yellows, and even greens create a huge contrast between the lure and its surroundings. This helps a fish take notice, and entices it to attack. In fact, many fish species have eyes that select these colors when searching for prey.
The bright colors and ability to stand out under water in dark conditions make glowing lures advantageous over a traditional lure. Those fishermen who have tried glowing lures tend to agree that they plain catch more fish.
John Packer is an avid fisherman and recommends GoFishin.com for all your fishing tackle needs based on their wide selection, super discount prices, and great service. Sign up for the newsletter and get weekly specials on fishing poles and various fishing equipment to fill up your tackle box and have the right equipment to catch more fish.
By rob tendick
Published: 12/2/2006
