fishing boats ARTICLE

Picking Out The Ultimate Fishing Boat
By Michael Sneed, Fri Dec 9th

You and your family are heading out early in the morning for aday of in your brand new boat. You hit thathighway that leads to the lake, excited voices echoingthroughout your SUV. Your wife and kids are just as delightedwith the new boat as you are and are discussing the whopper theyhope to catch. You arrive at the lake, launch the runabout thatcontains the entire family's gear and in no time at all,you are skimming across the water, every family member safelyencased in a lifejacket. You just know that this is going to bea great family outing and everyone loves the new boat.

A boat can be anything between a canoe where you danglebasic bait over the side in a river or stream to a powerfulcabin cruiser or yacht. Basically, all you need to get out ontothe water is a vessel that is seaworthy. There are a largevariety of boats available on today's market. You canbuy them at boat shows, shows or dealerships. Let's lookat some different types of boats.

Freshwater Boats If you enjoy in freshwaterrivers, lakes and streams, leave the big, powerful boats forsomeone else. Choose a fiberglass or aluminum boat that islightweight and easy to transport. A bowrider, runabout, walleyeboat or a boat with a small or dual console will meet all ofyour freshwater needs. These boats are perfect forfamily outings.

Bass Boats Bass boats ride low in the water and are usually verycolorful and extremely fast. They can be aluminum or fiberglassand most often they are equipped with platforms in both the bowand stern for easy casting. If you've always dreamed of owningthe perfect bass boat, be sure to buy one that has a trollingmotor mounted on the bow. These boats are mainly used for sportfishing and tournament fishing.

Offshore Saltwater Boats If you enjoy heading out on the opensea for a day of saltwater that includes huge fish andheavy tackle, you will need a heavy boat that is dependable andcan be relied on in all situations and weather. Anything lessthan a cuddy cabin or center console that's equipped with eithertwin or single outboard motors will not fit the

bill. The highend of an offshore saltwater boat is a bluewater or convertiblethat comes complete with luxury quarters and elaborate salons.These boats should be equipped with inboard diesel engines thathave maximum power.

Inshore Saltwater Boats If you're planning to fish for tarpin,bonefish, trout and snook or redfish on tropical flats, a lightboat will take you a long way. This type of boat should alwaysbe less than a 25-footer and powered by a single outboard motor.The best type of vessel for inshore saltwater is a basicbay boat or flat boat. Both types of boats offer a spacious deckfor casting and float well in shallow water.

Float Tubes Float tubes are devices that allow fly anglers whodon't own a boat easy access to get out onto the water. They areexcellent for ponds, lakes and mountain streams.Essentially a float tube is a floatation device that is equippedwith a seat. The angler sits in the seat while wearing fins andkicks his way around while partially submerged. Fly fromfloat tubes can be difficult, especially for those who are usingthem for the first time. It definitely takes time to hone yourfly casting skills from a float tube.

There are two basic types of float tubes - traditional andpontoon. Traditional float tubes are usually round and have anopening in the front or middle. Basically, these are an innertube with built-in features for fly fishing. These float tubescan take a lot of time to maneuver because they are round inshape and cause a lot of water resistance.

The newer pontoon float tubes are much easier to use. These areequipped with two pontoons, or air chambers, one on each side ofthe fisherman. Pontoon float tubes have less water resistanceand offer far less drag than traditional ones because thepontoons are V-shaped and move through the water almosteffortlessly.

If you are thinking of purchasing a boat, shop around,talk to anglers who own their own boats and do your research tohelp you decide which type of boat you'd like to have. If youstill can't make a choice, talk to a boat guide or theowner of a charter service. They will be glad to giveyou tips on how to choose the perfect boat for you.

About the author:Michael can be found online at http://www.fishing-blog.com.

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