| You and your family are heading out early in | | | | an offshore saltwater boat is a bluewater or |
| the morning for a day of fishing in your | | | | convertible that comes complete with luxury |
| brand new fishing boat. You hit that highway | | | | quarters and elaborate salons. These boats |
| that leads to the lake, excited voices | | | | should be equipped with inboard diesel |
| echoing throughout your SUV. Your wife and | | | | engines that have maximum power. |
| kids are just as delighted with the new boat | | | | |
| as you are and are discussing the whopper | | | | Inshore Saltwater Boats |
| they hope to catch. You arrive at the lake, | | | | |
| launch the runabout that contains the entire | | | | If you're planning to fish for tarpin, |
| family's fishing gear and in no time at all, | | | | bonefish, trout and snook or redfish on |
| you are skimming across the water, every | | | | tropical flats, a light boat will take you a |
| family member safely encased in a lifejacket. | | | | long way. This type of boat should always be |
| You just know that this is going to be a | | | | less than a 25-footer and powered by a single |
| great family outing and everyone loves the | | | | outboard motor. The best type of vessel for |
| new fishing boat. | | | | inshore saltwater fishing is a basic bay boat |
| | | | or flat boat. Both types of boats offer a |
| A fishing boat can be anything between a | | | | spacious deck for casting and float well in |
| canoe where you dangle basic bait over the | | | | shallow water. |
| side in a river or stream to a powerful cabin | | | | |
| cruiser or yacht. Basically, all you need to | | | | Float Tubes |
| get out onto the water is a vessel that is | | | | |
| seaworthy. There are a large variety of | | | | Float tubes are devices that allow fly |
| fishing boats available on today's market. | | | | anglers who don't own a boat easy access to |
| You can buy them at boat shows, fishing shows | | | | get out onto the water. They are excellent |
| or dealerships. Let's look at some different | | | | for fishing ponds, lakes and mountain |
| types of fishing boats. | | | | streams. Essentially a float tube is a |
| | | | floatation device that is equipped with a |
| Freshwater Fishing Boats | | | | seat. The angler sits in the seat while |
| | | | wearing fins and kicks his way around while |
| If you enjoy fishing in freshwater rivers, | | | | partially submerged. Fly fishing from float |
| lakes and streams, leave the big, powerful | | | | tubes can be difficult, especially for those |
| boats for someone else. Choose a fiberglass | | | | who are using them for the first time. It |
| or aluminum boat that is lightweight and easy | | | | definitely takes time to hone your fly |
| to transport. A bowrider, runabout, walleye | | | | casting skills from a float tube. |
| boat or a boat with a small or dual console | | | | |
| will meet all of your freshwater fishing | | | | There are two basic types of float tubes - |
| needs. These boats are perfect for family | | | | traditional and pontoon. Traditional float |
| outings. | | | | tubes are usually round and have an opening |
| | | | in the front or middle. Basically, these are |
| Bass Boats | | | | an inner tube with built-in features for fly |
| | | | fishing. These float tubes can take a lot of |
| Bass boats ride low in the water and are | | | | time to maneuver because they are round in |
| usually very colorful and extremely fast. | | | | shape and cause a lot of water resistance. |
| They can be aluminum or fiberglass and most | | | | |
| often they are equipped with platforms in | | | | The newer pontoon float tubes are much easier |
| both the bow and stern for easy casting. If | | | | to use. These are equipped with two pontoons, |
| you've always dreamed of owning the perfect | | | | or air chambers, one on each side of the |
| bass boat, be sure to buy one that has a | | | | fisherman. Pontoon float tubes have less |
| trolling motor mounted on the bow. These | | | | water resistance and offer far less drag than |
| boats are mainly used for sport fishing and | | | | traditional ones because the pontoons are |
| tournament fishing. | | | | V-shaped and move through the water almost |
| | | | effortlessly. |
| Offshore Saltwater Boats | | | | |
| | | | If you are thinking of purchasing a fishing |
| If you enjoy heading out on the open sea for | | | | boat, shop around, talk to anglers who own |
| a day of saltwater fishing that includes huge | | | | their own boats and do your research to help |
| fish and heavy tackle, you will need a heavy | | | | you decide which type of boat you'd like to |
| boat that is dependable and can be relied on | | | | have. If you still can't make a choice, talk |
| in all situations and weather. Anything less | | | | to a boat fishing guide or the owner of a |
| than a cuddy cabin or center console that's | | | | fishing charter service. They will be glad to |
| equipped with either twin or single outboard | | | | give you tips on how to choose the perfect |
| motors will not fit the bill. The high end of | | | | boat for you. |