There are so many different types of fishing boat, from a canoe to a cabin cruiser or even a yacht and countless variations in between. Really all you need is for your fishing boat to be water tight, but let’s see if we can help you through the sometimes baffling array of fishing boats on offer at boat shows, fishing shows or dealerships.

 

Freshwater Fishing Boats

For freshwater lakes, streams and rivers, you should forget buying a big, powerful boat. A light-weight fiberglass or aluminum boat is what is needed. It will be easy to transport too, which is important, as you have to get it to the water in the first place – many people forget that. Freshwater fishing boats can be bowriders, walleye boats or dual consoles. Any of these will be perfect for a family day out on the river or lake.

 

Bass Boats

Bass boats are very fast and are designed to run very low in the water.  Usually bass boats are used for sport or tournament fishing. They are also usually colorful, but can be made from either aluminum or fiberglass. Usually the bow and stern are equipped with platforms which are great for making your casting much easier. A perfect addition to a bass boat is a trolling motor at the bow.

 

Offshore Saltwater Boats

If a day on the open ocean is your idea of heaven, you will be looking to hook in heavy, large fish and you need a fishing boat that can cope with that. You need a boat that can cope with bad weather and rough water too. The bare minimum you should look for in an offshore saltwater boat is a cuddy cabin or a central console with either twin or single outboard motors. If you have a bit of money to spend, go for a blue water or convertible; they are the ultimate luxury in fishing boats. Offshore saltwater boats need inboard diesel engines to give you the greatest power.

 
Inshore Saltwater Boats

Think Florida Keys; think tropical flats; think tarpon, bonefish and snook. You’ll need a light-weight boat, less than twenty-five feet in length, with a single outboard motor. Your best bet for inshore saltwater fishing is a bay boat or flat boat. Both of these options float well in the shallows and provide a large deck for casting.

 

Float Tubes

If you haven’t got a boat, fly fishers can get out onto the water with float tubes. They are great for lakes and streams, even high up in the mountains. Flotation tubes are pretty basic – little more than a flotation tube with a seat. To fish, you sit in the seat, kicking your way around with flippers whilst you are partially submerged in the water. There is quite an art to fly fishing from one of these float tubes, but the pontoon type, which is newer, is easier to maneuver than the traditional version. Pontoon float tubes offer less drag in the water and so are easier to move.

 

The best thing to do when buying a fishing boat is to have a chat to other fishermen and –women who fish the same sort of waters of you and see what advice they can offer; see what sort of fishing boat that they use because then you will know what works.