by Chris Douglas
Bass fishing has the most participants of any other sport on earth. More people when polled as to their likes and participation in sports declared that they preferred fishing to any other sport available and bass fishing was very high on the list. In order to get to where the fish are and make your day of fishing a productive one, you must have a suitable boat that is tailored to the type of fishing you will be doing. Saltwater bass fishing boats are designed much differently from fresh water bass fishing boats, and there are multitudes of differences in each category as you look more deeply into the world of boats and what they can provide for you.
The greatest dividing line between types of boats for bass fishing is the material that the boat is made of. The large majority of boats are aluminum and are designed to be not only easy to maneuver in the water, but also easy to transport on a trailer or even on the roof of your vehicle. They are welded and fitted with rivets which have a tendency to rust over time, so with that in mind; now enters the rival field of bass fishing boats, the fiberglass group. Fiberglass is not only more durable but quite often is lighter in weight, will not rust, no chipped paint to worry about, and provides a drier storage for boat maintenance as well as not being as vulnerable to dings and damage as the aluminum boats are.
Here’s a big factor when it comes to choosing a boat for your needs, and that is what type of fishing will you be doing, where do you like to fish (salt water vs. fresh water), and how much money to you have to spend on a boat and all that goes with it. The list of boats available is staggering and includes such types as aluminum fishing boats, dinghies, electric boats, center console models, bass boats, flat boats and on and on. Consider how the boat will be used when looking at the various types; for example, center console boats are used in off shore fishing and are designed to handle heavy, deep water whereas flat bass fishing boats are designed to work well in shallow water equipped with an electric trolling motor so it makes it easier for you to catch the fish napping.
Just as there are many many types of boats, there are just as many if not more features to think about and decide upon when choosing one of the many types of bass fishing boats out there. And make sure you stay within your budget; don’t make your choice of boat an albatross around your neck further on down the road because you did not do your homework well and bought a boat without any preparation or thought to how much it would set you back cost-wise. Keep in mind that most boats that would be used for bass fishing vary in length from 16 to 26 ft., and are capable of carrying up to 5 people max. Many of the features available are rod holders, cup holders, live-wells for holding the fish, and many types of motors ranging from outboards to electric trolling motors. You can get to where you need to go with any of the motors available to you in all kinds of price ranges, and the horsepower of these motors varies anywhere from 25 to 150 giving you plenty of choices to pick from.
Fishing, as free as it seems, is still subject to rules and regulations that must be followed in order to keep order and keep people safe. Boating rules have some mandatory regulations when it comes to bass fishing boats, and having live-wells for the fish is one; and having an electric trolling motor mounted on the bow is another. Common sense rules also when it comes to handling a boat and it should tell you that to maintain the stability of the boat, and keeping it unencumbered means do not overload it, nor have too many people on board.
Another salient point in this discussion is that of safety. Nothing is more important in whatever activity it is that you are pursuing than that of keeping yourself and the people with you out of harms way. Not only are you and your passengers required to have life jackets whenever you are on any kind of a boat, but bass fishing boats also require by law that you have fire extinguishers on board and placed in very strategic and accessible spots. The fire extinguishers should be placed near the galley, near the engine or motor, and not only that; you should have smoke detectors installed on the larger types of boats. Your life is too important to risk being lost by not being on top of things and having all the safety bases covered, and not find yourself starring in a disaster drama in the middle of a lake with no way to help yourself because you were not prepared.
Only you can decide what is right for you when it comes to picking out and using any one of the myriad types of bass fishing boats out there, and being prepared with the facts before you go looking is most important because you will end up with what you want and need, and you will save yourself a lot of grief in the long run as well as get the most for your money. Ultimately, your goal is to have a boat that will last for as long as you need it to without creating worries for you and extra forays into your life savings. There is nothing more pleasurable to a “dyed in the wool” angler than a day of bass fishing on his favorite watering hole in his dream of a boat; and that can be a reality for you too if you plan ahead and don’t leave the happening of a “good time was had by all” to chance.
Fishing
Fishing
