There’s nothing quite as thrilling as the feeling of getting a huge fish on the line. Just the promise of this has driven millions to spend vast amount of money on fishing boats. And yet while buying a fishing boat can be exciting, it’s easy to get in over your head and make an impulse decision buying a boat that doesn’t live up to your needs. Here at RVs and Boats for Less, we know our customers come back to us because we’re obsessed with helping them find the best product for their needs. We created this short guide to help clear up some of the mystery in buying a fishing boat. Read on to learn more about fishing boats, and stop by when you’re ready to compare models and manufacturers. Located in Pocatello, Idaho, we’re near Salt Lake City and Logan, Utah!
Boat by Fishing Style
Different types of boat will be better suited for different types of fishing. In general, the bigger your prey, the bigger the boat you’ll need. The last thing you want is to do all the hard work to pull a 300 lb marlin onto your deck only to realize that its 11 ft body is making it impossible to move around the deck. Fishing boats also vary for professional fisherman and amateurs. It’s possible to drop a line off the side of your average ski boat, but a ski boat won’t provide the best platform when you need to pull in hundreds of pounds of salmon or a competition quantity of large-mouth bass. Keep in mind: the more specific the type of fishing and the more fishing you plan on doing, the more specialized of a boat you’ll need. If you only plan on doing occasional fishing on a boat you use for other purposes, a professional fishing boat might not be your best option.
Boats for Different Locations
The body of water which you plan on fishing is one of the most important considerations for choosing a fishing boat. Some boats are designed specifically for saltwater or freshwater and shouldn’t be floated in the anything but. The hull design of boats will also vary substantially, too, based on the body of water. Water with larger surf and more inclement weather will require a boat with a deeper, stronger hull in order to stay upright and stable. Water that’s more shallow and calm will have a flatter hull. If you’re in the bayou or anywhere with a large quantity of underwater obstacles such as submerged logs, weeds, and stones, you’ll want something with a thick, shallow hull. You’ll also want a surface drive or longtail engine so that you can navigate without doing serious damage to your boat.
Group Fishing Boats
The size of the group you plan on fishing with will make a big difference in what style of boat you choose. If you want to take the whole family on the water, you’ll need lots of deck space and possibly even something with an enclosed cabin. Having features like a galley, a head, and an enclosed cabin will prove extremely helpful for keeping boaters of all ages and capabilities happy. If you plan on taking several people out, you’ll also need bigger fish lockers, more pole storage, and more room for bait.
Fishing Boat Storage
Storage is an important consideration, and it’s one that people tend to think about last. It’s easy to see why—engines, trim packages, and modern electronics are fun to consider, but storage isn’t exactly the most romantic topic. If you have plenty of property, you can keep your boat on a trailer at home. If not, you might need to find dock space or dry storage, or some combination of the two for the changing seasons. This can be somewhat costly, so make sure you factor it into your total boat purchase budget.
Ready to look at some amazing fishing boats? Stop by RVs and Boats for Less. We’re located in Pocatello, Idaho, and we proudly serve Salt Lake City and Logan, Utah, as well as Idaho Falls and Twin Falls, Idaho. Give us a call or stop by today!
