Bay Boats Vs. Flat Boats
No matter how skilled you are fishing the lake, river, or ocean, you’re not going to have much success if you can’t get to the fish. While some boats are perfectly designed for your exact needs, you could easily choose the wrong style, motor, or deck, if you don’t know what you’re looking for. With this guide from L&M Marine, you should have no problem figuring out how to buy the right boat for the breed you’re targeting, whether that be a bay boat or flat boat. If you have any further questions though, feel free to ask our sales team about the exact craft that you need. We have a lot of experience helping new and experienced anglers get to the waters they need to, so come check out our showroom in Stapleton, AL, near Theodore and Mobile, as well as Pensacola, FL and Biloxi, MS.
When Fishing in Freshwater
Every type of boat has a specific purpose in mind, and for freshwater fishing, you can choose between larger bay boats and shorter flat boats. The flat design is great for getting into shallow water, as the lighter hull allows it to float smoothly without getting stuck in the mud, weeds, or whatever other obstacles would hinder heavier craft. In this area, you can go after catfish, bass, and cray. For larger species though, you’ll want to get out into the big water. To do this, you need the larger, taller hull found on bay boats. If you try taking a flat boat out into the deeper parts of the lake, the waves will easily hop over the short walls. Bay boats are designed to avoid this, as their heavier construction holds up against rough waters just fine. Once you’re out there, you can get your choice of large trophy fish, like salmon, trout, or steelhead.
Coastal Fishing
If you plan on getting out onto the ocean, you’ll most likely want to stick with a bay boat. These are versatile enough to stick closer to the bay, but they can also get you a little further out in the water. They’re not quite strong enough to get deep in the ocean like a sport fishing boat does, but you can still get out there a ways and catch some larger fish breeds. If you do insist on using a flat boat in the shallows, sometimes you can get away with it, but only when you go out on a calm day and stick close to shore.
Space Requirements
While the fish are the most important factor, you should also think about how many people you want to bring with you. Generally, flat boats are a little smaller, meaning you can only take a couple other anglers along with you. Bay boats, on the other hand, have larger decks and can support a couple extra people.
Storage and Towing
Finally, storage is also important to keep in mind when deciding between these two types of craft. Flat boats tend to be a little smaller, and they’re much lighter too, which makes them easier to tow. They’ll also fit in a garage or shed just fine without taking too much space. Bay boats are a bit bigger, and the larger hulls make them quite a bit heavier, so make sure you have a vehicle that can tow one before investing in it.
Ultimately, picking between a flat boat and bay boat depends on your preferences for fishing. You know what kinds of fish you would like to fish, so you’ll need to pick a craft that best fits your needs regarding location, space, and storage. This guide should help you out, but if you have any questions, come talk to us more at L&M Marine in Stapleton, AL!