Choosing a Fishing Boat
Fishing off a dock, on a riverbank, or even off the coast is all well and good, but staying close to land means you’re denying yourself of all the bigger fish that swim further out in the water. Also, you aren’t able to enjoy being on the water yourself. If you’ve looked longingly at boats on the water and wished you were among them, maybe it’s time you invested in a fishing boat of your own.
At L&M Marine LLC, located in Stapleton, Alabama, we know what makes a good fishing boat and we’d like to help you narrow down your choices so you can feel confident in your purchasing decision. Here are some tips on choosing a fishing boat for you to consider before heading into our dealership.
Types of Fishing
First, consider the type of fishing you most want to do. If you’re interested in fishing shallow rivers or streams and staying close to the coast, you may want to go for a small, lightweight vessel with a flat hull that can draft over sandbanks and other obstacles. Your boat should also be quiet to avoid scaring fish, which means you may want one with an electric trolling motor instead of a noisy gas motor.
If you want to do saltwater fishing in deep water, you’ll want a boat capable of handling waves, tides, and inclement weather, which means you need a boat with a deep V-hull and an enclosed cabin. These boats will be much larger and more expensive, but they’re necessary if you want to fish on the open ocean or a very large lake.
Fishing Boat Features
Some fishing boats only come with the essentials that can get you started, while others are much more elaborate and well-appointed. As you get more experience with fishing from a boat, you might find you want to add more accessories and features to your boat to make fishing easier, more productive, and more comfortable. Livewells and baitwells will keep your catches and bait fresh and alive all day. Rod holders let you take a break from the side of the boat or put multiple lines in the water while trolling. A GPS, sonar device, and fish finder will help you to navigate the water and figure out where the fish you want are biting. Having a T-top or enclosed cabin is good if you do a lot of fishing in the hot sun, drizzly rain, or otherwise inclement weather.
Considering Space
Another aspect of choosing a fishing boat that’s important to narrow down is how much room you’ll need. If you and a friend are taking a simple set-up onto the water, then a small boat will suit you just fine. But if you want to take a big group of family or friends on an all-day fishing adventure, you’ll need much more space for everyone and their gear. If you want to spend longer on the water or even overnight in your boat, then you’ll want a cabin with a head (bathroom), galley (kitchen), and berths to sleep in. Determine how often you plan to go out fishing, how long you want to spend on the water, and how many people you’ll be taking on average, then narrow down your choice of boat using these factors.
Ready to make a decision on a fishing boat? Stop by our Stapleton dealership to see our full inventory of new and used fishing boats for sale. Our marine parts and service departments can help you to get your boat fixed up and ready for action. L&M Marine additionally serves the cities of Mobile, Alabama, Pensacola, Florida, and Biloxi, Mississippi.