If you’re still looking for the perfect fishing boat, there are some things you’ll want to keep in mind as you’re looking around. Not all fishing boats are the same, and certain models will be more beneficial to you than others. Read on for more information, then come shop our selection of fishing boats here at Aronson Boat Works! You can find us in Tower, MN.
What You’ll Be Catching
You might already have an idea of what kinds of fish you’ll want to catch. There are some popular choices for our area, including bass, trout, and walleye, but the options for best fishing game are vast. If you do have a particular fish in mind, start researching the areas where they’re most commonly found at the time of year you’ll be fishing. Are they migrating? Do they prefer shallow waters or cutting deep under the current? If the fish is what you have your eye on, then make sure your boat is equipped to get you to the perfect fishing spot.
Where You’ll Be Fishing
Once you know where the fish are going to be, you’ll want to use this knowledge to pick the right fishing boat. Or, if you don’t know what kind of fish you’re looking for, start by figuring out which bodies of water you’ll regularly have access to and want to visit. This is because the kinds of waterways you’re looking for will ultimately dictate the type of fishing boats you’ll have to choose from. If you spend a great deal of time in extremely shallow waters, like a bayou, then you’ll want a boat that’s easy to maneuver and has a flat bottom. This will keep you from running aground.
However, you’ll need something sturdier for deep sea fishing. This will probably be a boat with a large, V-shaped, aluminum hull, like a marlin fishing boat. These boats come with the tough exterior and building materials that will hold up on rough seas and in the corrosive, salty environment, and they also often come with nicer amenities to make your time out on the water more relaxing and even give you the option of staying out overnight. For everything in between, there are a variety of options, from bay fishing boats to center consoles and more. This should be your first filtering point when you narrow down your options.
Size
You’ll also want to consider the size of your boat. This may mean a number of different things to different people. Obviously, you’ll want to start by making sure there’s enough room for the people you intend to regularly bring along with you. If you mostly go out alone, then this won’t have much impact, but if you like to bring your family or friends, then you’ll want to find a model that can not only seat everyone, but give everyone a spot to safely cast their line.
Beyond that, think about how much additional space you’ll want and the kinds of amenities you’d prefer. Just because these aren’t an absolute need doesn’t mean they won’t make a world of difference when you go out on the water. More space will be more relaxing, as will more luxurious amenities. Also think about what you personally are comfortable driving. The bigger boats can be more relaxing and helpful in certain circumstances, but they’re also more difficult to handle. Don’t be afraid to start small and work your way up.
Storage
Finally, you’ll want to envision a plan for storage. Regardless of if you spend all year hitting the water or only go boating during certain seasons, you’ll need a place where you can safely store your rig when you’re not using it. The best options would be directly on your property and preferably hidden, like in a garage or covered in your driveway. We don’t recommend leaving it on the street as this puts it in danger of getting stolen and, in some places, it’s illegal.
If you don’t have the means to store it on your property, you can ask your local marina if you can dock it there long term for a fee or you can find a larger storage facility where you can lock it up. If you’re storing your boat for an extended period of time, you might be able to use a dry rack storage. Just make sure you have some plan before committing to a particular boat.
If you need more advice on choosing a fishing boat, feel free to consult the staff here at Aronson Boat Works. We proudly serve Tower, MN, and our neighbors from Duluth.