One of the hobbies that have caught up in recent times is fishing. This is because unlike indoor hobbies, fishing allows you to get a breath of fresh air and interact with nature. It also offers relaxation and thrill in one package and can be enjoyed by people across all ages and health statuses. In most cases, you might not have access to an ocean. In these cases, freshwater fishing offers a chance to catch fresh fish while having fun.
Though you can opt for shoreline fishing, getting a boat from a fishing gear store in Michigan will be more enjoyable and guarantee a larger catch. You nonetheless should pick your boat carefully since some types perform best in marine waters. The following are your best boat options for freshwater fishing.
Bass Boats
These are the most popular among freshwater fishing boats. The bass boat has a sleek design with a deck around it for casting and decking. It also has quite a few live wells on board where you can store your fresh catch. Bass boats can be driven by an outboard motor but will generally also have a supplementary motor. The latter is used for moving around lilypads, rocky shores, and logs.
Center Console Boats
These are at times called skiffs. They are ideally used for fishing in rivers and low water areas though there are larger ones that can be used for lakes. Their center column is often high for sitting on a platform chair or standing. The center console boat also features a flat bottom and high rising bow. With the steering action in its middle, its interior is left open for easy placement of your rod holders and walking.
Deck boats
These are also called party boats owing to their considerable deck space. They are used for fishing in all water levels and have a flat deck area and pontoon flotation. The deck can be modified in multiple ways to suit your fishing trips. This means you can place the steering center, live wells, coolers, covers and seats anywhere on the deck. Since its deck is flat, you can fish from all sides of a deck boat with ease.
Flatboats
These are also known as johnboats. They are generally used in shallow lakes and backwaters. The flat bottom of a johnboat makes it incredibly stable in water and enables it to ride high. This boat can easily circumnavigate waters that are not more than ten inches depth, unlike other freshwater boats. Flatboats are available in lengths of 6-12 feet.
Aluminum Boats
This is the standard boat choice for novice freshwater anglers. An aluminum fishing boat features a V-shaped hull that will broaden its flat bottom. The boat can comfortably fit 2-4 passengers and is operated using an outboard motor in the manual and rear operations.
The right boat for freshwater fishing makes a significant difference in your experience on the water, the vessel’s stability, and your catch. The above freshwater boats have less freeboard and shallower drafts than saltwater boats. Moreover, they tend to be lighter and have slimmer profiles than those used in marine fishing.
