Fishing from a boat is a fun and challenging experience. There are several hints that can make your fishing experience from a boat more rewarding. Everyone likes to catch fish and the more fish and the bigger they are the better. Below are some hints and tips that will help you next time you are fishing from your boat.
Firstly you need the right gear to be fishing with from your boat. Long beach rods have no place on a boat, so you should buy some quality shorter rods and some reels. The type of rod you should purchase depends on the fishing you will be doing but the standard egg beater rod is a great all-rounder. You should also purchase some quality line, sinkers, fish pliers, tackle box, hooks, swivels and a knife before you set off.
The bait you use should be aimed towards the species you will be trying to catch. Always buy bait that looks fresh and be sure to keep it chilled until you need to use it. Always try to purchase a few different kinds of bait so you have some variety when you are out on the water. Depending on which fish you are chasing you could also carry along some lures. It is best to be prepared and bring along a variety of baits and lures as once you are out on the water it is pretty hard to get any more.
Try to motor the boat as slowly as possible up to the site you intend to fish at. Doing this will prevent the fish being startled from your approach. Before your lines get in the water you should berley up to attract the fish. Your rigs should once again be targeted at the fish you wish to catch and you should use as small a sinker as possible. Once this is all done you are ready to start fishing.
Once your lines are in the water you should be patient and feel for any bites. Once you receive a bite it is a good idea to strike back on the rod or reel to try to set the hook in. If this is not successful then try it again or try pulling back a bit later after the fishes initial bite. Setting the hook is an art not a science so always experiment doing it at different times.
Once a fish is on the line you should start reeling it in. Keep the line tight at all stages to stop the fish from spitting your hook out. If using a rod you should pull the rod up and then retrieve line as you drop the rod back down. Make sure to never pull the rod back to more than 45 degrees as this will place strain on it. The trick here is to be patient and not get too excited and reel the fish in to quickly.
To retrieve the fish from the water you should use a net. The main reason for losing a fish is the transition between in the water to on board the boat so it is essential to use the net. Pliers are the easiest means to retrieve a hook from a fishes mouth. Try to get fish that you are not keeping back in the water as soon as possible. Handle the fish as little as you can as you do not want to rub off the fishes protective oil coating.
So that's how to catch fish but first you need to find them. Fish tend to hang out in deeper and darker water where the bottom of the water is composed of a few different landscapes. Steep drop off are best to target but you will need a GPS or a fishfinder to find these locations. Be patient but if you have no success try moving on. You can also try fishing where other boats are, just remember to be respectful and don't bring your boat right up next to theirs.
So keep these fishing tips in your head and get out there and have a go. Keep reading and asking questions to find out as much about fishing as you can. All good fishermen and women learnt how to fish from somewhere so don't be afraid to keep learning more.
James Fletcher is a boating and fishing enthusiast. His website is an excellent source of boating and fishing knowledge, information and data. Find more great boating & fishing tips at his site.
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