Don’t Flounder When You’re On The Water, Get The Right Type of Boat For You!
As you probably know by now, there are many types of fishing boats for sale and finding the best one for you can be a long process. That is why Bretz Capital Sports Sales has created this “guide” on the different types of fishing boats out there in order to help you narrow down your choices!
Types of Fishing Boats
The different types of fishing boats range from small jon boats used in ponds and inland lakes, to massive offshore sportfishing boats that can venture dozens of miles off the coast. Deciding which of these types of fishing boats is ideal for your needs depends on the types of waters you fish in, the species you’ll be targeting, and of course your budget.
We will be focusing on freshwater fishing boats and talking about the basic types of fishing boats in this category.
As the name implies, freshwater fishing boats are vessels designed specifically for fishing in freshwater. Freshwater fishing boats tend to be lighter, have a shorter height, a slimmer profile, and shallower drafts than saltwater fishing boats. Many freshwater boats may be equipped with carpeting and other materials that may be prone to faster deterioration in saltwater.
Aluminum Fishing Boats
Relatively small and light-weight, aluminum fishing boats are often used on ponds, lakes, and rivers. They’re inexpensive, easy to tow on a trailer, and can be found in different designs and layouts intended to pursue specific species.
If you’re looking for the perfect aluminum boat, our inventory of LUND BOATS is sure to blow your mind.
Bass Boats
Bass boats are one of the most popular types of freshwater fishing boats on the water! This should come as no surprise since bass are the most popular freshwater fish species among anglers. Since they’re incredibly popular, we’ll dig a little deeper into angler boats designed specifically for bass fishing. Most importantly, any boat shopper should understand that the best bass boats are highly-specialized bass fishing machines.
The best bass fishing boat is going to have lots of power so you can beat competitors to the hotspots! The last thing you need is someone cutting you off when you just found the perfect spot to fish. The boat will be low-slung so you can swing that bass right over the gunwales or reach down and grab it by the lip.
When it comes to targeting largemouth bass nothing can compete with a dedicated bass boat. However, bass boats aren’t always the best choice for those who like to fish with a large group of friends or for those who want to hit the lake one day or use the boat to tow the kids on wakeboards and water-toys.
If you’ve decided a bass boat is the right boat for you, there are still plenty of decisions to make. They come in both fiberglass and aluminum models, ranging in size from 16 to over 20 feet in length and can be found more or less comprehensively equipped with a range of features like electronics, livewells, and electric trolling motors.
If you’re looking for a new bass boat, we have a stellar inventory of LUND BOATS that is sure to change your entire bass fishing experience for the better!
Jon Boats
The term “Jon boats” is sort of a catch-all name used to describe most small, open, simple boats. These are very versatile and utilitarian. They’re also among the least expensive fishing boats in existence, so naturally, they’re quite popular as well.
Subcategories
Of course, there are many other subcategories and niche-oriented freshwater fishing boats. There are fish-and-skis made for people who enjoy water sports as much as fishing. You can find fishing pontoon boats that are great for casual anglers who want to relax as they crank on a reel. There are walleye boats made specifically for targeting that species, and there are even some boats designed just to target panfish like crappie.
Sun Tracker has a variety of fishing barges that come with rod holders, livewells, fishing chairs, and more. Just add fish.
It’s important to understand that as fishing boat designs become more and more specific to any one type of fishing, they become less and less versatile. Some people’s fishing interests are very targeted, and for them, a specialized boat makes sense. But if you want a boat appropriate for numerous different activities, be careful not to choose one that’s so focused on a specific species or style of fishing that you can’t use it for others.
