Buying The Right Fishing Boat
The gentle lapping of the water, the momentary thrills of a potential catch, and all the time in the world make fishing one of the oldest and most beloved ways to relax—and you might even get a free meal out of it! But every angler needs the right fishing boat, and with hundreds of models, shapes, and sizes on the market, it can be hard to find the right fit. Where do you even start?
Right here, of course! Power Sports Abrams knows your time and money are valuable, so we’ve put together some tips to get your fishing boat hunt started.
If you have more questions, or you’re just ready to browse, contact our store in Abrams, Wisconsin, today. Our friendly and experienced staff can help you find what you need at the prices you want.
Budgeting
The first step in any significant purchase is to figure out a firm budget. Do some number-crunching to figure out how much you can afford to spend without seriously impacting the rest of your finances. If you’re worried about coming up short, consider buying a used boat. Boats depreciate quickly, so you might get a great deal on an almost-new boat that’s barely touched the water!
If you’re still struggling, contact our finance department. We’ll work with you to find ways to stretch your budget without breaking the bank.
Freshwater Fishing
Unless you plan on driving to one of the coasts, you’re probably going to be fishing in one of the Great Lakes. That means you’ll need a boat built for freshwater, and all the planning and gear to catch freshwater fish. If you’re going to be fishing on Lake Superior, you might be alright with a broad boat built for calmer waters, but the second the weather picks up, the waves will as well. Lake Michigan is likewise fairly choppy thanks to its parallel shores, so we recommend a sturdy deep v-shaped boat that can handle some heavy waves. You’ll also want a boat with a relatively quiet motor to avoid scaring off any fish near the surface, but that still has enough power to navigate rougher waters.
Space Requirements
Size will also be a significant factor for your fishing boat. You need to consider, first and foremost, if you’ll be doing solo fishing, fishing for two, or group fishing. You’ll want a boat that’s big enough to accommodate everyone you want to bring along, but that isn’t over-sized and too hard to control for the crew size. Bear in mind that you’ll also require more storage space for more anglers.
Amenities
You should also think carefully about what sort of amenities you might want your boat to have. These additional features can significantly improve your fishing experience in a number of ways. Naturally, a boat with more amenities can cost more off the bat, but some features also help you save money in the longer term.
Livewells and baitwells, for example, can keep your bait and your catches alive and swimming until you get back on dry land. This can help avoid any accidents or spoiling. Rod holders will keep your rods upright and active even without your direct attention, so you can attend to other matters without worrying about losing them. A fish finder is handy for finding where exactly the fish are biting, which will save you time and fuel.
Whatever your needs and wants, there are fishing boats designed for you. If you’re hoping to find the exact right boat, all you need to do is contact Power Sports Abrams. We proudly serve the people of Green Bay and Appleton, Wisconsin—let us serve you today!