Buying A Fishing Boat Trailer

Posted on November 21st, 2009 by Mike Shaler  |  No Comments »

A fishing boat trailer is something you really can’t go wrong with, as it is a dual purpose device. It provides a convenient way to store the boat, and also allows you to explore new areas by taking your boat down the road.  Good trailers must perform both duties equally as good.

Most people buying fishing boats are into getting the boat, and not the trailer. They are more than willing to spend money on a boat, supllies and a anchor system, then end up getting a cheap trailer.  If you want the most from boating, these tips will help you with buying a trailer.

The total weight of the boat, gear, and motor should be in the mid range of trailer’s carrying capacity.  You shouldn’t pick a 2,500 capacity trailer if you have a boat with the same weight.

Go for larger diameter tires and wheels. The larger tires will rotate less times per mile, producing less heat and wear on the tread. The wheel bearings will last much longer as well,as they rotate less times per mile.

You should look for trailers with “drive on” capabilities. These drive on trailers will allow you to drive the boat onto the trailer, close enough to the winch so that you only need to winch the boat up a few inches.

Select trailer lights (for the highway) that are protected and sealed against water.

Pick your trailer based on the environment it will be operating in. If you plan to launch in salt water, you’ll need a trailer for that purpose. There are many types of trailers available, each one designed for a specific type of boating.

Although most are protected against weather and rust, you should always pick the one designed for the type of terrain you will be using your boat with.  This way, you have no worries about your trailer not doing the job it should be.

There are some trailers that include a spare tire, which is an excellent investment for those who plan to travel long distances. Even though it can be hard to find trailer tires in the dark, it’s still great to have a spare if you get a flat while you travel.

All in all, a boat trailer can save you a lot of time and money.  You can store your boat on your trailer when it isn’t be used, even take it to other lakes or oceans.  A trailer will open up new roads for you and your boat – all you have to do is find one that you need.

Cash Or Finance For Your Fishing Boat

Posted on November 10th, 2009 by Mike Shaler  |  No Comments »

Before you take the boat buying plunge let me clue you in on two of the most widely spoken quotes in the boating world. “The happiest day of a boat owner’s life is the day they buy the boat and the day they sell the boat” and “Boats are nothing more than holes in the water, into which you throw money.”

Before you go out and purchase your fishing boat, remember that boating is a hobby and you shouldn’t go overboard with it. Unlike your house, boating isn’t really worth going into debt for. First time buyers who aren’t sure about boating should always make sure they spend well within their budget.

Also consider these optional items, depending on your water sports preferences: water skis, wakeboards, wet suits, towables (tubes), tow ropes and gloves, weight system for wake boarding, pylon, boom, tower, etc.

To get the most out of your boat, it’s always a better idea to scrape up your recreational dollars, sell a few of your belongings, and simply save up for a while. In the meantime, you should carefully study the boating market. When you manage to save up 3,500 – 25,000 dollars, go ahead and buy the boat you want.

Whatever you do, make sure you don’t spend all of your money on the just the boat itself. When you purchase the boat, you’ll need to have enough money for taxes, registration, storage, towing insurance, gas, equipment, and even minor repairs if your boat requires them.

When buying a boat, used or new, cash is always better than financing.  You can save money with cash, as there are no finance charges. Financing charges can get high, very high in fact if you don’t know a lot about it.

If you simply must finance your purchase, it’s a smart idea to use a home equity loan instead. This way, it’ll be tax deductible. Always be on the lookout for boat show financing, and never, ever use it. Several boat show financing ploys will extend the loan out over the course of 10 – 15 years.

A new boater will either advance with boating or get out of it all together. Most boaters don’t keep their boat for more than 10 years, which is reason enough not to get an extended finance loan on your boat.

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Take Your Pick in Fishing the Flats

Posted on November 6th, 2009 by Mike Shaler  |  No Comments »

As viewers of the Fishing the Flats TV show already know, the state of Florida abounds in prime locations for that sport. Fishing the flats may be done anywhere from Mosquito Lagoon to Indian River, from Fort Myers to Naples, not to mention the Keys themselves at the tip end of the state.

The host of Fishing the Flats, Henry Waszczuk, has himself dipped into the skinny waters of Charlotte Harbor for cold-weather hunting of redfish, as well as many other Floridian fishing grounds. Fishing the Flats in Florida could be a weekly series all by itself.

The appeal of fly fishing the flats is easy to understand. Perched on a fishing platform on a typical shallow water skiff, an angler first of all takes in great scenery. To fish the flats means to enjoy the peace of the Florida shoreline, with miles of salt marshes, native birds and swaying pine trees.

Low tide will find you in 12 inches of water, staring down into a sandy bottom thatched with turtle grass, or a muddy bottom dotted with manatee grass. Either way, the fish will be darting around, hunting baitfish, or in cool weather
sunning themselves against the sand. He who would fish the flats in search of redfish will do best with an 8-weight rod, with a floating line.

When fishing the flats in Florida, the choices of site are endless. If you don’t want to worry about tides, you could fish the flats around Mosquito Lagoon, or the Banana River Lagoon. This area is part of the Indian River Lagoon system,
world famous for its redfish.

Down around Sanibel and Captiva Island in the southwestern part of the state offers the chance to fish the flats for snook, tarpon and sea trout. To fish the flats here, which are thick with turtle grass and studded with oyster shell bars,
is practically guaranteeing catching some redfish, which hunt the baitfish hiding in the oyster shells.

North of Tampa Bay can be found the Steinhatchee River. Fly fishing the flats here means taking a shot at cobia, tarpon, Spanish mackeral and scallops. The rocks in this area play host to crabs and shrimp, which in turn attact the
redfish.

And of course, there’s always the Everglades National Park in the southern part of the state. Fishing the flat waters of the Everglades is an angler’s dream, providing not only excellent shallow water fishing, but the chance to see up close the best of Florida’s wild animal and plant life. Truly, the hardest part of fishing the flats in Florida is choosing where to go.

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Choosing The Right Fishing Boat

Posted on November 1st, 2009 by Mike Shaler  |  No Comments »

The single most important question to ask yourself when buying a fishing boat is “Where do I plan to do most of my fishing?” If your answer is the flats, the next most important question is, “How much ‘ride and dry’ am I willing to sacrifice to gain more shallow water capabilities.”

The first thing you should know when choosing a boat is that no single boat will do everything. If your looking for a boat that inspires confidence, don’t expect it to shine in light air.  Boats that are exciting to fishing on the weekends aren’t the ideal boats for a passage through the ocean.

You shouldn’t expect to find quick acceleration and load carrying capacity together with the same boat. You can buy a boat now to race or fish, then fishing around later – as you can only do one or the other with a specific type of boat.

The logic to choosing the right boat is determining how you plan to use the boat. Think about why you want to own a boat, what you plan to do with it, and how you plan on using it.

For some, beauty is the first consideration. For fishing boats beauty is very important, as you’ll spend a majority of time floating and fishinging around,
with many people looking at your fishing boat.  With people looking at your vessel, you want to make sure that it looks nothing short of amazing.

If you are planning to race instead of cruise, then speed is your primary consideration. There are many cruising fishingors out there who simply can’t be happy unless their boats are moving very fast. The ideal boat for speed demons are those that can cut through the water, creating plenty of waves.

Fishermen on the other hand, want to look towards fishing boats. Trackers and other boats that are designed for fishing are ideal here. Fishing is one
of the most popular boat activities, meaning that you’ll have plenty of boats to select from.

When it comes down to it, selecting the right boat is up to you and what you plan to do with it. Take your time, weigh your options, and you’ll have the right boat before you know it.

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Buying Fishing Boat Insurance

Posted on October 27th, 2009 by Mike Shaler  |  No Comments »

Those of you who own fishing boat will want to make sure you get watercraft coverage.  Often times, people don’t realize that they need this type of coverage for their boats. There are many boat owners that don’t even realize this type of insurance is even available.

You need boat insurance if you own a boat, it’s that simple.  Before you buy fishing boat insurance, here are some things you simply must know.

Many states now require that you carry watercraft liability coverage.  What this coverage does, is protect you against any damage that you cause to
other people or their property with your boat.  This insurance will also cover you for vandalism, theft, fire, stranding, sinking, and even collision. You should always call your insurance agent and see what’s required with your state and what policies they cover.

There is also optional coverage that you should really consider.  One type of coverage that you should strongly consider is Wreckage Removal. In most areas, the removal of sunken or wrecked boats is required by law, and the responsibility of the owner to pay for the removal, which can easily be very expensive.

Wreckage Removal coverage will pay these costs for you. You should also consider adding coverage that will pay for repairs and mechanical failure as well, along with towing charges – should you ever need to be towed back to the shore.

Not all insurance companies cover everyone who operates the boat.  This is something you should always ask about, find out who is covered when operating the boat.  There are several companies that will only cover the owner of the boat. Make sure that the insurance agent defines who is covered when operating the boat.

When you shop for boat insurance, call your current company first, then check with other companies to see what type of rates they offer as well. Always remember that insurance agencies are in competition with each other, and they’ll work with you to get you to join them. Let one know about a better rate that you’ve been quoted and see if they’ll go one better.

Before you shop for boat insurance, think about the investment you have made with your fishing boat. Boats are not cheap, replacing or repairing them isn’t cheap either. Therefore, you should always make sure you get the coverage you need to protect you against anything that happens with your boat.

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The Best of Shallow Water Fishing in Florida

Posted on October 7th, 2009 by Mike Shaler  |  No Comments »

While a majority of Americans are honed in on multi-tasked lives, a small but significant few are planning their next means of escape.  Their flight plan includes some of the best shallow water fishing spots available in Florida.

Fishing promotes endless possibilities.  Such as kinships among fisherman that spark one single goal: to catch fish.  Yet, few can be seen unless you are truly searching.

Florida is the top coastal fishing state harboring many varieties of shallow water fish due to its average water temp. of 70 degrees.   An abundance of shallow water fish can be found amongst tidal creeks, mangroves, and grass beds, hence the name Mangrove Snapper.  The Indian River Lagoon and Halifax River host scores of pumps, bass, flounder, and sheepshead.   Snook, redfish, pompano and trout inhabit our Intracoastal waterways and bridges. It is a fisherman’s paradise with rivers sheltering rich oyster beds, abounding mud, shell bottoms, grass beds, bridges, and countless docks luring numerous fresh water friends.

Seeking the right gear for shallow water fishing can be time consuming. Your best bet is to latch on to an experienced fisherman at the bait shop.  Here you’ll find how Lipless vibrating crankbaits are favorites among many bass pros for combing large stretches of shallow water. He may even share that Spinnerbaits work best on windy days because the wave action scatters the lure’s flash and gives the appearance of a more realistic fish.

For those days when nothing seems to be biting, a Jig-and-pig is a good choice for probing dense shallow waters when it is murky or muddy.  In fresh water springs, floating lures entice fish best. When fishing in shallow cover try buzzbaits, prop baits and poppers if it is early or late in the day. Yet, Grubs have to be one of the best lures you can use for smallmouths.

Shallow water flat boats are a must for transportation. A flat bottomed hull is able to run smoothly and efficiently. It houses a trolling motor and will float in the shallowest of all rivers and waterways.  It might not offer the performance of a v-hulled craft, and the ride might be wetter, but there’s an abundance of storage space for fishing equipment.

The shallow water anchor drives an upper arm to a raised position, and engages a push pole to keep the bottom out of shallow water. Using shallow water anchoring, provides a minimum amount of damage to sea life, including oysters, and grasses or other vegetation growing on the bottom of the water.

Shallow water fishing is an easy, affordable means to reconnect.  When is your next escape to Florida’s coast?


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