WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN OFFSHORE FISHING BOAT
Today’s advanced
offshore fishing boats give anglers many of the same capabilities as
natural marine predators. These state-of-the-art vessels allow anglers
to venture far out to sea, chase down game fish and even catch the fastest,
hardest-fighting saltwater species with relative ease.
Thanks to technological
and design advancements, big-water fishing boats in the 16- to 34-foot
class have become more specialized than ever for the tasks of seeking
out and taking on powerful pelagics. Like marine predators, however,
not all of these boats are created equal. Some are better suited for
angling than others, due to a few key elements that make an offshore
craft an effective fish-catching machine.
Power and Range
Like the old saying
goes, in order to catch fish, you have to go where the fish are. When
it comes to big, saltwater game fish, this typically means motoring
out to the blue water, many miles from the nearest port.
That’s why
an offshore fishing boat’s power and range are so critical to
angling success. Having sufficient power means that you’ll be
able to get out to the fishing grounds in a hurry, or move to a more
productive spot quickly.
A boat’s range
is an equally important part of the equation. After all, what good is
being fast if you run out of juice before you can get the job done?
Taking into consideration how far you’ll be running on your fishing
forays, look for an offshore boat that provides an ideal balance of
power and range. This means both sufficient horsepower and fuel capacity.
When purchasing
a boat, always opt for the largest fuel tank available for that particular
model. Remember, gas stations are far and few between when you’re
70 miles offshore. Since many standard fuel gauges are notoriously inaccurate,
you may also want to install a fuel computer (such as a Floscan or equivalent)
on your boat. This type of device will eliminate the guesswork by providing
you with an accurate account of how much fuel you are burning and how
much you have left, at any given time.
However your boat
is powered (inboard, outboard or stern drive), it’s critical that
this power source be reliable – especially when fishing offshore.
In this sense, and from a speed standpoint, two engines are better than
one. With a twin-engine boat, you’ll always have a backup motor
in the event one fails – an important factor when help is typically
nowhere in sight.
Regardless of how
many engines your boat has, make sure your vessel’s power source
is mechanically sound before you embark on any offshore fishing trip.
You don’t want to find yourself adrift without power out there,
hoping that an emergency towing service will come to your rescue. In
addition, don’t forget electrical power. Any offshore boat needs
to have a dependable “cranking battery,” as well as an independent
electrical power source for operating bait tanks and other necessary
systems.
Seaworthiness
More important than
anything else is the seaworthiness of your offshore fishing boat. In
order to have a safe and enjoyable fishing trip, it’s imperative
that your vessel be able to stand up to the unpredictable and unforgiving
marine environment. The length of a boat alone by no means determines
whether it is seaworthy. Whether your craft is 16 or 30 feet long, it
needs to have a hull specially designed for handling big ocean swells,
wind waves or a nasty combination of the two.
Many boats built
for offshore fishing feature “deep-V” hulls that allow them
to cut through rough seas effectively. The downside is that boats with
this type of hull design tend to do a lot of rocking from side to side.
Fishing boats with modified-V hulls and flatter bottoms may not plow
through the rough stuff quite as well as deep-V models, but they generally
provide a more stable platform for fishing.
When it comes to
hull design, another key factor is the beam of the boat. Generally,
the wider the beam, the less side-to-side rocking action you’ll
experience. Fishing catamarans, with their multi-hull designs and extra-wide
beams, are becoming increasingly popular among offshore anglers. These
boats run admirably, even in sloppy seas, and they are incredibly stable
platforms for fishing.
A big-water boat’s
“freeboard” – how high the sides of the vessel are
above the waterline – is another important factor. If your craft
does not have enough freeboard, one good swell can fill it up like a
bathtub, creating a potentially life-threatening situation. On the other
hand, having sufficient freeboard will allow for a drier, safer ride.
If your boat is
an outboard-powered vessel, a “closed” (as opposed to a
“notched”) transom, will also help keep water out. Even
boats with plenty of freeboard and closed transoms, however, are likely
to take on some water when conditions turn ugly offshore. With this
in mind, a properly sized and fully functioning automatic bilge pump
system is a must for any big-water fishing vessel. Your boat should
also have large, well-placed “scuppers” (draining holes),
so it can shed water quickly.
Before you even
think of heading offshore, make sure your vessel is equipped with all
the essential Coast Guard-approved safety equipment (PFDs, EPIRBS, flare
kits, etc.). Perhaps the most essential item on any boat is a VHF radio
with sufficient range. Should an emergency situation occur while you’re
fishing offshore, being able to quickly communicate with outside agencies
or other boats can be crucial.
Fishability
Power, range and
seaworthiness are key elements for any offshore fishing boat, but these
are generally important factors for non-fishing craft as well. What
really separates an average boat from a superior angling vessel is “fishability.”
This term actually refers to a number of qualities and features that
make a boat specialized and well suited for fishing assignments. All
of the following qualities contribute greatly to an offshore boat’s
fishabilit.
FISHING ROOM: A good offshore fishing boat, or any fishing boat for
that matter, should supply plenty of room to fish. In most cases, the
majority of fishing space should be in the stern, but this really depends
upon the specific style of boat. Most center console models, for instance,
actually have more fishing room in the bow portion of the boat. Considering
the size of the vessel and how many anglers will be fishing, there should
be enough space for anglers to fish freely and comfortably. Each angler
should have adequate room to cast, fight, follow and land a fish. If
the onboard conditions are cramped, or there are a lot of fixed obstacles
on board, the quality of your angling experience will suffer. On the
other hand, having walk-around capacity and sufficient room to operate
will make a big difference when it comes to the overall fishing performance
and enjoyment of everyone on board.
DECK CONFIGUATION AND GUARD RAILS: Superior offshore fishing boats are built
with angler convenience and maneuverability in mind. Deck configuration
and appropriately placed guard rails are important elements of fishability.
In some situations, such as battling large fish from a fighting chair,
being able to move completely around the boat isn’t a factor,
but for stand up anglers, this is essential.
For safety reasons – and for leverage or stability when fighting a fish – stern
and bow rails are extremely important. An offshore walk-around or center
console model should also have grab rails on the sides of the boat.
Bow and stern rails should be high enough to provide safety, but not
so high that they make fishing difficult.
LIVE-BAIT
SYSTEMS: A good live-bait system is a necessary component on
any serious offshore fishing boat. The actual size of the bait tank
depends on a number of variables, including: the overall size and layout
of the vessel; the type of fishing you’ll be doing; the size of
the individual baits; and the number of baits you’ll need to carry.
A large, circular tank is usually best, because the baits are less likely
to get banged up as they swim around.
Regardless of the
size and shape of your bait tank, a reliable, high-quality aeration
system is of primary importance. You don’t want to arrive at your
destination after a long run, only to find that the majority of your
live bait has not survived the journey.
The bait tank should
be placed in a location where it’s easy to get to when fishing,
but does not become an obstacle. Typically, this is in the stern area,
but for marlin fishing and other specialized angling applications that
requiring throwing baits from the bow, a second bait tank up front is
key.
TROLLING ROD HOLDERS: When fishing offshore, it’s
important to have at least four strategically placed trolling rod holders
on your boat: two along the transom and two on each gunwale. This way,
you’ll be able to troll enough lures to mimic a bait school and
attract a nearby game fish.
Many anglers consider
outriggers to be key components of the offshore trolling mix. Outriggers
help increase the “trolling spread” pulled by any big-water
fishing boat. Once only appropriate for larger sportfishers, scaled
down outriggers (that attach to T-tops) are available for use on even
smaller center console models.
ROD STORAGE
AND GAFF ACCESSIBILITY: Any big-water fishing boat should have
adequate space for all the fishing gear you need to bring with you on
any given trip. Whether your outfits are stored on the sides of a center
console or above in rocket rod holders, they should be positioned where
they are easily accessible, but won’t interfere with any ongoing
angling activity.
In addition to
plenty of convenient rod storage, your boat should offer a convenient
and safe location for gaffs. When you are fishing offshore, getting
to a gaff in a hurry can often mean the difference between landing or
losing a big fish at the side of the boat.
HELM SPACE FOR MARINE ELECTRONICS: A good offshore fishing vessel will
provide enough helm space for a fishfinder, a GPS/chart plotter, a VHF
radio, a radar unit and other important marine electronics. The installation
locations should also allow for easy access and unobstructed viewing
by the skipper. While most of today’s marine electronics are waterproof
or water resistant, your boat should provide an area for these units
that offers at least some protection from the elements.
FLYBRIDGES AND TOWERS: When you are fishing offshore, being able to spot
working birds, bait schools or game fish feeding on the surface is crucial.
That’s why having a flybridge or tower is so important to anglers
patrolling the blue water. The extra elevation provides a significant
advantage for detecting any signs of fish in the area. Anglers, especially
those with high-quality binoculars, are much more likely to located
the action from a higher, unobstructed “perch.”
PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS: For offshore fishing assignments, you’ll
need to have somewhere to escape the elements if conditions turn ugly.
A built-in pilothouse or cabin is best, but if your boat is an open-style
center console model, think about adding a T-top with an “Eisenglass-type”
enclosure. This will offer protection against wind, rain, and splashing
from big swells and wind waves.
NIGHT ILLUMINATION:
If you plan on doing any fishing at night or in low-light condition,
proper illumination for your boat will be an important safety and functionality
factor. In addition to ensuring that your offshore boat is equipped
with the proper USCG-approved running lights, you’ll want to have
“spreader lights” for deck illumination. This will allow
you to rig up tackle or outriggers with ease when ambient light is minimal.
Sufficient illumination for your boat will also enable you to respond
quickly in the event of a hook up and fight your fish effectively.
FISH STORAGE:
If you intend on keeping your catch, you’ll need to have adequate
on-board storage capacity. With this in mind, make sure your offshore
fishing boat offers enough fish-hold space to accommodate the amount
of fish you anticipate keeping on any given fishing trip.
In summary, for
big-water angling assignments, you’ll want to make sure you select
an offshore boat that offers an ideal combination of seaworthiness,
power and fishability. In a perfect world, your boat will provide you
with all the necessary tools for: getting you and your gear out to the
fishing grounds safely and quickly; locating the game fish you want
to target; hooking and landing these game fish; and storing your catch
for the long run home. |
