Fishing Frenzy

There are two questions that should be considered when choosing the right boat: "What will you be fishing for?" and "Where will the fishing take place?" Always look for the signs of quality. Check the carpets and the compartment. Are they plastic, metal or fiberglass? Look at the little but very important things like the 1000 GPH bilge pump. Does it have six gauge wiring instead of ten or eight? Heavier wires give more power from the battery up to the trolling motor.

There is a 5 Star Advantage that dealers frequently speak with their clients about: Quality, Safety, Innovation, Performance, and cost. Below is a list of the "must haves" things when buying your first boat.

Tow Vehicle - This is one of the most important pieces of your equipment. Ensure that it has the rating to get the job done like loading up to 3500 lbs. of weight that could easily pull the boat up the hills and mountainous treks.

Bass Boats - For beginners, consider a second hand boat. This is will be a trial and error stage where fishing skills will be put to the test. Consider a bigger boat, which is about 19 ft. with twenty to thirty miles speed for larger bodies of water.

Aluminum - In smaller lakes, a 16-18 foot aluminum boat is a good choice. It is cheaper than fiberglass and more forgiving of bangs, running up into shallows and hitting stumps and rocks. The only downside is that it rides rougher even with the slightest winds.

Fiberglass - This two-stroke engine is a lot more expensive that could cost from $20,000 up to $50,000. The great thing with this particular boat is that it could handle bigger, rougher water and still provide you with a smooth ride.

Brand New versus Second Hand - Buying a second hand boat is not only cheaper but holds their value longer and better. The downside is that you'll probably inherit someone else's troubles. During casual inspection, outboard engines problems are not easily identified. The best thing to do is bring someone you trust with you to inspect a prospective boat or buy from someone you know instead.

Handling the Boat - Listen to the pitch change when trimming down. Although it will be very difficult for beginners like trying to launch and retrieve the boat backing it down the ramp. Never worry, because everyone passed that stage and there's no boat owner that is not willing to help a first timer learn. Sometimes all it takes is just 4 hours to learn the basics.

Buying a dreamboat is very exciting. It is not the boat that really matters but the experiences that come with fishing.