Angling can take on many different forms and can be as simple as catching perch with a cane pole, as complex as flyfishing, or high pressure like tournament bass fishing. However, each type of fishing requires different fishing gear.
Angling equipment depends on the type of fish you want to catch and where you’ll be fishing. For ponds or small lakes, an ultralight to medium weight pole is just fine. Keep in mind what size of fish you can expect to catch, as bigger lakes may have bigger fish, requiring sturdy poles.
Catfish, walleye, lake trout, and bass may need a heavier weight rod. Heavier fishing gear provides more control when you’re trying to reel in your catch. Also, angling with heavier rods and reels allows you to use bigger lures with more weight, making it easier to cast farther.
Likewise, the type of fishing boat you have has a big impact on your fishing experience. For the most part, recreational boats like ski boats, speed boats, and pontoons don’t make a good fishing boat. Many of them are too large and cannot be safely maneuvered around structures to allow successful angling.
If you are fishing a lake or other large body of water, especially if there are many waves or rough water, a fishing boat whose bottom has a V shape will usually fare better than a flat bottomed boat. In V bottom boats the V shape helps to stabilize the boat against waves when fishing and it cuts through waves when moving between fishing spots.
The weakness of a V bottom boat is that it cannot go into shallow water. This is usually not a problem on many lakes, but it makes taking a V bottom boat on many rivers somewhat risky. A flat bottom boat, on the other hand, if the motor is fitted with a ‘jet’ instead of a prop, can make it through water only a few inches deep.
No matter what type of fishing gear you kit yourself out with or how much money you sink into a fishing boat, you won’t find the perfect equipment to catch fish. Of course, trying to use the most appropriate gear for a great catch while you’re out angling is the best thing to do.
Just keep in mind the type of fish you’re trying to catch and which area you’ll be angling in. Also, try not to be too specific in your equipment. Many fishing boats are built for angling only in certain conditions, which leaves you high and dry the rest of the time.
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