Types of Fishing Boats: Finding Your Ideal Boat
Last Updated on June 18, 2024 by Boatsetter Team
Hop aboard the best fishing boats for pursuing your favorite target species, and you’ll be in for a day of rod-bending fun.
Whether you’re going to rent a fishing boat or buy one of your own, there are plenty of types to choose from. In fact, you’ll encounter a dizzying array of boats including some designed to target specific species, some intended for use in specific types of waterways, and some that are meant to blend fishing and family boating. The top types of fishing boats you’ll likely encounter include:
Aluminum fishing boats
Particularly in freshwater venues, aluminum fishing boats are among the most popular choices around. They may range from 12 to 20-plus feet, and you’ll see everything from simple flat-bottom Jon boats intended for use in protected waters to complex V-hull models that are capable of handling huge bodies of water like the Great Lakes. Aluminum fishing boats are also popular in rivers and bays along the coast, and most of them can be used in saltwater without any problems.
Bass boats
Bass boats are highly specialized fishing machines, dedicated to one purpose and one purpose only: getting you to the bass and helping you catch them. Many feature high power outboards and can zoom across the lake at highway speeds. They tend to be loaded with electronics, as well as fishing accessories like bow-mounted trolling motors and electric pole anchors.
Remember that most bass boats have huge fore and aft decks and very little cockpit room, which makes them ideal for casting from an elevated position but also limits their capacity. In fact, most bass boats are intended to carry just one to three anglers on any given fishing trip. High-end models are usually fiberglass, while more economical models tend to be aluminum builds.
Fish-and-Ski boats
While they may not be the pick of hardcore anglers, fish-and-ski boats are equipped for casting but also have all the traits a boat needs for watersports fun. That’s why many people see fish-and-skis as a top choice when it comes to finding the best family boats. Many have a dual console layout and lots of seating, so they may not have as much open fishing space as a dedicated angling machine, but they’ll also be equipped with critical fishing features like livewells and fishing rod holders.
Fish-and-ski boats are available in both aluminum and fiberglass models, generally range from 17 to 22 feet in length, and usually have potent outboards that can yank a skier out of the hole with no problem.
Fishing pontoon boats
You say one family member wants to kick back and bathe in the sun, another would like to be pulled around the lake on a tow-toy after the fishing is done, and you want to sit in the lap of luxury while you wait for a bite? In that case, a fishing pontoon boat will be what you’re looking for. These are more or less like other pontoon boats but usually have fishing seats at the bow or stern as opposed to couches. Most also have fishing-specific modules added on with a livewell, fishing rod holders, and bait trays or tackle storage compartments.
Inshore saltwater fishing boats
Anglers all along the coastline going after everything from striped bass to snook will want to check out inshore fishing boats. Although most will be center console boats, you may also be choosing from dual console, walkaround, and skiff models. Subcategories of inshore fishing boats which are a bit more specialized for specific forms of fishing include flats boats (for fishing in shallow waters), bay boats (which can still go fairly shallow but also have deeper V-hulls to smooth out the ride in larger bodies of water), and hybrids (which share the traits of multiple different types).
Top features to look for include large livewells, plenty of fishing rod holders, onboard tackle storage compartments, and spacious fishboxes. Most are fiberglass but you will see some aluminum offerings as well, and they may range from 16 up to 30 feet in length.
Offshore saltwater fishing boats
You want to try deep sea fishing, and pursue those massive pelagics? In that case you’ll need an offshore fishing boat. Smaller models will start in the mid 20-foot range and these boats go up to huge 60-foot battlewagons. The vast majority of the offshore fishing boats you’ll see are stoutly built fiberglass models, which can take on big seas and make the long runs that are necessary to get to distant fishing grounds. Offshore fishing boats tend to be heavily equipped with integrated fishing features that run the gamut: livewells, fishboxes, rod holders, rocket launchers, outriggers, tackle and rigging stations, and more.
Which of these types of fishing boats will be best for your next fishing trip? That all depends on where you want to go and what you want to catch. Whatever your choice may be, here’s to hoping you enjoy a day of rod-bending fun.
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With over three decades of experience in marine journalism, Lenny Rudow has contributed to dozens of boating and fishing publications and websites ranging from BoatU.S. Magazine to BDOutdoors.com. Rudow is currently the Angler in Chief at Rudow’s FishTalk, he is a past president of Boating Writers International (BWI), a graduate of the Westlawn School of Yacht Design, and has won numerous BWI and OWAA writing awards.
