Tackle Trade World - December 2022

Accessories
CHOOSING THE RIGHT
CRAFT
Boats may sound ideal for fishing – and indeed many are – but there is a bewildering
choice. How do you help customers decide what’s right for them since any mistake can
prove extremely costly?
There are so many things to
consider when looking to buy
a boat. Planned usage, overall
cost and the buyer’s experience
will all come into play but there are
plenty of other factors you’ll also need to
be mindful of.
In terms of usage, where will they
be fishing? Are they headed for fresh
or saltwater? Will it be heading off on
long trips or short hops? Will they need
storage and perhaps even somewhere to
lay their head? Have they used that sort
of boat before?
Will they be fishing competitively
or just for fun? Shallow or deep water?
Do they need a live or bait well and,
crucially, does it give them room to grow
and expand their fishing activities in the
future, with enough space and fittings for
all those ‘extras’ you could sell them?
That will help your customer
understand their ‘must-haves’ and their
‘nice-to-haves’ that will help inform any
decision.
Speaking to your suppliers will help
you aid your customer’s research. They
might have a preconceived notion of
what they want but understanding what’s
currently available will allow you to be a
trusted advisor too.
So what sort of boats could you choose
from? Here are some options…
CENTRE CONSOLE
It ever there was a boat built with fishing
to the fore, this is it. Ideal for all types
of fishing, from freshwater and inshore
to offshore, these offer a great blend of
control and visibility from the centre
of the boat while also freeing up plenty
of space to walk all the way around,
with plenty of areas to fish from and
reasonable options for rod and other
storage.
SKIFFS
Also sometimes called flatboats, as the
name implies these have hardly any hull,
making them ideal for shallow water.
However these don’t tend to have loads of
storage so are better suited to short trips.
BAY BOATS
Another great fishing options, these have
loads of comfortable fishing platforms
and are great in shallow water but can
also handle deeper, choppier waters if
required, although they’re not really
designed to go too far offshore. You will,
however, find plenty of storage aboard
one of these.
FISH-AND-SKI
A great choice if you have family trips
in mind as well as fishing. Versatile, with
storage and speed, many are built for
freshwater use with storage and space
to move around. They come in many
formats, from bowrider or deck boats to
bass boats. One boat – loads of options.
BASS BOAT
Fast and comfortable, the archetypal bass
boat offers a large and stable platform for
fishing and casting from, with plenty of
storage, live wells and more.
Aimed at the pro, semi-pro or
regular angler, these are typically on the
expensive side but are often kitted out
with the latest high-tech electronics to
maximise each trip.
PONTOON
Acres of space and really stable, thanks
to their twin-tube hull, they are just the
job as fishing platforms for you and your
mates. Perhaps the main issue is that they
can be harder to manoeuvre than some
others but are handy if your family wants
a good day out too.
INFLATABLE
If you lack storage space for a boat at
home or don’t fancy owning a trailer or
hiring a marina berth, then an inflatable
might be what you are after. They’re
usually quick to set up and can be
surprisingly stable but many can lack
adequate space, especially if you like to
take plenty of kit with you. Another big
bonus is that they are a cost-effective
option, especially for those on a budget.
FIVE USEFUL FISHING BOAT FEATURES
1. Good visibility while piloting, helping
you spot those fish-holding areas.
2. Lockers and internal storage space
plus rod mount areas.
3. A wide, open deck for easy casting.
4. Good stability, enabling more secure
casting.
5. Undercover shelter for protection
from wind, rain or sun.
www.tackletradeworld.com
31