Finding a means to get afloat has become the mission of many shoreside anglers. This article details the many options available for someone looking to take their passion to the next level. Having the means to leave the bank behind opens doors to angling opportunities that will improve your talent and the quality of your outings.
Many options are available for very little money or, if you are handy with tools, even less money and a bit of your time. This is a list of some easily obtained options:
- Float tube
- Canoes & kayaks
- inflatable raft
- pontoon boat
- v hull aluminum boat
- flat bottom jon boat
The float tube is probably the most inexpensive way to have an "on-water" experience. Float tubes or "belly boats" can be purchased at many outdoor stores or online sites. The benefits of the belly boat are cost, portable (can be transported inside a car), and can be carried by hand from car to lake. A pair of swim flippers will also need to be purchased because this is the only means of flotation on the list to which you can't add a motor. The main drawback is vulnerability. For obvious reasons, these are not recommended for waters with high snake or crocodile populations.
The canoe and kayak come next. Canoes and kayaks are a great way to fish and a handy toy to have. Streams, rivers, ponds, and even the beaches (kayak) are all accessible by canoe or kayak.
Inflatable rafts are very light and portable, but great care must be taken with hooks, pliers, etc. Lighter versions should be avoided. To define a "lighter version," I would say that if it is man-powered and cannot accept a trolling motor, it is too light. These would be my least favorite choice to get on the ponds, but many are available for low money, so I thought I would throw it in.
Pontoon boats offer several positive attributes. They are lightweight, portable, and, most importantly, very stable. Pontoons also offer you a better point of view, sitting you higher off the water. In addition, many models come with trolling motor attachments, or they can be rowed.
Lastly are the flat-bottom jon boats and aluminum v-hulls. These boats are on the higher end of the price range, but they offer the most. As a shell, this boat comes in over a dozen different configurations. These boats can accept a trolling motor, gas motor, a combination of both, or oars as power options. This will be the basic setup (img4). However, with some time and a little money, these can also be converted to mini bass boats with carpeted plywood floors, swivel seats, and modern electronics.
All these vessels come in under the $1000 price tag. Some are as low as $49, so there's no reason you have to be stuck on the shore anymore. So get out there, explore, learn, and enjoy your environment from a different perspective. I promise you'll be glad you did!
