“Amazing Boat Fishing For Bass For First Class Action”

Small Boat Fishing for Bass

So, you’re ready for some boat fishing for bass, huh?

Right, first of all, we’re talking about small dinghy-type vessels here, perfect for our kind of fishing. We’re not talking about using a thumping great charter boat or something the size of the QE2 (if it’s still afloat). The idea here is stealth and access. You don’t want a massive engine scaring away the bass or worse, jet skis tearing up your prime fishing spot.

Why Small Boats Are Perfect for Bass Fishing

Bass are notoriously skittish. They can be easily spooked by large engines or any disturbance in the water. That’s why a small, quiet dinghy is your best bet for getting up close to their habitat. With a smaller boat, we can reach those sweet spots that are inaccessible from the shore, and we won’t be sending the fish into hiding with a noisy, rumbling motor.

Rocky Coastlines

Think about those rocky coastlines you pass while shore fishing. The same areas you eyeball at low tide, trying to spot where bass might be lurking. With a small boat, you can access those creeks and reef systems that are only reachable at high water. These rocky areas often have an undercurrent or disturbance in the water caused by hidden rock shelves or other underwater features. Bass love these spots, as the swirling currents attract baitfish—an easy meal.

In fact, one of the best indicators of a productive spot is water disturbance. If you spot rougher waters over a particular area, chances are there’s something interesting going on below the surface—a deep gully, an underwater shelf, or maybe a sudden drop-off. These conditions create prime feeding grounds for bass.

Tides and Water Movement

When it comes to bass, tides and water movement are everything. Bass are opportunistic feeders, and the tide will often dictate where they’re hunting. On an incoming tide, bass will push in closer to the shore, following baitfish into the shallows. On an outgoing tide, you may find them lurking near sandbanks or reef edges, waiting for food to be swept out.

Being in a boat gives you the flexibility to follow these tidal movements and position yourself exactly where the bass are. Whether it’s casting into a gully that fills up with the rising tide or targeting a drop-off as the tide recedes, understanding how tides affect fish behavior is key to a successful trip.

Boat Fishing Tactics

Boat fishing opens up a range of options for targeting bass. You can cover more ground, fish in deeper waters, and take advantage of the greater tide run that bass prefer. Here are a few tactics that work well when fishing from a boat:

1. Drifting: By letting the boat drift naturally with the current, you can cover a large area of water. This is especially useful when fishing over sandy bottoms, wrecks, or reefs.
2. Anchoring: For more precision, anchoring in a prime spot allows you to fish the same location thoroughly. This is perfect when you’ve found a productive feature like a submerged ledge or a sandbank.
3. Casting: If you’re a lure angler, casting from a small boat works just as well as it does from the shore. The key difference? You can target areas that shore anglers simply can’t reach.

Gear for Boat Fishing For Bass

One of the advantages of boat fishing for bass is that you can use the same gear you’d typically use from the shore. If you’re already set up for shore lure fishing, you’re good to go. Here’s a basic setup:

• Rod: A 6 to 8-foot rod should do the trick. You don’t need anything too heavy unless you’re targeting deeper waters or larger fish.
• Reel: A decent multiplier reel will handle most of what boat fishing throws at you. You don’t need to spend a fortune either—plenty of good multipliers are available for under £50.
• Line: Braid or monofilament, depending on your preference. Braided lines offer more sensitivity, which is great for feeling those subtle bites in deeper water.
• Lures: You can pretty much use the same lures you’d use from the shore. Topwater plugs, soft plastics, and metal jigs all work well from a boat.

If you’re planning to bait fish, however, you may need some heavier tackle, especially if you’re fishing deeper waters where bass share space with species like cod or pollock.

Safety First

Before we get carried away with all the fun of fishing, let’s not forget about safety. When you’re out on the water, especially in a small boat, safety should always be your top priority. Here’s a quick checklist of essentials:

• Life jackets or PFDs (Personal Floatation Devices)
• Flares
• Fire extinguisher
• Oars or paddles
• Lights for night fishing
• Pump (just in case!)
• First aid kit
• Radio or mobile phone
• Sound device (whistle, horn, or bell)

I can’t stress this enough—always be prepared. The sea is unpredictable, and even in calm conditions, things can change quickly. Check the weather forecast before heading out, and if it looks rough, it’s best to play it safe and stick to shore fishing.

Advantages of Boat Fishing for Bass

Boat fishing for bass offers a lot of advantages over fishing from the shore. It’s no wonder that many anglers prefer this approach when targeting bass, as it opens up more opportunities to explore different areas, fish deeper waters, and escape the restrictions of shore fishing. Let’s dive into some of the key benefits of taking a boat out on your bass fishing trips.

Exploring More Water

One of the biggest advantages of fishing from a boat is that you’re no longer limited to the stretch of coastline in front of you. On the shore, you’re often stuck waiting for the fish to come to you. But with a boat, you have the freedom to move around, covering much more ground. You can actively pursue bass, heading to productive spots like reefs, sandbanks, or rocky outcrops that are simply out of reach for shore anglers.

This flexibility means you can go where the fish are, rather than relying on luck to bring them to you. If one spot isn’t producing, it’s easy to move on to the next. This gives you a much better chance of finding active bass, rather than sitting in one place and hoping they’ll show up.

Reaching Deeper Waters

Bass often hang out in deeper waters, especially the larger ones, and these areas are usually out of reach from the shore. With a boat, you can access these deeper spots where bass are more likely to be hunting. Deeper waters offer more food and shelter for bass, making them prime spots for fishing.

Fishing over submerged reefs, underwater ledges, or drop-offs is particularly effective, as these structures provide ambush points for bass to hunt from. With a boat, you can position yourself right over or near these features, casting your lures or dropping bait into the areas where bass are most likely to strike.

Taking Advantage of Tidal Movement

Bass thrive in areas with strong tidal movement, where currents sweep baitfish around and create feeding opportunities. From the shore, it can be tough to reach these fast-moving areas, but in a boat, you can position yourself perfectly in the path of the tide. Whether you anchor up or drift through these areas, you can target the spots where the tidal flow is strongest and where bass are likely to be feeding.

Another great advantage of a boat is the ability to fish different depths and areas affected by the tide at various stages, whether the tide is coming in or going out. This allows you to follow the fish as they move with the tides and adapt your tactics to suit the conditions.

Freedom to Fish Anytime

Shore fishing can be limited by access points, tide times, and the weather. With a boat, you have much more freedom to fish when and where you want. Whether it’s high tide or low, dawn, dusk, or even nighttime, you can adjust your fishing to suit the best conditions.

Night fishing from a boat, for example, can be highly productive, as bass are more active in low-light conditions. And because you’re on the water, away from the crowds and distractions, it’s a peaceful experience with far fewer interruptions.

Escaping the Crowds and Distractions

If you’ve ever been shore fishing on a busy summer day, you’ll know how frustrating it can be when jet skis, swimmers, or beachgoers get in the way. Boat fishing allows you to avoid these distractions altogether. You can head offshore, away from the crowded beaches, and find quiet, productive spots where the bass are less likely to be spooked by human activity.

Instead of dealing with noise and chaos, you can enjoy a calm, undisturbed fishing experience, which often leads to better results.

Using Technology to Your Advantage

Another huge benefit of boat fishing is the ability to use modern technology to help you find fish. Fish finders, GPS systems, and sonar can all be incredibly useful tools when you’re out on the water. These devices allow you to locate underwater structures, track baitfish, and find the best spots to anchor or drift.

With a fish finder, you can see what’s going on below the surface—something that’s impossible from the shore. You can spot schools of bass, identify drop-offs or sudden changes in depth, and adjust your tactics accordingly.

More Flexibility with Techniques

Boat fishing also gives you the freedom to experiment with different techniques. Whether you’re casting lures, vertical jigging, or bait fishing, a boat allows you to change your approach based on what’s working that day. You’re not restricted to one method, like you might be when shore fishing, which means you can adapt to the conditions and improve your chances of success.

From drifting with the current to anchoring over a productive spot, boat fishing offers a level of flexibility that shore fishing just can’t match.

Dealing with Jet Skis

A downside to daytime boat fishing can be the disturbance from jet skis. If you’re planning a trip on a sunny day, especially in popular coastal areas, you’ll likely encounter jet skis buzzing around. As frustrating as it is, jet skiers have just as much right to be there.

Fishing at night can be a great way to avoid this issue. Bass are more active in low-light conditions, and night fishing offers a quieter, more peaceful experience. But if you’re set on daytime fishing, try to find less crowded spots or plan around times when jet ski traffic is lower.

Luxury and Freedom

Boat fishing offers a kind of freedom you just can’t get from the shore. There’s something luxurious about having the ability to drift out to those quiet spots where the bass hang out, away from the crowds and distractions.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re using a small dinghy to explore rocky coastlines, sandbanks, or wrecks, boat fishing for bass can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Just remember to stay safe, plan your trip based on the tides, and enjoy the luxury of reaching those hard-to-access bass hotspots!

And of course, make sure you’re equipped with the right tackle and safety gear before heading out.

Good luck out there!

There is a section in our Kayak fishing page all about safety. But anyone who feels they want to venture out should definitely take a course on boat safety and learn about the dangers of the sea first before venturing out.

Fly Fishing