One of the newest and most controversial innovations in the fishing industry in the past several years is the bait boat. Bait Boat Fishing involves using a small, radio controlled boat that carries your bait right to where you want it and drops it off. They are mostly used in carp fishing, where the fish hide in hard to reach areas and are often incredibly hard to catch. These boats are expensive, but also precise, and many say are ruining the sport of fishing by taking all of the skill out of it. Many fishing areas even ban the use of baitboats in their waters. Whether you are inclined to be for or against this new method of fishing, it is here to stay and you should do your research to find out if they will be right for you.
Bait Boat Fishing Basics
Bait boats are the latest craze in coarse fishing, especially fishing for carp, but also for fish for pike and other species. They basically run on the same technology that your old R/C car did. They are radio controlled watercraft that you control to take your bait to a pinpoint location and dump it off where the fish are. While this may seem simple, these boats have lots of other features that make them high tech pieces of equipment. The most sophisticated boats can cost over two thousand dollars.
There are several features that you should look for when buying your bait boat. The first is its range. More expensive models have ranges of close to one thousand yards, but at that distance you are going to run out the batteries very quickly and also most likely won’t be able to see exactly where you are dropping your bait. This can actually be solved slightly if the model comes with an onboard GPS. Many models also have depth finders and fish finders to help you determine where to put your bait. You should also make sure that the bottom of your craft has a weedguard on it. Not having one of these could result in your very new, very expensive tool being stuck in the middle of a stream because its gotten tied up in weeds. You will end up taking a swim in the lake to go get your boat!
Another important feature is how much weight the boat can carry. The less weight a boat can carry, the most trip you will have to make to go out and drop bait and feed. This will result in your battery running down much quicker. Boats that are heavier also sit well in the water, allowing you to use them in choppier conditions with no ill effects. If you plan on being out on the water for any length of time or have a boat with long range or that will have to make frequent trips to shore, you should consider buying an extra battery.
How to Fish with a Bait Boat
Fishing with a bait boat takes some getting used to, but once you get used to it, you will find it easier and easier each time you head out on the water. Before you take the boat out, you need to do is find where you are going to fish. Mark the place with a marker float and try to ensure that the area is free of snags and other obstructions. Also attempt to measure the depth so that you know how much line you need under your float. Next, but the bait in the boat making sure to put your rig on the top of the bait pile. This keeps the hook as straight and prevents tangling your line as much as possible when the bait is actually dropped.
When you are ready to take the boat out, try to go to your predetermined fishing area in as straight of a line as possible. This will save your batteries and also disturb the fish less. If you’re in the dark, try to pick out something you can see next to your fishing spot and head for that first. When the boat is in position, just drop your bait and wait for it to hit the bottom. It’s that easy! All that’s left for you to do is reel in the excess slack, making sure not to move your hooked bait away from your bait pile. Just make sure to take care of your boat by rinsing it out after each use to keep it in top condition.
The Bait Boat Controversy
It seems that the idea of bait boats has divided the angling world. Many people, who see angling as a sport of skill and nuance hate the new inventions. They believe that they take all of the skill out of fishing and that they replace casting skills with technology. Others couldn’t be happier that bait boats are around, giving them a new way to catch more and bigger trophy fish. They believe that it is just another innovation in a long line of innovations in angling. We’re no longer walking around with bamboo rods, so why shouldn’t you be able to use a bait boat?
Whatever side of the issue you are on, if you are using a bait boat take special care to know the regulations of the stream that you are fishing. Many of them may not allow bait boats in their waters. Also make sure not to tangle your line with someone else’s who’s already cast their line out. You already have the upper hand in bait placement, you should not run your boat into their line.
The Best Bait Boats
A Basic Bait Boat
There are many different kinds of bait boats out on the market today. However, the two best manufacturers by far are Angling Technics and Viper. These two companies combine easy of use with technology to create a good, quality, long lasting product that will be around for use for many years. One of the best individual bait boats is the Angling Technics Microcat. This boat is easily maneuvered after a half hour to an hour’s practice and can run up to three hundred yards away. It also comes with the option of adding an echo sounder.
Bait boat fishing is one of the newest weapons in an angler’s tackle box. They allow precise bait and feeding pile placement that was only dreamed of just a few years ago and make catching more and bigger trophy carp a reality for almost everyone with a rod and reel. Whether you like it or not, they are here to stay.
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