Fishing from
a boat allows you to cover a larger part of a body of water than shore fishing.
In their simplest form, boats can be nothing more than a platform that you sit
or stand on. Some boats are made for rivers and streams, for small lakes, or for
large bodies of water. Oars or paddles, electric motors, or gasoline motors move
them through the water. Boats are made of wood, metal, fiberglass, rubber, and
other materials.
Some
boats used for fishing include canoes, skiffs, jonboats, V-hull boats, cathedral"
hull boats,and specialty boats. If you decide to try fishing from a boat, there
is a lot to know before you go. You need to know about:
The
boat and how it handles.
The
equipment on the boat and how it works.
The
waters you will be boating on and any hazards such as submerged trees and rocks.
The
weather conditions and emergency procedures.
The
safety devices on the boat and how they work.
Your
own personal abilities-how much you can do before you become too tired.
As
the operator of a boat you are legally responsible for the boat and the safety
of those on board. You must also understand the rules of navigation and the courtesies
of safe boating. Always complete a boater safety course prior to operating a boat
for the first time.