Sun Dolphin Pro 102 Mini
When Angler in Chief Lenny Rudow wanted a new pond-hopper, the Sun Dolphin Pro 102 was his choice. Having spend many a day at the lake on this boat, we can happily report that its a ball for two anglers fishing in relatively protected waters. With a 55-pound thrust 12-volt electric outboard it goes jogging speeds, theres a livewell molded in, it has twin swivel seats, and the complete package including a trailer and a pair of deep-cycle batteries barely broke the $3,000 mark. News Flash: if you have a pickup you dont really need the trailer because itll fit in the bed of the truck .
Visit Sun Dolphin Boats, to learn more.
Another aluminum rig that makes the Top 10: the Tracker Guide V-16 Laker DLX T.
Best Fishing Kayaks By Brand
Most of the following brands have been building fishing-specific kayaks for over a decade. In that time, they have developed designs informed by years of experience. As two dozen of the best fishing kayak brands compete to build a better kayak, we are the winners with more features at a lower price.
Check out our pick for top rides from each brand to fit the needs of any angler.
- Best 3 Waters fishing kayaks
- Best Native Watercraft fishing kayaks
- Best NuCanoe fishing kayaks
- Best Ocean brand fishing kayaks
- Best Old Town fishing kayaks
- Best Pelican fishing kayaks
- Best Wilderness Systems fishing kayaks
- Best Ascend fishing kayaks
Top Fishing Boats For Inshore Anglers
If youre an inshore angler, one of these top 10 fishing boats will fit the bill.
Choosing a new fishing boat is no easy task whether youre attracted to center consoles, you like casting from bay boats, or you need the protection provided by a boat with a cuddy cabin, there are countless variables to take into account. Would you choose stability over wave-handling, or is the opposite true? Do you prioritize maximum deck space over seating and comfort? What about built-in accessories? And, of course, theres price to consider. Here are 10 top fishing boats for inshore anglers, which all have a unique characteristic or two that makes them top picks.
The Cobia 201 is a center console that keeps the family in mind.
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Gillgetter 7515 Fishing Pontoon Boat
The Gillgetter 7515 may be small and simple, but you can get a tiller steer model with a trailer and stay within budget something we cant say for any other fishing pontoon boats that can take a crew of seven people aboard, carry up to 30 horses on the transom, and come with two swivel seats and a pair of rodholders. If you want a pontoon boat that can be used for fishing and you need to keep the entire package under the $10,000 mark, the Gillgetter is your best option. Note for you El-Cheap-O people: Gillgetter has an even smaller model, the 135 613 Tiller, which you can splash in the lake for several thousand dollars less.
For more information, check out Angler Qwest.
Hey people, a kayak is still a boat. And in the case of the Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14, it’s a fish-killing machine.
New Vs Used Bass Boats
Purchasing a used bass boat comes with several benefits. For starters, it costs significantly cheaper than what you would spend buying a new one.
Then, theres also the fact that you get more boat for the money. A new boat of the same class would likely cost a lot more in comparison. Plus, you get great value for your money if you get a used boat thats in mint condition.
Now, we cant very well ignore the fact that you could also end up buying a lemon and land the very same headaches the initial boat owner was trying to get off their hands. Thats why its important to know what to look for when buying a used boat to ensure that you dont end up getting a raw deal.
There are several boat buying resources on the internet you can use to help you identify any red flags right away.
If you can, its also a good idea to buy from someone you know and trust. And, when you do go to inspect the boat, tag someone along from your local fishing club or a person whos well-versed in boats to help you identify any potential issues if youre not sure what you should be looking for.
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Sportsman Masters 207 Bay Boat
We have tested several South Carolina-built Sportsman models over the past few years and none have impressed so well as the new Sportsman Masters 207 Bay Boat. This fibreglass composite craft is a low-sided open centre console boat with lots of fishing deck space coupled to a seaworthy, stable hull.
The Masters 207 is the smallest in the Sportsman Masters series, but it is ideal for anglers who like to fish bays and harbours such as Moreton in Brisbane and Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne. The boats are low-sided, but they are very stable and surprisingly comfortable. The hulls have a very fine entry that does a great job of dissecting heavy bay chop, offering up a smooth, quiet ride.
The Master 207 is also wonderfully finished and appointed. There’s lots of standard kit and the layout is ideal for anglers. Key features include a forward casting deck with multiple storage lockers and gas-assist struts, a dual-width helm console with leaning post, three separate live wells, dual batteries, two enclosed rod-lockers, folding rear bench seat, pull-up cleats, provision for an electric trolling motor and more.
Rigged with a Yamaha 150hp four-stroke outboard engine, the Sportsman Masters 207 Bay Boat is quick and responsive, accelerating to a top speed of 43 knots.
Late Model Sportfishing Boats In High Demand
The demand for 40 to 50 convertible sportfishing boats has declined in recent years as the demand for big center consoles and express fishing boats has grown. Indeed, the smaller the convertible size the less popular they are compared with expresses. That said, convertibles have a big advantage over express boats in that they offer the comfort of a larger cabin. No surprise, then, that choosing a convertible can especially attractive in cases where families are involved.
Historically, only a handful of manufacturers produce midsize convertibles and the selection of used models is therefore limited. The boats profiled below are among the most popular late model used convertibles priced under $500,000 we found during a recent yachting MLS search. Note that the list is confined to sportfishing convertibles only rather than family-style convertibles that were never intended for serious fishing activities.
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Top 5 Faq & Answer On Most Reliable Center Console Boats
Any well-built center console boat is extremely difficult to sink. Boston Whaler’s unsinkable tag is more marketing which has succeeded for them, and it has as much to do with their production process as it does with the unsinkable marketing device.
Centre console boats are especially good. Since they could provide a lot of utility to a lot of people, they occupy a wide portion of the small-boat market. They also have usually excellent performance, rough-water ability, and attractiveness.
Bay boats, in general, are used in protected waters . Center consoles are equipped for use in rough water .
Aside from their use cases, center consoles have a number of advantages over other kinds of vessels. Since there is normally no cabin, center consoles may be lighter, resulting in increased fuel efficiency and range. This also makes it easy to transport them on a trailer.
Fishing boats with center consoles usually have fuel efficiency, robust lines, seaworthy hull designs, and interior layouts, which are just enough for an overnight stay. They’re ideal for getting to and from your favorite fishing spot or just hanging out.
Best Fish Finder Gps Combos
Regular 2D sonar uses a cone shaped sound wave to ping the water column directly below the boat. The higher the frequency, the narrower the cone. In general, the narrower the beam, the higher definition you will see on the screen. The lower frequency beam width and a wider cone angle will give you more coverage area, which can be helpful when searching for fish.
When your boat passes over a large fish, or the fish passes through part of your sonar cone, it can appear as an arch. It takes a very specific circumstance to display an arch on a fish finder, so do not be alarmed if you do not immediately or always see the arches. Sometimes the fish look like thin lines, ovals, or balls, it just depends on the speed of your boat, and where the fish are in the cone.
When you see a fish finder advertised as a dual beam, this just means it has the ability to use both beams at the same time. You can usually view them side by side, blended together, or on separate screens in order to help you understand whats happening below your boat.
All of the top fish finders today will be GPS combo units. These units have 1 or 2 SD or Micro SD card slots for using mapping cards such as Navionics or Lakemaster. Lakemaster map cards are exclusive for use in Humminbird fish finders, while Navionics can be used in almost any brand.
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Nauticstar 215 Xts Sb
With a sticker price of $46,227, the NauticStar 215 XTS SB is unique among its peers. The SB in the model name denotes that this boat has a tunnel in the hull for shallow-running abilities. Plus, with a standard 150 HP outboard on the transom it has plenty of power. The forward casting deck is unusually extensive with side wings stretching back to the front of the console, and from a fishability standpoint this boat is top-notch.
In fact, the list of standard fishing features is off-the-charts comprehensive: rodboxes for stowing up to 10 rods in organizers, an insulated bow fishbox, livewells both forward and aft, cast net/bucket stowage under one aft jump seat and tackle stowage under the other, two flush-mount gunwale rodholders, under-gunwale rodracks, six vertical console rodholders, and a leaning post with 94-quart Igloo cooler.
Visit NauticStar to learn more.
How To Outfit Your Kayak For Fishing
On a fishing kayak, rods, tackle and gear are always within reach and no space is wasted. With advanced kayak design and a wide variety of aftermarket accessories, each angler can turn his ride into the ultimate fishing kayak setup. Using rod holders, tackle storage, safety gear, seats, paddle, electronics and even cup holders is completely up to the anglers fancy.
Are you a minimalist? Then limit rigging to a few cant-fish-without items. Do you bring everything and the kitchen sink? Then your rigging should focus on organizing and securing your gear in the kayak. With so many options for rigging and outfitting, no two fishing kayaks are the same. For more details, read our article on the Ultimate Fishing Kayak Setup.
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Carolina Skiff 162 Jls
While one could technically argue that the Carolina Skiff 162 JLS is a skiff, it surely qualifies as a bay boat, too, thanks to fore and aft casting decks and a six-inch draft. And with a starting price of $18,972 theres no argument about this boats affordability. Fishing features on the stock model include six console rodholders, an 18-gallon livewell, trolling motor pre-rigging, inwale rodracks, and pedestal-mount fishing seats.
Note that unlike older Carolina Skiff J-series boats this is a fully-linered model, which looks a lot sharper than the historic spackle-finish interior seen on un-linered boats.
Visit Carolina Skiff to learn more.
From Sport Boats To Pontoons These Boats Are Sure To Please
Trying to find the best boats for families can be a challenge, as the industry is chock full of different models to suit different needs. To help you on your way, weve put together a list of 10 of our favorites.
Boating is all about family time and making memories on the water. But with a market full of hard-core fishing boats and tournament-level wakeboard rigs, it can be tough finding versatile family boats that can do it all. Here are 10 of the best boats for families.
Lead photo by YanLev/Shutterstock.com
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Carolina Skiff Jv 13 Fishing Boat
The Carolina Skiff JV 13 goes for right around $10,000 with a 20 horsepower outboard and a trailer, and its one of the few fiberglass fishing machines to appear in our round-up. Its become tough to find fiberglass boats at this price point these days, so if you want the heft and looks of glass, the Carolina Skiff is an option youll want to check out. Note that this is a fairly stripped boat at this price, but it does come with a foredeck, a pedestal seat base with an eight gallon livewell built in, and 100-percent composite construction.
Visit Carolina Skiff, to learn more.
The Gillgetter keeps cost down but brings a pontoon boat into our mix of the best fishing boats for under $10,000.
Sportsman Open 352 Center Console
The Sportsman Open 352 Center Console naturally has that center console deck layout we anglers love, spiffy performance including a top-end of over 58-mph, and all the fishing features one could want including a pair of pressurized 30-gallon livewells, a 22-inch Garmin MFD and CHIRP transducer, and a pair of macerated in-deck fishboxes. Where we get wowed, however, is when it comes to pricing. Bottom line: not everyone can drop half a mil on a 35-foot center console, and while many competitors run this much, the Sportsman starts at a far more reasonable $295K.
Even more impressive is that piling on features causes the price to build about half as fast as it does with some other boats. The clincher: Comfort is through the roof thanks to a surprisingly large console cabin, which has a berth and dinette, a head, and a huge light-providing side window.
Visit the Sportsman Boats official website for more information.
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Boston Whaler 350 Outrage
The Boston Whaler 350 Outrage is a great choice if youre looking for a CC that incorporates cutting-edge technology with practical functionality. This boat is an anglers dream thanks to its unsinkable hull, spacious cockpit, and onboard bait-prep base. The 350 Outrage is instinctively built for fun if you want to invite friends to enjoy a day out on the beach.
It has an optional summer kitchen with a barbecue, sink, refrigerator, and storage, as well as a Fusion stereo system with SiriusXM capability. The boat has three Verado Four Stroke® engines with Mercury® Joystick control, which provide fast docking and intuitive controls. This offshore machine is unrivaled in terms of performance.
Specifications
Price
$414,991
Reviews
The 370 Outrage comes with lots of luxury features and accessories. Theres a lot of LOA devoted to an expanded console with a full cabin inside, so its also a weekender. The Realm will make the trade-off and provide a comfort boost to your visitors. The ride will not only be comfortable but also sporty due to 3 Mercury Verado 350-hp outboards.
Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100
The Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 is a hard-shell, sit-on-top fishing kayak that has a comfortable padded seat and back rest for your long paddling and fishing adventures. Designed for extreme safety and stability, the Tamarack Angler has a stable, flat bottom with deep tracking channels and stability chine rails. With fishing rod holders, shock cord straps, multiple foot rest positions, and two storage hatches, this kayak has plenty of extras to enhance your paddling and fishing experience.
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Native Slayer Propel 13 Fishing Kayak
Kayak anglers know the name Slayer, and the Propel 13 is one of their top pedal-drive offerings. Native says that the Propel 13 can go 4.2 mph all day, and can push to 5.2 mph when the thunderstorm rolls in. We say that the pedal drive is an amazingly sweet perk, we found trolling from this rig an absolute pleasure, and the speeds they quote seem about right to us. Price for the Propel 13 is about $2,400, but you should plan to spend another $500 to $1,000 on rigging youll almost certainly want to add items like mounting tracks, rodholders, and a fishfinder. News flash: the Native Slayer Propel 13 ranked at the top of Outdoor Lifes 2017 Best Fishing Kayaks round-up and is the kayak of choice of FishTalk Art Director Zach Ditmars.
Check it out at Native Watercraft.
The only inflatable boat in our round-up: the Sea Eagle inflatable FishSkiff 16.
The 4 Best Bass Boats Of 2021
Catch a trophy fish with these stellar boats
- Pin
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
“Nitros most advanced bass boat.”
Best Aluminum: Crestliner 1750 Bass Hawk at crestliner.com
“Boasts roomy casting decks in the bow and stern.”
Best Multi-Species: Nitro ZV21 at nitro.com
“An aggressive performance deep-V hull for standing up to the roughest big-lake conditions.”
As the name suggests, bass boats are built for a very specific purpose bass fishing. These boats are low-slung, with raised platforms at the bow and stern for unhindered casting in any direction, and streamlined, so you can race out to your favorite fishing spots and back for weigh-in in record time. Bass boats are configured for use with an outboard motor in order to save deck and storage space and should have a mount on the bow for a trolling motor. Look for signature features including rod boxes and livewells that can keep live bait alive for hours at a time. Many bass boats are intended for tournament fishermen and have the price-tag to match, but some are more competitively priced for the everyday angler.
Here is a list of our favorite bass boats for your next fishing adventure.
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