What should a PVC boat be equipped for fishing?

Features of fishing from a boat

Fishing from a boat
Ideal fishing, which will bring true pleasure, is possible when the angler does not feel any discomfort while fishing. In order to fish from a boat, the following factors should be considered:

where to fish (river, lake, reservoir);
what kind of boat you will be fishing from (size);
from what depths the fish will be caught;
Is the body of water familiar to the fisherman?

Having chosen a suitable place for fishing (it is better if there are several such places), you must first install two poles. The poles will perform several functions:

point to the fishing spot (they should be visible from afar);
the boat will cling to the poles. If fishing takes place on a river with a noticeable current, then the boat should be positioned across the current. And if you plan to fish on a lake, reservoir or river with a very small current, then the boat can be installed in different ways (along the wind, along the coastline, taking into account the sun, and so on);
There will be complementary foods on the poles (you can attach a bag to each pole).

In order for the fish to be constantly at the fishing site, it needs to be fed and this must be done constantly, periodically changing and adding new food. In this case, she will, as it were, “graze” in this place, get used to the feeder, and success in good catches will be ensured. At the same time, there is no need to overfeed her, otherwise she will become fat. That is, having fed first, then take breaks for several days so that the fish is on a kind of starvation diet.

But during the fishing itself, you should remember that the bite can change frequently. Therefore, you need to constantly experiment (either remove the complementary food completely, then change the bait on the hooks, then adjust the depth to half-water, and so on). But one rule should always be followed. This rule says that complementary foods should not be more attractive in taste than the bait itself, which is used to attach to hooks. Otherwise, the fish will simply ignore the bait.

Preparation and basic rules

Summer fishing differs from autumn in its hot climate and bite, which is weaker than in autumn. Therefore, for an avid fisherman, autumn is a time of unique excitement and solid catches. And the first thing to remember is the rules of behavior on the water.

For recreational fishing from land, all you need to do is inspect the coastline. When doing boat fishing, you should remember the following rules :

do not overload the boat and correctly calculate the number of people, each model has its own strictly defined carrying capacity; when the water is rough, the boat may be flooded with water;
A watercraft that has hull damage and is not equipped with life-saving equipment is a direct threat to your life! Prepare her, do not neglect this advice; if you have a license to operate a small boat, take it with you;
check the condition of the motor, transom board, oars and their fastenings.
If you go out in conditions of very limited visibility, be sure to equip your boat with warning lights.
Do not go out on the water if there is a thunderstorm or strong wind!

Before choosing a fishing spot, check your gear to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything. If you choose a boat, choose a larger vessel. It is much more stable, you can build additional canopies, you can move around the ship without knocking over or turning anything over. Equip the boat with devices with which you can secure your gear. Try to isolate areas where the fishing line or hook might get caught. Take poles (long wooden sticks) with you. You will need them to secure the boat at the fishing spot. Experienced fishermen have several places and stakes already on the water.

Recommendations for fishing from a boat

A boat for fishing must be stable; it would be better if it is large (so that you can calmly fish, move around it, place gear, a net, a cage and other things, so that you can just relax). It should also be equipped with attachments for fishing rods (so that they can be easily reached and held firmly in the cast position). All sharp corners, protrusions, bolts, oarlocks must be covered with film, tarpaulin or a raincoat (to prevent snagging and tangling of fishing line, net and hooks).
The most optimal number of fishing rods for fishing is two, maximum three. You can put different baits on fishing rods, then you will be able to catch different fish.
In shallow water and in still water, the rods should be long, the sinker and float should be small. It is more convenient to fish with long rods from the stern of the boat. This will make it much more convenient to take out fishing rods and lay them along the entire length of the boat towards the bow.
If fishing takes place at great depths and during currents, then the fishing rods should be short (50-70 centimeters). It will be much easier to pull them out of the water when hooking a fish (after hooking, place the fishing rod next to the boat and continue to pull the fish out by the fishing line). The net should always be at hand.
When fishing in a current, the boat should be positioned across the current. That is, fishing rods are cast from the side of the boat.
If you plan to fish on navigable rivers for a long time and it is already dark in the evening, and early in the morning it is not yet dawn, or maybe fog or rain suddenly begins, then in this case you need to take a good flashlight with you. It is needed to provide light signals to ships and boats walking along the fairway. It should be turned on if the sound of an approaching vessel is heard and waved in a circular motion, signaling that people are there.

Advantages of fishing from a boat

Fishing from a boat has advantages over other methods of fishing.

Mobility, maneuverability.
You can swim from place to place without any problems. This can be very useful when the fish, as they say, don’t bite. All you need to do to swim across is to lift the weight and fishing rods, and you don’t even have to turn around. Agree, this is much easier than carrying all your things on your own back to another place.
Patency.
Even if your boat is rubber, it only seems fragile and is about to break, but in reality you can even swim into the reeds, fix the boat there and fish. Of course, you need to attack the reeds carefully. Even a wooden boat can be broken by force.

When fishing with a spinning rod, you will not be able to climb far into the reeds, you will need high boots, it will be difficult and who knows, there may be a hole where you want to step.

Accuracy.
When fishing from a boat, you will throw the tackle right next to “that reed” or right next to some cliff. A float from the shore will also take you where you need to go, but only within the shore. From a boat, the distance is not a problem, we'll swim up.

Advantages and disadvantages

Feeder fishing from a watercraft has both strengths and negative aspects. You should know them when planning this method of fishing. First, we should highlight the undeniable advantages.

The time that an angler spends casting and retrieving equipment from the water is much less than what is required for one shore fishing cycle. Accordingly, the bait often ends up in the same place, maintaining the fish’s interest in the point.
Thanks to short casts, extremely precise feeding is achieved. The bait also always falls on the bait spot, where a lot of fish are concentrated.
Dynamic fishing gives the angler the opportunity to try out a lot of lures, baits, leads and rigs. In one fishing trip you can explore a large area of water.
The watercraft provides ample opportunities for choosing the best areas of the reservoir. This is especially true in reservoirs with high pressure from outdoor enthusiasts.
When fishing on a feeder from a boat, the chances of catching a trophy increase. There is a better chance of successfully landing large fish than with shore fishing.

There are two unpleasant aspects to this method of fishing.

The main disadvantage for most anglers will be the discomfort associated with being in the boat. It turns out that natural human needs are not easy to fulfill while on the waves. At such moments, more than one fisherman fell into the water. After 2-4 hours of fishing, you will want to go ashore to stretch your legs and straighten your back.
Strong winds can make fishing difficult. And with a big wave, this method of fishing becomes a very dangerous activity.

Disadvantages of fishing from a boat

The main disadvantage
is the inconvenience of being in the boat for a long time. At first, everything seems to be fine: you sit, swaying on the waves, everything is nearby, you cast nearby, you don’t look for a place on the shore and you have great freedom of movement. But a few hours pass and the lack of movement or the banal – lack of a toilet – begins to take its toll. It’s good if the boat is wooden, it is more stable than a rubber one. On a hard bottom, if there is no rocking, you can stand for a while and warm up. But still, it’s comfortable to stay on the boat for up to 8 hours maximum. After this time, I really want to go to the shore to stretch my legs, eat, and just walk around. You can’t take a lot of things on board with you; you’ll have to sacrifice some clothing or gear. And this is not always convenient, since you may often need something that was not needed for a long time, and you really don’t want to return to the shore from a baited point. Plus the lack of space and the associated inconveniences.
In case of strong wind, current or its change,
it is not so easy to keep the watercraft in one place. This makes it difficult to observe the bite, and the fishing process itself is not very pleasant, and often simply impossible.

Choosing a fishing boat

A huge number of open water fishing enthusiasts begin to get acquainted with fishing by purchasing inflatable boats.
Rubber boats for fishing, for example, are very compact and easy to transport in personal transport. In addition, today inflatable boats made for engines have also gained significant popularity. Because they can be used both as rowing boats and as motor boats. Boats
Inflatable boats for fishing do not necessarily have to be of significant size. For single fishing in small bodies of water, an inflatable boat 1.85-3.45 meters long will be sufficient. It is not heavy, compact and will not cause inconvenience during transportation. If a joint vacation is planned, then inflatable boats with a length of 3.45 - 3.55 meters and up to 3.85 meters will be needed. It all depends on the style of fishing you intend to do. If a fisherman mainly fishes on a lake near the shore and cannot afford to buy a PVC boat, then the most appropriate solution would be to use a regular rubber boat. In order for it to serve for a long time, it needs proper storage conditions. The disadvantage of such a boat is the lack of a strong bottom.

Inflatable rubber boats

Inflatable rubber boats for fishing are still very popular in our country. They certainly have their disadvantages, but they also have many advantages. The main disadvantage of rubber boats is that their elasticity is so high that fishing from them is only possible while sitting. It is very difficult to sit in one position all day, especially since for jig fishing this is a serious limitation that directly affects the fishing performance.

In addition, as a rule, most rubber ones are not suitable for a motor, which significantly reduces the prospects for their use on large bodies of water. You can't swim far with oars that look more like tennis rackets. On the other hand, on small deep lakes such boats have no competition.

And if you have to fish in the cold, then the owners of expensive PVC boats will quietly envy the owners of cheap rubber. An important factor in protecting rubber boats is their low price, compared to all others, which is also gradually falling. So the debate that rubber ones will soon go into oblivion is greatly exaggerated.

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So, you have a boat and you are on a pond. Where to begin? First you need to make sure that you haven't forgotten anything. Here is a list of things needed for successful fishing from a boat on a large body of water: electric or gas motor, echo sounder, satellite navigator, anchor, water parachute, spare set of gear (spinning rod, reel, etc.), life jacket.

Boat fishing gear

Gear for fishing from a boat
Three types of gear are usually used for fishing in currents from a boat. If the depth does not exceed 5-6 m, classic wiring is traditionally used with the line being released from the boat. The tackle is a wire rod with a length of 3 to 6 m, equipped with guide rings, a reel seat, and a reel with a supply of fishing line. If the fishing depth does not exceed the length of the rod, then equipment with stationary floats is used, otherwise sliding floats are used. In both cases, floats with one fishing line attachment point are preferable. For successful fishing you need to find either a “table” or the upper edge of the riverbed. After the boat is anchored, bait is lowered into the water either in the form of balls or in a heavy feeder. The feeder is usually designed for five to six kilograms of bait. The same baits are used as bait as when fishing from the shore, but still, a worm and maggot, as well as a “sandwich” of them, are more often used.

When fishing from great depths (up to 12 m), sliding equipment is effective only on a flat and fairly weak current, for example, on deep irrigation of the Volga reservoirs.

In places where great depths are combined with strong currents, the use of so-called side fishing rods is very common. Side fishing rods can be divided into two design options. The first option is a long winter fishing rod for vertical lure fishing. A fishing rod can be equipped with a reel or reel, onto which fishermen wind a fairly thick fishing line, sometimes with a diameter of up to 0.3 mm. A hook or jig equipped with a powerful hook is tied to the end of the fishing line. There is a sinker above the hook, and there is often no catch at all. They try to choose a jig of such a size that no additional sinker is required. A long (up to half a meter) guard made of wire or metal plate is mounted at the end of the fishing rod. The gear is very rough, but if you know exactly where the large fish are located and you know what is good for fishing, then the result can be very good. What’s bad about this kind of gear is that it’s good for fishing in calm and calm weather, on a flat current, when ships and boats are not yet navigating the river. When there is excitement on the river, the bait, rigidly connected to the guard, is in constant, chaotic movement, and large fish do not really like this. What can you recommend if you do fish in conditions of quite strong waves? First, use long guards made of a flat metal spring, which will bend strongly under the influence of the current. Secondly, increase the distance between the hook and the sinker to one and a half to two meters. Thirdly, place a small (0.5 g) feed on the fishing line at a distance of approximately 30-40 cm above the hook. But by increasing the length of the leash, you automatically move the hooks with bait away from the bait, and this sharply reduces the number of bites. The bait definitely has to be placed in the feeder. Recently, instead of a fishing rod with a metal guard, short rods with a soft tip (pickers) have been successfully used. Replaceable tips of different hardness allow you to adjust the tackle to the current and depth.

In the event that the fishing depth is large and the current is strong enough, it is better to use gear in which the feeder is combined with a sinker. Practice shows that the closer the bait is to the groundbait, the more active the bite.

There are two common rig options here. The classic rig consists of a thick (0.35-0.50 mm) fishing line, at the end of which two short (10-15 cm) leashes are tied. The sinker is a figure eight made of thick metal. The inner diameter of a small figure eight ring can be from one to three millimeters, and the diameter of a large ring can be several centimeters. In the circumference of the large ring there is an angular slot, like on a cut. A thick (1-1.5 mm) fishing line or rope is inserted into this slot, at the end of which a feeder is attached. A stopper is attached to the fishing line with leashes at a distance of approximately 30-50 cm from the hooks. The fishing technique is very simple and effective. First, a feeder filled with bait is lowered to the bottom on a rope. Then the rope from the feeder is wound into a large ring and the figure eight is lowered to the feeder. Such equipment was at one time called “ringing”.

Preparing the gear

Usually, for fishing from a boat, shorter rods are used, which will increase mobility inside the shuttle.

It is most convenient to use spinning rods with a length of 2.10 m.

The test component of the rod will depend on the weights of the baits that are planned to be used in spinning fishing or the weight of the sinker of the bottom tackle.

Here are the main types of equipment that you may need:

When fishing for pike and perch in lake-type reservoirs, the optimal spinning rod with a fast action, weight up to 20 grams and a length of 2.10 m will be optimal. The tackle is equipped with a spinning reel of size 2000 and 0.1-0.15 mm braid. Using a leash against pike teeth is mandatory. This equipment will allow you to use a very wide range of baits: wobblers, various spinners, jig baits.
When catching predators on the river from a boat, a rod with high test characteristics is used. Their size will depend on the speed of the flow and the depth of the river. The standard test for a deep river with moderate current would be a test up to 40 grams. The spinning tackle is equipped with a spinning reel of size 3000 and 0.13-0.2 mm braid. With such gear you can successfully fish with jigs in deep river holes using silicone baits.
When catching white river fish from a boat, a feeder rod 2.1-2.4 meters long and about 100 grams of dough is used. The tackle is equipped with a 3000 reel and 0.15-0.2 mm braid.

The equipment can be different, but the equipment with an anti-twist is considered the most universal. To make a leash, fluorocarbon fishing line with a diameter of 0.18-0.2 mm and a hook No. 6-8 are used. The main objects for fishing with such gear will be bream and silver bream.

Security measures

:Safety measures when fishing from a boat
In the summer, happy owners of swimming equipment prefer to fish from a boat. Therefore, the issue of safety for these people is quite acute; following certain rules will not only help you avoid trouble while fishing, but even save your life.

Let's start with the fact that when driving a boat, be very careful; even on a familiar body of water, there may be submerged logs, remains of old trees and bushes in the water.
If you are fishing on a rubber boat, then be extremely careful, do not swim close to bushes and trees sticking out of the water, you can run into branches.
Look carefully ahead when you are motoring, or even better, place a friend on the bow of the boat. At least it will signal you with established signals about any obstacle on the water, and tell you how to go around it.
There may be underwater rocks on rivers and some lakes; certainly on taiga rivers and old northern lakes. In this case, it is better to use the services of local guides and fish on local boats, which are designed to pass rapids and are not afraid of underwater boulders.
When fishing in an unfamiliar body of water, try to avoid swimming and especially without diving into the water. You don't know the bottom. You don’t know where, what snags and boulders may be located. Perhaps the bottom is heavily silted and sucks in instantly. Or perhaps at the bottom there is old construction waste with an abundance of iron structures and fittings.
Even if you are hooked on a very expensive float tackle or spoon, do not get into the water. Everything you have in your hands is a consumable item, and you will buy more, but you only have one life. Remember: not a single one of yours, even the most expensive spoon, is worth a small cut on your heel, and as a result of this, ruined fishing, or worse, some kind of infection such as tetanus.
It is very dangerous to go fishing on an old, leaky boat. If you don’t have any other means of swimming, but you really want to, then don’t swim far from the shore and have a water scoop with you.
Do not lean on the side of the boat when fishing for fish or removing an anchor that is heavily embedded in the mud. You could lose your balance and easily end up in the water or scoop up water on the side of the boat.
On the water, do not position the boat with its side facing gusty winds or along the waves. If the sides of your boat are not large, then the next wave may overwhelm and drown your boat.
If there is a squally wind and a wave on the reservoir, do not take risks, swim out urgently. It will definitely rain soon, and perhaps there will be a thunderstorm. It is unknown how all this may end for your swimming device and, of course, for you. It is better to swim across the waves, even if further and not to the destination, but such a movement of the vessel is safer. Remember, it’s okay if you walk a few kilometers along the shore, it’s better than sinking the boat and having to swim yourself out of plan. And it’s easier later to move the boat to the right place in calm weather than now to get there by swimming on your own in terrible weather, but where you need to go.
When choosing a place to fish on a large navigable river, pay attention to buoys, buoys and directional marks. Do not fish on the shipping route or main waterway. Remember that in deep water you need to be careful. And don't swim behind the buoys.
If you do not know how to swim, then do not sail the boat far from the shore, and be sure to purchase a life jacket. All your comrades must know that you cannot swim. If, after all, the boat capsizes and you find yourself in the water, then do not try to climb into the boat, but, holding onto it tightly, try to swim to the shore. If you see that there are fishermen on boats at some distance, then do not be shy and call for help, or at least just shout. They will definitely help you.
When fishing from a boat, do not forget to put an inflated balloon in your backpack with unused items or tie it to your backpack. Anything can happen. But your belongings and life support supplies will always remain afloat during camping conditions, and will not go under water or get lost.
If you plan to fish on a large lake or bay, be sure to check the weather forecast. And always have with you a life jacket, a signal light, a signal cartridge or flare, a tow rope, a compass, a supply of high-calorie foods, a mobile phone or a radio station. And don't take risks if a storm warning is issued.

If the boat capsized

If suddenly the boat capsizes at a considerable distance from the shore and at great depth, then first it will lie on its side, and then turn over with its keel up. If there is no one nearby who can provide assistance, then, grabbing the stern or bow of the craft, paddling with your feet, swim to a shallow place or to the nearest shore. Never try to climb onto an overturned boat, as it will often capsize. Therefore, there is a risk that the boat will hit or cover the fisherman when doing so. If the boat capsizes on a river riffle or in a strong current, then you need to hold on to the boat and swim after it to a shallow place.

The best rowing boats

Leader Compact 265

Our review opens with fairly cheap products that are characterized by excellent stability on water, so the manufacturer recommends using them not only for fishing, but also for hunting, for example, ducks. When folded, the model takes up a minimum of free space and fits into a special backpack that comes with the boat, the sides of which have pockets for storing and transporting dismountable oars. If a person does not have a car, then he is quite capable of carrying a boat.

This product has a main design feature - movable cans that are secured to the sides of the boat using the latest “lyktros-likpaz” system. Thanks to this, a sitting person will be able to choose the most comfortable position for himself. This quality will be appreciated by fishermen who prefer to spend several hours in a boat. The design can be used by one or two people. The pressure in the cylinders is quite high (0.25 bar), due to which a small engine with a power of 3.5 horsepower can be placed at the stern. The bottom is rigid, insertable, prefabricated, made of moisture-resistant plywood coated with special anti-slip compounds. The cylinders are divided into several compartments - even if one of them is damaged, the rest will allow the structure to reach the shore and not sink.

Advantages:

Acceptable price;
When assembled, it takes up minimal space;
It weighs a little and can be carried over long distances alone.

Flaws:

The manufacturer recommends sailing on it only in calm and shallow waters.

Rowing boat Leader Compact 265

Taimen N-270C

This model is made from elastic PVC, the sheets of which are well glued to each other, thereby minimizing the likelihood that leaks may appear at the joints. The bottom is rigid, folding, and made of marine plywood. It is permissible to use it both as a rowing craft and together with a weak motor with a power of up to 2.5 hp. If necessary, in such a boat you can safely stand up to your full height without fear that it will capsize. From a standing position it is very convenient to cast such tackle as a spinning rod, so lovers of such tackle will appreciate it.

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The bow is equipped with so-called chopped contours, which will significantly increase the rigidity of this part of the structure, and also will not allow it to outweigh the stern side. Thanks to this solution, you can seriously increase the usable area and place all the necessary parts in the bow. The kit comes with a hand pump of decent volume, so you can pump up the product within a few minutes. The entire assembly cycle does not exceed 8 minutes if done alone, and 5 minutes if done together.

Advantages:

Made from high-strength reinforced polyvinyl chloride;
Folding hard bottom;
Mobile cans for added convenience;
High sides prevent water from filling the vessel;
Possibility to install a small motor.

Flaws:

A decent weight of the structure, it is better to transport it by car.

Rowing boat Taimen N-270C

Pilot Profi S-280-M

It is a fairly heavy model, so you won’t be able to take it on a hike – the product weighs 15.5 kg. The boat is 2.8 meters long, 1.4 meters wide, the maximum weight it can lift is 220 kg, in other words, it is designed for two people. The set includes a bag for transportation and storage. The model is made on the basis of reinforced five-layer polyvinyl chloride of increased strength and density: 750 g/sq. m. This material is not destroyed under the influence of fuels and lubricants such as diesel fuel, gasoline, oil, and so on. In addition, it tolerates direct ultraviolet rays well and is not subject to mechanical damage. The diameter of the boat is divided into two autonomous cylinders, each of which has a diameter of 38 cm.

The bottom is stretchy and soft; standing on it is not very comfortable, as there is a risk of falling into the water. The seats are fixed in stationary areas; there is a guardrail along all sides, which ensures a high level of safety for all passengers. There is a ring on the bow so the boat can be towed. The warranty for such products is quite long - 2 years.

Advantages:

High sides and raised bow, which allows you to withstand wave heights of up to half a meter;
High-quality materials from which the boat is made.

Flaws:

A soft stretch bottom that makes it almost impossible to stand on while fishing.

Boat Pilot Profi S-280-M

Inflatable boat HUNTERBOAT Hunter 280

This model has an ideal balance in terms of price and quality. The boat has an excellent ride, it moves quite quickly with oars, there is no need to put in additional effort. This is even if the structure is fully loaded. Another important quality of this model is the size of the working area, which is one of the largest among all the models presented in this section of the review. European build quality combined with low weight provide excellent maneuverability.

This boat performs well both in shallow water - at a depth of 60 to 100 cm, and in deeper water - over one meter. It can easily fit two people, as long as their total weight does not exceed 200 kg. The cylinders are divided into two compartments, the diameter of each of them is 39 cm. The cans are fixed in stationary sockets; it is not possible to move them along the sides. The boat can be used for fishing and hunting. It’s a bit heavy to carry by hand – it weighs 18 kg. The dimensions are not too large - 2.8 meters long, 1.4 meters wide. The set includes a pump for inflation and deflation, the floor is hard and foldable.

Advantages:

Good level of maneuverability and controllability;
It is easy to row and quickly develops a decent speed;
Reliability and build quality ensure a long service life;
Easy to assemble;
Having a hard bottom.

Flaws:

The pump is rather weak, because of it you will have to spend a lot of time preparing for fishing;
Despite the large working surface, such a boat will be too small and cramped for two active fishermen.

Inflatable boat HUNTERBOAT Hunter 280

STREAM Dolphin-M

This model is made from high-quality reinforced PVC of increased density: while other boats included in our review, this figure is 750 g/sq. m, then she has it increased to 950 g/sq. m. The average length is 2.7 m, the width is slightly below average - 1.3 m. When assembled, it easily fits into a bag with dimensions of 30x43x59 cm, this design weighs almost 20 kg, so it will be difficult to carry it alone. The boat's carrying capacity is 220 kg and is designed for 2 people. The cylinders are divided into two separate sealed compartments with a diameter of 36 cm.

The seams are reliable, they are produced using modern technology, which involves double gluing, ensuring reliable connection of the fabrics at the molecular level. The design is available in several color options - light grey, green and dark grey. The color should be chosen depending on the shade of the water, as well as the time of day when you plan to go fishing. The bottom is made of PVC, additionally reinforced by a folding sheet of moisture-resistant plywood 6 mm thick, the seats are also lightweight plywood. Rails are stretched along both sides, increasing safety of use and making it easier to carry. The components - oars, rowlocks, and so on - are manufactured in South Korea, are of excellent quality, and during the entire time this model has been on the market, not a single complaint has been registered regarding their failure.

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