There is
NO comparison. Boat fishing is beyond a doubt,
MUCH MORE EASIER than shore fishing.
Anyone who thinks they're even relatively close is a
- FOOL.
I think the biggest reason, which Saltheart already pointed out......." -
its easier to get to the spots - " .....that in itself is enough to carry the entire weight of my belief. Think of ALL the spots that we no longer have access to from shore,.....now think, if you had a boat, ...access to those spots..and well beyond, was just given back to you. When is a school of fish out of casting range for a boater ? From the boat, you can always find colder water during those summer months,...from shore, your casting a little more than 180 degrees, depending where you are, from a boat, your @ 360, when the fish follow the bait off shore, the boater too, can follow...while the surf-fisherman can only follow with his eyes while he wipes away his tears. The last time I used a Fish-Finder from shore, I filled a bucket of perriwinkles, the guy in the boat using his, had 3 totes of mackerel......
- my goodness, this list can go on and on.
It may actually be easier to point out the very
few advantages that a surf fisherman may have over a boater.....
When a rough sea doesn't allow the boater to go out. (
Although he can still hit a river, the entire river...OR, grab his surf rod.. 
..)
It's quicker for a surf-fisherman to head out the door after work. (
Oh wait, the boater may take longer...but as that surf-fisherman hits one, two....maybe even 3 spots that night, the boater has already found the pogys, has them in his live-well....and WILL find fish that night)
The surf-fisherman only has to rinse off his gear/ while the boater has 20 feet of fiber-glass to hose down, an engine to flush,
and a couple of LARGE that he needs to put on ice.
The surf-fisherman gets more satisfaction than the boater.......
at least that what he tells himself to make it worth his time, as he got skunked again.
Don't get me wrong, I am a Surf-Fisherman. I will always prefer to catch fish from shore......however, being a Surf-Fisherman doesn't make me a FOOL. Boat fishing will always produce more fish, more quantity, more quality, more species in 1 outing, this list too....can go on and on.
Saltheart - there's no battle to be had here, anyone who thinks they're the same or even close........is kidding themselves, and doesn't really know what they're doing.