WHat can I do to prepare..... - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

RIJIMMY · 07-07-2005, 07:54 AM

So, what can I do now to prepare…
I am a diehard surf guy, but would be looking to get a boat in 3-6 years. My kids will be old enough then so I can have them with me on the boat and I should have enough $ to afford one. I believe a boat will let me share my fishing with my family and spend some fun days chasing fish instead of long nights in the surf.
Here’s a little of my boating background..
My Dad and I had a saltwater center console when I was @ 9 yrs old. We fished LI sound. We also had a freshwater bass boat we fished in lakes for years. In college, I worked at a boat yard, mainly maintenance and dock work.

I am looking to get a 22-24 ft center console, with the goal of fishing around RI shore, maybe BI, maybe Eliz Islands. No trolling, just plugging and eels for bass and blues.
I have NO navigational experience, no open ocean experience.
How can I prepare now to learn the ropes for boating and fishing the areas I mentioned? Should I get a smaller boat, maybe 16-18ft and fish the bay and salt ponds first? WOuld I be nuts to get a 22-24 and expect to fish arouond Newport/BI/Soco?
Any help is appreciated, thanks - Jim

likwid · 07-07-2005, 08:00 AM

take someone with real experience out with you a bunch of times.
and have them show you EVERYTHING.

take a boating course beforehand, know the rules of the road.

have all the necessary safety gear, and know how to use it blindfolded.

most of all, have fun in the process.

RIROCKHOUND · 07-07-2005, 08:06 AM

Jim;
1. Definetly not crazy in that size range
2. Take a boating course (boatwise, power squadron etc.)
3. Spend the $$ and maybe take a few charters the years before you get the boat to learn some rough fishing areas
4. Get GOOD charts. Study them
5. Dont skimp on safety; get a good VHF, a hand held VHF, GPS, Depth Sounder, Chart plotter if you can afford it, Radar
6. Learn how to use your electronics before you go out so you arent fiddling with them when you need something (GPS location for a CG distress, its amazing how many people dont even know how to use there 10k worth of electronics!!!)
7. Even with a 22-24 start in the bay, nearshore; dont run the Block or Eliz till you are VERY comfortable with your boat, opperation etc..
8. As a last resort you can hire people to come with you the first days to help you run your boat so you can get the feel of it with someone experienced

Any questions comments concerns PM me, I grew up on boats in the Bay and off Newport; still fish and work there a fair bit... My cell phone is on and off right now, but I'll PM you my cell number anyways...

Bryan

MakoMike · 07-07-2005, 11:45 AM

As the others have said, first thing is to take a safe boating course. If you join the power squadron they also have lots of other courses you can take. Go out as often as you can and ask lots of questions.

capecodder · 07-11-2005, 09:02 AM

RIJimmy,
I may be a year or two ahead of you in this, having recently become a boat fisherman after years on the beach with two small kids (1 & 4). Here are some of my experiences.

Start smaller. I nearly jumped into a new 22' walkaround but instead chose a used 18' CC. With little kids, the boat is one of many activities for the family and often not an option given the weather (boat size irrelevant). Therefore, usage is limited. My wife and I decided that we didn't want to spend so much on the boat that it would make us feel as if we HAD to use it all the time. As it turns out my 4 yr old still doesn't like to go fast, limiting what we can enjoyably do as a family. We do alot of slow trips to the beach, making the shallow draft and easy handling of the 18' a benefit.

Also with a smaller boat, you learn a lot in a more manageable package. I can trailer, launch and load single handed, easily. Not to say I can't do a larger boat, but the 18' is easy. It will cost less up front and to use/maintain. My 130HP sips fuel compared to a 225HP. Learning to maneuver, dock, etc. in a smaller boat is easier.

I'm not too badly limited in my range. Because of the family obligations, I don't get many opportunities to take 8 hrs and go fishing. On the days I do, I am looking for good weather with relatively calm seas. I would run from the south shore to PTown in my boat on those days, and know that I could get back safely. Not looking to go to BI, a different animal. A 22' would certainly make a rough trip home easier, but I can do it.

I catch fewer fish from the boat. After years of learning how to catch fish on the beach, I have to start over in the boat. I spend more time operating the boat than I do fishing. Techniques are different, equipment different, locations, etc. Fishing now highly dependent on weather, wind, where from the beach you don't think about it as much other than how the conditions influence the fish.

I spend more time on boating issues, navigation, safety, maintenance, maneuvering, while OTHERS fish. I don't mind as I love boating as much as fishing, its just different.

My plan, for what its worth, is to keep it fun for the kids now by staying in calm water, short runs, fishing for schoolies (make sure they catch), and not stretching the limits. When my young one hits 4-5, we'll likely move to something larger to extend things.

On the other hand, if you can get away regularly without the family and have the disposable $$ for the extra expense of the the larger boat, forget everything I just said and go for a 25' CC with twins.

keeperreaper · 07-11-2005, 10:28 AM

RIJIMMY,
I would say take a class and try to get on someones boat a few times and learn the basics of handling the boat not only at sea but at the docks and putting it on and off a trailer. For size of boat I would tell you buy as large as you can afford. Kids grow and take up more space as well as our tackle bags grow too. I run a 21 Steiger Craft and have taken it out to the BC Buoy off Chatham as well as taken it to Nantucket and up and down the backside and numerous other locales. It is fine for doing that as long as the weather permits. I cut my teeth in a 17 runabout for years. You need to gain experience and know YOUR limitations as well as the boats. Nothing teaches better than experience.
Another thing about operating small boats is that they are only as safe as the operator. Good luck

Clammer · 07-11-2005, 03:38 PM

Hire the Clammer & forget about getting a boat

HatTrick · 07-14-2005, 12:11 PM

There is some excellent advice for you on this thread. I would consider as many charter trips with as many different captains as you can before you buy. There are so many variables that may affect your choice of boats... large boat vs. small boat, deep vee vs. flatter bottom, trolling vs. casting, inshore vs. offshore etc. You will probably learn what you like as well as invaluable safety information from charter captains. Also consider the trip sharing threads that some fishing web site have, its not as surefire, but there are some good boaters out there.

seabass · 07-23-2005, 03:22 PM

RIJIMMY, you may want to consider a walk around, the kids will apreciate getting out of the sun and any females will enjoy the fishing alot more with the head facilities on a walk, As far as boating.....read Chapmans, take a CG aux boating course and watch the weather, A chartplotter is a nice friend too. Good luck!