Boat fishing is easier

[RIJIMMY]

Hmmm, as a recent surfactster turned boater, I can say this. I caught more bass in the last month than the last 2 years from the surf combined. I had 2 PBs in a week. But I am goign to be cautious here.... the point made was that it is "easier"
I am not so sure. I think boating is more productive, maybe not easier. For one, as a surfcaster, I have 2 focus points, presenting my offering, eel, lure, and watching the surf for waves/safety. In a boat, I have those two focus points, plus the incerased danger of ruining a multi thousand dollar piece of equipment, sudden changes in wave height, wind, thunderstorms etc. While fishing I am watching my depth finder constantly, repositionng the boat constantly for a good drift, its not easy and requires more effort than surcasting imho.
To Piemmas point, boat fsihing is 10000% more enjoyable to me. Why? Not beacause I catch more, but becasue I can SEE more. I am not new to surfcasting, been at it since I was a kid. Since I fsihied mostly at night, I never saw the fish hit, except for a tug on an eel or sometimes a splash on a plug. On a boat, I see everything. Every time I go out, I see something that amazes me. from watching 30,000 bunker swim under the boat to 20+ pound bass chasing bait and slamming plugs right next to the boat. It is visually a much better experience for me. IN a few weeks, I will resume my "surfacting-like" approach to fishing, I will be on my boat at 1am, tossing eels along the rocks and fishing until sunrise. I can cover much more water than a surfcaster, which may lead to more fsih, but I do not think its easier than surfcasting.

[JFigliuolo]

They are both fun. For me, I get more satisfaction catching a smaller fish from shore than a bigger fish from a boat. It's harder from shore and there in lies the higher degree of satisfaction. I can definitely see getting a powerboat as I get older.

This year I started Yak fishing, which is kind of like having a foot in each world.

Old man time sticks it to everyone...

[Sea Flat]

I have to temporarily disagree that boat fishing is easier. I just got a new boat this year and I am still learning the ropes. I have caught 5 keepers this year and none of them have been from the boat! Maybe once I figure out how to troll correctly I will agree that boat fishing is easier, but as of now it is much more challenging for me than surf fishing. Most of my serious fishing trips are alone which makes it even more difficult. Yes, a boater has the whole ocean to his disposal, but sometimes that can seem overwhelming. Perhaps when I become a seasoned veteran at fishing from a boat I will change my tune, but as of right now I feel much more comfortable from shore even when I have to walk for mile(s) on rocky surfaces etc. I would be willing to bet that most trips shore fisherman take on boats are with charter captains are veteran boat anglers that make something that is challenging look very easy.

[fishaholic18]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

Hmmm, as a recent surfactster turned boater, I can say this. I caught more bass in the last month than the last 2 years from the surf combined. I had 2 PBs in a week. But I am goign to be cautious here.... the point made was that it is "easier"
I am not so sure. I think boating is more productive, maybe not easier. For one, as a surfcaster, I have 2 focus points, presenting my offering, eel, lure, and watching the surf for waves/safety. In a boat, I have those two focus points, plus the incerased danger of ruining a multi thousand dollar piece of equipment, sudden changes in wave height, wind, thunderstorms etc. While fishing I am watching my depth finder constantly, repositionng the boat constantly for a good drift, its not easy and requires more effort than surcasting imho.
To Piemmas point, boat fsihing is 10000% more enjoyable to me. Why? Not beacause I catch more, but becasue I can SEE more. I am not new to surfcasting, been at it since I was a kid. Since I fsihied mostly at night, I never saw the fish hit, except for a tug on an eel or sometimes a splash on a plug. On a boat, I see everything. Every time I go out, I see something that amazes me. from watching 30,000 bunker swim under the boat to 20+ pound bass chasing bait and slamming plugs right next to the boat. It is visually a much better experience for me. IN a few weeks, I will resume my "surfacting-like" approach to fishing, I will be on my boat at 1am, tossing eels along the rocks and fishing until sunrise. I can cover much more water than a surfcaster, which may lead to more fsih, but I do not think its easier than surfcasting.

That pretty much sums it up.
The danger factor can definitely be much greater in a boat for sure, making it harder. An example is: just the other morning I was fishing a rocky shoreline from the boat that I fished many times from the surf, the surf was fairly calm, I casted into the rocks and got on a good fish right away, while fighting the fish, a swell turned the boat sideways and could have easily put me on the rocks. If I was planted on tera firma, I could have just stepped back a few feet and been out of danger, from a boat, you have to be prepared and very alert at all times when fishing in tight like I do. I find it much more challenging than fishing from the surf by far. Now if you're fishing in open water, that's different(easy), but I love a little danger in my life..