Boating Basics 2024
noobpro reply :
New to the boating world, I will be getting a boat soon and will finally have a chance to fish some lakes. Been searching the forums and cannot find a solution to my question. So when fishing on a boat, before hitting a lake, do people already know where to go fish? Or do they look at Lake maps and try to find drops offs and fish those areas? I'm just confused because it would seem pretty exhausting trying to find bass like that. I also hear of people looking for baitfish and then fish around there. Please share your expertise with me so i don't waste time on the water.
CJV reply :
Try not to over complicate it ..... That would be my advice
Koofy Smacker reply :
Start by fishing anywhere you see that looks "fishy"
If that doesnt work, fish everywhere. Run the banks and when you get a bite note the type of area you were in and just build off of that by trying to replicate it around the lake
TorqueConverter reply :
When heading to a new lake or a lake I haven't fished or fished much, I spend some time on google maps looking at the basic structure of the lake. I'm looking to locate spawning bays, man made features such as canals, harbors and looking for obvious cover such as laydows. Once on the water I spend some time with the mapping chip marking way points on structure that only the mapping chip can revel such as ledges, humps, secondary points ect.
If its the spawn cycle and preferably late prespawn, then I'm much more interested in locating spawning grounds through satellite imagery. If its summer then I'm spending my time with the mapping chip looking for good offshore structure.
Crestliner2008 reply :
You can and probably should, google your target lake to look at what could be decent structures to fish. That's a basic starting point. Do you have a sonar? If so, learn to use it. It will define breaks (brush, logs, rocks) on breaklines and present target areas for you. It will show if baitfish habit those breaks. It may also show fish nearby as well.
Remember, not every structure will produce. Good fishermen spend a lot of time on the water and searching is a big part of that time. Soon, you'll start to recognize patterns and structure that do produce. Just don't get all tied up in your own socks with the attitude that you must be successful every time out. If you do, you'll fail. Just enjoy the overall experience. Good Luck! 
FishinDaddy reply :
Depending on the size of a new lake, I break it up into smaller parts. Then I fish each section until I am completely familiar with it before I move on to the next section. Sometimes this takes days or even weeks of fishing, but, when you discover a pattern, you know enough to be able to repeat it somewhere else on the lake.
starcraft1 reply :
The first thing I saw was "new to the boating world". My advise is to take a boaters saftey course. You need to know the rules and how deadly a boat can be first. Then boat fishing will be so much more enjoyable, not to mension safer.
As far as the fishing part, the only thing I could add to the advise you've allready recieved is time on the water is allways best. Google maps, topo maps, ect. are great tools, but by dragging a 1/2 or 3/4 oz. jig down a bank will let you feel the bottom. Take a note pad with you and when you feel a drop off, rock plie, brush pile, ect. write it down. Next time you'll be able to use it as a ref. Between these two trees and this dock I found a rock plie in approx. 20' of water, ect. You'll find it to be a usefull tool.
Fish Murderer 71 reply :
The first thing I do on a new lake after looking at the Navonics is spend time looking where other people are fishing. get up early and see which points, docks and other structure you can find boats at. Spend the money on a guided fishing trip, sometimes its cheaper than all the gas and time you'll spend hunting spots on your own. Fishing big waters can seem overwhelming at first, just keep it simple and know that it's more about the fishing than it is about the catching. You have to "earn" your knowledge and knowledge aint free!
Fishes in trees reply :
The first time on a new lake, I'm not adverse to taking an hour or two or even the whole day and just putting around the lake, just looking . .. Especially on a big lake, learning how to run the lake is important. Learning the seasonal conditions of a lake is important. The first time you come out of a sheltered cove on plane and turn into 4' rollers because you didn't know any better you will have an"interesting" boating experience.
Your first year with a new boat, I would imagine you'll spend as much time learning how to drive a boat as you will fishing.
OkobojiEagle reply :
On 6/8/2014 at 10:32 AM, noobpro said:so i don't waste time on the water.
no such thing as wasting time on the water!
oe
ClackerBuzz reply :
if ur used to catching fish from the shore, just do the same thing from a boat. (i started by skipping senkos under laydown. i got bored after a month).
after you get tired of working the shoreline from a boat use a map to fish structure with a 3/4oz jig or deep/heavier search bait of ur choice. cover as much water as possible while always maintaining bottom contact.
after ur tired of blindly casting structure buy a sonar unit and ideally only wet a hook when you see baitfish on the graph.
the best of all worlds would be a sonar with a map chip of ur home lake so you can follow contour lines and baitfish right on ur unit.
Raul reply :
Looking for baitfish, hmmmmmmmm, I've fished for many years and if I followed that principle I would be screwed, I can count with my fingers the times I've found baitfish, look at the shoreline, what you see above water level, the contour, is what's also underwater, you see a point above the water level it will extend bellos water level and so on.
RoLo reply :
Baitfish move, contour does not move.
A word to the wise is sufficient.
Roger
slonezp reply :
I know it's difficult for many shore guys to believe, but just because someone has a boat, doesn't mean they are automatically catching fish. Navionics has an app you can put on your phone or tablet to have the lake map at your fingertips(providing there is coverage) get yourself a color fishfinder and learn how to use/read it. Use your eyes to scan the water and shoreline for "fishy" spots. Use your ears to listen for boils and splashes. Watch what the birds are doing. When all else fails, throw a senko
FL Bass Abducter reply :
Fish BFL's etc as a NON boater. Pay attention. Ask questions when it's appropriate, but don't be annoying.
Find a fishing partner who knows more than you do. A LOT more than you do. Again, ask questions. Don't argue. There's nothing worse than knowing a lot about something (not just fishing) and having someone who doesn't know squat about said subject ask you for help and then argue with your advice.
Be careful with dock talk. Strangers will often give you bad advice so you don't get on the pattern that's actually working for them. Not always, of course.
Fish as much as you can.
Don't let their marketing confuse you into buying every lure known to man. You don't need all of them.
You don't need 68 colors of each type of crankbait you own.
Keep it simple. When I used to guide, I was amazed at how complicated people made fishing. You're never going to completely figure Bass out. Don't worry, neither has KVD or anybody else on this Earth. If they claim they have, they're lying to you.
There will be days when the best fisherman on your lake won't catch squat. It will happen to you too. It happens to all of us, even the top pros. I've watched them scratch their heads down here in FL. LOL
Do as Starcraft1 says. Take a boaters safety course and ALWAYS wear your PFD with KILLSWITCH attached. Many a boater has been ejected and drowned or was ran over by their own boat because they didn't have their killswitch attached. It CAN happen to YOU.
Sam reply :
Please consider the following:
1. Always leave a "Float Plan" at home or with someone in case there is a problem and they need to find you. The "Float Plan" illustrates where you are launching; what time you launch and what time you expect to be home; phone numbers of yourself and any others with you.
2. Take a boating safety course from your state or local Power Squadron.
3. Always have your life vest tethered to your emergency cut off switch and wear your PFD when the big motor is running.
4. Check out the items you will need on the boat to be legal. You can get a ticket for failing to have all of the necessary equipment based on your boat's length plus having an unusable fire extinguisher and flares.
5. One flotation cushion on per person and have them easily accessible. And everyone wears a PFD, even when skiing or tubing.
6. Purchase a set of "ears" and always start your motor at home before you leave to make sure it is operating correctly. Do the same for the trolling motor.
7. Learn all about batteries and how to manage them for peak performance.
8. ALWAYS OBTAIN A MAP OF ANY BODY OF WATER YOU WILL BE FISHING OR FOR REACREATION PURPOSES. Study it. Look for coves, humps, things underwater, roadbeds, pilings, shipwrecks, points, creeks and most of all: PLACES TO AVOID DUE TO SHALLOW WATER.
9. Always load the boat before you launch it. Don't block the ramp.
10. Put the plug in the boat before you leave home.
Just ten simple suggestions to make your boating adventure fun and safe.
TorqueConverter reply :
Jumper cables stored on the boat to jumpstart your outboard using your trolling motor batteries can be a real life saver. Storing a gallon of oil on the boat can save your motor if you have an oil injection 2 cycle and run out of oil.
I've had both of these things save my rear on the water more than once.
Snakehead Whisperer reply :
I can't possibly express how important it is to take a boat safety course and to wear your PFD and Kill Switch. I recently took an unintentional swim in cold water and the PFD saved my life. Invest in a good quality PFD that is comfortable, and that you will actually wear.
As for fishing, the only advice that I have is to keep an open mind. There will be deep and shallow fish year round. There are exceptions to all of the rules. Use your time on the water to gain experience, and use your brain to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
A detailed fishing log is a must. The one here is a good start. I keep mine on a spreadsheet, which makes it extremely easy to search, update, and recognize patterns.
noobpro reply :
no offense guys but as much as i appreciate the boating safety advice it doesn't really answer my question and I'm not trying to offend anyone either but sometimes it just get drifted away from the topic too much...but please do keep the on point and useful advice coming, if it puts anyone's mind at ease I will be taking a boating safety course as such so let's leave that to the side at the moment
ClackerBuzz reply :
you'll get a lot more suggestions if you provide a lot more information. you don't even have your profile filled in so people don't know if ur in California, New York, Texas or Canada. those are some mighty different fishing states. plus this is a very big question.
are you traditionally a shallow water angler? or are you most comfortable fishing 10-20ft. are you a multi species angler or just bass? what techniques are ur strenghts? drop shot, crankbaits etc? would you consider yourself a power fisherman or finesse? is ur pond/lake 20, 500, 3,000 or 10,000 acres? do you fish tournaments or are you a recreational angler looking for lunker? would you be more happy catching twenty 12" fish or one 4lb? is there a topo map of ur lake available, paper or electrinic? if not do you have a sonar unit? what is the primary forage in ur lake: perch, crappie, bluegill, shad? what other species are there: smallmouth, pike, lake trout, walleye, striper? has the milfoil/hydrilla arrived? in coves only, or out on points and in deep water? do you use artificial lures, live bait or both? how long have you been fishing? are you on fresh water...lake, river, brackish?
you can see by just this small gimps that it's difficult to make recommendations w/o any info on you or ur lake. at best you'll get broad answers.
ps don't undervalue the boat safety advice. it's coming from experienced guys who've already been thru the dangerous situations you're about to sail into.
WRB reply :
Your boat is a fishing platform that moves and can go nearly anywhere on the water. Where you fish is long journey that should start by learning something about the fish you intend to catch. Finding bass is only one step towards catching bass consistently.On 6/9/2014 at 2:25 PM, noobpro said:no offense guys but as much as i appreciate the boating safety advice it doesn't really answer my question and I'm not trying to offend anyone either but sometimes it just get drifted away from the topic too much...but please do keep the on point and useful advice coming, if it puts anyone's mind at ease I will be taking a boating safety course as such so let's leave that to the side at the moment
If locating bass is your primary concern, then tell us something about the lake or river you plan to fish, then we can tell you go where the bass should be located.
Tom
FL Bass Abducter reply :
Ok, let's try again..........
Do people look at maps or do they already know where to go when they hit the lake? That's a question that could go either way. Nobody here can answer that question for you.
You want us to share our expertise so you don't "waste time" on the water????? There's no such thing as wasting time on the water. It sounds to me like you are like most kids these days. You don't want to have to put any hard work into anything and just want instant gratification. That's not how it works.
You can NOT learn how to fish sitting behind a computer. You can find all kinds of good info here and at other sites, but unless you work at it, you'll never be any good.
You received some very good info here, but are rejecting it. Good for you. I hope it works out for you. Goodbye.
Hyrule Bass reply :
On 6/9/2014 at 2:25 PM, noobpro said:no offense guys but as much as i appreciate the boating safety advice it doesn't really answer my question and I'm not trying to offend anyone either but sometimes it just get drifted away from the topic too much...but please do keep the on point and useful advice coming, if it puts anyone's mind at ease I will be taking a boating safety course as such so let's leave that to the side at the moment
sorry, and no offense to you, but i dont think a boating safety course can be overstated. also, remember youre not only looking out for your safety on the water by what you do, you have to watch what others around you are doing, there are lots of idiots out there who probably dont even know such a thing exists. i took the course and dont even own a boat. but my uncle does, and lately he tells me to drive the boat at times, so i thought it would be prudent for me to take the course. admittedly i took the free online course, but its approved by Virginia, NASBLA, and the US Coast Guard. I live in WV, but only ever go on a boat in VA, so i took VA's course...
Felix77 reply :
As a co-angler I do a ton of observation on the bodies of water that we fish. I just began helping out a boater who is new to tournaments and these bodies of water. All of my suggestions were already covered but I will second them ...
1 - Don't over complicate the situation. If you have been fishing for a while then you will know what is "fishy". Test them our and let experience be your guide.
2 - Get a map. On a large body of water this is important. Get your bearings and use it as a reference around the lake. I buy those fishing maps. When we were lost this weekend this came in handy to find our way back to the launch.
** Another note on those fishing maps. You can certainly try those spots but there were a TON of spots not marked that we tested in preparation for a tournament that held very nice bass. Don't live by those maps. Just use them as you see fit and trust in #1
3 - Learn your vessel. Fishing is one thing. Fishing while controlling the trolling motor, the depth you are fishing, the boat position in wind, current etc. is a whole other ballgame! At first keep it extremely simple with the fishing and master your boat. Once you have that handy the fishing will take care of itself.
Boy I wish I were in your shoes ... I see co-angling in my future for quite some time before I end up in a boat.
noobpro reply :
On 6/11/2014 at 2:53 AM, FL Bass Abducter said:Ok, let's try again..........
Do people look at maps or do they already know where to go when they hit the lake? That's a question that could go either way. Nobody here can answer that question for you.
You want us to share our expertise so you don't "waste time" on the water????? There's no such thing as wasting time on the water. It sounds to me like you are like most kids these days. You don't want to have to put any hard work into anything and just want instant gratification. That's not how it works.
You can NOT learn how to fish sitting behind a computer. You can find all kinds of good info here and at other sites, but unless you work at it, you'll never be any good.
You received some very good info here, but are rejecting it. Good for you. I hope it works out for you. Goodbye.
please don't try to get smart and waste my time. And honestly if you are just going to sit behind your computer and troll it must what kind of person you are. You honestly just sound like all the bitter old guys out there who think they know everything. The internet is a place where you learn to be a better angler by sharing advice/techniques and such, if you have nothing to contribute please don't bother being a part of it. We don't need people like you who tries to be a smart mouth. I asked simple questions, if you don't have an answer then don't bother replying. But if you feel like you want to go ahead, your boat may be your only friend, and you know that's good for you. I hope that works out for you. Goodbye.
noobpro reply :
On 6/11/2014 at 4:36 AM, Felix77 said:As a co-angler I do a ton of observation on the bodies of water that we fish. I just began helping out a boater who is new to tournaments and these bodies of water. All of my suggestions were already covered but I will second them ...
1 - Don't over complicate the situation. If you have been fishing for a while then you will know what is "fishy". Test them our and let experience be your guide.
2 - Get a map. On a large body of water this is important. Get your bearings and use it as a reference around the lake. I buy those fishing maps. When we were lost this weekend this came in handy to find our way back to the launch.
** Another note on those fishing maps. You can certainly try those spots but there were a TON of spots not marked that we tested in preparation for a tournament that held very nice bass. Don't live by those maps. Just use them as you see fit and trust in #1
3 - Learn your vessel. Fishing is one thing. Fishing while controlling the trolling motor, the depth you are fishing, the boat position in wind, current etc. is a whole other ballgame! At first keep it extremely simple with the fishing and master your boat. Once you have that handy the fishing will take care of itself.
Boy I wish I were in your shoes ...
I see co-angling in my future for quite some time before I end up in a boat.
Thanks, for sharing, I'm picking my nitro z9 tomorrow. I'm pretty busy as well, my whole life I've just been shorefishing and renting small row boats but now then I'm done with pharmacy school I can get the things I want.
noobpro reply :
On 6/11/2014 at 4:25 AM, Red Earth said:sorry, and no offense to you, but i dont think a boating safety course can be overstated. also, remember youre not only looking out for your safety on the water by what you do, you have to watch what others around you are doing, there are lots of idiots out there who probably dont even know such a thing exists. i took the course and dont even own a boat. but my uncle does, and lately he tells me to drive the boat at times, so i thought it would be prudent for me to take the course. admittedly i took the free online course, but its approved by Virginia, NASBLA, and the US Coast Guard. I live in WV, but only ever go on a boat in VA, so i took VA's course...
I'm not saying that boating safety isn't important, but that's not the point of the topic and I agree there are a lot of idiots out there so I will take my utmost care.
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