Innovative Features You Wish All New Fishing Boats Had

By Debbie Hanson

Mar 22, 2015

You might be a fan of fishing boat features like large decks with plenty of room for fighting fish, extra rod holders, LED interior lights, dual livewells or over-sized windshields.

You might be a fan of fishing boat features like large decks with plenty of room for fighting fish, extra rod holders, LED interior lights, dual livewells or over-sized windshields.

Regardless of which bells and whistles are your favorites, if you are thinking of buying a boat, you are wise to consider the useful features that are offered by manufacturers while also thinking about the number of hours you anticipate spending on the water during each trip. Below is a list of the most recent innovative features that you will wish all new fishing boats had once you learn more about them.

• Padded deck. Padded fishing boat decks help to reduce angler fatigue, reduce sound vibrations, and provide a softer place for hooked fish to land.

• Ventilated rod storage compartments. Several of the new fishing boats on the market feature ventilated storage compartments that help keep fishing gear dry and free of mildew by using a blower to circulate air.

• Ice-cooled livewell system. Cool water helps to slow fish metabolism, keeping them calmer and reducing the chance of the fish dying or creating a serious impact on fish health, particularly in warm climates. Water temperatures in many states can exceed 90 degrees during the summer months, so keeping your livewell temperature at a cool, steady temperature is an effective way to ensure the health of your catch without having to add ice or chemicals to your livewell.

• Livewell oxygenator. According to the B.A.S.S. “Keeping Bass Alive” Guidebook for Tournament Anglers & Organizers, one of the most important factors in maintaining the health of your catch is keeping your livewell oxygen levels above 5 ppm (parts per million). The oxygen uptake in livewell water can be improved through the addition of pure oxygen from a pressurized cylinder into the livewell through an air stone or bubble hose. These types of livewell oxygenator systems will help maintain adequate oxygen levels under extreme conditions

• Side and front sonar imaging. New technological advances in sonar beams can cover areas to the sides or front of your boat so that you can see structure, fish and bottom. Side and front sonar imaging allows anglers to scan large areas of water in a much shorter amount of time.

If you are looking at new fishing boats and are considering the different features, be sure to read the helpful tips on buying and selling a boat that can be found on the “Buy Smart” page at TakeMeFishing.org.
Debbie Hanson
Debbie Hanson
Debbie Hanson is an award-winning outdoor writer, women’s sport fishing advocate, IGFA world record holder, and freshwater guide living in Southwest Florida. Hanson’s written work has appeared in publications such as Florida Game & Fish Magazine, BoatUS Magazine, and USA Today Hunt & Fish. To learn more about her work, visit shefishes2.com or follow her on Instagram @shefishes2.