The Best Boat for Florida Fishing
In 40 years of fishing Florida waters I have owned just about every type and size of boat imaginable. My first boat was an 8-foot home made boat I made from plywood purchased at the local lumberyard. It looked a lot like a cement mixing box, but it would float most of the time. Later, I moved up to an aluminum johnboat with a ten-horse kicker. When bass boats where created in the sixties, I had one of the first. Then came a long string of high performance bass boats, flats boats and even a 30-foot sport fish. I was always searching for the “perfect boat”, but there is no way I could find it because no one boat can do everything.
What if you could only have one boat to fish in Florida? In my opinion, it would have to be a 17-19 foot open
fisherman. You need enough power to push the boat to a minimum of 30 miles per hour loaded and fully fueled. Most tournament bass boats
will approach 70 miles per hour, but you really don’t need that much power unless you fish tournaments or you just want to look cool at
the ramp.
Here are a few tips about trailers that I don’t think you will read anywhere else. Some people think a dual axle trailer is better than
a single axle. They do tow better but there are negatives to having dual axles. First, if you have a flat on most dual axle trailers,
you won’t be able to continue just because you have three good tires. Second, tires will cost you twice as much and third your
tolls will be twice as high. If you have a choice, get a good quality single axle trailer with a minimum of 13” wheels and good
tires. Make sure your trailer has sealed lights and bearings and keep the wheel grease fresh and topped off.
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