6 ways to accessorize a bay fishing boat.
Bay boats are typically center consoles in the 18- to 25-foot range. They tend to be wide for their length, and coupled with their moderate-V hull, it makes them an unusually stable fishing platform. They’re extremely versatile vessels. Here are six ways the pros make their bay boats into even better fishing machines.
1. Bow Trolling Motor
Experienced anglers prefer electric trolling motors mounted on the bow because it provides better steerage by pulling the craft rather than pushing it. Using a foot-controlled motor gives you hands-free service. Adding a quick-release bracket enables you to remove the motor quickly and easily.
The latest technology takes a big step with Spot Lock on GPS-enabled electric trolling motors, which uses GPS technology to automatically keep your boat stationed in a precise location against offsetting wind or current.
Press the Spot Lock button, which can be on your remote, foot pedal, or mobile app, and the electric trolling motor’s GPS system will activate, keeping your boat within a specified radius, which is typically within three to five feet of your set position. The electric motor adjusts its steering and thrust to counteract conditions, ensuring your vessels remains on that location. A “jog” function allows you to easily move and adjust your boat position by only a few feet.
2. Trim Tabs
Trim tabs are independent, dual-planing mechanisms attached to the bottom edge of a boat’s transom, which allow a boat to plane more easily and at a lower speed. Trim tabs reduce pounding and stern drag while increasing speed, fuel economy, and visibility over a lower bow height.
On days when it’s rough and you don’t want to take a beating, you can push the bow down to make the ride smoother. And if you have a heavier angler on one side of the boat, you can level out your ride.
3. Accessory Battery
Capt. Ned Kittredge powers his electric motor with an accessory Trojan battery because Trojan is one of few battery manufacturers producing a battery specifically for trolling motors. But it needs to be recharged after each trip. Using such a secondary battery spares the primary cranking battery so the main engine starts reliably at the end of the day.
4. Casting Platform
Casting platforms create a higher place for anglers to obtain more visibility of what’s beneath the water and increase casting distance. These platforms are generally 12 to 18 inches high and are constructed from an aluminum frame and a non-skid platform.
Standing atop a raised platform can be risky if your casting platform isn’t designed well. Look for a quick drain and non-slip surface, rubber feet to prevent marring the deck, secure deck attachment, and possibly a leaning rail to provide added stability.
5. Casting Cage
“A casting cage,” said Capt. Doug Jowett, “is a great answer to an angler’s stability problem while fishing from a rocking boat. There are many such devices, but I wanted a design that would be safe, comfortable, and of quick-release so I could remove it easily.”
“Large piping and wide, smooth curves make the casting cage comfortable to lean into. My choice doesn’t irritate contact points as similar products do. The cage is not only great for chasing predators in rough conditions, it provides stability and comfort for some of my older customers whose lack of balance and strength have almost ended their fishing activities.”
6. Poling Platform
Poling platforms were originally designed for flats skiffs; however, some cutting-edge guides are successfully employing them on bay boats.
“As a longtime Maine guide,” said Capt. John Ford, “I’ve realized there’s no one boat that can do it all. But my bay boat comes close. The only major change I made was to add a poling platform. It turned that 22-foot boat, which can keep you safe and dry in a 2- to 3-foot chop, into a flats machine.
“First, you need to mount a big poling platform. Mine is 30 x 40 inches with a 38-inch height. This is important to safely move around on the platform, which is necessary because bay boats are heavier and harder to push. The height of your platform depends on your skill, comfort level, sight of vision, and the required clearance over your motor.
“You’ll also need a longer push-pole to be effective. A 22- to 24-foot pole, such as those made by Stiffy, Loomis, or Scott, is perfect because you need to have the ‘push’ directed more diagonally behind you, not under you, to get bay boats moving.”
