Fishing Tips For Beginners

Fishing from a dock or lake shore is all well and good, but it’s rather limiting in terms of what you can catch and where you can go. For centuries, though, people have gotten past these obstacles via the use of a wide variety of different types of fishing boats. From small canoes to large yachts, today’s market is saturated with several models of boats for you to choose from so that you can get the right fishing boat for your needs.

But when you board a fishing boat and push off from the dock, you’ll need to be prepared and ready to deal with the challenges you’ll face on the water. White's Marine Center, located in Pittsburg, is proud to be your Missouri fishing boat dealership. Here are some of our best tips for those of you who are new to the art of fishing with a boat.

Pack Your Boat

Having your own fishing boat at hand ensures that you’ve got plenty of space to store all of your necessary gear, from rods to tackle to bait to emergency gear. You won’t have to fret about anything getting lost on a riverbank and you’ll be able to bring everything you possibly need for the journey, whether it’s for a few hours or for an overnight trip. 

You’ll want to pack your tackle box, rods, a net, rope, a sharp knife, a cooler, sunscreen, bugspray, food and water, a first-aid kit, pliers, an emergency radio, your GPS unit, a map and a compass. Utilize your boat’s storage space to sort your belongings neatly.

Get The Proper Bait

Different fish prefer different types of bait, and all fish will prefer bait that’s as close to their everyday food as possible, which usually means live bait. You can use flies and lures, but if you have a livewell on your boat, you can take advantage of it and stock it with the appropriate bait for the types of fish you most want to catch. Be sure that you always handle your bait with clean hands, since fish have a keen sense of smell and will take note of any foreign scents and avoid it.

Dress Appropriately

As we’re going into winter, warmth becomes even more important when going out on the water in a fishing boat. The clothes you’ll want to wear should be waterproof and comfortable, easy to move around in and not constricting. Your best strategy for warmth is to wear layers of thin, wicking material, with the outer layer being a light waterproof layer. Thick wool socks, fingerless gloves, a wool cap with earflaps and tall waterproof boots can complete your ensemble.

Check The Forecast

Knowing what to expect from the weather when you head out on the water is essential. Boating in severe weather conditions is unsafe and treacherous. Check the forecast in advance and the day of your planned departure. If you see exceedingly cold temperatures, heavy snows, harsh rain, high winds, hail or lightning on the forecast, then you’ll likely want to defer your trip for another day. Light rains or overcast days are acceptable to go out in, but it’s good to know what to expect.

We hope these tips help you to have a successful and productive inaugural fishing trip! Still haven’t invested in a fishing boat? Visit our showroom in Pittsburg, MO, to investigate our full stock of new and used fishing boats for sale. Financing options are also available for you to utilize as needed. White’s Marine Center proudly serves all of our Show-Me State customers throughout the metro areas of Kansas City and Springfield.