Fishing Boats For Sale

Every great fisherman deserves a great vessel, so let us help you find the perfect fishing boat. Whether you're a master angler or just picking up the sport, we carry a great selection of fishing boats for sale.

If you're looking for a fishing boat for sale, we can help you find the ideal one. We have a great selection of options if you're new to the sport or want to upgrade your equipment. 

Check out our fishing boat shops near Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin, TX, today!

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Reading the Waters on a Fishing Boat


In the days before modern technology, sailors and boaters had to learn how to read the water in order to know where to fish, where to steer their boat, and where not to steer their boat. While today we have state-of-the-art radar systems to help us with these things, we here at Fish and Ski Marine feel it’s important to know how to read the water without the fancy equipment. That’s why we’ve provided a guide to help you learn how to do this. That way, the next time you hit the water, you can practice your new skills and start getting better and better at it. You can ask for more tips when you stop by our location in Sanger, Texas, near Dallas and Fort Worth.

Why Bother?

We don’t want to minimize the importance of technology. Radar systems and other great gadgets can be incredibly useful and sometimes more reliable. But they’re not always going to be around. Maybe you borrow a friend’s fishing boat that doesn’t have this technology or maybe yours breaks. You shouldn’t have to pack up and go home for a little malfunction. Just switch to a different skill set and keep the good times rolling.

Fishing

One way reading the water can help you is by finding the perfect fishing hole. Certain species like to hang out in specific places. Being able to find those places can make a big difference in how successful your day is. You’ll have to do your own research on where to find your favorite species, but we can give you some pointers on the water itself. 

If you’re looking for shallow water, you’ll want to look for what’s known as riffles. These are white-capped rapids, made by fast-moving current in shallow waters. Just be careful not to take a V-hull boat into one of these areas.

You can also look for the river run, where you’ll see the current moving at a more moderate pace. You might find trout there. A river pool has a slower current in deeper water, which can be a home for fish during key feeding times. 

Finally, if you’re on a lake, you’ll want to look for vegetation, structural elements, or other areas where a fish might like to hide.

Safety

Of course, reading the water isn’t just about finding fish. It’s also about avoiding hazards. The riffles that help you detect where some good eats might be waiting can also warn you of when water depth is decreasing. Pay attention to all buoy markers as you see them and acquire any charts available to you. Keep in mind that paper charts can quickly become outdated, so keep your eyes peeled.

Dodge Debris

You’ll also want to avoid any obvious obstacles. Even something that looks like a branch could be hiding a troublesome log. If you can’t see an obstacle, but you can see that the water seems to be traveling around something, then there’s an object big enough to disrupt the current and you’ll want to avoid that spot. 

Finally, if the water suddenly changes color, especially if it’s brown and murky, it could be a sign that there's a sudden depth change in that area or vegetation near the surface. Try to dodge that if you can.

Even big fishing boats can be damaged or upended by debris or shallow water. While most modern vessels are sturdy and should hold up fairly well, you don’t want to take any chances. Take some time to learn how to read the water and you might even find you enjoy your on-water experience even more. Still need a fishing boat? Stop by Fish and Ski Marine and we’ll give you the complete tour of available options. We proudly serve Dallas, Denton, and Gainesville, Texas.
Advertised pricing excludes applicable taxes, freight, title and licensing fees which are subject to change without notice. Pricing may exclude any added parts, accessories or installation unless otherwise noted. Sale prices include all applicable offers. Not all options listed available on pre-owned models. Contact dealer for details.