Can You Fish From a Bowrider?

Your choice of a fishing boat can be compared to choosing the right car as it must be able to accommodate all your needs and then some. This means that before you buy or rent a boat for fishing, you must do some research and arm yourself with knowledge of which kind of boat is better for you before making your move. So I investigated deep to find answers to whether fishing from a bowrider boat is possible and came up with some very informative findings.

So can you fish from a bowrider? Yes bowrider boats are perfect for fishing and have lots of seating space in their open bow area, which allows you to bring family and friends along on fishing expeditions. Some come equipped with fishing rod holders, livewell, and fish box for added convenience.

If you are in the market for a boat that can accommodate your family and friends and also serve you as an occasional fishing boat, you should definitely consider a bowrider. Bowriders have come a long way and have significantly evolved throughout the years to become a “do it all” kind of boat capable of pleasing all of your boating needs.

Bowrider Fishing Functionality and Performance

Bowrider boats earn their name because of their design, which is emphasized by an ample open seating space in the bow area, which is ideal for entertaining family, friends, or fishing. Bowriders are powered through a sterndrive, outboard, or jet engine and average a length of about 16 to 22 feet. They are considered good boats for beginners as well as expert boaters due to the ease of handling.

Equipping Bowriders for Fishing

Fishing can be divided in two main ways, freshwater and saltwater fishing. Some boats excel in either or both, but bowriders lie in either. They excel in freshwaters such as rivers and lakes but do not fare well in saltwater.

Bowriders were initially designed mainly as boats for watersports, but there are types built specifically for fishing, which come with easily detachable seats that can be converted to form fishing chairs. They also come equipped with trolling motors and other fishing accessories small enough to not take up any extra space but still comfortably sized for easy use. However, you may choose to customize it to your tastes.

Bowrider Pros

Bowriders come with many other benefits besides fishing, including but not limited to:

Versatility
Spacious
Differently sized to suit a variety of needs

Versatility: Bowrider boats are the ultimate all in one package boat. If you want to use your boat for other activities such as watersports, just cruising on the water, or even mainly fishing, then a bowrider is the way to go.

Spacious: It is without a doubt that bowriders are popular mainly because of their roomy seating space. No matter how small some of the models are since they are built to accommodate more people. There’s a focus with that in mind, enabling owners to bring more passengers aboard without worrying about crowding.

Different sizes: You can find bowriders ranging from about 16 ft to 40 ft to suit your needs. There are boats fit for individuals that are smaller and then bigger to accommodate larger parties such as family or friends or even both.

Types of Bowrider Boats

Bowriders used to be small in size in their early years averaging sizes of about 16 to 20 feet but in recent times has seen some changes in their sizing and some upgrades to overall features. These upgrades have made them more appealing to a broader group of boaters and come with different motor alternatives, including outboard, inboard, stern, and jet drive engines. No matter what you’re looking to use your boat for, there’s a bowrider to accommodate your specific need.

Traditional Bowriders

These boat types are usually just over 18 feet or more in regards to length and come equipped with the classic V-shaped hull with the open bow seating. They typically come equipped with two captain chairs and an L or U shaped bench to enlarge the seating space in the bow area. Due to their smaller size, this boat type isn’t the best kind for use on rough waters because they cannot handle the harsher conditions very well.

Some traditional boats are built larger and can average well over 30 feet in length and close to 10 feet wide. These bigger boats provide more options for designing and organization and may come with features such as wakeboard towers, convertible, and electric seats but with a less pointy hull. It is important to note that trailering and hauling boats that are up to 8 feet and 6 inches is legal, but wider boats require a special permit.

Hybrid Bowriders

Newer bowrider models on the market have cabins that the traditional and older models lack. However, they still come equipped with a bow seating area. These cabins come with an assortment of facilities and amenities such as a sleeping berth, climate control, TV’s, etc.

Deck boats also lie in the hybrid category with similarities to the original bowriders but are much wider in front and are not unlike pontoon boats in some regard. They come in a variety of model types and sizes.

For Fishing and Skiing

If you’re solely focused on fishing, especially in calm freshwaters, smaller sized bowriders are perfect for that. Made to suit fishing purposes with removable and easily convertible seats to fishing chairs, a trolling motor amongst other fishing equipment, and enough space to accommodate the whole family if need be. This boat type is an excellent choice for boaters with a knack and love for fishing.

Jet Boats

The jet boat has the looks and feel of traditional bowriders but has been made to suit modern purposes and, as such, offer more benefits than their stern drive counterparts. The smaller engine allows for more seating space, higher and more impressive performance, and is much safer to handle.

Some Great For Fishing Bowrider Models and their Features

All of these boats offer a good balance of seating space for your guests as well as a nice set up for fishing. These boats have plenty of storage for all of your faith and tackle and can be customized to add fishing rod holders.

Bayliner Bowrider

With a ton of storage (room for all your bait and tackle), stylish lines, and a smooth ride, Bayliner bowriders are the perfect fit for any boater. Bayliner bowriders are efficient and spacious. Great for a family day of water fun, a swift and cutting-edge to keep even the best watersports enthusiasts on their toes and enough space and accessibility for fishing. With extra cockpit space and water sports towing, Bayliner bowriders will cater to all of your water fun needs.

Malibu Bowriders

Ideal for both pros and families, Malibu bowriders gives you the safe and exhilarating action you’re looking for on the water. With easily accessible and efficient storage (for fishing supplies) and the latest maneuvering technology, Malibu bowriders are the perfect boats for those seeking watersports thrills.

Monterey Bowriders

with the perfect balance between speedy and sleek, Monterey bowriders have everything needed in a fully-equipped bowrider. Loaded with plenty of amenities for your comfort, Monterey bowriders gives you the perfect on-the-water experience. The various amenities include courtesy lighting, power outlets, stereos, seat storage compartments, and many others.

Sea Ray Bowriders

Sea Ray bowriders get you where you need to go with more luxury and efficiency than ever. Packed with more room, power, and sleek design, Sea Ray bowriders have the latest features to meet all your needs on the water. Including wet bars, refrigerators, noise-reducing Quiet Ride™ technology, and more.

Considerations When Choosing a Bowrider

Besides the general features of bowrider boats, there are certain requirements to suit different tastes and preferences. Be sure to keep an eye out for these including:

Seating space is a very important part of a bowrider. First, take the time to consider the number of seats you will need, especially if you plan to bring along company on your fishing trips, boat parties and or any other recreational activities for which you intend to use your boat.
The storage space size, which should factor in especially considering the designated amount of necessities and accessories such as food, water, fishing equipment, among other things you will be taking with you onto the water.
Handles to grab onto when a sudden turn or movement comes for you and your passengers. All bowrider models come equipped with these grab handles, but the number and where they are located in the boat varies across the types.
The boat’s performance. Smaller engines are easier in their handling as opposed to larger engines. Still, the bigger the engine, the more capabilities it has to offer. You could request to take out the boats that catch your eye on test rides to gauge which one best suits your skills.
Last but not least, what activities are solely on your mind to use your boat for. Bowriders are notorious for their many uses, although some boaters prefer to take the boat out for some quiet time on the water. Be it parties, fishing or watersports, or even a combination of all three. Take note of all your requirements to show to the dealer to ensure you find the best model for you and your tastes.