The ocean and the sea are not just water, it is another universe where the rules dictate the elements, and trophies can reach the weight of an adult. Boat fishing It's a very different place from freshwater fishing, where there's no forest lake silence, but there's a motor roar, salty wind, and a constant struggle with the current. For a beginner, going out to sea may seem daunting, but it's where the most vivid emotions and fish on the mainland are hidden.
The challenge is to keep moving and finding active shoals, because sea fish rarely stand still waiting for food, and you'll have to learn how to navigate, understand the sounder, and choose the right anchor points or drift points. Without training and quality equipment, the sea element will quickly turn an exciting hobby into a dangerous adventure, so the theoretical basis is as important as practical skills.
In this article, we will analyze all aspects, from the choice of a boat and ending with the subtleties of catching large fish. Patience. and preparation We'll discuss why a normal fishing rod won't be 50 meters deep, and how to properly equip a boat to come home with a full cage, rather than empty hands and a broken mood.
Choice of watercraft: PVC or metal for the marine element
The first and most critical question is where to go out to sea. PVC inflatable boatsThey're lightweight, transportable, and they have great wave cushioning, but in the high seas, where storm surges often rise, it's preferable to use them. aluminum boats Metal is better at cutting wavelengths and providing stability when catching large fish.
When choosing a boat, pay attention to the height of the board and the presence of a hard transom. The soft transom under a powerful motor can deform, which will lead to a roll and a potential cockpit bay with water. Load capacity The boat must be calculated with a reserve: the weight of the crew, fuel, anchors, gear and, most importantly, a possible catch.
⚠️ Note: Never go out to sea on a boat without balloon Or sealed compartments of unsinkability, and if you break the hull into a shell or a rock, they're the ones that will save your life.
An important element is the availability quilt It's a longitudinal beam that reinforces the structure and allows you to rigidly fix the seats and the knobs. Without a keel, the bottom of the boat can play on the wave, which creates discomfort when fishing. For sea fishing, the height of the transom is also critical, allowing you to raise the engine's daydude higher to avoid capture water by the screw when rolling.
Power and type of motor: gasoline vs. electricity
The sea does not forgive the weakness of the engine. If you can rely on the current on the river, you often have to go against the wave and the wind in the sea. outboard motors The boat must have a power reserve of at least 30% of the maximum load, which will allow it to quickly leave the shore in case of deterioration of the weather and to keep its course confident.
Gasoline engines remain the leader for long-distance exits, providing high speed and range, but for quiet fishing near the shore or in protected areas, increasingly used for fishing. electric motors They're silent, which is important for catching cautious species, and they don't require any fuel on board, which increases fire safety.
- 🌊 Two-stroke enginesLightweight, easy to repair, but require a mixture of oil and gasoline and more noisy.
- ⚓ Four-stroke enginesEconomical, quiet, reliable, but heavier and more expensive to maintain.
- 🔋 Electric motors: ideal for trolling and eco-zones, but limited by battery capacity and running time.
When operating a motor in seawater, it is critical to monitor the cooling system. Saltwater is metal-aggressive, so after each fishing, you need to wash the system with fresh water. zinc anodes They take on electrochemical corrosion, protecting expensive engine parts.
Always have a spare fuel hose and a pump pear on board, as vibration on a sea wave often leads to cracks in the fuel system.
Equipment and tackle: the specifics of naval combat
The sea gear is under tremendous strain, and the fish here are not just pecking, they are attacking, and the bottom is littered with sharp shells and stones. spinning For sea fishing, they should be powerful, with a test of 60 to 200 grams or more. SICThey are resistant to salt and abrasion by a wicker cord.
The coils are used only in the multiplier or powerful non-inertial sizes 6000-14,000 according to the Shimano classification, their main feature is maximum tightness and corrosion protection. The usual freshwater coil after a couple of trips to the sea will fail due to the entry of salt water into the mechanism.
The main line is exclusively wicker cord (PE), which has no stretchability, which allows you to feel even light bites at a depth of 50-80 meters and make an effective cut. Leads. And that's a must, because many marine predators, like bison and barracuda, have razor-sharp teeth, and fluorocarbon doesn't help, just a metal leash of string or titanium.
| Fishing object | Engle test (g) | Size of the coil | Type of cord (PE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stavrida, Sargan | 20-50 | 3000-4000 | 0.6 - 1.0 |
| Gorbyl, Lavrak | 60-100 | 5000-8000 | 1.5 - 2.5 |
| Mackerel, Pelamida | 80-150 | 8000-12000 | 2.5 - 4.0 |
| Large bottom predator | 200+ | 14000+ | 5.0 - 8.0 |
Special attention should be paid to hooks. They must be made of stainless steel or have a special coating that is rust resistant. The usual black hook will rust after the first fishing, and you risk losing the trophy when catching.
Navigation and fish search: technology on guard of catch
Modern sea fishing is unthinkable without sonar You can't visually find fish in murky or deep water, and the soundtrack shows not only the bottom, but also thermocline where the fish are standing, and the shoals themselves. DownScan or SideScanThey give you a picture that is almost identical.
Navigating GPS tracks is another key skill: Good places (banks, reefs, dumps of depth) should be marked on the navigator. Fish often stand at specific points, and returning to them with an accuracy of a meter greatly increases the chances of success. anchor-buoy With a GPS tag, you can accurately return to the anchor point if the current has carried the boat.
The secret to echoing
Adjust sensitivity and contrast manually. Automated mode often eats away at weak signals from fish, mistaking them for noise. Increase screen scrolling speed to see the structure of the bottom in real time.
Also indispensable is knowledge of the tides, changing currents is the best time for cooling, because the water mixes and brings food, and there are applications and tables of tides for each region that you need to study before you go out.
Tactics of catching: anchor, drift and trolling
There are three main ways to catch from a boat, and the choice depends on the conditions and the type of fish. Anchor fishing It's used in deep, high-flow places, and the boat anchors against the current, and the gear goes vertically down, and it's a passive, but very prey method for bottom fish.
drift It's used when you need to fish a large area or when the current is weak, and the boat is going in the wind or the current, and the angler is constantly changing the horizons of the fishing, lowering the bait to the bottom, then lifting higher, this method requires constant activity and working with the oars or motor to adjust the course.
- ⚓ Anchorage: Ideal for catching hunchback, flounder, tart.
- 🌬️ drift: effective for finding pelagic fish (mackerel, tuna).
- 🚤 trolling: towing baits on the go, suitable for finding an active predator in large waters.
⚠️ Attention: When anchoring at sea, never tie the end of the anchor thack directly to the boat! Use a burst insert or anchor dropper. If the anchor gets stuck at the bottom and the boat starts to fall in a wave, you can flip over or sink with the boat.
Trolling requires special equipment, like downriggers or outriggers, that lets you pull the gear apart and sink it to the right depth, and it allows you to capture different horizons at the same time, simulating the movement of a school of small fish.
☑️ Ready to go to sea
Safety and catch conservation
The sea doesn't like carelessness, and even in calm, things can change in 15 minutes. Life jackets It's not a formality, it's a survival rule, and falling overboard on the high seas, especially in cold water or in a storm, often ends tragically.
It is important to have on board communications facilities that work far from the shore. The mobile phone only catches the network 3-5 km from the coast, so having a marine VHF radio station (VHF) or satellite phone is mandatory.
Keeping catch is a separate science, sea fish are very delicate and spoil quickly, and immediately after catching the fish must be killed (by a blow to the brain or cutting the gills) and placed in the water. isothermal with ice or in a special cage with running water, if you plan to release part of the catch later. bloodletting (Gill removal) significantly improves the quality of meat and increases the shelf life.
The basic principle of sea fishing is, "Coming home means fishing is a success." Don't risk your life for a trophy if the weather starts to get worse.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a special permit for fishing?
In most cases, for recreational fishing from shore or boats in territorial waters, a permit is not required unless you use industrial fishing gear (nets, traps) and catch prohibited species. However, border zones and reserves have strict rules that need to be clarified with the local GIMS office or fisheries protection.
What is the best way to use bait in the sea?
Fresh sea fish (slices of mackerel, herring, squid) are universal bait, and shrimp, shellfish and special artificial silicone baits with attachments also work perfectly, the main thing is that the bait must be fresh, the smell in the sea plays a crucial role.
What to do if your motor breaks down on the high seas?
Don't panic. At once anchor so that the boat won't be swept away into the open sea or on the rocks. Wear vests. Try radio or phone calls. If there's no connection, use visual cues (bright clothes, mirror, smoke bombs). Never try to row against a strong wave, if you're far from shore, you'd better wait for help at anchor.
Can you fish in a storm?
In storms, fish often go deep and stop pecking, and the risk to the crew's life becomes critical. Sea disturbances of more than 2-3 for small boats are already considered dangerous.