Men aren’t the only ones who fish. The female anglers are out there and they need fishing gadgets too. We have five fishing gadgets for all anglers.
There is an ever-present contingent of female anglers out there. And while 99% of the market is geared towards men, there are a whole lot of women out there changing the game for the better. We approve of these five fishing gadgets for all anglers.
Waterproof shoes
Women certainly enjoy fishing too, and SoftScience Sailfin Fishing Shoe is the latest in the company’s women’s water collection.
Incorporating their proprietary Trileon footbed, the non-slip grip and fast-draining boat shoe has a more streamlined cut and provides stability in any condition.
We put this shoe to the ultimate test: our ad coordinator is an avid angler in her own right. Plus, she’s soon-to-be-married to a charter captain. There were no reported complaints when she used these shoes over the weekend.
Need an extra rod holder? Move over boys, we have an innovative solution to the lack of rod holders on the boat. And we’re adding cup holders to boot.
Seasucker Rod Holders mount quickly, and their innovative vacuum-mount technology ensures they don’t let go.
Available for a single, two or three rods, the holders attach to a lightweight, aluminum track held by the vacuum mount. The three-rod setup with a six-inch suction mount has 210 pounds of holding power.
You might get wet when you reel in the big one, but your gear will stay dry as a bone thanks to this lightweight dry bag.
Whether on the water or alongside it, keep your gear dry with Otterbox’s Yampa Dry Duffle.
Waterproof TPU-coated nylon with waterproof zippers resists UV and punctures and incorporates a low-density foam exoskeleton to protect your stuff. The Yampa dry duffle comes in three sizes.
There are many ways to fish, but not so many ways to listen to your favorite playlist.
Even if you want to swim or spearfish, you can listen to your tunes under water with H20 Audio’s Stream Waterproof MP3 Player.
Enjoy 10 hours of play time and more than 2,000 songs, and when out of the water, pair up with your smartphone via Bluetooth for more. Submerges up to 12 feet with an IPX8 rating.
Avoid damage to your outboard’s prop and protect unseen marine mammals with Hydro-Shield. It’s a win-win for you, your boat, and unseen manatees.
The skeg-mounted hydrofoil fits on most outboards and inboard/ outboards and also improves performance with its hydro-dynamic shape that provides lift, reduces drag and controls cavitation.
When it comes down to it, the real question remains: Sportfish or Center Console?
There is certainly no shortage of offshore fishing boats suited for bluewater missions. But a notable change over the last few years is the number of larger, outboard-powered center consoles that now compete on the fishing grounds with similar-sized convertibles, which, in the past, were the benchmark for many boat owners. So which is the king? Sportfish or Center Console?
The Convertible
A convertible with a flybridge command station, sizeable cockpit, and mezzanine, spreader supported outriggers, and available tuna tower covers all the bases a serious angler could possibly need. The flybridge offers unobstructed visibility for spotting tailing fish, slicks, rips, bird activity, and protection for navigating in all weather conditions, and there’s ample room for electronics. A centerline helm often has flanking lounges that conceal rod stowage below. Visibility to the cockpit is good for watching baits in the wash, beneath the kites and monitoring angler action below.
This sportfish has decidedly more space than a center console.
In the cockpit, there’s a bait rigging station, a freezer, tackle stowage, an ice chest, a livewell, below deck fish boxes, and a transom door. If the livewell is built into the transom, it also can serve as another fish box or rigged as a reservoir for live bait tuna tubes. A fishing chair or a rocket launcher adds more to the arsenal, and square footage allows the angler to fight his fish from the transom, while the crew has total access for landing or releasing the catch.
After hours, the convertible typically offers a full-featured, air-conditioned salon with entertainment systems. Nearby, a dinette and an adjacent galley—with refrigeration and other appliances powered with an auxiliary generator—makes the boat totally self-sufficient underway and at the dock.
Below, a private and self-contained head with a shower complements overnight accommodations in the staterooms. If the weather turns sour and your fishing plans change, the convertible gives you the opportunity to spend the day aboard the boat enjoying these amenities. Similarly, with its accommodations, the convertible serves as a moveable vacation home for the family that wants to both fish and cruise.
Years ago, the convertible was the step up for boat owners wanting the next best big thing. But it also meant learning more about maintenance and internal ship systems such as running gear and diesel engines, and understanding how an inboard boat handles differently from one with outboards.
The Center Console
Meanwhile, center console builders are not anchored down by their designs. The center console first appeared in the early 1960s as a simple and practical fishing boat. It was a design not unlike a Swiss army knife that could pull off just about any type of inshore fishing assignment. As the style grew in size, more creature comforts such as T-tops and small heads in the console became the norm.
But nothing changed the complexion of the center console as much as the explosive growth of fuel-efficient outboard motors that exceed the 500-horsepower mark. Coupled with two, three, four, or even five outboards with available joystick controls, the operator enjoys fingertip ease maneuverability on center consoles exceeding 50 feet in length.
With design cues from convertible boat manufacturers, today’s center consoles are equipped with features for fishing and cruising. The appeal is broad. Everyone from tournament anglers to their families can appreciate a center console. First and foremost, multiple engine packages deliver heady cruising speeds in the 30- and 40-knot range. Some boats can blaze across the water at better than 50 knots. On the days you can utilize all this speed, an operator can be the first one to hit prime territory and stay there longer when the fish are still chewing.
The intrinsic beauty of the center console layout is the use of space. Working lines all around the boat and dunking live baits from kites are reasons why crews on big center consoles often win release tournaments. A midship-located helm station provides protection for the operator and generally good visibility. On acceleration, bow rise is mitigated with engine trim until the boat is up on plane.
More is More?
Larger boats also benefit with a tower helm above the hardtop. Windshield design varies from a wraparound plex or acrylic screen to an anodized or powder-coated frame. Get more protection against wind, spray, and rain with a clear vinyl enclosure. Engine instrumentation and multi-function display electronics fit neatly in the dash. Drink holders, stowage bins and aptly placed grab rails are a nice touch. There is more overhead stowage when the boat has a T-top.
Most center consoles have two or three seats or a leaning post. But sea conditions and speed over the water will determine whether you are sitting or standing when underway. Handholds are important in any case.
Inside the console of larger models, there is room for amenities. That could be a head compartment, a refrigerator, a cooktop, or a convertible dinette for a berth that’s cozy for two. Some smaller-sized center consoles are configured with lower compartments. However, space is better suited for stowing fishing rods and safety gear.
Abaft the seats is where the center console boat builder shows its expertise. There’s stowage for fishing tackle, a drink cooler, rod holders, and similar gear. This is a good location for a Seakeeper gyro stabilizer, space permitting, so consider other stowage and fish box areas. Some builders offer galley features in the cockpit, such as a freshwater sink, electric grill, and a refrigerator. If so, you will need a generator and a water tank to operate these items underway.
The stern is obstructed by outboards. This means fishing off the side. Considering you have the rest of the boat to walk around, it is hardly an issue. When you have multiple hook-ups, it can be an advantage in quick releases and tossing over fresh baits to a lit-up school of sails. Some center consoles have a small door to the swim platform and the engine mechanical. Others have a side door, often preferred when diving and swimming.
In the End
Both convertible and center console boats are adaptable, and each serves as an excellent platform for fishing. Center consoles without a lower compartment don’t offer a place to get out of the weather. Nor all of the amenities typically found aboard a convertible. However, they provide anglers space all around the boat. They can also be less expensive to maintain. And you can go home with you on a trailer at the end of the day to eliminate dockage costs. The key to choosing is to be sure you know how you plan to use the boat. So you tell us: what’ll it be? Sportfish or Center Console
The Bonadeo 37 (LOA: 37′, Beam: 9′ 10″) is custom-built as a one-of-a-kind mini yacht for the discerning few. She was designed from concept to completion as a consortium between the custom builder, Bonadeo Boatworks and a Florida client. Keeping this boat simple for hard-core fishing while making it comfortable for guests was the goal, including adding a Seakeeper 3 stabilizer.
Inside the cavernous cabin, there is more than six feet, five inches of headroom, a queen berth with freshwater head and sink and a cedar-lined hanging locker. Forward of the helm is a sunpad with an aft-facing bench that includes a built-in cooler which can be optioned for a second livewell. Aft of the helm is a wet bar/rigging station with an aft tackle storage unit. The 37 is powered by triple 350-hp Mercury Verado engines and cruises in the high 40-mph range, with a top speed of 60 mph.
The Striper 200 CC-S (LOA: 20′ 2″, Beam: 8′ 2″) is built with the essentials for great days on the water. Akin to its larger brethren, the 200 CC-S comes standard with two in-floor fish boxes for keeping those big catches fresh and a huge lockable center console area for storage.
In addition, the center console offers an option for a Porta-Potti head with pump-out, increasing the convenience and comfort of the boat. The 200 CC-S is built to fish, cruise or even tube, making it an all-around platform for anglers and families. The boat’s bottom design features Striper’s signature V-Trac hull.
The 200 CC-S performs like a bigger vessel and has one of the largest fuel capacities in this class at 91 gallons. Offered standard with a galvanized trailer, owners can take their Striper 200 CC-S to everyday fishing spots or wherever the fish might be biting.
The Jupiter 38 HFS (LOA: 38′ 2″, Beam: 10′ 7″) is a versatile center console that is fully customizable. The boat’s hull design provides a smooth, dry ride in challenging sea conditions. With three motor options—dual Yamaha F350s, triple Yamaha F300s and triple Yamaha F350s—customers may equip their Jupiter with the power desired.
Exhilarating tournament performance comes easily with a top speed of 69 mph with triple 350s, and the 38 HFS can comfortably cruise at 35.9 mph with a fuel burn of 1.31 mpg with the triple 300s. The Jupiter 38 HFS is a proven tournament winner that features premium angling necessities, including hybrid forward seating, two 104-gallon fi sh boxes, a bait prep center with a 53-gallon stand-up livewell, six rod-holders, four rod rack sets, multiple storage compartments, and a customizable T-top tower package. This 38 HFS was designed to not only accommodate the serious angler but also provide room, comfort, and amenities for family cruising or day boating.
The Regulator 25 Center Console (LOA: 25′ 2″, Beam: 8′ 10″) comes equipped to fish the canyons in comfort, while offering everyday fun for the family. The newly enhanced 2017 Regulator 25 delivers big boat features, including a walk-through tuna door, T-top with surfboard edge and SeaStar Solutions® Optimus Electronic Power Steering with tilt helm.
The 25 CC is equipped with a full range of fisherman favorites, such as a 46-gallon transom livewell/fish box, 408-quart in-deck fishbox and abundant storage. In addition, there is a 64-quart cooler in the console seat, a standard head and spacious seating. The boat’s deep-V design with 24-degree deadrise helps it handle rough water, and an extremely rugged molded fiberglass stringer system adds an enormous amount of strength to the hull. When powered by twin Yamaha F200 four-stroke engines, the boat runs to a top speed of 50.6 mph and cruises at 31.2 mph.
The Pathfinder 2500 Hybrid (LOA: 24′ 9″, Beam: 8′ 6″) offers a double-stepped hull, a bustle transom, and two four-bank console rod racks. With a Yamaha 300-hp outboard engine, the 2500 Hybrid tops out at close to 61 mph. The boat achieves nearly four miles to the gallon at 36 mph. Her 16-degree deadrise, slightly higher freeboard and generous bow flare translates into exceptional open-water running performance, yet the boat still only draws 13 inches at rest with a full load.
The Pathfinder 2500 Hybrid combines the elevated casting deck forward with a more open cockpit aft, giving the angler the ability to see fish in shallow water o the bow and still comfortably bottom fish or troll off the stern in big water from the security of the cockpit. Standard features include flip-up rear seats, a deluxe tackle station with convertible bolster seats, a 35-gallon livewell, and a 43-gallon insulated fish box.
The International Billfish Tournament (IBT) turns 65.
The IBT is the longest consecutively held big game fishing tournament in the world.
The tournament is hosted by Club Nautico de San Juan in Puerto Rico, takes place October 15-21. Longevity is far from the IBT’s only claim to fame.
Over the past decade alone, organizers have maintained a cutting-edge vibe to this event by introducing elements like hotspot metrics to identify water qualities consistent with a good bite, critter cams in coordination with the National Geographic Society for research purposes, conservation conscious rules for 30-pound test line only, and most recently, a mobile app to track real-time bites, hook-ups and releases during the tournament.
This year, the new twist is a date change. The October IBT dates were purposely chosen to take advantage of a trio of plusses. Those include a perfectly full moon, warm water temperatures and a diversity of billfish. This time of year, fish swim through the world famous “Marlin Alley,” a mile-and-a-half deep trench located off the island’s north coast.
“In October, anglers will be able to hook different billfish species such as blues, whites, and sails, rather than just blue marlin, which are more prevalent in September,” says Salvador Egea, Jr. He’s the IBT chairman for the third year. Visiting anglers have a unique opportunity to fly in and fish on a different boat each day. There are also nightly parties, all for one set price.
Fishing Friendly
The Albemarle 29 Express is built for hard-core fishing, yet also offers a gentler, family-oriented side.
Ten rocket launchers—the sporty angling term for rod holders—are poised for action on the gleaming pipework of the new Albemarle 29 Express. The round cylinders are angled at 45 degrees and ready to accept the butt end of a fishing rod. Having so many places to store fishing rods instantly brands the latest Albemarle as a hard-core fishingmachine—yet a closer look reveals a softer side.
For example, inside the forward cabin, a 4kW generator powered an air conditioning system that kept things a cool 68 degrees in the afternoon swelter of the 2016 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The 29 Express was introduced at the show after more than a year of design work, as the Albemarle team collaborated with renowned designer Lou Codega and Marine Concepts.
“Marine Concepts offers the ability to design and show you in 3D on a computer what it’s all going to look like,” explained Keith Privott, director of sales and product development for Albemarle. “That saves a lot of our time out in the shop doing the tooling by hand. Lou Codega designed the deck and the hull, and together the finishing touches were put on in the last four months.”
Weighing more than 14,000 pounds, the 29 Express is heavier than most boats in her class. “There’s an old saying that ‘there’s no replacement for displacement’ and that’s certainly true with this boat,” Privott said. “The hull has a 24-degree deadrise, reverse chine and the keel is a little wider. So, in big water the 29 Express never slams. It always goes in easy.”
Much of what makes the Albemarle 29 Express a serious Sportfishing machine also makes it a great family boat. For example, powered by twin Yamaha F350 outboard engines, the 29 Express can be equipped with Optimus 360 joystick control, so it is far easier to operate in low-speed conditions for the family member who doesn’t have a lot of time behind the helm, explained Privott. “Experienced captains will like it when backing down on fish and around the docks.”
The 29 Express comes standard with twin 300-hp Yamahas, but Privott said most customers opt for the 350s, which power the boat to a top speed of 47 knots, with a 300-nautical-mile range at 34 knots. “Our target buyer is someone who wants to go offshore on a regular basis in the worst possible conditions, but still have tthe protectionof the cabin,” Privott said.
The high-tech helm.
Twin Yamaha 350s power the 29 Express to a top speed of 47 knots.
The single cabin is designed with two Pullman bunks, as well as a head and small but functional galley.
The boat’s fishing features, however, are front and center, starting with those 10 rocket launchers on the tower. “When there’s a strike you need somewhere for those other rods to go, and the place is not in the gunwale rod holders. They will just be in the way,” Privott said. “Rocket launchers make it really easy for clearing rods or for holding other types of rigs that you want ready to go if the conditions are right.”
A second helm station sits atop the tower, built near the Albemarle factory by local company Ashley Welding. “We have been working with them for 35 years,” Privott said, adding that their T-top and tower design sets them apart. “Instead of taking two pipes and cutting the ends square and welding them together, they mill the pipes, so the weld gap is shorter and it’s a tighter fi t, making the tower stronger.”
The tower location offers the captain excellent visibility of the huge 64-square-foot cockpit on the 29 Express, which is large enough for a fighting chair or smaller battle station.The cockpit sole features two 56-gallon fish boxes that are glassed to be leak-proof and equipped with macerators for easy drainage. The transom offers a 30-gallon livewell with starboard-side door and a flip-down bench seat. The shore power connection comes standard. “We built a dedicated pump room in the center of the cockpit,” Privott explained. He demonstrated that everything is accessible, and there is room for a Seakeeper 3 stabilizer.
The 29 Express features a rigging station to starboard amidships, while a mezzanine aft-facing bench seat is to port. The center walkway leads to the single helm station to starboard, with a two-person co-pilot setup opposite. A signature attribute of the 29 Express is the front windshield, which offers a unique design for the captain and crew to enjoy unobstructed views courtesy of the molded fiberglass structure with a single laminated front glass panel. In addition, the huge dash has room for two 12-inch multifunction displays (MFDs) or one large 22-inch MFD. The throttle and shifter are to the right of the steering wheel in a comfortable location, while a mechanical compass sits atop the dash. Privott said the entire helm area can be closed off with isinglass and air conditioned.
The cabin below features a head with shower to starboard, and galley with freshwater sink and microwave to port. Two Pullman bunks provide overnight accommodations for up to four people. The joinery is satin-finished cherry, complemented by Ultraleather upholstery for softness and durability. A deck hatch in the center offers natural light and ventilation.
“We’re always thinking about comfort and safety, so up on the bow we have a lot of comfortable handholds and nonskid surfaces for traction,” Privott said. “About half of our customers go for the power windlass, so they can do a quick anchor set and release and never leave the helm. This is a boat with features we know customers want through 39 years of experience. It combines the amenities of a fishing boat with the comforts of a family cruiser.”
When Robert Roscioli designed the R-58, he made it available in three custom configurations—Express, Sport Cruiser and Convertible. It is easy to admire the low, sleek hull (LOA 58′; Beam 17’8″; Draft 4’10”) on which all three layouts are based.
Twin 1,600-hp Detroit Diesel/MTU 10V2000 common-rail diesels turn traditional shaft drives and propel the boat to a cruising speed of 32 knots and a max speed of 40-plus knots. Standard tankage for the Roscioli Donzi is 175 gallons of water and 1,500 gallons of fuel, but there is an option to increase fuel tankage in the Convertible to 1,660 gallons. The well-laid-out flybridge features a large helm console to port with a centerline wheel and a pair of custom helm chairs that have good views of the action in the cockpit.
Never Enough is a cold-molded, two-stateroom Whiticar Custom Convertible (LOA 56′; Beam 17’6″; Draft 5′) designed by Robert Ullberg, with an interior by Sam Rowell of SR Marine Interiors. Power is supplied by a pair of MTU 8V2000CR M94 diesels with a conventional drive train. Tankage is 1,350 gallons of fuel, with 180 gallons of water.
The yacht will cruise at 29 knots turning 1,950 rpm, and top out at 38 knots turning 2,350 rpm. She has classic deckhouse lines, a reverse sheer that breaks just ahead of the large main cockpit and rises forward to handle big waves easily, and sports a full tuna tower. Her interior is remarkable for its rich wooden finishing and joinery and its classic layout.
Merritt’s Boat and Engine Works Beginning in 1955, when brothers Buddy and Allen combined their talents to build vessels for South Florida fishermen, a custom boat bearing the Merritt family name has always been a proven, desirable platform for catching fish.
Today, the custom fishing boats emerging from the Pompano Beach, Florida, yard, that was started back in 1948, range right up to a Merritt Custom 86, with luxurious amenities that far outstrip the bare-bones features of the first builds.
Currently, the yard is busy with the construction of a 66 and an 86, with the most recent launch being a 72 named My Love. One thing has not changed over the years—the yard is renowned for the craftsmanship of its builders.
Persistence is a Michael Rybovich and Sons custom 86 Sportfisherman, a recent launch with four ample staterooms, including an amidships master suite. The yacht has a contemporary interior by Elizabeth Dalton of Dalton Designs that takes maximum advantage of the stunning wood and joinery to create a lush, comfortable environment family and guests.
The flybridge is massive, with loads of seating and storage for guests, finished in white with varnished accents and protected by a large hardtop. There’s seating for four to five on the mezzanine, which is replete with storage lockers.
A pair of 2,600-hp MTU 16V2000 M94 diesels help this yacht (LOA 86′; Beam 21’6″; Draft 5′; Displ. 125,000 lbs.) achieve top speeds of 45 knots and cruise at 35 knots.
Unless you were sleeping at the switch, you undoubtedly know that Bertram is back, with a 35 that pays homage to the renowned 31-footer that helped Richard Bertram build an empire of tough, hardcore sportfishing yachts.
The new 35 is from the board of Michael Peters, with a longer and beamier version of the iconic Bertram 31 and retains its classic style and desirable rough-water ride. (The new design has a deadrise of 22 degrees.)
The 35 (LOA 35′; Beam 12’5″; Draft 2’6″; Half-load Displ. 20,800 lbs.) will be offered in cruising and fishing configurations, with twin 460-hp Caterpillar C7 diesels aimed at 40-knot top speeds. Attractive options include a bow thruster to help move the nose around authoritatively in cross winds and a Seakeeper gyro stabilizer to help ensure comfort aboard for family and guests.
The Hatteras GT 70 Convertible fuses the renowned builder’s reputation for toughness and reliability with luxury and comfort afloat. Designed with the performance-minded tournament angler in mind, the GT 70 (LOA 70’6″; Beam 21’4″; Draft 5′; Displ. 120,000 lbs.) has a fuel capacity of 2,140 gallons and standard twin 1,900-hp CAT C32A diesels, which provide cruising speeds in the mid 30-knot range and top-end speeds of more than 40 knots, according to the builder.
The five-stateroom layout includes two suites with double berths and three with Pullman berths, along with crew quarters. Mezzanine seating offers comfortable viewing, as well as a place for the next fisherman in the queue to get ready for the fight. Twin custom helm chairs have excellent views of the action in the cockpit.
