If you happen to be a tournament fisherman, or hope

to be, then you probably wouldn't be happy with a

boat less than a 150 HP motor and shorter than 19

feet in length. Those of you who plan to fish in

really deep water on a regular basis will probably

need a 200 HP motor and at least 20 feet of length.

If you don't plan to tournament fish, but go after

bass fish instead, you'll want a 17 - 18 foot boat

with at least a 115 HP motor. This way, you can

enjoy the lake or the river.

Those of you who like to fish for species may want

to look for a more versatile boat with plenty of

walking around room, higher sides, and a different

seating arrangement. This type of boat is ideal

for several people, even a trip out with your

wife and kids.

If you plan to fish on occasion, but not enough

to invest in a boat, you may want to look at a

fish and ski model. This is a hybrid boat, crossing

between a bass boat and pleasure boat, and can

easily serve your purpose.

The biggest part of the buying process is getting

what you can afford. Luckily, there are many new

boats available, giving you several that fit your

budget. If you prefer, you can shop and find a used

boat that fits both your needs and budget.