| If you are going to head out on the water for a | | | | Bahamas. The older model skiffs resembled small |
| bit of fishing, you need the right equipment. One | | | | canoes and were not stable enough to support a |
| of the more basic things you will need is to | | | | standing fisherman, but the fishing skiff of today |
| choose among fishing skiffs. | | | | has solved this problem. It is necessary to be able |
| The word skiff has been used over the years to | | | | to stand safely in the skiff when engaged in |
| describe a lot of boats that seemingly have no | | | | some of the sight fishing activities of the shallow |
| relationship to each other. The word comes from | | | | flats. The more stable skiffs allow this. |
| the same root as the word ship, which may be | | | | The fishing skiff does not need to be small. One |
| part of the problem. So, what exactly is meant | | | | popular model is 17 feet long and has a maximum |
| by fishing skiff? One current example of a fishing | | | | engine capacity of 40 horsepower. It can handle a |
| skiff is a relatively inexpensive, flat bottomed | | | | passenger weight of 900 pounds. This boat |
| boat with a pointed bow and a flat stern. They | | | | comes with an optional center console complete |
| are intended for use in shallow inland waters. The | | | | with a destroyer style steering wheel. They are |
| original boats of this type were intended to be | | | | designed for use both as fishing skiffs and harbor |
| propelled by oars or poles, but recent models | | | | work boats. |
| have been designed to accept small outboard | | | | Some larger fishing boats use fishing skiffs that |
| motors. | | | | are stored onboard when traveling to the fishing |
| Many fishing skiff designs feature raised bows, | | | | grounds. Once at the fishing areas, the skiffs are |
| which serve to protect passengers from spray | | | | lowered into the water to move into the more |
| from choppy water. These boats are sometimes | | | | shallow fishing areas. The building of skiffs is an |
| called sea skiffs and are extremely versatile and | | | | international industry. Australia and Europe both |
| seaworthy. Although you would not want to cross | | | | produce distinctive models. The Australian skiff is |
| the ocean in one, they are ideal for close off | | | | used for beach rescue as well as fishing along the |
| shore fishing as well as still being able to get into | | | | coral reefs of the Pacific Ocean. The fishing skiff |
| the shallow flats inshore. | | | | is one of the most versatile crafts in the world. It |
| The skiff is used extensively in South Florida light | | | | is certainly one of the most fishermen friendly. |
| tackle fishing and for bone fishing there and in the | | | | |