Getting Elevated
Apart from your boat performing well in low water conditions , probably the most important component of getting your boat ready to sight fish is having something that will get you elevated so you can see the fish . While elevating yourself can be done in a multitude of different ways , my personal favorite is to be elevated on an aluminum platform that is custom built . My platform was built by Shallow Water Custom Boats out of Ponchatoula , LA . It ' s around 2 3 / 4 ft tall by 3 ft wide . Depending on the size of the front deck of your boat , you ' ll want to have your platform built accordingly . I had the top of my platform built large enough for two people to fish from there ; that way , both people can look for fish in front of the boat as we move around ponds and different pieces of marsh . If having a platform built isn ' t your cup of tea , try using an ice chest or a small fold-up ladder , both will work fine as you long as you can get yourself elevated .
About two years ago , I had my first experience with sight fishing when Capt . Chas Champagne and I made a trip together one morning in June to Delacroix . One of the first things I noticed about the area we fished was that it was full of aquatic vegetation and contained fairly low water . As the day went on , there were times when we battled with getting on a plain due to the low water and vegetation , and it was then that I realized a surface drive boat primarily used for duck hunting may be perfect for sight fishing .
Surface Drive Boat Benefits
While surface drive boats come in all shapes and sizes , the one thing they all have in common is their ability to perform well in shallow water conditions . Depending on the load you ’ re carrying and the size of your boat , an average surface drive boat is going to draft anywhere from 6-8 inches of water at the least . You ' ll be able to enter a shallow area and then motor out without having to worry about some of the problems that traditional outboard motors may cause . While using an outboard has plenty of advantages , the main disadvantage is its inability to maneuver through mud and extremely low water since it is water cooled . With a surface drive you won ' t have to worry about these types of issues , giving you a sense of comfort and confidence when entering into a new area you haven ' t explored .
Trolling Motors
Besides being elevated , having the ability to maneuver throughout the marsh quietly and efficiently is another important part of sight fishing . Trolling motors are great for covering more of an area faster and more efficiently , and they allow two fishermen to fish at the front of the boat at the same time . When choosing a trolling motor , it ' s important to consider the size of your boat and the load that you ' ll normally be carrying . Many of the places where you ' ll be venturing will contain a fair amount of aquatic vegetation , and having a trolling motor that can cut through
CONTINUED
May 2016 www . marshandbayou . com 51