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Boat Fishing Tips and Tricks

If you’re keen to find a fun family activity, then give boat fishing a try. There’s nothing better than heading off on your boat with the wife and kids, talking about the fish you plan to catch that day.

It’s important to realize, though, that there are lots of different types of boat fishing, and each one has specialized boat requirements. You can do everything from dangle some bait on a string over the side of a canoe, right through to high-tech rods and a powerful cabin cruiser. It just needs to be seaworthy – the rest is up to you! But if you’re keen to buy a boat, you need to do some homework first. It can be very confusing walking into a boat show or dealership and seeing so many choices. You need to think about what you’re planning to do with the boat before you can decide which one to buy. Here are some popular boat fishing choices.

Freshwater Boats.

If you enjoy fishing in freshwater lakes, rivers or streams, then you don’t need a massive boat. Instead, choose an aluminum or fiberglass boat. Make sure it’s easy to transport and lightweight. Popular choices include bow riders, runabouts or walley boats, with either a small or dual console. These boats are fine for family freshwater boat fishing outings.

Offshore Saltwater Boats.

Fishing out on the open sea is the most common thing people think of when you mention boat fishing. Most people enjoy fishing offshore because they get the chance to catch huge fish and use heavy tackle. It’s important to have a dependable, heavy boat for this type of fishing. You’ll encounter plenty of different weather and situations on the open sea, so you need to be able to rely on your boat. You can choose twin or single outboard motors, and you definitely need a cuddy cabin or a center console. If you want to spend a bit more, you can start to look at the more luxurious boats, including a bluewater or convertible with luxury quarters, and maybe even an elegant living area. Bigger boats generally have powerful inboard diesel engines as standard.

Inshore Saltwater Boats.

If your tastes run to tarpin, snook, trout, bonefish or redfish, then you will want a boat suitable for inshore saltwater fishing. It’s best to have a light boat that is smaller than a 25-footer. All you need is a single outboard motor. You’re likely to be in shallow water at least some of the time, so something like a flat or baby boat works well. These have a spacious deck you can use for casting, and are still float well in shallow water.

Bass Boats.

This type of boat is generally suitable for tournament and sport fishing. They’re colorful, fast, and ride low in the water. It’s preferable if the bass boat has a trolling motor mounted on the bow. Generally they have a platform at both the bow and stern ends, which makes casting much easier. You can choose from aluminum or fiberglass.

Float Tubes.

These don’t really qualify as boats, but fly anglers find them very handy for fishing in mountain streams, ponds and lakes. A float tube is simply a flotation device containing a seat. The angler is partially submerged when seated in the float tube, and uses fins on his feet to navigate around on the water. They’re tricky to handle, and fly-casting requires lots of practice. You can choose between round float tubes, which are similar to an inner tube, and pontoon float tubes, which have an air chamber either side of the fisherman. The pontoons are slightly eiasier to maneuver, as their v-shaped design reduces the amount of water resistance.

It’s always a good idea to speak to experienced anglers who either have their own boat or use one regularly. They can give you lots of help in deciding which type of boat is right for you. Read magazines, guides, and talk to your local boat charter service. Fishermen generally love to talk about boats, and you can learn a lot to help you select the perfect fishing boat for your needs.

Caribbean Travel Tips

Are you planning a trip to the Caribbean for the first time? If so, continue reading on for a few helpful and moneysaving tips.

Making Your Travel Arrangements

It is easy to book a Caribbean vacation with family because one family member is paying for the trip (your children are just along for the ride). Planning a Caribbean vacation with friends, on the other hand, can be harder. You need to make your travel plans together if you want to share rooms. If you opt for an all-inclusive resort, more than just a room is included, but each person gets access to the same inclusions; therefore, just spilt the costs evenly.

Keep times that are convenient for you in mind when booking your trip. We are often so focused on getting the best deals that we rarely take the time to coincide our flight times with our hotel or resort check in and out times. For example, what would you do for hours if your flight arrived at 11am, but you couldn’t check-in until 3pm? The same with departure times; if you need to be out of your room at noon, but your flight doesn’t leave until 7pm, what are you going to do for those seven hours? If you have no idea, try to coincide your flight times with your all-inclusive resort or hotel.

Packing for Your Trip

Many American travelers flying to the Caribbean are in for a long flight and possibly some layovers. For that reason, bring lots of small items to keep you occupied. Magazines, books, mp3 players, or portable DVD players work great and they are easy to carry around.

Only pack what you need. You can get a good idea of the clothes needed by checking the weather forecast. Pack an extra sweater if you want, but not two. Save extra room in your suitcase for souvenirs. Plus, remember airlines charge extra for luggage, so try and limit what you bring. All resorts should have onsite laundry facilities, meaning you really don’t need two or three outfits for just one day.

Pack all necessary travel documents in your carryon bag, wallet, or purse. You need to show your driver’s license and passport at the airport. Prevent delays by making sure these items are easily accessible.

Arriving at Your Resort

If you opted for an all-inclusive Caribbean resort, most of your trip is preplanned and prepaid for. Your stay should include your room, snacks, drinks, food, tips, and some forms on onsite entertainment. Get a list or chart from the main office detailing what is or isn’t included. This is a great way to save money. Why pay extra for an activity, like snorkeling, offsite when your resort enables you to enjoy that activity without extra costs?

Start your day early if you want to get the best spot by the beach, the best lounger by the pool, and so forth. These are all popular activities at all-inclusive resorts and hotels. Of course, there is plenty of room to go around, but ensure you aren’t settling for second best.

Venturing Off Hotel or Resort Grounds

One of the reasons why all-inclusive Caribbean resorts are recommended is because you never need to leave to have a good time. All-inclusive resorts are home to multiple restaurants, swimming pools, gyms, spas, and more. These are just the facilities you gain access too; wait until you see all available activities. Either way, you may wish to venture off the hotel or resort property. This is okay, but spend your money wisely.

If you didn’t take the time to research offsite activities and attractions before departing, ask your hotel or resort staff for suggestions. Hotel lobbies are also home to travel brochures that may outline nearby popular restaurants or attractions. Look at these brochures for moneysaving coupons too.

As you know, the Caribbean is a safe place to visit. With that said, you always need to display some caution when leaving home (whether it be walking down the street or leaving the country). Never bring large amounts of cash with you or carry valuables. Leave anything you would be devastated to lose in your resort or hotel safe; better yet leave valuables at home.

By keeping the above mentioned Caribbean travel tips in mind, you are sure to have a great trip. Most important tip of all? Remember to have fun! Enjoy yourself!

Own a hotel in Blackpool? Read our top 10 tips to save money

Own a hotel in Blackpool? In this time of a recession, it is more crucial than ever to tighten your belts, so read out top 10 tips on saving money as a hotelier.

Our recommended top ten tips to save money as a hotelier;

Consider buying a garbage disposal unit (also known as a waste disposal unit) for the sink to reduce purchasing bin bags from the council. Switch radiators off in the rooms where guests are not staying. Put a polite sign up asking guests to turn off electrical equipment including the main light when leaving the rooms. Install an integrated keycard system for the door locks and electrical equipment, automatically turning off all electrical equipment when the guest leaves the room. Ask guests to reuse towels as they would at home thus saving the environment. Put an online booking system on your website. Use a free service such as the Hotel Services System with no commissions or upfront costs. Cook breakfast to order, minimising food wastage. If running a small hotel, don’t do it all yourself. Employ staff so you have time to concentrate on advertising, and selling more rooms. Make sure the building has energy light bulbs, timers on hallway lights, loft & cavity insulation, double or triple glazing, energy efficient boiler and radiators. Shop around for your stock. The trade suppliers are not often the cheapest, and the chain supermarkets can be better for low volume alcohol especially when deals are on.

We are planning on another top 10 tips next week if this article proves popular, so please leave some feedback or recommendations.

Tips for Getting Your Boat Ready for Storage

When winter comes and you are no longer able to enjoy your boat it is important that you spend some time getting your boat ready for storage. Storing your boat for the winter or long periods without use is much different than storing your boat in between outings. During long periods between boat use following a boat storage routine is the best way to ensure the continued usefulness and reliability of your boat. If you are new to long term boat storage our tips will help make getting your boat ready for storage quick and easy.

One of the first things that you should do when preparing your boat for storage is stop condensation from forming in the fuel lines and tank of your boat. To do this you must fill your boats gas tank up completely and then add a good fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank. The instructions for adding fuel stabilizer vary from manufacture to manufacture. For this reason it is extremely important that you follow the instructions provided on the fuel stabilizer container with no deviations. Do not make the mistake of assuming that all fuel stabilizers are the same because that is simply not the case. Once you have filled your boats fuel tank up completely and added the stabilizer start the boats motor on flusher and let it run for about one minute so that the new fuel with the stabilizer can work its way through your boats system.

Next you must apply fogging oil to the boats carburetors. Many boats have a fitting for applying fogging oil and you will need to read your boats manufactures guide to find out where it is. In the event that your boat does not have a fogging oil fitting then you will need to find a good place to apply the oil on your own or with the help of someone who is comfortable with boats. Some find it easiest to just remove the carburetor cover for application. Once the fogging oil is applied to your dormant boat expect the motor of the boat to smoke a great deal when it is next used. This is perfectly normal and not a sign of anything wrong. In fact, expect for the boat motor to smoke excessively for the first few uses after the fogging oil is applied.

Fogging oil must also be applied to the cylinders before the boat is put into storage. This can be done by removing the spark plugs and spraying the fogging oil directly into the cylinders. Replace the spark plugs that you have removed with brand new spark plugs. Also take some time to clean the housing of your boat and use anti corrosion spray on all electrical connections.

When you are done spraying the electrical connections of your boat with anti corrosion spray check the steering cables in and on the steering columns of your boat. Clean off any dirt or residue that has built up and air the shaft out completely. When you are finished spray all of the cables with anti corrosion spray. Taking the time to do this will help you avoid corrosion issues when the time comes to start using your boat again.

After the fogging oil has been applied it is time drain and completely flush out the boats gear case. This can be done by unhooking the flusher and then draining the gear case. Check the flushed lubricant for water and if water is in the lubricant replace your shaft seal immediately. Do not wait until you return from your trip or spring has come to replace this seal since neglecting this seal can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs. After the lubricant has been completely drained and the shaft seal has been replaced (if necessary) refill the gear case with fresh lubricant.

One of the last things you should do when getting your boat ready for storage is disconnecting your boats battery. Remove the battery from the boat and carefully clean all of its terminals. Then spray the terminals with some of your anti corrosion spray and store the battery in a safe, warm, place that no one sleeps in. While your boat is in storage it is important that you charge your battery for several days each month to keep the battery in working condition.

When the time comes to officially store the boat place the motor in the downward running position and cover it. Use a motor cover that is not made of plastic since this will lead to a build up of moisture. Always use canvas coverings that let the motor breath while it is in storage. Lastly, grease all of the bearings of your boat if it is kept on a trailer and spray all unprotected metal parts of your boat with the anti corrosion spray.

Once you have followed all of the boat storage tips outlined above you will be able to rest knowing that your boat will be in good condition when the time comes to resume regular use.

Tips for Buying a Used Boat

So you decided to jump in and buy yourself a boat.  Congratulations on your decision but before your give them a bag full of cash there are a few things you must do.  A proper inspection of the various components and parts of the boat will save you from many hassles, multiple repairs and wasted money.

When Buying Used Boats, always consider the source of the boat or the parties involved.  If you buy a boat from a private party it usually will not come with any type of guarantee or warranty.  Buying a boat from a reputable boat dealer typically will come with a warranty and they might even service it for free for a period of time.  If you buy a used boat from an online auction site such as Ebay, always make sure that the seller has excellent feedback above 96%.

Properly inspecting the boat is the number one way to safeguard your hard earned money.  First remember that this is a used boat and will have some normal wear and tear involved.  Look it over carefully and start inspecting the Hull.  Look for different colored paint or recently new paint.  Look for signs of  previous accidents. If you find an area on the hull which looks different than the rest, inspect it more carefully. The best way is by listening carefully as you tap it lightly with a small rubber hammer. What you are listening for is anything which sounds different than the normal solid sound.

Used Boat Motors can either be in very good condition or some can end up being real lemons.  Ask the seller if they have any invoices or a record of the boat repairs done on the engine.  The best way to test the boat motor is to start it up and hopefully drive the boat around a little.  Let the throttle out and see how it responds.  While the engine is shutoff do a propeller test by turning it.  When turning the propeller, what you are looking for is any type of warping or wobbling.  Visually inspect the propeller for any gashes, nicks or chips. Look for any oil or fluid leaks around the gaskets. Look at the mounts on the engine to see if they are in good condition or broken. Inspect any hoses or belts and look to see if they are dried, cracked or worn out.  If you are not mechanically inclined then it is best to have a mechanic look the engine over and do a compression check.

Once you have inspected the main parts of the boat the next thing is to inspect the secondary parts.  Check any bolted areas or outlets for problems or rust.  Search around the cabin areas and open all the cabinets.  Look over the upholstery to see the condition of it and if the stitches are intact. Look for any ripped, worn out or mildewed upholstery.  If you find several problems or do not feel comfortable with something than maybe you should pass on it and search for another boat.

When buying a large priced item such as a car or a boat, make sure to properly inspect the areas which receive the most wear and tear.  The hull, engine and other components must be looked over and tested.  A boat will be one of the most expensive purchases you will make so do not be afraid to take your time.  Buying a boat from a reputable seller and properly inspecting it will not only save you from needless repairs but will keep you from being stranded on the water.

Tips On Buying A Bass Boat

Bass Boats have gone through a tremendous evolution to get to the point where they are today. The first “bass boat” was considered to be a hulled out canoe made from chippings off of very large trees. The Caddo Indians of east Texas and western Louisiana are credited with this type of boat “invention.”

They used these boats to fish to provide food for their families. Bass during that time were the number one food choice to enable families to survive. Fortunately for these families, bass were found in very large supplies in the swampy waterways of the southeastern United States, exactly where these tribes were located. Thus began the evolution of the bass boat as we know it today. Below are present day considerations and tips for purchasing a bass boat.

Consider your Towing Vehicle:

Bass boats and trailers with a full tank of gas and loaded with all the fishing gear easily weighs over 3500 pounds. Before you consider your purchase of a bass boat, make sure your towing vehicle can handle to the load. Also, remember to take into consideration towing up mountains and hills.

Bass Boats:

There are key questions that an angler looking into buying a bass boat needs to ask themselves. Where are you primarily going to be doing your fishing? What is the size of the body of water? Will it be small lakes and rivers? If so, perhaps all you will need is a small boat with a small outboard motor. If you are planning on fishing in larger bodies of water, a minimum of 19-foot boat is your best choice. Overall, the three main characteristics recognized and looked for in the bass boat of today are shallow draft, maneuverability and stability of the boat.

Lastly, if this is going to be your first bass boat purchase, you might want to consider buying a used boat. This way you can gain more experience and have a better idea of what you want in your next new boat purchase.

Aluminum Bass Boats:

Aluminum boats are much less expensive than fiberglass boats. Additionally aluminum boats are much more forgiving of occurrences that inevitable happen on the water; banging into a dock, running up into shallows, hitting submerged rocks or stumps and so forth. The downside is that aluminum bass boats ride much rougher than fiberglass boats and are easily blown around by even the slightest wind. Again, the size of the body you plan to bass fish on is clearly a tremendously important component in the decision making. If you are intending to fish in a small lake, a 16-17 foot aluminum bass boat would likely be a good choice.

Fiberglass Boats:

Fiberglass bass boats are much more expensive than aluminum but clearly there are reasons for this. Fiberglass bass boats are capable of handling rougher and bigger bodies of water, they give the boater a much smoother ride and they can go much faster than aluminum bass boats. Experts suggest that if you are considering going with a fiberglass bass boat that you purchase one with a 4-stroke outboard engine as opposed to a 2-stroke engine.

The reasoning is that even though they cost a bit more, they cover much more water as far as fuel is concerned, they are much quieter and much cleaner than a 2-stroke. The reduced fuel cost is estimated to pay-off for the additional cost of the engine in the long run. To give you an idea of the cost of a fiberglass bass boat, they usually range from ,000 to a ,000 top of the line boat.

New vs. Used Bass Boats:

There are advantages of buying a used bass boat. Clearly they will be less expensive than a new one and historically, used bass boats hold their value much better than a new one. Also, as mentioned above, is this is your first bass boat purchase, buying a used boat will give you a better understanding of what you may or may not want if you ever decide down the road to purchase a new bass boat. There are also disadvantages of purchasing a used bass boat. In the simplest way to state it, you may be buying someone else’s headache.

Outboard engines, as are found on bass boats, are known to be short lived and it is difficult to determine this on a causal inspection of the boat. The best suggestion is to either buy from someone you trust or have a professional inspect the boat and engine before purchasing. Lastly, just as in purchasing a car, the seller needs to be willing to negotiate on price with a used bass boat sale.

Obviously, the biggest advantage to buying a new bass boat is warranties and the sheer joy of owning a brand new bass boat!

Boat Handling:

Whether you decide to purchase a new or used bass boat, learning to handling it is a process that takes time. Every boat has its own “personality” and handles differently in every way. From launching to retrieval to water handling, bass boats are all different. A few examples of these differences are the sounds your engine makes when it is trimming, the way it pulls out and into shallow water and the correct engine positioning and trim tab positioning to get it up on plane. Bass boats are all different. Realizing this and knowing that it will take time to learn your boat will encourage you to spend more time on the boat and enjoying the wonderful sport of bass fishing!

International Travel Tips For The Best Family Vacations – Part 1

Just traveling anywhere presents a certain amount of challenges to make sure that all goes well, but international travel introduces even more variables into the mix that require advance planning to successfully navigate. Of course, traveling in other countries can constitute some of the most memorable times of our life so the rewards are often worth the extra work needed in preparation. Here are some international travel tips that can help you have the best family vacations:

* Find out as much as you can about what paperwork will be required of you to enter and leave the country where you are going. What passports and/or visas will be needed? Will you be required to have a copy of your birth certificate?

* Find out if any vaccinations will be needed before you travel to that country. Also if you use medications, are they considered legal there?

* If a foreign language is used, try to get at least somewhat familiar with the basics of the local language just in case it may come in handy.

* If you plan on driving while in the foreign country, find out if you will need an additional driver’s license to do so. There are international driver’s permits that are accepted in 150 countries that may be what you need, and you can find out about it at the aaa.com website. And be sure that you have adequate auto insurance that applies in that country before driving there too.

* If you plan on using your computer while traveling, check in advance for any necessary equipment such as voltage converters or electrical plugs that will be required in order to plug in and safely use your computer equipment while you are away. Also, how will you connect to the internet while outside the country?

* Will you be covered for any medical emergency that may arise while traveling in that country? Many health insurance policies do not extend beyond the borders of the US, so additional trip insurance may be required to be adequately covered.

* Try to get familiar with metric conversions or at least bring along a metric conversion table with you so you can understand what measurements actually mean as most of the world outside the US actually uses the metric system for measurement and this can be very confusing for Americans traveling abroad if they aren’t prepared.

Be sure to read Part 2 of our article series to get even more international travel tips that can help you have the best family vacations.