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