My how things have changed since the days of my youth. Traffic jams, computers crashing, the cell phones, and packed boat ramps. Yes, I remember going to the ramp on any given weekend and seeing maybe 5 trailers in the lot that was designed for 10. These days’ ramps have the lanes to launch six, eight even ten boats at a time, and parking for upwards of 75 trailers or more, and their tow vehicles. I remember fishing on my home waters and feeling violated if I even saw one boat within ten miles. In all honesty, I really didn’t pay it much mind. I guess I took those days for granted. Now, even on a weekday it’s not out of the ordinary to see a boat working every hidden cove, creek mouth, and flat around here. Yes with the advent of the modern day flats skiff, people can fish waters that were only accessible by wading, or canoe. It isn’t uncommon to see big powerful boats that can float in mere inches. Everybody owns a flats boat, and some of the most technological fishing gear ever dreamed of. Scary isn’t it?
So how does a person such as myself find a slice of pristine waters not invaded by some rookie in a $40k fishing boat showing off his meager skills to a suit and tie wearing hotshot? I don’t have that kind of money, and hell I don’t even own a suit. I do however have a passion that burns deep inside every waking moment, not to mention dreams that invade my every nights rest…. Its called fishing. This does not mean that because you may have money, and a boat that costs more than my annual salary that you do not have the same love of fishing as I. It just seems that anybody, and everybody is on the water these days. And I see a lot of these afore mentioned guys out doing the most damage to an ever decreasing grass flats. Not to mention the fish that is being pressured day in, and day out. It’s a wonder any of us can even catch a fish with these odds against us. To have our chance we have relied on rapidly growing market of smaller, more agile, and more shallow capable craft. Some rely on human power; others use electric motors, and even the combustible engine can be found on these vessels.
Now what separates small, medium, and large? I guess that depends on your point of view. The Hells Bay are small to ones eye, but in reality can he squeeze between the oyster bars, or barnacle encrusted mangroves all the while floating in 3 inches of water. We all know it is doubtful, even though the one place of solitude, and the mother load of nice sized, non-pressured fish lay just a stones throw away. This is where my determination of a small boat lays. I can get into that small, uncontaminated slice of heaven. Even with a big heavy chunk of steel that pushes me across the deep, and the skinny, I still can pole myself into waters that rarely see the likes of human existence.
Other advantages of small boats are countless. Take for instance the ease of transport, launching, and recovery. I see so many teams of two or more wrestling the bigger boats either off the trailer or on. I need only me to do these tasks. What about launching in remote areas, with no boat ramps? How many guys pulling an eighteen-foot Pro Line flats and bay boats have you seen launch from a dyke road on the refuge? What about that pond that is way back in the woods, with hardly a trail leading to its edges? I don’t remember ever seeing a Triton bass boat with its 200hp motor on any of those freshwater paradise’s.
Another advantage is for me anyway, the closeness to the very nature that I so dearly love. To be able to touch the cool waters without straining over the gunnels. Being able to pet a manatee without doing anything more than sticking my hand out. To have dolphins, and even alligators swim within feet of me, as they do not fear me, as I am merely one with the water. For me, not only do I thrive on fishing, I live to be a part of their world, to see up close and personal what they see. Small craft afford us these amenities.
What about the adventure seekers? The guys in small craft who venture past the breakers? The guys who fish for large tarpon, king fish, even sharks? These fish can easily dwarf your vessel in length, not to mention be an adventure de-hooking! Although it is a treat to catch these large predators from any vessel, the thrill of the fight can never be equated after being literally pulled around by a fish that could quite possibly remove an appendage, or worse. It reminds me of Hemmingway’s “The Old Man and The Sea”. That my friends, does not happen in a larger boat.
Small boats do have disadvantages as well. Like taking the family out in one vessel. Sometimes they can be a tad wet when the winds blow, or the wakes of other boats over the sides or bow. Of coarse there are the other boats, which tend to not see you because of the height that you are off the water. There are those boaters who may not see you as a serious angler and run past you in close proximity, only to cut you off in your trek to a certain spot. Then there are those whose only intentions are bully you in one form or another. These disadvantages should, in no way take the allure from small craft.
Whether you fish from a kayak, a canoe, a Gheenoe, or even a small johnboat, be it by paddle, pole, electric, or gas power, you do have the advantage. With time skills of seamanship, angling, and realization of your advantages will prevail. It will be only a matter of time that more, and more areas will become “no motor zones”, or “pole and troll only zones”. It will only be a matter of time before all the fish that the anglers in the larger boats that take a pounding every day will migrate to other areas less accessible. We already have a leg up, as we fish these waters, we know these waters.
My advise to all, is spend more time on your
small craft. Teach your children the advantages of these vessels. Take the time
to be personal with the nature that we share our existence with, help your
children do this as well. Be courteous all inhabitants in and on the water, and
yes this means the idiot who drenched you as he flew by at Mach2. Be vigilant to
the people who harm our waters, and its residents. Be pro-active when laws and
amendments are being put to the table concerning our waterways. We only have one
chance on earth, lets make it enjoyable for our time, our children’s time and
their children’s time. Last but certainly not least, please be safe!