Carp Fishing has always been a fertile ground for innovation. Whether it's bait, rigs, or rods, carp anglers have constantly evolved. Baiting techniques have also been refined, and the introduction of the bait boat has been a significant advancement in this field, with its usage now widespread.

Table of content

1. Introduction

2.1 Different Types of Bait Boats

2.2 Standard Equipment

2.3 Optional Equipment

3. Advantages and Strategies for Using a Bait boat

3.1 Surgical Precision

3.2 Long-Distance Fishing

3.3 Fishing Close to Obstacles

3.4 Tackling the Most Challenging Banks

3.5 Diversifying Baiting Strategies

4. Limitations in the Use of a Bait

4.1 Sometimes Prohibited

4.2 Bulky

4.3 Requires Regular Charging

4.4 High Cost

5. How to Choose a Bait Boat?

6. Conclusion

 

1. Introduction

A tool deemed futile by some and indispensable by others, the bait boat sparks passionate debates and engenders numerous discussions. Whether one is in favor of or against its use, there is no denying that it offers the opportunity to implement highly effective fishing tactics that would otherwise be impossible. The bait boat multiplies fishing possibilities and grants access to spots that would be unattainable through traditional casting from the bank. It opens up a vast realm of exploration and enables the capture of carp that would have remained out of reach otherwise. In this article, we will discuss in a general sense how to use it, the strategies carp anglers can employ when using it, and the important characteristics to consider when choosing a bait boat.

2.1 Different Types of Bait Boats

There are two main categories

1. Monohull Boats: They have the advantage of being compact, lightweight, and easily transportable. Typically, they have a single loading compartment, although some may have multiple but smaller compartments. They are ideal for ponds and calm waters without currents. However, monohull boats may lack stability and are often equipped with a single motor, reducing their power and maneuverability.

2. Catamaran-style Multihull Boats: These are generally higher-end models that offer superior performance. They are more stable and powerful, making them suitable for large lakes, rivers, and even rivers like the Rhône for the most advanced models. They have larger loading capacities, often with two large compartments, allowing you to deploy two lines simultaneously and carry 4 to 6 kg of bait in a single trip. Multihull boats can be equipped with two motors, providing increased maneuverability, including the ability to pivot in place, making navigation in congested areas easier. Their batteries have greater capacity, offering extended autonomy. However, they are more substantial, heavier, and bulkier.

2.2 Standard Equipment

Most bait boats come equipped with standard devices that are essential for optimal use and a pleasant fishing experience.

1. Loading Compartment: It forms the heart of the boat because without it, transporting bait directly to the fishing spot would be impossible. It is advisable to choose a compartment with a large capacity of at least two kilograms of bait to handle all situations. It is also recommended that it be wide enough to allow the addition of groundbait balls or a PVA bag, for example. Finally, it is always more useful to have two compartments, not only to increase the quantity of bait you can carry but also to bait two different spots in a single trip or distribute bait in the current of rivers. Most compartments open all at once, releasing the entire bait load in one location.

2. Line Release Mechanisms: These are hooks that release the fishing line independently of the opening of the loading compartment. Many high-quality boats are equipped with these clips, which can allow, for example, fishing outside the baited area.

3. Lights: During night fishing, lights are essential for tracking the boat in all directions and identifying banks or obstacles. Even during the day, they are useful for better orientation during long-distance fishing or in inclement weather.

4. Batteries: They can be either lead-acid or lithium batteries. It is advisable to prioritize lithium batteries as they are much lighter, recharge more quickly, and offer greater autonomy. Ideally, you should have at least two batteries to ensure that the boat is always ready for use.

2.3 Optional Equipment

Some high-quality bait boats offer the possibility of adding various options, more or less useful depending on your fishing habits. Among the available options, you can find (not an exhaustive list):

1. Progressive Opening Bait Compartments: This option is interesting for spreading bait over a larger area. The compartment opens progressively, allowing the bait to disperse over a larger surface, provided the boat remains in motion. By adjusting the boat's speed, you can increase or decrease the area covered.

2. Rotating Systems: Another way to disperse bait using your bait boat is to have a rotating catapult system on board. This system propels baits like rain over wider areas.

3. Fishfinder (Echo Sounder): You can add fishfinders specifically designed for bait boats. The transducer, either fixed to the boat or attached to it, sends images and data to a receiver on the shore, such as a tablet or smartphone. With this system, you can remotely scan and obtain precise knowledge of the topography of your fishing spots. It is a formidable tool for mapping the underwater terrain.

4. GPS: GPS allows you to save in memory the exact locations of your fishing spots, rod by rod. This enables you to precisely relocate your lines to the same spot. It is particularly useful in large lakes where estimating distances accurately can be challenging or during night fishing, for example. Some GPS systems even allow the boat to automatically navigate to the fishing spot without human intervention, and then return to you in the same manner after depositing your lines and bait.

5. Underwater Camera: Using a winch system attached to the boat, you can view real-time images of the lakebed at your fishing spot with an underwater camera. This allows for precise observation of substrate composition and identification of potential obstacles, particularly in clear waters.

3. Advantages and Strategies for Using a Bait boat

Carp fishing with a bait boat is a game-changer! Indeed, this fishing technique comes with numerous advantages that will be hard to give up. With increased fishing comfort and significantly improved results, bait boat fishing proves to be highly effective.

3.1 Surgical Precision

One of the primary advantages of using a bait boat lies in its extreme precision. Fishing becomes ultra-precise, and casting is done without the risk of tangling lines. Say goodbye to long waits only to realize that your rig was ineffective. When fishing from the shore at short distances (10 to 15 meters), it is relatively easy to maintain clean fishing. However, as you aim for greater distances, precision becomes unpredictable. The bait boat allows you to fish directly near your baited area, ensuring surgical precision.

3.2 Long-Distance Fishing

For an average caster without suitable gear, reaching distances of over 100 meters can be challenging. With a bait boat, this problem disappears. In theory, the only limit is the capacity of your reel and the range of your boat's remote control. Of course, this limit is theoretical because rarely would you need to fish at such extreme distances. However, when tackling large lakes, it becomes necessary to place your lines at distances greater than what you're accustomed to.

Even without discussing long distances, a bait boat enables you to access areas with all kinds of bait, including the tiniest seeds. Baiting with corn, hempseed, crushed or chopped boilies, for example, becomes effortless. You can even use more delicate baits like sweetcorn. This is a critical advantage because beyond 30 to 40 meters, fishing without a bait boat often forces you to rely exclusively on boilies. While you can also use a bait rocket as an alternative, this method is laborious, time-consuming, and less precise compared to using a bait boat.

3.3 Fishing Close to Obstacles

The bait boat provides the opportunity to place your lines and bait exactly where you want, including in close proximity to the banks, grassy areas, lily pads, or even under overhanging tree branches along the shore. With a bait boat, carp anglers can access spots that are typically unreachable, opening up a realm of untapped opportunities.

3.4 Tackling the Most Challenging Banks 

It often happens that promising fishing spots are rendered inaccessible due to the layout of the banks. For example, the presence of overhanging trees along the shore can make casting impossible, as there is a risk of the line and lead getting stuck in the branches. With a bait boat, as long as there is enough space above for landing and fighting a fish, you can exploit such posts, which are usually devoid of fishing.

3.5 Diversifying Baiting Strategies

As explained earlier, the bait boat allows you to propel various baits to the most remote spots. This opens up numerous possibilities for baiting strategies for carp anglers. You can opt for exclusive boilies, seeds, or even a combination of both. You have the freedom to adjust the densities of each type of bait to create specific baiting approaches. For instance, denser boilies will end up closer to the hook, while chopped and crushed boilies or seeds will disperse much farther beyond the area around the rig. This dispersion is more pronounced in deeper water due to differences in bait density.

For boats equipped with GPS, baiting precision is further enhanced, as you can be certain of consistently baiting and fishing in the exact same spot.

4. Limitations in the Use of a Bait

Boat Like anything else, even if it is effective, the use of a bait boat can have disadvantages and limitations.

4.1 Sometimes Prohibited

It is important to note that the use of a bait boat may be prohibited in certain ponds and domains. This prohibition is often due to abuses committed by some carp anglers who do not adhere to the rules. With a bait boat, the boundaries of fishing distances are extended, and some anglers have even invaded entire ponds, cutting a body of water in half to reach a bank located 250 meters away on the other side.

4.2 Bulky

Going carp fishing can already feel like an expedition due to the sometimes impressive amount of gear to transport. The bait boat, which is itself bulky, adds another item to carry.

4.3 Requires Regular Charging

Bait boats operate on batteries that need to be regularly recharged based on their usage intensity. This means access to electricity is necessary. Therefore, it's important to have an energy-efficient bait boat and batteries with high capacity to avoid autonomy issues.

4.4 High Cost

It is undeniable that purchasing a quality bait boat represents a significant investment. It is challenging to find a decent new model for less than 800 euros. Moreover, if you wish to add options such as a fish finder or GPS, costs can quickly rise, and the total investment can easily reach 2500 euros."

5. How to Choose a Bait Boat?

The use of bait boats can be extremely beneficial, but as they are exposed to the elements, they are prone to failures. Therefore, we recommend focusing on high-quality boats if you are considering using one. It is better to wait a bit and invest in a high-end boat rather than settling for cheap models. It is advisable to stick to recognized brands that manufacture reliable boats, such as the German Carplounge with its highly-equipped boats, the English New Direction, which offers good value for money, UK Bespoke Bait Boats that provide custom models, as well as Waiverunner and Angling Technics. In France, the brands T.TRA-BOAT and V-drone also manufacture quality boats.

The choice of style and options will depend on your preferences and fishing habits. If you mainly fish in ponds and small gravel pits, a simple monohull will probably suffice. However, if you intend to fish in large lakes and rivers, a powerful catamaran with a large capacity will become indispensable. In any case, reliability and autonomy are two characteristics you should not compromise on.

If this is your first bait boat, you may consider buying a used one instead of a new one. This can be a wise option that allows you to acquire a quality boat at a lower cost, rather than opting for a cheap new model.

6. Conclusion

The bait boat is an extremely effective tool for those who know how to use it wisely. It is undeniable that it enables the implementation of techniques that would be impossible in traditional bankside fishing. Whether it's for long-distance baiting or getting close to obstacles, the bait boat will help you maximize your chances of catching fish. Carp anglers who have adopted this fishing style rarely go back to traditional methods, as it is a high-performing tool. Certainly, it may require a significant financial investment at times, but it is a purchase that is seldom regretted, provided it is a quality boat.

 

Tight lines !

rod oliver