Thanks to technological and design advancements, big-water fishing boats in the 16- to 34-foot class have become more specialized than ever for the tasks of seeking out and taking on powerful pelagics. Like marine predators, however, not all of these boats are created equal. Some are better suited for angling than others, due to a few key elements that make an offshore craft an effective fish-catching machine.

Power and Range

Like the old saying goes, in order to catch fish, you have to go where the fish are. When it comes to big, saltwater game fish, this typically means motoring out to the blue water, many miles from the nearest port.

That’s why an offshore fishing boat’s power and range are so critical to angling success. Having sufficient power means that you’ll be able to get out to the fishing grounds in a hurry, or move to a more productive spot quickly.

A boat’s range is an equally important part of the equation. After all, what good is being fast if you run out of juice before you can get the job done? Taking into consideration how far you’ll be running on your fishing forays, look for an offshore boat that provides an ideal balance of power and range. This means both sufficient horsepower and fuel capacity.

When purchasing a boat, always opt for the largest fuel tank available for that particular model. Remember, gas stations are far and few between when you’re 70 miles offshore. Since many standard fuel gauges are notoriously inaccurate, you may also want to install a fuel computer (such as a Floscan or equivalent) on your boat. This type of device will eliminate the guesswork by providing you with an accurate account of how much fuel you are burning and how much you have left, at any given time.

However your boat is powered (inboard, outboard or stern drive), it’s critical that this power source be reliable – especially when fishing offshore. In this sense, and from a speed standpoint, two engines are better than one. With a twin-engine boat, you’ll always have a backup motor in the event one fails – an important factor when help is typically nowhere in sight.

Regardless of how many engines your boat has, make sure your vessel’s power source is mechanically sound before you embark on any offshore fishing trip. You don’t want to find yourself adrift without power out there, hoping that an emergency towing service will come to your rescue. In addition, don’t forget electrical power. Any offshore boat needs to have a dependable “cranking battery,” as well as an independent electrical power source for operating bait tanks and other necessary systems.

Seaworthiness

More important than anything else is the seaworthiness of your offshore fishing boat. In order to have a safe and enjoyable fishing trip, it’s imperative that your vessel be able to stand up to the unpredictable and unforgiving marine environment. The length of a boat alone by no means determines whether it is seaworthy. Whether your craft is 16 or 30 feet long, it needs to have a hull specially designed for handling big ocean swells, wind waves or a nasty combination of the two.

Many boats built for offshore fishing feature “deep-V” hulls that allow them to cut through rough seas effectively. The downside is that boats with this type of hull design tend to do a lot of rocking from side to side. Fishing boats with modified-V hulls and flatter bottoms may not plow through the rough stuff quite as well as deep-V models, but they generally provide a more stable platform for fishing.

When it comes to hull design, another key factor is the beam of the boat. Generally, the wider the beam, the less side-to-side rocking action you’ll experience. Fishing catamarans, with their multi-hull designs and extra-wide beams, are becoming increasingly popular among offshore anglers. These boats run admirably, even in sloppy seas, and they are incredibly stable platforms for fishing.

A big-water boat’s “freeboard” – how high the sides of the vessel are above the waterline – is another important factor. If your craft does not have enough freeboard, one good swell can fill it up like a bathtub, creating a potentially life-threatening situation. On the other hand, having sufficient freeboard will allow for a drier, safer ride.

If your boat is an outboard-powered vessel, a “closed” (as opposed to a “notched”) transom, will also help keep water out. Even boats with plenty of freeboard and closed transoms, however, are likely to take on some water when conditions turn ugly offshore. With this in mind, a properly sized and fully functioning automatic bilge pump system is a must for any big-water fishing vessel. Your boat should also have large, well-placed “scuppers” (draining holes), so it can shed water quickly.

Before you even think of heading offshore, make sure your vessel is equipped with all the essential Coast Guard-approved safety equipment (PFDs, EPIRBS, flare kits, etc.). Perhaps the most essential item on any boat is a VHF radio with sufficient range. Should an emergency situation occur while you’re fishing offshore, being able to quickly communicate with outside agencies or other boats can be crucial.

Fishability

Power, range and seaworthiness are key elements for any offshore fishing boat, but these are generally important factors for non-fishing craft as well. What really separates an average boat from a superior angling vessel is “fishability.” This term actually refers to a number of qualities and features that make a boat specialized and well suited for fishing assignments. All of the following qualities contribute greatly to an offshore boat’s fishability

FISHING ROOM: A good offshore fishing boat, or any fishing boat for that matter, should supply plenty of room to fish. In most cases, the majority of fishing space should be in the stern, but this really depends upon the specific style of boat. Most center console models, for instance, actually have more fishing room in the bow portion of the boat. Considering the size of the vessel and how many anglers will be fishing, there should be enough space for anglers to fish freely and comfortably. Each angler should have adequate room to cast, fight, follow and land a fish. If the onboard conditions are cramped, or there are a lot of fixed obstacles on board, the quality of your angling experience will suffer. On the other hand, having walk-around capacity and sufficient room to operate will make a big difference when it comes to the overall fishing performance and enjoyment of everyone on board.

DECK CONFIGUATION AND GUARD RAILS: Superior offshore fishing boats are built with angler convenience and maneuverability in mind. Deck configuration and appropriately placed guard rails are important elements of fishability. In some situations, such as battling large fish from a fighting chair, being able to move completely around the boat isn’t a factor, but for stand up anglers, this is essential.

For safety reasons – and for leverage or stability when fighting a fish – stern and bow rails are extremely important. An offshore walk-around or center console model should also have grab rails on the sides of the boat. Bow and stern rails should be high enough to provide safety, but not so high that they make fishing difficult.

LIVE-BAIT SYSTEMS: A good live-bait system is a necessary component on any serious offshore fishing boat. The actual size of the bait tank depends on a number of variables, including: the overall size and layout of the vessel; the type of fishing you’ll be doing; the size of the individual baits; and the number of baits you’ll need to carry. A large, circular tank is usually best, because the baits are less likely to get banged up as they swim around.

Regardless of the size and shape of your bait tank, a reliable, high-quality aeration system is of primary importance. You don’t want to arrive at your destination after a long run, only to find that the majority of your live bait has not survived the journey.

The bait tank should be placed in a location where it’s easy to get to when fishing, but does not become an obstacle. Typically, this is in the stern area, but for marlin fishing and other specialized angling applications that requiring throwing baits from the bow, a second bait tank up front is key.

TROLLING ROD HOLDERS: When fishing offshore, it’s important to have at least four strategically placed trolling rod holders on your boat: two along the transom and two on each gunwale. This way, you’ll be able to troll enough lures to mimic a bait school and attract a nearby game fish.

Many anglers consider outriggers to be key components of the offshore trolling mix. Outriggers help increase the “trolling spread” pulled by any big-water fishing boat. Once only appropriate for larger sportfishers, scaled down outriggers (that attach to T-tops) are available for use on even smaller center console models.

ROD STORAGE AND GAFF ACCESSIBILITY: Any big-water fishing boat should have adequate space for all the fishing gear you need to bring with you on any given trip. Whether your outfits are stored on the sides of a center console or above in rocket rod holders, they should be positioned where they are easily accessible, but won’t interfere with any ongoing angling activity.

In addition to plenty of convenient rod storage, your boat should offer a convenient and safe location for gaffs. When you are fishing offshore, getting to a gaff in a hurry can often mean the difference between landing or losing a big fish at the side of the boat.

HELM SPACE FOR MARINE ELECTRONICS: A good offshore fishing vessel will provide enough helm space for a fishfinder, a GPS/chart plotter, a VHF radio, a radar unit and other important marine electronics. The installation locations should also allow for easy access and unobstructed viewing by the skipper. While most of today’s marine electronics are waterproof or water resistant, your boat should provide an area for these units that offers at least some protection from the elements.

FLYBRIDGES AND TOWERS: When you are fishing offshore, being able to spot working birds, bait schools or game fish feeding on the surface is crucial. That’s why having a flybridge or tower is so important to anglers patrolling the blue water. The extra elevation provides a significant advantage for detecting any signs of fish in the area. Anglers, especially those with high-quality binoculars, are much more likely to located the action from a higher, unobstructed “perch.”

PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS: For offshore fishing assignments, you’ll need to have somewhere to escape the elements if conditions turn ugly. A built-in pilothouse or cabin is best, but if your boat is an open-style center console model, think about adding a T-top with an “Eisenglass-type” enclosure. This will offer protection against wind, rain, and splashing from big swells and wind waves.

NIGHT ILLUMINATION: If you plan on doing any fishing at night or in low-light condition, proper illumination for your boat will be an important safety and functionality factor. In addition to ensuring that your offshore boat is equipped with the proper USCG-approved running lights, you’ll want to have “spreader lights” for deck illumination. This will allow you to rig up tackle or outriggers with ease when ambient light is minimal. Sufficient illumination for your boat will also enable you to respond quickly in the event of a hook up and fight your fish effectively.

FISH STORAGE: If you intend on keeping your catch, you’ll need to have adequate on-board storage capacity. With this in mind, make sure your offshore fishing boat offers enough fish-hold space to accommodate the amount of fish you anticipate keeping on any given fishing trip.

In summary, for big-water angling assignments, you’ll want to make sure you select an offshore boat that offers an ideal combination of seaworthiness, power and fishability. In a perfect world, your boat will provide you with all the necessary tools for: getting you and your gear out to the fishing grounds safely and quickly; locating the game fish you want to target; hooking and landing these game fish; and storing your catch for the long run home.