Houseboats, Boat Ownership and Fishing
There is a growing interest in alternative lifestyles with many people considering a move to a life on the water either by living full time on a houseboat or owning a boat to fish from at weekends. This site is for both. It is a practical site and will not hide the costs or the difficult aspects of these lifestyles.
Houseboats explains the various types of houseboat and what you should look out for when viewing or buying one. It gives a true account of what it is like to live on board a houseboat from filling the water tank to the practicality of dealing with the freeze in the winter months.
Boat Ownership explains what is required to keep a boat seaworthy and in good order for the season including getting it through the winter.
There are many articles on the site covering Fishing including Boat Fishing which explains what is different about fishing from a boat as opposed to fishing from the bank and what baits and rigs are suitable to fish from a boat.
If you have a particular question, chances are it will be answered in one of the shorter articles on the blog.
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Living the Waterfront Lifestyle: Choosing the Best Marina Community for Your Luxury Houseboat
Purchasing a luxury houseboat is more than a purchasing decision; it is an investment in a new lifestyle. The decision of which marina community to reside in will affect your day-to-day experiences, the value of your investment, and your overall satisfaction with your houseboat ownership. Explaining Marina Communities Most luxury houseboats are either permanently moored…
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The Art of Luxury Houseboat Design: Creating Your Perfect Floating Home
The Art of Luxury Houseboat Design: Creating Your Perfect Floating Home An intersection of nautical engineering, interior design, and personal preference brings about a unique concept that is luxury houseboat design. When compared to regular boats built for travel, luxury houseboats place more importance on the owner’s comfort and the boat’s overall appearance. Whether you…
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Why More Anglers Are Switching to Slimlites Bite Indicators
Changing Perceptions From Carp Anglers Among carp fishers, it has been challenging to reach a consensus regarding bite indication. It is not unusual for some carp fishers to swear by a certain bite indicator, while some other fishers will be continuously looking for alternatives. As carp fishing evolves, the conversation surrounding indicators has shifted to…
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Fishing Boats vs Houseboats: Which Should You Buy?
If you love fishing and fancy living on the water, you’ll need to decide whether a fishing boat or a houseboat makes more sense. Fishing boats are built to handle rougher conditions and get you out to better fishing spots quickly. Houseboats offer way more living space and comfort. You can fish from either type…
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Storing Your Fishing Tackle on a Boat
Anyone who fishes from a boat will tell you that storage is always a problem. Rods need to be kept safe and dry, tackle boxes need to be accessible but out of the way, and everything needs to be secured so it doesn’t slide around when the boat moves. On a houseboat, you’ve got a…
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NiteLite: Revolutionising Carp Fishing Bite Indication
Waiting at the bank for a carp to bite? For most anglers, the bite indication setup becomes the most important part of their rig. The NiteLite is a modern development in how serious carp anglers detect and respond to bites, especially in difficult situations where method stops working. Importance of Bite Indicators Seasoned carp anglers…
CARP BITE ALARMS
Many carp anglers, whether on the bank or in a boat, use bite alarms. For use in a boat, the alarm would go on the end of the rod and the line goes over a sensor. When a fish pulls the line over the sensor a tone and a light are produced, signaling a take. This allows the angler to take a break, make a cup of tea, or even get some shut-eye, especially during long carp sessions.
Using carp bite alarms on a boat can be problematic since a boat moves with the wind, wave action, and even other boaters going in and out of the boat. Most alarms can be adjusted for sensitivity which will cut down on beeps but there are times when the line movement cannot be determined and a take is missed. Using a hanger or swinger on the line can help determine line movement. For more information about the various types of rigs, baits, and terminal tackle, check out the Baits & Rigs section of our site.
You’ll want a set with a remote receiver on a houseboat. With alarms out on deck, you can hear the take from the warmth of the cabin. Look for alarms with a good waterproof seal, because the roof of a boat catches every shower going, and check how the batteries are changed, because you don’t want to be fumbling with tiny screws in the dark.
The other thing to sort out is how to mount them. Bank sticks don’t work on a deck, so the majority of boat anglers either use a rod pod or clamp the alarms to a rail, and whatever you use needs to keep the rods from touching and knocking into each other, which isn’t helped by a boat in motion. Find more boat fishing tips on our boat fishing page.