Fishing from a Sailboat

 

Sail boats have been used in fishing for years, but today most use a motorboat. The motorboat has many advantages over the sailboat when fishing.  Myself, I like the advantages of the sailboat.

When fishing using a sailboat, it takes longer to get to your fishing spot, but you have a delightful sail getting there. You can troll as you go, so not all is lost in that respect. This time sailing also lets you get everything set up and ready to use when you get there, and you have time for pleasant conversation.

Sailing is ideal for trolling. The speed is slow, and the boat is quiet (not like the noise you put up with from a power boat). The ride is also (usually) much smoother than a bouncing powerboat. We run two lines out, one from each side of the stern. If we get something on the line we can heave-to (Heaving-to is holding your position in open water) until you land the fish and then continue on. Heaving-to lets you leave your sails up but not move all that much. When you reach your fishing spot you can drop the sails while you fish.

Line fishing is good. Casting is a bad idea. The standing rigging, your sails, all the lines like the halyards and sheet lines, all are hook magnets. Fishing lines love to spin around a shroud and lock in to a line. They almost always have to be cut off these so no damage is done.

When fishing from a sailboat you get plenty of time to relax. This time can be used  to come up with great stories about the one that got away and rid yourself of stress as you sail back to port.