| When you get seriously into carp fishing, buying a | | | | withstand actual waves when the weather turns |
| bait boat is going to become a priority, and will | | | | nasty. But if you're only fishing your local carp |
| also likely be one of your biggest one-off | | | | pond, a lightweight boat will probably do the trick, |
| expenses. But it is definitely one of those essential | | | | and you can always swim and fetch it if it gets |
| tools for getting your bait exactly where it needs | | | | stuck! Having said that, the lighter, cheaper boats |
| to go. Carp bait boats can cost from around | | | | seem to be less reliable and durable, so may end |
| £300 to over £700, so you need to | | | | up being a false economy. As we all know so well, |
| do your research and choose carefully. There are | | | | there is nothing worse than a bit of kit that |
| a few features that you need to compare when | | | | doesn't work. |
| you start checking out what is available. | | | | There are all sorts of bells and whistles on the |
| Jet drive boats are usually worth the extra | | | | expensive boats, such as fancy lights and fish |
| investment; traditional propeller drives are fine for | | | | finders. But the only other major factor to |
| getting the boat around, but even with weed | | | | consider when comparing boats is the bait |
| guards you risk getting clogged up and tangled. Jet | | | | capacity. Smaller boats equal more trips, so as |
| propelled boats don't have bits sticking out into | | | | long as your battery can last as long as you want |
| the water. Another thing that is worth spending | | | | to fish, you're OK. |
| out on is bigger, or spare, batteries. Some even | | | | So where to start? The Angling Technics Microcat |
| come with solar chargers that keep your battery | | | | or Procat are popular, and the Waverunner and |
| charged while your boat is scooting about. If you | | | | Atom (made by the same people) get good |
| invest in a good power supply, you can send your | | | | reviews too. Matt Hayes has his cheap TFG |
| bait boat out on bait runs several times, which | | | | Patriot, which probably does the job but I've seen |
| then means you can get a lighter, smaller boat | | | | some negative reviews. The Viper range is also |
| with a smaller bait hopper capacity and then do | | | | recommended, especially the Euro, which dwarfs |
| more frequent bait runs. | | | | the smaller boats. Search for bait boats online and |
| If you are fishing huge carp waters in France, for | | | | you'll find a few good comparison sites to make |
| example, you'll need a heavy duty boat that can | | | | your choice a little easier. Good luck! |