Advantages of Using Personal Watercraft in Fishing

Fishing from a personal watercraft or PWC may seem odd and something only adrenaline enthusiasts would do, but it has been gaining traction in the sportfishing world in recent years.

Fishing on PWC or jet skis started in South Africa when some enterprising jet ski owners used their watercraft for fishing. Soon, the trend caught on. Anglers from Australia and New Zealand were the next to try the new and daring fishing venture, and quickly enough, US anglers became intrigued enough to try. Though there’s nothing quite like fishing from the shores or a big boat, many of these anglers have found that PWC fishing offers a different kind of experience that’s surprisingly beneficial and productive. 

Still on the fence with PWC fishing? Here are some advantages of using personal watercraft in fishing:

Advantages of Watercraft Fishing

1. PWCs are Less Expensive to Own and Run

Compared to investing in full-sized fishing boats (not to mention their accompanying towing vehicle), PWCs are comparatively cheaper to own. They also require less fuel than boats as smaller and more fuel-efficient.

A PWC is also more versatile as a recreational vehicle than a fishing boat. You can still take it out if you feel like cruising on the sea on a good day. So, in a sense, investing in a PWC means you get two water vehicles for the price of one.

2. PWCs are Easier to Store

If you have limited parking space at home, owning a PWC rather than a full-sized boat makes sense. And if you don’t have enough room in your garage, renting storage space for your PWC is still cheaper compared to off-season storage rentals for boats.

3. PWCs are Faster to Launch

Preparing to launch your PWC into the water is relatively easy. It will take you little to no time at all to launch your watercraft on your own — no need for an entire crew as you would require for a full-sized fishing boat. 

What’s even better about PWCs is that you don’t need traditional launching facilities. You can launch from the beach with ease.

4. Easier and Faster to Maneuver

The distinct advantage of using a PWC for fishing is that it allows you to reach your target fish faster and more efficiently than a traditional boat. Preparing a boat for use on the water requires a lengthy process. However, with a PWC, it's simply a matter of dragging it onto a shallow area of the water before taking off.

Once you’re on the water, you can easily maneuver this high-powered machine to your whims. Spot a catch a few miles down? If your vehicle can reach 75mph, you’ll be there catching your target in no time. Moving a boat from one location to another takes quite a bit more time, so you won’t be able to move around quite as much.

Note that a PWC may not be suited for all types of fishing. Anglers who have been fishing on PWCs for a while have noticed that the watercraft works best with drifting and trolling and is best used in waters that are at least 3 feet deep or waist-deep.

Fishing on a PWC Lets You Spot Your Catch More Easily

Compared to motorized boats, fishing on PWCs and kayaks puts you much closer to the water, allowing you to spot your catch more easily. However, you can’t chase your yield on a slow-moving kayak. So if you want to be closer to the water and have speed on your side, a PWC should be your watercraft of choice.

1. PWCs are the Best Travel Buddy

PWCs are easier to move around than a full-sized boat, so it’s a better traveling companion. If you’ve always relied on renting boats when traveling to new fishing spots, having a PWC allows you to have your ride, giving you more control and saving you a lot more money in rental fees.

2. PWC Fishing Lets You Fish Off-the-Beaten Course

Riding this portable machine onto the water gives you access to fishing grounds that are largely out of the crowds’ way. Most of the new PWCs also carry enough fuel for a long haul, allowing you to cover more than a hundred nautical miles. This means you can cover more grounds in a day.

3. PWC Fishing Encourages Catch and Release Fishing

Fishing on a PWC has a lot of advantages - but what it doesn’t have that fishing boats do is space. Therefore, in a way, it encourages you to practice catch-and-release, simply because you don’t have room to keep every fish you catch.

4. PWC Fishing - A Different Kind of Rush

Riding on a jet ski has always been an extreme water sport. Now, combine that with the thrill of fishing - especially for fish that put up quite a fight. Some game fish have been known to drag along its angler once hooked — you can’t say you’ll ever have the same experience on a boat.

5. PWC Fishing is Now More Becoming More Popular 

With the rising popularity of fishing on PWCs, plenty of watercraft are custom-built for fishing. Many of them are more stable than the older models, so you don’t need to worry about falling into the water when fishing or standing up to get to your cooler. Customizing your PWC for fishing is also easier with the number of additional PWC-friendly gear available in the market. You can customize your craft with rod holders, utility racks, side pods, fish boxes, canopies or covers, and electronic mounts. If you want to maximize your PWC’s ability to get to untapped fishing grounds, equip yourself with a fish finder and pair it with a GPS.