In most cases, you will find a higher volume of small fishing boats on the water than larger vessels. Why? Smaller boats are easier to operate, are cheaper and they require less maintenance. If you are in the market for a small fishing boat, there are plenty of options  out there.





Whether you're considering freshwater or saltwater fishing boats, one thing is certain: the majority will measure less than 6 metres in length. Smaller boats cost less to buy, run, store, and upkeep. Due to their simplicity, they experience fewer breakdowns and require minimal upkeep. Additionally, activities such as trailering, launching and docking are also made easier.





Thankfully, regardless of your fishing preferences, there are plenty of boats to choose from:





  • Aluminium fishing boats
  • Bay boats
  • Centre consoles
  • Dinghies
  • Shallow water fishing boats
  • Estuary boats
  • Dory boats
  • Punt boats
  • Kayaks
  • Gigs
  • PWCs (personal watercrafts)




Aluminium fishing boat floating on water.
Aluminium fishing boats like this Shark BRX are incredibly popular – and with good reason.




Aluminium fishing boats





Aluminium fishing boats hold several advantages over fibreglass boats, particularly when it comes to diminutive models. They are lighter than fibreglass, so trailering with a much smaller tow vehicle becomes possible. They also require virtually no maintenance beyond a rinse at the end of the day. Additionally, they are good for beginner boaters prone to accidents as the metal hull dents rather than shatters if you hit something hard.





However, there are some cons to aluminium fishing boats too. For example, they get blown around easily in a breeze and often don’t ride as smoothly as fiberglass models with more heft and complex hull designs. Despite this, for many people, an aluminium rig will make for an ideal small fishing boat.





See aluminium fishing boat listings





Two men fish driving fast in a bay boat.
Bay boats do come in larger sizes, but for many anglers, a small bay boat is all it takes to do some big-time fishing.




Bay boats





Bay boats range in size, so not all these boats are classed as 'small'. However, those that do fit this size range are ideal boats for inland saltwater fishing. Bay boats are designed to support fishers with features such as integrated live wells, fish boxes, and rod holders. Pricing for bay boats can vary widely. This is because while some are rather simple and come equipped with minimal powerplants, others can be more developed, sporting large outboard engines.





See bay boats for sale





Two men stood next to each other navigate waters in a centre console boat.
Centre consoles are the most popular type of small fishing boat for saltwater angling. However, they also hold their own in sweet water, too.




Centre console boats





There are many types of centre console boats. Flat boats, gigs and bay boats, for example, may (or may not) be centre consoles too. Essentially, any small fishing boat that has a centred helm station mounted on a console can be considered a centre console. This design is perfect for fishing since it allows for 360-degree casting all around the boat. In fact, the centre console is one of the most popular styles of fishing boats out on the water today.





Browse centre console boats available





Two men sit in a dinghy boat, one using paddles to row.
Can a dinghy serve as a fishing boat too? Sure, why not?




Dinghies





Dinghies aren’t specifically designed for fishing, but they certainly are small, and you can fish from them. In many cases, dinghies serve well as an angling platform for one to two fishers. As you might expect, the defining characteristic of these boats is their small size. Often, a dinghy is no more complex than a hull with a bench seat or two. But for someone hoping to catch fish in a pond, river, or small bay, that may be all that’s really needed.





See dinghies for sale





Shallow water fishing boats





Shallow water fishing boats are designed to navigate low waters and are suitable for fishing in flats or coastal areas. The agility offered by this boat's small size and frame means that fishers can look for shallow water species in areas where larger vessels are simply unable to reach. An additional benefit of this boat type is its reduced environmental impact as they are less likely to disrupt underwater flora on the seabed.





See shallow water fishing boat for sale





Estuary boat floating on a body of water.
Estuary boats are the perfect choice for both saltwater and freshwater fishing.




Estuary boats





Estuary boats are specifically designed for fishing in estuaries, where saltwater and freshwater mixes. With streams of seawater and river water flowing into one zone, estuaries offer fishers a diverse water environment to explore. Boats designed for these mixed waters usually have a shallow draft and additional handy features for fishing in calm tides.





Dory boats





Dory boats are small, flat-bottomed boats with bench seats that can be used for fishing in rivers, lakes and calm coastal areas. These shallow draft boats are usually quite lightweight with high sides. Known by many as the traditional fishing boat, dory boats are a popular choice for fishers roaming both shallow, coastal and open waters.





Punt boats





Punt boats are flat-bottomed boats commonly used for fishing and transportation in shallow waters. They are propelled using poles or oars. Although punt boats are also used for transport, they remain a solid choice for anglers cruising low waters. This boat type first became popular in the 1800s in England.









Man wearing a sun cap catches fish while sitting in a kayak.
Kayaks are the top pick for anglers who value stealth in a single-person fishing machine.




Kayaks





For an angler who likes to remain stealthy, nothing can compare to fishing from a kayak. These (very) small fishing boats are not only great to fish from, but they’re also good exercise as they are self-propelled. There are plenty of relatively inexpensive models on the market that can be transported easily in various vehicles. However, there are also models that are on the luxurious side too. Overall, kayaks remain an incredibly popular choice of boat.





Gigs





Gig boats are small, traditional fishing boats used in various regions, particularly those with coastal shores and estuaries. Gigs are often used for inshore fishing so they can navigate shallow waters very well. This gives fishers a clear overview and easy visibility of the waters below.





Man reels in a fish he has caught from a PWC boat.
A fishing PWC? Sure, you can add racks and rod holders to turn your PWC into a small fishing boat—or you can buy one like this, already rigged for an angling experience.




Personal watercrafts (PWCs)





Most people probably wouldn’t think of personal watercrafts as fishing boats. And fishing certainly isn’t what they were originally designed for. But there are a few enthusiasts who have customised PWCs to act as small but effective fishing boats. In fact, enough people do it that there’s an industry for PWC fishing accessories, such as bolt-on rod holders, cooler racks, and live wells.





Check out our Personal Watercraft for sale, and you’ll be able to find more than a few examples of PWCs which make excellent small fishing boats. And if you're searching for the ultimate PWC fishing machine already rigged for angling, you can find it in Sea-Doo's Fish Pro model.









Think you've found the perfect small fishing boat for you? We certainly hope so. For some additional ideas and options, also be sure to check out:






Written by: Lenny Rudow
With over two decades of experience in marine journalism, Lenny Rudow has contributed to publications including YachtWorld, boats.com, Boating Magazine, Marlin Magazine, Boating World, Saltwater Sportsman, Texas Fish & Game, and many others. Lenny is a graduate of the Westlawn School of Yacht Design, and he has won numerous BWI and OWAA writing awards.