Boats and Fishing, Explained Plainly
Marine Expert is a reference guide for fishing and boat ownership in the UK. It provides practical information about boat ownership (what you need to buy, what you need to know, what it costs, what the rules are) without trying to sell you anything.
Boat Guides
A boat is a big investment and some people are surprised to find that the costs don’t end when the sale is complete. Our guides explain some of the ongoing costs of boat ownership to help boat buyers make an educated purchase.
- Types of Boat: narrowboats, cruisers, RIBs, yachts and what each one is good for
- Buying a Boat: the paperwork, the survey and the questions to ask
- Where to Keep a Boat: marinas, canal moorings, swing moorings and storing at home
- Boat Maintenance: the hull, the engine and the jobs that should not be put off
Fishing Kit Guides
It is easy to go overboard with the gear you buy for fishing. We provide guides on different types of fishing kit, starting with a carp set-up and fishing from a boat.
- Carp Bite Alarms: sensitivity, tone, waterproofing and battery life
- Bite Alarm Receivers: range, pairing and what to check before you buy
- Carp Bite Indicators: hangers, swingers and how heavy to go
- Rod Pods and Bank Sticks: which one suits the banks you fish
- Boat Fishing Kit: boat rods, multipliers, uptiding and the safety kit to take
Fishing from a Boat
A boat gets you to water that no one on the bank can reach. If you are thinking of buying a boat to fish from, start with Types of Boat to see what suits fishing, then read Boat Fishing Kit for the tackle and safety gear you will need. You do not need a rod licence to fish at sea, which is one less thing to sort out.
Before You Go Fishing
Any person over 13 years needs a rod licence to fish freshwater in England and Wales, even on private water. From 15 March to 15 June every year, coarse fishing on rivers is closed. Our fishing guides cover these.
- Rod Licences: who needs one and which type to buy
- Close Seasons: the dates and where they apply
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Vibrator Sensing: One of the Leading Innovations in Modern Fishing
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Is a Boat a Good Investment?
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Safety Checklist when Sailing a Canal Boat
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