Why don't people use sailboats to fish with?

Question

I'm not into fishing, but my family is. My wife says people don't fish on sailboats. Is there a good reason? Those fishing rigs cost an arm and a leg.

Answer 1

I usually use a Rod and Reel.

Answer 2

There isn't much room for gear and getting around. It depends on what type of fishing you want to do.

Answer 3

sorry have motor boat myself, guess all that rigging would get in the way when casting .

Answer 4

I fish all the time from my sailboat.  Sometimes I anchor and other times I troll.  Some of the best fishing has happened when I dropped the sail and let the wind blow me along until I hit something and then threw out the anchor.

It's great not to have to bother with gas and a motor.

Answer 5

Maybe because of the width of the boat. If too many people are on one side, the boat might tip over. I don't know, it's just my guess.

Answer 6

Because if you  sailing you don't have the time to hold a fishing rod, you time is spent adjusting the jib sail and controlling the lines as necessary, not to mention you are going to be moving at a good rate if the winds are ideal.

Answer 7

1) Lots of boats troll.  A slow steady speed to stimulate the prey's movement.  Sailboats depend on the wind there can be no wind, thus no trolling, or there could be too much and the line running too fast.

2) Not to mention on sailboats you have to watch out for the boom in jives.  When it changes directions the boom comes across to boat.  Not hard to see why it could easily knock someone off.

They do fish of sailboats but for the most parts sailboats are bought for the pleasure of sailing not fishing.

Answer 8

Fishing from a sailboat is a lost art, but yeah.. if you're talking rod and reel fishing, there's really no reason you couldn't. In fact, many sailboat hulls are more stable at rest than the equivalent powerboat hull. The issues are things like the boom being in the way, having a place to land the fish, that kind of stuff. but we used to fish off our sailboat all the time.

Powerboaters definitely get to the good fishing grounds faster, though.

Answer 9

It may just depend on local customs.  I live in Alaska and I think some amount of fishing is done off just about any boat that goes on the ocean.  

People do use sailboats for fishing, but few power boats go sailing.  I occasionally troll for salmon or other species and I will be doing some halibut fishing from my "new to me" sailboat next year.  I used my prior sailboat for fishing.  I have a few friends that routinely fish from their sail boats.  Plus, years ago there were no motors on any of the fishing boats.  

I think people get the idea that we don't use sailboats for fishing because many sailors prefer to spend more time sailing than fishing.  Sailing has had me "hooked" for several years.  (Pun intended.)  I was kind of an avid fisher (mainly rivers) before becoming a sailor.  Another reason is that it is easier to use a power boat for fishing; you get to the desired fishing area quicker and many power boats are set up specifically for fishing.  

I am now ready to start a year of doing more fishing with my current sailboat and will add rod holders.  I just need winter to get over.  Most sailboats that I see have a couple rod holders.  I don't know anyone that doesn't enjoy catching a fish or two.  I like doing both.

Try it from a sailboat.  You may like it.

Answer 10

I cruised the Caribbean for 10 yrs fished all the time>Bit much lifting a 40 lbs tuna>wahoo>Dolphin> Up the side 5'>

Answer 11

Most times, when you are on a sailboat, you are out in big water.  Big water, bigger fish, less maneuverability on the sailboat.  I have a friend in Seattle that has a sailboat with a down rigger attachment on the back for fishing.  They overall are just not a convenient way to fish

Answer 12

Chad...ignore the dumb answers here.  Lots of people fish off sailboats. It's not ideal though because the cockpit is small.

Most if not all sailboats nowadays have a motor and can troll on windless days. On a big day most dummies can't get their boat over 6 knots anyway. Yes, there can be a lot to deal with. But an experianced sailor can get any boat in set-it-and-forget-it mode.

But here's the deal...sailing...along with riding lawnmowers.... is the last great frontier of drinking and driving.  After adjusting the sail lines...and settling back for a sip...who wants to haul in 150' of fishing line? I prefer to spill my beer during races...not leisure sailing or fishing.  Also...it's a pain to drop sails so you can back down the boat if needed.  Trust me, plenty of cruisers are equipped to haul up dinner as they sail around avoiding civilization.

And...regarding Jibes or Gybes...(not jives) .this is an off-the-wind or downwind turning manouver...yes they can be accidental and lethal...if everyone is sitting down though and the skipper controls it...no probs.

Again...ignore the dummy 2 Point Answer junkies.