From One Angler To Another

2021 Trends for Fishing, Boating, and Safety

December 31, 2020 By DeDee

While most of us are anxious to put the year 2020 behind us, it has been a stellar year for the fishing industry. More fishing licenses were sold than ever before. More children and women learned how to fish or got better at it. In a year where there wasn’t much to do, fishing became one of the premier social distancing sports.

So, the question is, what will 2021 and beyond bring?

By all indications, there will be growth and awareness in all areas, including safety. Here is what the experts from MarketWatch, Linchpin, and Wired2Fish have to say.

Fishing Facts

North America has the highest demand for fishing equipment (37%), followed by Europe, China, and Japan.
Freshwater fishing accounts for over 64% of all fishing in the world.
Fishing equipment worldwide sales are expected to be the equivalent of USD 13.4 billion by the end of 2021 and USD 16.7 billion by the end of 2026, which is an annual growth of 3.1 percent.

2021 Boating Trends

Fishing boats make up the largest percentage of all boat sales and are expected to grow 2 percent over 2019 sales in 2021, making the number of fishing boats sold worldwide at 285,900. Breaking this down further means 782 boats sold per day, or one boat sold every other minute.
The average boat cost in 2019 was $146,900; however, that includes everything from yachts to entry-level motorboats. New bass boats typically run from $30,000 to $69,000.
Marine fuel will be safer in 2021 because sulfur emissions will be capped at .5 percent of total exhaust volume.
Renewable diesel fuel is 100% renewable as it is made from vegetable oils, and it will dominate the marine fuel market.

Safety Statistics

2021 is expected to be 3-5% safer than in 2020.
Drownings are the number one cause of boating deaths because boaters do not wear floatation devices. The death rate could go down by 150-180 individuals if everyone wore a floatation device.
One hundred seventy deaths are due to head injuries due to propeller strikes. Often there is alcohol involved in these deaths as well.
The number one cause of boating accidents are two boats colliding. While injuries often occur from these collisions, death does not.
Saturdays between 2:30 and 4:30 pm are the most unsafe boating day and periods.

2021 Trends Summary

Since COVID-19 will be with us through at least the first half of 2021, fishing is expected to continue to grow as a sport. More boats will be sold with environmental fuel, suitable for everyone and everything (including the fish). Safety and security need to be on everyone’s mind, both in the boat in the water or when the boat is parked in your driveway or outside your motel room.

Happy New Year

Your boat is more than a hobby. It’s an expression of who you are. And you want to keep it secure. We understand. We’ve been helping boaters keep their boats safe and achieve greater peace of mind for 35+ years. Let us know how we can help you.

The Key Captain Is A State Of The Art Electronic Locking System Ideal For Bass Boats and Other Fishing Boats. If You Need Someone To Walk You Through The Options, call us at 1-440-899-9820. Or let us know if you’d like to have it installed on a new boat or retrofitted onto your boat through a dealer near you.

10 Great Holiday Gifts for Your Fisherman

November 27, 2020 By DeDee

Whether your fisherman is near or far, a beginner or experienced angler, buying them that special fishing gift may be challenging. Below are holiday gifts to help keep them on the water longer and in more comfort.

Enjoy!

Fishing Lures Set

With different lures and baits, look for an easily transportable kit that includes crankbaits, worms, topwater lures, soft bait, shrimp simulation, and lures that are perfect for all types of fishing, including lakes, oceans, and rivers.

Cost: $29-39

Sun Protection Fishing Cap

Fishing gifts don’t come more practical than this hat with a wide brim and back flap for complete sun protection. It should block 98% of UVA/UVB rays and dry quickly. Look for mesh vents for airflow and breathability.

Cost: $21-32

Water and Wind Resistant Soft Shell

Look for one that is lightweight and comfortable during long hours on the water. Look for features like a polyester/spandex shell that’s highly breathable.

Cost: $50-75

LCD Fishing Scale

If you’re looking for an impressive gift, then this scale may be just what you need. Though compact in size, it can accurately weigh fish up to 110 lbs., displaying the weight on a bright LCD screen. It also features a built-in, three-foot-long measuring tape to measure their catch!

Cost: $10-13

Foldable Fishing Net

Look for a nylon net that’s ideal for both catching and releasing fish, easy to store, and a non-absorbent coating.

Cost: $17-90

Microfiber Bait Towel

Whether the bait is worms, minnows, or shrimp, your fisherman’s hands are going to get fishy when they bait that hook. This quick-drying microfiber towel hooks right onto their belt.

Cost: $4-6

Outdoor Weather Indicator Watch

This watch measures temperature, altitude, and air pressure. A large LCD shows at-a-glance readouts of the data produced in each mode. A high-performance pressure sensor provides altitude readings up to 10,000 meters and automatic air pressure readings every two hours. Measurement results are displayed graphically, which can predict upcoming weather with reasonable accuracy.

Cost: $65

Live Bait Cooler

Serious anglers know that one sure way to attract the big fish is to use live bait. This cooler keeps the baitfish fresh, alive, and flapping.

Cost: $80

Armor Protective Wading Boots

Made from state of the art, newly developed, cut, and puncture-resistant material, these boots make an excellent gift for anglers. They are protected from the top to the bottom, even under the sole, and the rubberized lower makes the most vulnerable areas even more protective.

Cost: $189

The Key Captain

The Convenience of remote-controlled security in the palm of your fisherman’s hand

Our one-of-a-kind patented remote control locking system with a Key Fob will lock and unlock a boat’s storage compartments from up to 100 feet away. It can also control auxiliary functions such as engine trim up and down, boat lighting, and live wells.

Cost: $228-$880

Sarasota Quality Products Has the Holiday Gifts

If you are looking for more gift ideas for the fishing or boating enthusiast on your list, check out our full online catalog.

How to Fish for Bass in the Fall

October 30, 2020 By DeDee

The days are shorter and colder. However, there will still be days full of sunshine where you are just itching to get your boat in the water one more time.

It turns out autumn is still a good time to bass fish. Here are the five most common questions about it, as it’s different than spring or summer fishing.

Is fall a good time to bass fish?

Yes, however, you have to think like a fish to be the most successful. First, remember they are feeding all the time, filling up their bellies for a long winter. Second, they are continually moving, so you have to as well.

How do you fish for bass in the fall?

Use spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and top-water baits. Vibrating, rattling lures like a crankbait are productive when water temperatures are falling. Spinnerbaits work well in the wind. Top-water baits work when you are fishing along the shoreline without a boat.

For more the lures, check out this YouTube video.

Provided by Wired2Fish

What do bass feed on in the fall?

They feed on anything that resembles a shad or shiner.

Where do bass go in the fall?

Boat docks can also be a great place to target bass this time of year. Look for wood docks, on which algae grows below the waterline. Other areas include coves, bays, and creek arms. But remember, they are continually moving, so you must do so as well.

What is the best tip?

Autumn is a time when patience wins out. You will have to try several baits. What works one day might not work the next. Be ready to fish fast, and by all means, please be versatile!

Brought to you by Sarasota Quality Products

Your boat is more than a hobby. It’s an expression of who you are. And you want to keep it secure. We understand. We’ve been helping boaters keep their boats safe and achieve greater peace of mind for 35+ years. Let us know how we can help you by calling us at 440-899-9820, Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm EST.

The 4 Best Bass Boats of the Year

September 29, 2020 By DeDee

Now is the best time to start shopping for bass boats as the 2020 models are being retired, and the 2021 ones are making their introductions. Here are the four bass boats in 2020, as ranked by TripSavvy.

Please remember if you want to install The Key Captain remote locking system on your boat while at the dealership, we’ll coordinate your installation with your dealer.

Here are the best bass boats.

Best Overall: The Puma FTD

The Puma FTD continues its legacy as one of the most popular models in the Bass Cat Premium category. At 20’4″ in length, it carries the necessary footprint for maneuverability in tight areas. The forward recessed foot pedal positions anglers for pinpoint accuracy and efficiency at all times. When it’s time to head offshore, the 94″ beam will give you the confidence to span waves without sacrificing stability. Twin 26-gallon fuel tanks provide the range to make it out there and back with no worries.

Price: $69,000

Runner Up: Nitro Z21

Bred to be a champion, the NITRO® Z21 is our most advanced bass boat, designed with Bassmaster Classic Champions Kevin VanDam and Edwin Evers. The Z21 is our biggest performance bass boat, but doesn’t it doesn’t sacrifice speed and performance for size. It’s got room at the console and the bow for flush-mounting 12″ fishfinders, plus a heavily-insulated cooler under the step up to the bow deck. Low-profile gunnels feature integrated nav lights, and advanced deck drainage keeps your gear dry in the roughest conditions.

Price: $45,600

Best Under $30,000: Ranger Z175

The Z175’s tournament-inspired design is evident from bow to stern and is complemented by spirited, economic performance. An 8-foot rod box and gel-coat-lined, insulated step cooler, massive starboard storage, and integrated tool holders highlight the front deck. At the same time, power is provided by 115 horses hung on an integrated setback for peak performance. The cockpit features premium seats covered in marine-grade vinyl for sharp looks and all-around comfort, while the cantilevered console delivers more space and houses standard Lowrance® electronics. The timed, aerated livewell is flanked by a pair of oversized storage boxes in front of easy-to-reach battery access. Complementing the on-water performance of the Z175 is a hand-built Ranger Trail® trailer that’s custom made for years of peace of mind off the water. The swing-away trailer tongue makes this compact rig even shorter for more storage options. Each time you back it down the ramp, the Z175 boasts prominent features and a big attitude.

Price: $30, 500

Best Aluminum: Crestliner 1750 Bass Hawk

Whether you’re angling walleye, muskie, or bass, this multispecies Deep-V hull fishing boat can take you where you want to go. You can easily navigate from the dock to the main lake basin, and then over to your favorite shallow water fishing hole from the new, premium console, which features multifunction chrome gauges, space for 12″ flush mount electronics, and much more.

The all-welded wide beam hull adds extra stability, and the variable degree deadrise allows you to make tighter turns and still feel in control. In addition to massive casting decks at the bow and stern, the amount of accessible storage is incredible. The 1750 Bass Hawk comes standard with a large 28-gallon livewell and an illuminated center rod locker that can hold up to 15 rods up to 8′. It all adds up to a zero-compromise, multispecies-catching machine.

Price: $30,700

About Sarasota Quality Products

Your boat is more than a hobby. It’s an expression of who you are. And you want to keep it secure. We understand. We’ve been helping boaters achieve greater peace of mind for 35+ years. Let us know how we can help you by calling 440-899-9820 today!

The Differences Between Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass

August 27, 2020 By DeDee

When anglers head for their respective tournaments, it is essential to know what type of bass they will likely run into in the waterways. It turns out, even though smallmouth and largemouth bass can live in the same freshwater waterway and they can often be the same size, they are quite different species.

Let us take a closer look at each.

Smallmouth Bass

The smallmouth bass is in the sunfish family. They are often known as “Brown Bass.” It is a popular game fish sought by anglers throughout the temperate zones of North America.

Smallmouth does not get large, often topping out around ten pounds.

They are usually more acrobatic in the water, often seen trying to throw a hook when caught.

You can find smallmouth bass in cold, northern waters like the Great Lakes. They like the cover, hunting around it. However, they swim in clear waters and are found in challenging currents.

They stick to shallow water during the spring and fall. When the weather turns hot, they migrate to deeper waters. They are rarely in groups.

Largemouth Bass

The largemouth bass is a carnivorous freshwater gamefish in the sunfish family, generally native to eastern and central United States and northern Mexico. They are often referred to as a “Green Bass.”

They have a large mouth with an upper jaw that extends past the eye and can weigh in at twice the poundage of their smallmouth cousin.

They are not jumpers and prefer warmer waters, like Lake Okeechobee.

Largemouth bass loves the thick cover, making it optimal to fish for them in murky water. They avoid strong currents.

Largemouthers spend their summers in shallow bays and creeks.

Brought to You by Sarasota Quality Products

Whether you are fishing for smallmouth or largemouth bass, it’s essential to have the right reels, rods, and lures on board. And of course, you want to make sure everything is locked and secure in your boat. For the best remote locking system around, order the Key Captain!