Fishing boats come in all shapes and sizes -- from 8-footers suited to small ponds to 60-footers suited for running to the offshore canyons. No two are exactly the same, and no two are likely to appeal equally to any one buyer.
And when the boat show comes to the Convention Center each winter, casting about for a good fishing boat can be almost as much fun as catching fish, although picking a handful of possibilities from among the hundreds of boats on display is a good deal harder.
In the 22- to 26-foot range of fishing boats -- sizes that are trailerable, roomy enough for four fishermen and large enough to handle a rough day on Chesapeake Bay -- the following models are among many on display at the show, which runs through Sunday.
* Parker 23 DV Sport Cabin -- A boat that has been upgraded to include a finished, gelcoated interior, convertible dinette, head and sink.
The cockpit has plenty of room to fish from, and the hull is deep forward for smooth entry and strong performance in rough water. At about 4,000 pounds, it is trailerable; 150 gallons of fuel gives it considerable range with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard. Tristate Marine's showprice is $39,995.
* Shamrock 22 Express -- One among a line of straight inboard boats that have been around for a couple of decades, and which have been noted to be reliable -- if somewhat wet and rough in a chop.
Nice accommodations for weekending. Bait and tackle station is built in, there's a live bait well, two freshwater sinks in the cockpit, full canopy and weather curtains. Trailerable. Pleasurecraft Marine 351-cubic-inch V-8 engine. Eighty gallons of fuel. White Marlin Marine's showprice is $38,100.
* Albemarle 24 -- A classic design that will run 40 knots in rough seas. Good fishing cockpit. Small cabin. Volvo 5.7-liter engine with duoprop outdrive. Few extras on show model, but a solid boat with a great reputation. Lippincott Marine's showprice $43,625.
* Grady White Islander 26 -- For the bay or ocean, it is hard to beat the package put together by Beacon Light Marina. It has a strong deep vee hull, walk-around cabin with berths and twin 150-horsepower Johnson Ocean Runner outboards. Also included are full instrumentation compass, depth finder and Loran, hardtop with radio box, spreader lights, side curtains, head and livewell. Showprice is $70,814.
* Wahoo 240 EFS open fisherman -- Through the years, Wahoo has been better known for smaller, center console boats, but the 240 EFS appears to be a much better open-water boat.
The bow is open and the cockpit has good space for fishing or lounging on the way to and from the fishing grounds. The show model at Fred Quimby's Marine Services has a T-top, compass, instruments, sea water washdown, livewell and single 225-horsepower Mercury outboard. Showprice is $39,491.
* Mako 263 Walkaround -- A good-looking boat with a reputation for strength and the manufacturer, Mako Marine, is known for the longevity of its boats. The show model was fitted with two 200-horsepower Yamaha outboards and optional weekend and cockpit packages. Showprice is $58,272.
* Celebrity 2300 center console -- Tradewinds Marine of Baltimore may have the answer to the budget-conscious buyer's problem -- the 2300 center console. With a 4.3-liter, V-6 engine and a head under the console, this model has the making of a Chesapeake Bay dayboat for a family of four or five. Showprice is $20,995.
* Sea Cat SL5C -- A new kid on the boating block and built by North American Fiberglass Corp. (builder of the well known Sea Ox), this is a twin-hulled catamaran powered by two 115-horsepower mercury outboards.
The Sea Cat has a walk-around cabin, wide-open cockpit and is designed for offshore fishing. Twin hulls mean a less wetted surface and better performance with less power. Although fairly new to the U.S. market, powered catamarans have been in use in Australia and the South Pacific for many years. Showprice is $43,000.
* Robalo 2440 walk-around -- Cutter Marine has put together a boat show package that is interesting because it features a well-built boat and top-of-the-line equipment, from engine instrumentation through hardtop and drop curtains. There is little else to buy before heading out. Good hull. Spreader lights. Rocket launchers, etc. Twin outboards. Show price is $47,900.