PWC Fishing! Who's Tried It?

[jetskimotor]

Hey everyone,

I’ve been reading more lately about people turning their jet skis into fishing rigs—and honestly, it looks interesting. Because PWC fishing combines the speed and mobility of a jet ski with the laid-back feel of casting a line, it seems like a solid alternative to owning a full boat.

I've seen setups where riders add rod holders, small coolers, and even fish finders. Some go further, building custom rear platforms to carry bait tanks or tackle boxes. Still, I'm wondering how practical it really is.

Since jet skis have limited storage, where do you keep extra gear? Also, fighting a big fish must change the balance, especially if you’re on something narrow like a two-seater.

A few questions for anyone here who's tried it:
• What models work best? Are bigger PWCs like Yamaha FX or Sea-Doo Fish Pro really worth it?
• Does adding gear noticeably reduce speed or stability?
• How do you handle anchoring or drift when fishing solo?
• What local rules should I double-check (like rod limit or PWC fishing zones)?


I’m in the early stages—just gathering info before dropping cash on rod holders or fish finders. Also curious if anyone uses aftermarket kits or builds their own mounts.


Because traditional boats can cost more and need more space, PWC fishing could be a cool compromise. Yet I'd rather know the downsides now than find out on the water.


Anyone here already doing this? Share pics of your setup, what worked, and what you'd change next time.


Looking forward to hearing real-world tips!

 

[HTX1811]

I would venture to say most on here have, to include me. Love mine.

Too bad this forum is pretty much a dead space. Very little activity.

 

[Sd97gtx]

I have an explorer pro, and recreationally fish from it. I have the linq rod holder on the port side, and used a linq cargo box as my "tackle box". I recently purchased larger boxes, and will be using them next riding season. I used to fish on a seadoo spark. It was possible on a small lake, but is more difficult in larger waters. Changing a lure on a spark in 3ft swells is very difficult. lol. Found myself laying across the seat to get lures out / tie them. I love the depth finder on the explorer. It adds more confidence when exploring new places, especially when unsure of the depth. When navigating / fishing just be aware you will be the leader if you have a depth finder and the rest of your crew does not.

To answer your questions:

1. The larger the pwc is, the easier it is to fish from. Smaller pwcs will move a lot with waves, and are not as stable. The explorer/fish pro are very large, but in turn very stable. You can stand in one of the foot wells and fish. The pwc will not tip over.
2. Adding gear can alter stability; it depends on the weight of the gear and model of pwc. A pwc with an extended deck will add more buoyancy, and therefore more stable ride with additional gear. I have not tested speed with a "large amount" of additional cargo.
3. I have not anchored and fished. I do drift fish along the shore. I usually look at the garmin until I find a ledge where the water quickly gets shallow (20 ft and quickly gets shallower). I then shut the seadoo off and drift into shore. I know when to move deeper when I can visibly see how shallow the water is. My next adventure will be trolling.
4. It is important to always check local laws. I usually google the body of water I will be on and there are usually government/body of water websites that include the rules and regulations (US).

It truly depends on the model of ski you have for the set-up you want. My one recommendation is spend time researching the different models and price points. There is nothing worse than buying a new pwc, and spending money to turn it into something you could have bough with the additional options for slightly more.

I do not have any pics of my setup yet as I only had the pwc on the water a few hours before it had to be winterized.

Hopefully these tips from a newbie somewhat help!