There are many options to get on the water. Canoes, Kayaks and other small boats will get you into shallow water and run VERY quiet. Float tubes and pontoons are also a good way to get off the shore and move quitely. Both of these options require that you don't have too far to travel to get to the fish. As for boats, I would recommend you get something you can afford. It doesn't have to be the biggest boat on the lake to catch fish, and the larger motors also cost more to operate. Of course, if you can afford it, the bigger boats are more comfortable and have more options, more storage, come with better electronics and get you to the fishing hole faster. Find something you like and that will work for you. I use many different options myself. I fish out of chest waders, a float tube, a canoe, a bass hunter w/an electric trolling motor, a 1976 16' Smokercraft Whitewater or a 2009 Stratos 176XT. It just depends on where we're going.