How To Plan The Best RV Fishing Trip | Weather.com

Take Your Dad On His Long-Awaited RV Fishing Trip

(mvy.com)

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This content was sponsored, presented by and produced in partnership with RVshare.

Maybe that special guy in your life loves roughing it outdoors - or maybe he wants all the creature comforts of home without the fuss of maintenance, insurance and stress that comes with owning an RV. And if he’s the kind of guy that already has everything he wants, he may just appreciate that special getaway fishing trip instead.

No matter what kind of outdoor trip speaks to dad, we have just the option for you. Whether it’s fishing, camping, exploring national parks or simply taking in the breathtaking views as you travel from state to state, RVing has become more popular thanks to its convenience and freedom to choose your own adventure. And with RV rental marketplaces like RVshare, finding a well-loved and well-stocked option is easier than ever. Following the pandemic, when social distancing needed to be strictly enforced, RV living and travel became the go-to option.

Where renting an RV really shines, though, is when you have large families looking to travel together. Renting rooms at a hotel for four, six, eight or even more people can rapidly deplete your budget. RV options boast multiple beds and bunk beds, and along with unique sleeping and kitchen options, it could really save your pocketbook for more important expenses.

If you’re looking for staycation or long-distance travel adventure, we’re highlighting some of the best fishing spots and RV options available, thanks to our partnership with RVshare. If fishing isn't quite your forte, not to worry - we also have a roundup of famous National Parks and landmarks you can visit during your summer RV adventures.

Fan-Favorite Fishing Destinations

1. Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area
(visitcadelta.com)

California as a whole has some pretty epic fishing spots, so it’s hard to pick one particular place. This resource has a roundup of all the different kinds of catches, fishing spots and what you can expect during different seasons. We chose the California Delta as one of our top picks thanks to the sheer amount of stuff you can do - jet skiing and kayaking, tubing, summer festivals, visiting river towns, wineries, and more. There’s a lot of camping and RV parks near marinas and state parks with direct access to the water.

Caught Our Eye: 2022 Heartland Pioneer - 32' (Sleeps 10)

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2022 Heartland Pioneer - 32'
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2. Florida Keys

Florida Keys
(fla-keys.com)

It would be remiss of me (as a native Floridian) not to include Florida as a prime fishing destination. From state line to tail, almost every corner of the state can offer some kind of fishing experience depending on your preferences. One of the most popular destinations, however, remains the Florida Keys. It’s a 100-mile stretch of islands with some of the most famous fishing towns like Islamorada, Marathon, Key Largo, and Key West.

Caught Our Eye: 2022 Redhawk SE 27N RV Rental near Homestead, FL

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2022 Redhawk SE 27N RV Rental near Homestead, FL
(RVshare.com)

3. Martha’s Vineyard, MA

Consider chartering a boat
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If you’re in the mood for a guided fishing trip or boat charter, Martha’s Vineyard offers multiple fishing options. Mid-May is the unofficial start of the island’s fishing season, from bluefish and striped bass with more fish to follow. But if you’re not in the mood to charter, there are still sandy beaches and surf casting spots.

Caught Our Eye: 27.0 Coleman Light 2435RK Travel Trailer

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27.0 Coleman Light 2435RK Travel Trailer
(RVshare.com)

4. Lake Buchanan, TX

(visitmarblefalls.org)

Lake Buchanan was artificially built in 1937 with the creation of the Buchanan Dam, designed to store water and help bring an end to flooding in the Austin area. It's stocked with several species, including largemouth bass, catfish, white bass and striped bass. There are three main parks on the lake, along with private marinas that offer boating access. In addition to fishing, you can rent kayaks, stand up paddle boards and boats, go hiking, biking, and more.

Caught Our Eye: 2022 Crossroads Cruiser KING BED 28RKS

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2022 Crossroads Cruiser
(RVshare.com)

5. Devils Lake, North Dakota

(devilslakend.com)

If you’re a fisherman seeking your next great catch, you want to visit national parks, rent a boat or kayak, go golfing, hunting, or even visit a casino, Devils Lake, North Dakota might just give you everything you need in one place. While it’s considered the best in the winter when you can take advantage of the ice fishing, there’s still plenty to do in the spring and summer as well.

Caught Our Eye: 2018 Travel Trailer Heartland Sundance Ultra Lite 291 QB

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2018 Travel Trailer Heartland Sundance Ultra Lite 291 QB
(RVshare.com)

Best RV Options For Families (And Fathers)

After you’ve decided on the location and date of your trip, you’ll need to figure out the best type of RV that will fit your family size and driving comfort level. I’ve included a quick breakout below of some of the options, but you can get more details about the different class options at RVshare’s blog.

Towable RVs

Towable RVs - Travel Trailer Options
(RVshare.com)

These are the two most popular towable RV types to choose from:

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1. Travel Trailer: If you want to unhitch and visit other locations nearby, this could be a great option. While usually not as big as the Fifth Wheel, you can get pretty much all of the amenities you need, and you can tow it with a truck or large SUV. Travel trailers or bumper bulls hitch to the back end of your truck, and come in a wide variety of sizes. Unlike a pop-up trailer, there’s no manual folding or unfolding involved. It’s worth noting that the larger the trailer, the stronger your truck will need to be to tow it.

2. Fifth Wheel: With an overbed hitch, it can have multiple slide outs and has the largest RV footprint of the towing type. They usually come with full size kitchens, and a master bedroom may be included. It should be towed with a full-sized one-ton truck. This size of RV can make it difficult getting to remote areas.

There's a helpful comparison chart with a side by side specs breakout on the RVshare homepage. One of the most frequent picks in the towing category is the Travel Trailer, according to RVshare. These are the most spacious options and are a popular choice to have delivered to a campground or destination.

Drivable RVs

Drivable RVs - Class C Motorhomes
(RVshare.com)

If you’re looking for a motorhome to fit more people and a little extra luxury, these are the drivable RVs to choose from:

1. Class A Motorhome: These are the big, decked out RVs with full-size amenities like ovens, a refrigerator, and bed for long-term travel. Your most luxurious option, it will typically come with secondary sleeping spaces like bunk beds and a bathroom. You will need to be comfortable driving a bus or other large vehicle.

2. Class B Motorhome: Ideal for couples or solo travelers looking for compact, fuel-efficient and easy-to-drive RVs with the general essential amenities.

3. Class C Motorhome: These can offer some of the amenities of a Class A but at a slightly smaller scale and price point. They can include overhead sleeping space and other full-size features, and range between 20-38 feet long. If you’re comfortable driving a truck, you should find this easy enough to handle.

The most popular picks in the drivable RV category are the Class B and C motorhomes, since they offer quite a few of the ‘home away from home’ comforts without feeling overwhelming for the driver. These are also the preferred options for smaller parties who may not need a ton of space. Have your sights set on a Class A but don’t want to drive? Have it delivered!

One-Way Rentals

While a cross-country roadtrip might be exciting, the longest part of any trip is…the drive back! If you don’t fancy the return home, a one-way rental might offer the flexibility you need. Once you reach your destination, you can then remain or fly home.

Some of the popular routes include Los Angeles to Las Vegas, Denver to Dallas, Miami to Key West, New York to Chicago, and many more.

Find all one-way routes at RVshare

Why Choose RVshare?

From the huge variety of recreational vehicles in its inventory and secure checkout, to 24/7 roadside assistance and responsive customer service, RVshare will tick off a number of boxes for both beginner and experienced RVers with a comprehensive rental guarantee.

Before your trip even begins, RVshare provides a secure payment platform so your rental is protected against fraud, while offering best in class insurance.

Dedicated support teams will ensure your vacation goes off without a hitch, and if you need assistance there’s phone, 24/7 chat and email support options. If the owner cancels the booking at the last minute, RVshare’s customer service team offers rebooking assistance and rental replacements.

As with any rental service, there are times when damage can be directly or indirectly incurred during a vacation. If a dispute arises, RVshare will assist in mediating the issue with the RV owner as needed.

RVing FAQs

What is the average cost of an RV rental?

The average traveler will spend about $1,000 on a four to five-night rental, according to RVshare. The average rental is about $150 before fees and taxes.

What kind of cleanup is involved after my trip?

When you’ve finished your stay, just like an AirBnB, there will be some clean up after your camping and fishing adventure. Some owners will offer services like delivery, waste dumping and tear down. It’s important for all renters to communicate with the owners in the portal ahead of the trip to align on the details.

T​his content was sponsored by RVshare and created by the team at Atmosphere by The Weather Channel.

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