Salmon fishing in Puget Sound is great if you want to drag your boat out to the crowded boat launch. Then return, get it on the trailer, wash it down, etc.
My autonomous electric powered boat will allow me to stay on the beach and still fish the deeper water where the salmon are.
The water can be rough. The wake from passing freighters, tankers and ferries are big enough to surf on. I started with a cheap model off road buggy and equipped it with an APM 2.6 controller to find out what problems might show up. Now I am working on the hull and power train. I am thinking about using a geared brushless motor for high torque and reasonable speed. I am going with a mono hull that can not be capsized. Weight is not a problem if kept down low. Ballast will be added. A line release servo will be used similar to a model glider's tow line release.
Right now I am trying to find an adjustable gearing system. I think a 6:1 belt drive may be the way to go but I am open to suggestions.