I've run the Sipsey in years past. Back when I didn't know no better. Spend all day going after those slimmers. The hauls going south were no problem, just had to watch for them. But north bounds would give you heck.
Those bassers give me problems sometimes, just can't get to my catfish rod with the 16 oz. sinker fast enough.
I know my flat bottom will stand up pretty good at slow speeds. So I try to get the speed up and out of the way asap.
Flare gun??? May be faster than my catfish rod.