WANTED: All advice on buying Glass boat for rigging, cranking, and longlining

As the header said, I am in the market for a fiberglass (bass Boat) to convert and use for crappie fishing. I have very limited knowledge of these boats, and i have a budget. I would like all you glass boat owners to give me advise on:
1: best for stabilty (or ones to steer clear of) in rough water
2: wide front deck
3: best brands to look at and why
4: any other life experiences that are important to you as a crappie fisherman,
5: If you have one, post a picture of your boat.

I have a 2005 stratos 294xl to look at today. I just missed out on a bass cat that was in immaculate shape. I want a fuel injected engine and have a 23ft garage length limit.

Subscribed. Will be doing same thing in a few years. My only stipulations right now is 18’ or longer and engine other than Mercury or Johnson ( personal preference from bad experiences).


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Ranger is a great boat. Very pricey but resale value at the top of other boats.
LittleJohn

Pull out your notebook. Yer gonna wanna take notes.

294xl is a good hull. Where it falls down, and a lot of particular models are the same, the rod boxes extend past the pedestal base making the installation of side by side pedestals impractical which leads you to a dub-l-seat type set up, which I detest.

The 23’ garage length is your biggest limiting factor. For a true big 4 crappie kills, you need 20’ minimum making 23’ star age impossible. That leaves you with an 18 or 19’ baby killa.

You didn’t mention what the budget is, makes a big difference.

Hulls to gander. Triton TR 18, 186, 185, 19 or maybe a 20 - maybe with no jackplate and folding tongue, just maybe.

Basscat Pantera II, III, IV, classic.

Lots of rangers 461, 462, 482...518, 519, maybe 520 I’m misremembering lengths in the models at present.

Stratos 295, 18xl, 19xl maybe 20 xl,

I have a 2008 Triton TR186 for sale. It’s already setup with the double seat mounts in front and rear. I’ve fished some pretty rough water with this boat and it did good. I moved all the batteries up front which made it more stable.


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Jim, you really need to take a look at that boat Dirtrack has. I fished out of it one day on butla when it was pretty rough. 3 of us in the boat. It was very stable, handled the rough water very well and performance was very good. If I was in the market it’s the one I’d be trying to get and I think it would fit your length requirement.

. My first recommendation would be a Ranger 522 . But it’s to long . Triton TA 196 would be my pick considering you garage limitations. TA 196 was designed to troll
for crappie. Might even luck up and find one with a 4 stroke . everyone I’ve ever seen that had one loved it . I’m with Wannabe, I despise having to add a double seat rig . Pedestals in the floor are the only way to go .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cray

Jim, you really need to take a look at that boat Dirtrack has. I fished out of it one day on butla when it was pretty rough. 3 of us in the boat. It was very stable, handled the rough water very well and performance was very good. If I was in the market it’s the one I’d be trying to get and I think it would fit your length requirement.

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Thanks Cray. I’m ready to do it again


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I have a 2018 Triton 189TRX that would fit that garage space (I know cuz that's exactly the space I had to deal with). I have mine set up with Millennium bases up front to spider rig and out back to pull crankbaits with. It's extremely wide up front so stability hasn't been a problem using the Side-kick seat bases from Millennium. I ordered mine with a 112 pound 36V Ultrex which is worth every penny. A boat this size could easily get by with a 24v system but I can run that trolling motor literally all day it seems and still have power. When I ordered mine garage space was my limiting factor. There are times when I wish I had a 20ft but honestly I fish a lot of these smaller state lakes too and a 20-21ft boat would be an issue. Plus this thing loads/unloads easily with one guy. The Ranger 519 is a sharp rig too. And a Basscat Caracal is a gorgeous boat in my opinion.

I upgraded from a 16' aluminum to an 18' glass Stratos two years ago and have been nothing but pleased. I'm not a tournament fishermen and can pick my days, but I have no hesitation launching at an out the wind ramp and finding shelter to fish in 10mph plus days. The glass boat cuts water when traveling so much better and is much more stable to fish from it's night and day on difference. That Triton dirttrack is selling is a crappie fishing machine no doubt. Don't be deterred by older boats either with your type of fishing in mind. I to detest double seat mounts, and was a main selling point when I bought my 91 stratos, no obstacles in the way. Mounted two extra seat bases no problem and they are in the deck as opposed to in the top of lockers or storage lids. Biggest issue on vintage boats is the older 2 strokes, they love the fuel. Do your research and by all means go glass, you will not be disappointed.

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