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Hello, guys I'm new to the forum and I have a few questions. I live in Virginia Beach (just retired from Navy)and I have been bank fishing for a while and it brings me little luck. I'm looking to get a boat and I notice that 20hp is too much for the waters in this area. What should I do? What do you guys fish in and where?
Thanks Ed
Welcome aboard Ed. That can be a rough decision but I guess it all boils down to how far you want to travel and how fast you want to go when you get there and what type fishing you do. I recently downgraded to a 9.9 as a smaller rig is easier for this ole man to handle when fishing alone. I can fish fresh water anywhere the bigger boats can just not as fast. I just spent a week at Buggs Island and 3 of us fished out of the boat with no problems. There were a few times I was missing my 150 I use to have when I got to thinking about other places on the lake. But we managed. The only other times I can think of when a bigger motor would be nice is when sudden storms pop up and you need to get off the water in a hurry. Another reason I went with a 9.9 is so I could fish the Suffolk lakes without having to just rely on a trolling motor. Also there are trolling motor only lakes around where it doesn't matter what size you have since you can't use it anyway. You can still fish the lakes but most require you take the prop off or some just unplug the gas line.
We have some great people here and I'm sure others will jump in and give their opinion.
I just want to get out on the water and be able to hit different spots. I'm into fishing for crappie, bluegill and catfish mainly. I think I will look into a 15ft jon boat with a 9.9 and maybe a trolling motor. Any thoughts?
That would be a good rig to fish from... Like Bill said the biggest advantage to a bigger motor is speed... But what I have noticed is that the crappie don't care if you have a 150 or a 9.9 all that matters is the bait on the end of your line... :)
Blake
A trolling motor is just about a must for crappie fishing. A jon boat can be rigged up for some really serious crappie fishig if you want.
I would atleast get a mod-v hull. It'll cut the water away from others boat wakes and Western Branch can get pretty choppy if your out when a storm blows thru. 14-16 ft alum boat hull weight around 250-300lbs with a 9.9 or super 9.9 will getcha just about anywhere the crappie are.
Thanks a lot guys. I will go the jon boat, 9.9 and trolling motor route.
I live in Va Bch as well and have been fishing this area for crappie since 1993. I have done best on the three Norfolk owned lakes in Suffok, Western Branch, Burnt Mills, and Lake Prince. I've fished Lake Smith (in Va Bch) and across the road Little Creek with limited success though I do know there are big crappie in both lakes. Both these lakes however are very shallow with an average depth of around 5' to 6'. I've tried the North Landing River in Va Bch a half dozen times with very little luck but I know that some do well in the West Neck Creek arm. I have a 14' jon boat with a 9.9hp for the Norfolk owned lakes and a Lund with a 75hp for the bigger water.
I plan to go look at the Alumacraft crappie jon today. Thanks Tapout, we may have to get together sometime.
Take a look at Craigslist, too.
I second looking on craigslist, if you keep an eye on there you can find anything. Nice jon boats go fast though.
Ed,
I have a nice 14' Weldbilt rigged with seats and a galvanized trailer sittin' on the side of my house for the last 5 months. If you think that might interest you, shoot me a PM. It could be had pretty cheap since my wife is on me for having 4 boats and trailers in the yard.
Mike
If you need a motor, I have a barely-broken-in 9.8 short shaft Tohatsu. No one's after me to get rid of it, but it's taking up space in my workshop when someone else could use it.
Corker,
Sent you a PM.
Mike
Mike-I just sent a reply.