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 .

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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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thanks for all the responses

You asked for pictures in your original post. This is a baby killer by wannabes standards. Independent widow makers for rigging and side mounted spyderloks for pulling. 29 year old boat in excellent condition with new powerhead, all the bells and whistles. Ultrex 80# TM, 3 new group 31 batteries, Mega 9 SI at console and helix 10 sonar GPS on the bow connected to the Ultrex 2D transducer. Recently added 3 millennium R300 transports racks. Overall length with transom saver is 22' 6". LolAttachment 363330Attachment 363332Attachment 363333

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Check out bass boat central classifieds. I found my caracal on that site.


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RBRO7752, I've heard a couple folks say they found the Caracal a little hard to load back on the tailor because of how the trailer was set-up on BassBoatCentral. Have you found that to be true? I think a Caracal is an awesome looking boat and they say BassCat trailers are well built.

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Originally Posted by jmbrewer

RBRO7752, I've heard a couple folks say they found the Caracal a little hard to load back on the tailor because of how the trailer was set-up on BassBoatCentral. Have you found that to be true? I think a Caracal is an awesome looking boat and they say BassCat trailers are well built.

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I’m not even gonna lie. My first couple of times out with this boat it was a PIA to put back on the trailer. If someone is having a hard time loading it’s because the trailer is to deep in the water. Ever since I figured it out I don’t have anymore problems. I stop with my short bunk boards even with the water. I don’t have any complaints and bass cat customer service is top notch.


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Good deal. Thanks for the info. They are awesome looking rigs

Thoughts on the low front deck of 196. I would think being lower in the water would be more stable and have less of a sail effect when it comes to the wind blowing. However what do you sacrifice if anything from a view of the rods. I have only looked down on my rods not along them. Good or bad?

I've got a 521 2003 ranger. It sticks out of the garage a little bit but i'm more happy with the bigger size than I would be with a garage fit. My advice is to go as big as your budget will let you go within the limits of how you want it stored. To each his own but my prority was wind and rough water,

My neighborhood covenant wont allow the garage thing and we are not really prepared to move. i can cati-corner in the garage but will basically make it a boat storage only. Wife is ok with that, but i'm considering a 19ft. to be able to get it in completely without taking up more than half. Getting mixed info about the stability. I know bigger, longer, heavier = stability, but im trying to find a balance. The stratos 194xl is 23' 6' and 22'4 with tongue swung out. its doable but like everything in life its accepting what i can do vs what i want to do.

What is behind that back wall in the garage ?

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Originally Posted by "G"

What is behind that back wall in the garage ?

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Unfortunately it’s a load bearing wall and it has my breaker box right in the way. I thought about changing to an open storage area. May still do that partially


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19 foot fiberglass boat especially a ranger or triton is plent heavy enough for any water you’ll be crappie fishing in. If those boats won’t take it you shouldn’t be out there