need opinions and why.
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need opinions and why.
It would help if you told us what type of fishing you do the most. I shoot docks most of the time I prefer a small boat that I can get lower to the water in. I have a Tracker 175 Pro Team that does a good job for the type fishing I do
Just saw your headline and thought: one that floats and is paid for.
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You need one that suits where you fish and how you fish best, as well as what you like personally in a boat. Everyone is different.Quote:
Originally Posted by DTW2
The question is not answerable without info on how you fish, your age, your physical condition, how many in the boat and what you want or expect. Plus, your budget. All kinds of boats are "crappie" boats.
Very subjective topic. That said, I have a Ranger RT188C. It’s a great boat and served me well. Two livewells, lots of storage, runs plenty fast for me too. But if had to do it again, I would go with a center console glass boat. The Ranger is great when there is no wind or wake, but I pay when it’s the other way around.
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Maybe go to some nearby Crappie tournaments, ask the members? What might be great for me, might not be of your likings.
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I often contemplated that question my self. It all boils down to the type of fishing you do, spend some time on the water and look at what other people have before making a big decision $$$
I need at least three boats. A small narrow 14 ft for fishing in the river, a medium sized Jon for gettting me to my wading holes, and a big fiberglass for spider rigging. #justsaying
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The one perfect boat doesn’t exist. Too many people fishing too many ways and then add in their likes and dislikes. I have a flat bottom skiff that I mainly use for trolling and a Jon that gets the lions share of my trips because of its ease of handling and lower sides. If the water gets big and rough the flat bottoms on both boats are out of their element. That said, a bigger deep V boat would be out of place in the creeks and cuts off of the river I spend the most time on. My advice is to be patient and resist the urge to buy what you might stumble upon until you've done your homework. Lots of folks settle on a boat that covers most of the bases. Some of my must haves is storage and live well, wired for a TM or access to allow proper wiring. A new addition to the list is a motor that is made by a company still doing business. That will give you some food for thought, good luck in your quest. It’s fun to learn more about the stuff you think you like.
I have two boats one 14’ with a 25 hp I use for spring spawn and catfish... I have a tracker 175 I do all my trolling out of...
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I had a 20ft CC glass ranger. I for some reason priced it and sold it. went and bough a new 19ft CC alum ranger. I am 79 years old and still fish by myself sometimes, the CC works for as the seats are high and I have something to hold to going back and forth from console to front. That being said the glass was a much better boat than the alum. I love the CC and at my age I will keep the boat I have but if I ever buy another it will glass. Good luck with whatever you buy and enjoy.
The boat you buy is always the best crappie boat. After buying, you start looking again to buy another best crappie boat.
This is trueQuote:
Originally Posted by Cane Pole
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The best crappie boat is the one you're catching crappie out of.....
after riding in a bunch of boats over the years I am of the opinion some are better than others
I used to go often in a Lund I think it was crappie master/tournament something er other .
it was quite a rig with $400 dollar high back seats and a bunch of real cool features .
fishing out of a pontoon with several buds is way fun and comfortable too.
center console rigs are nice when there are several folks as well .
road in a many big fiberglass bass boats that got it done right well
been in a few big cc aluminum ones too.
but I have had just as many good times in a flat bottom with a paddle .
best is relative , not all boats are created equal .
small easy to scoot around rigs are what I like ,easy to load ,launch and quick on the turns .
nimble in timber and shallow waters and cost about nothing in fuel and upkeep .
lower horsepower and shorter stuff is my vote ,but open water is not my thing when i am after crappie
Two of the happiest times in a boat owners life ... "The day they bought it" and "The day they sold it"
I would say you have to ask yourself how far am I traveling. If you are not leaving site of the ramp then one rated with a 25-40 HP. But if your gonna be traveling a good bit on open water then you'll appreciate something bigger with more horses.
Also have to ask yourself how far am I going to be towing the boat. If it's much over 15-20min then you should consider something with a bigger axle to keep from burning the bearings and tires up.
Then ask yourself what kind of water. If your gonna fish open water bigger and heavier is better. Tight brushy stumpy water...smaller and Aluminum.
I fish a 17 ft aluminum Triton with a 75hp Optimax and a 14ft Jon with a 9.9 Merc stick steer. I am involved in a love hate relationship with both of them.
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^^^ What they said ! ^^^
See if you can hitch a ride with someone that has a boat your interested in. Post the question in your state forum, on this site. Offer to pay for the fuel/lunch. The worst that happens, is no-one replies.
Are you fishing electric only lakes? HP restricted lakes?
I've had plastic, aluminum, glass boats. Pro's and cons of all. Currently have glass, adding an 8' plastic boat next month. That will cover everything for me.
I have a 1977 KingFisher stick steer fiberglass boat that I rebuilt. Nothing fancy, but it sure is great to fish from. If I ever got a new boat, it would be a new stick steer, probably aluminum this time.
I have an Xpress 16ft Stick Steer. For where and how I fish I wouldn’t want anything else... but like everyone else has said, you gotta figure out what works for you.
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I've been building my own for over a year now. Interruptions really slowed me down. I am taking a Blazer VL100 from a side console to center console, building in floor & console tackle storage and battery compartments. Adding flotation too since insurance coverage for a 1995 boat is sad no matter how much you change it. Here is the link to where I have the project posted. My design when done will allow 14ft jig poles to store in a 15ft boat. I don't like having to swing crappie over rod storage racks.
Blazer VL100 The Forgotten Pocket Bass Boat
1975 14' valco with 20 hp merc
no hurry no worry
I think someone said “the one that i# paid for”. That’s a good one!
The best Crappie Boat....is the one thats Paid For :biggrin
mine
The one that is unaffected by wake boat waves. I almost need seatbelts to keep me in the seat on the front deck
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Me too! Back when I was tournament fishing I had a boat for different hp restictions. Don't really matter the kind. They are all just movable fishing docks.Quote:
Originally Posted by BroKenneth
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