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Posts: 1283
| What are the downsides to fishing muskie from a bass boat? I do not fish big waters like Greenbay or LOTW and have a 17ft Bass boat. What are the downsides of fishing from this type of boat and what are the upsides to fishing from a dedicated Muskie boat in relatively small lakes 1000 acres or less.
Thanks,
Mike |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | ran out of bass boats for 7 years, all out of 2 different Ranger platforms ( R83 and 185vs models)
Upsides
- great for figure 8's being low to the water
- great for casting and netting/releasing of fish
- you can generally get your boat into less then desirable shallow accesses that some Deep V's will struggle to get into
- lower profile boat generally will catch a lot less wind when casting
Downsides
- your boat will become an "obstacle course" as I called it. You can put a lot of lures in the front storage compartments, but there simply is not a great place for a big Musky net. Wherever you choose to put it will get in the way. You will do a lot of climbing over rods/ nets/ leftover tackle/etc...
- can be pretty cramped under the consoles when you are driving the boat. Very little leg room and getting in and out of position can get a little tiresome. Not an issue for a younger guy but the older you get the harder it becomes.
- you can and will get wet on big enough water. Can get real bad when driving and even semi bad when idling around at the right angle
- I have found the bench seats to be a bad match for musky gear. There simply comes a time when somehow a hook finds it's way into the seats. A couple small holes paired up with constantly you or your passengers stepping on the seats to move around the boat and you can have a pretty ugly looking bench with holes and tears.
In summary, once you get into position of one guy casting up front and back everything is just fine. It's just the moving around the boat and sometimes traveling around that gets very tiresome. |
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Posts: 529
| One thing I would add is trying to troll (I am an 80% caster) is very cumbersome out of a bass style platform |
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Posts: 1283
| Thanks for the replies,
So muskie fishing is about the same as bass fishing, well casting anyways. Hard to move around but once you get to your spot everything is good. I have trolled out of my boat but just hold the rod rather than use a rod holder. Thought about putting a couple on but not sure where I would want them. I have SS rails right in front of the consoles or could put them on the deck right behind the seats, both places should work ok. Im a skinny guy at 5'10" 155lbs so moving around isnt a huge issue for me yet.
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | I would have to agree with Brian and add that I use my boat to take the family out on some weekends and a bass boat really doesn't work at all for that. Great casting boats but kind of a one trick pony. I have a alumacraft tourney pro that is super practical for any kind of fishing or family activities. Can fit six people all day. I am all about versatility and a boat that style is great for that. |
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Posts: 1283
| I understand the family deal and actually have 2 boats. Although Im single without kids I have a 16.5 ft Tinny with a 55 on it. That fits more people and will pull a tube or Skier no prob. Its not the coolest but works. I really love the Nitro though and it gets all the use now.
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Posts: 1202
Location: E. Tenn | I fish out of a very similar rig, and totally agree with Musky Brian's assessment of fishing out of a bass boat.
That said, I realize I'm going to have to start saving up for a decent musky type rig..
gee thanks.. 
Edited by miket55 11/27/2013 11:37 PM
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Posts: 99
Location: West Virginia | My biggest reason for getting a musky rig was the advantage of adding a kicker motor. Many lakes in my area are 10hp limits, and are too big for just an electric trolling motor. Love to cast, but this boat has opened up the option of trolling. |
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Posts: 2097
| Trolling out of a bass boat is better with extensions on the rod holders but only if you have two people. Trying to troll solo is a pain in the rear. In a deep v its simple to troll cause of the maneuverbility. |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | I had a crestliner CMV 1850 looked like a aluminum bass boat .big rear deck big front deck.good for casting not as good for trolling . after my dad passed away I started tacking my mother fishing .I have a skeeter mx 1825 she likes my new boat much better. the skeeter has a better ride more room all around better boat. it comes down to how you like to fish |
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Posts: 358
| I have a G3 CCTJ 1860 Bass Boat its great for rivers and skinny water. I have had it out on Lake Erie and other lakes, however I have to be cautious and pick my days of use due to stability in rough water. I would sure prefer a Deep V 18ft. min. and preferable 21 ft. boat. My preference is a Deep V for Lakes. |
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Posts: 1283
| This is what Im working with. I know some dont like Nitros but it has been great to me. Its a 95 and pretty much mint with 900+ hours on it.
[IMG]http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d53/achotrod/2013-10-139516-54-4295HDR_zps26640fab.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d53/achotrod/00U0U_iXFurOQ9RYj_600x450_zps737aba9d.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d53/achotrod/00303_3BeG2v2hcGi_600x450_zps6effa056.jpg[/IMG] |
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Posts: 483
Location: NE PA | I have a G3 HP180 with a jet on it which is an aluminum bass boat, and an 18' tracker targa deep V. I find that the G3 is easier to fish out of and prefer to be closer to the water, but feel much safer and stay drier fishing out of the tracker in big water. the G3 sees all the local duties in rivers and small lakes, and the tracker goes on all of the trips/big water. A bigger multispecies boat may be a better boat all around but with the above options I have, I find I would rather be in the G3.
Edited by lennyg3 11/30/2013 7:55 PM
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Posts: 297
Location: Not where I want to be! | I think the downside is minor. Imo the one downside would be hanging a transom mount trolling motor on it so you can run the boat as conditions dictate. If there is a will, there is a way.
Boat control I feel is much better being low to the water. Easy "8's". With colapseable nets, put it one the front deck.
Been on LOTW and Minnesota lakes in some nasty stuff and always felt safe(maybe a little wet)  |
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Posts: 1283
| I do have a power stow muskie net that really helps save space and can be stored under the deck when not in use. Any net in any boat seems to be always in the way. |
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Posts: 994
Location: Minnesota: where it's tough to be a sportsfan! | One thing I notice in late fall these days as I age beyond numbers....is in my bass boat when it's cold in late fall I have a bugger of a time getting up out of the drivers seat. Lots of clothes, stiff knees, and sitting on the hull. On the other hand my buddy's Ranger 620 easy up and down. Not easy to release a fish from though in my opinion. You can add rails to bass rigs that are short, for holding rod holders for trolling. They work well. |
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Posts: 1283
| In my 2nd and 3rd pics you can see I have small SS rails already. Would this be a good place to mount rod holders? |
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Posts: 1283
| Anyone want to comment if my rails are suitable for rod holders? |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | imo...the rails are better suited in the back of the boat. you could could maybe get away with it but its going to be tricky |
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Posts: 32
| achotrod - 12/7/2013 2:39 PM
Anyone want to comment if my rails are suitable for rod holders?
I had a Nitro for two years, I sold it to buy a crestliner 1850 Sportfish.
My nitro had 115 hp so here in PA I could not fish a lot of HP restricted Lakes. Very hard to add a kicker for trolling, and even harder to figure out how to add 6 rod holders for when there are two people in the boat.
I guess really though, the answer to your question is, how you really want to use the boat. My Nitro was better for casting, towed better because of weight. Needed less water to launch.
My Crestliner will take bigger water and waves. Better for trolling because of Traxtech track system for rod holders rocket launchers...kicker motor.
One other item I like better is a top I can stand up in. for trolling on really hot sunny days, or put the sides and back on for trolling the winter months in below freezing temps.
Edited by HD Fatboy 12/17/2013 9:40 AM
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Posts: 1283
| Well I guess I dont fish big enough waters to make enough a difference as far as waves/chop goes. I live on the Fox river and it is ROUGH when the pleasure boats are out and the Nitro handles it much better than the 16.5 v hull tinny I have. Where I fish up north trolling is illegal aka Vilas Co.
Down here there are HP restricted lakes but is not very practical to take the motor off even on my tinny(I have two boats) the entire motor must be removed to make it legal. Some lakes in the past just required you either dont get caught using the big motor or you take the prop off. Either way in my area both are illegal as of now as far as I can tell.
Like I said in the first post I dont fish Greenbay or LOTW size waters. Fox Chain, the Chip and other northern Wisc lake systems are about the extent of where my boats go. I have yet come across a situation that a 14ft boat couldnt handle them even in severe storms.
Trolling 6 lines would be a issue downn here I guess. Never tried more than 1 per person though. |
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Posts: 1023
| I have a Ranger 188 Muskie Edition bass boat. I put 42 inch rails on the back of the boat, and I put rod holder on the front of the boat that lock into the tie down cleat. I can run 8 lines without an issue.
And those front holders/cleats? If the holder is in there, you can still use the tie up cleat. Those things have been great for me. Oh, and no drilling into the boat for those cleats/ rod holders.
Those cleat holders that I have were purchased from Northern Edge Sport and Marine in Land O Lakes, Wisconsin.
And I know that Smokeys here on Pewaukee Lake sold them for a time as well. Maybe they would still have some left.
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Posts: 1283
| Do you have any pics of your set up Vegas? I have cleats and small SS rails upfront and cleats in the back. I really do not want to drill if I dont have too. |
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Posts: 1023
| I don't have pics handy, but can take some and put them up here for you. Happy to do it. |
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Posts: 1283
| Thanks, I would really like to see how you set it up. |
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Posts: 230
Location: St Paul, Minnesota | I have a 2003 Ranger 185vs with a 150 Yamaha VMax. I've installed rails with Down-East Rod Holder, a Minn Kota Terrova with I-Pilot Link, and I just cut the tips off my rod holders so my rod locker can easily accommodate multiple 8'6" rods and one 9 footer. Not a bad set up for 85% of the musky fishing that I do. I'll take it out on Vermilion but I've been out on Leech and Miltona on days where I was glad to have been in a deeper-v hull Ranger. |
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Posts: 1283
| I added some rod holders to the front rails and so far they work great and its very easy to get to the rods if they go off. They also work great for carrying muskie rods that dont fit under the deck. Only downside is I only had space for 2 holders with out adding more rails. |
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Posts: 160
| Look at allisons. Wind protection sits 4 and has great storage and deck space. Plus its hull design gets excellent fuel milage. Plus smooth riding in rough water.
Edited by esox4130 5/9/2014 7:19 AM
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Posts: 160
| http://www.allisonboats.com/content/bass-boats/ |
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Posts: 1283
| Wish I could afford a Allison. |
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