|
|
Posts: 3
| Anyone here use a bayboat for muskies on big water? Ive been looking at skeeter bay boats, particulary the SX240 for big water and big river fishing. I'm assuming they aren't as a dry ride as a deep V but can still handle lake chop just fine? Love the look of the skeeter bay boats and the open platform to fish. At 24' the sx240 is a long boat but the extra room for family and friends would be nice.
Would love to hear the pros and cons of bay boat owners and musky fishing |
|
| |
|
| Larry Dahlberg ran one for musky on some of his shows and he said it was best musky boat he had fished out of. One episode was on St. Clair if memory serves. If you can find the archived shows, might be worth checking out. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3
| North of 8,
I see, I will have to check him out. Thanks |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1263
Location: Walker, MN | I've been running the Skeeter SX2250 for three years now, it's my favorite boat yet. It crushes big waves and is actually just as dry as my deep V 2060 was. On a cold morning I do sometimes miss a full windshild, but the trade-offs are well worth it. I'm sure you are aware that the SX2250 and now the SX2350 have a bit more freeboard than the SX2300 and SX2400...I would think the latter two might be a little less dry in crossing wind/waves. |
|
| |
|
| I’d definitely be looking at Pathfinder boats as well, (actually I have).if you search center console on this site you should get info about guys that ran them …a hand full of guides began running them 10-15 years ago…certainly a great choice for anyone that wants to chase muskies and then head to saltwater for the winter…. |
|
| |
|
| Iajustin - 6/11/2025 6:17 AM
I’d definitely be looking at Pathfinder boats as well, (actually I have).if you search center console on this site you should get info about guys that ran them …a hand full of guides began running them 10-15 years ago…certainly a great choice for anyone that wants to chase muskies and then head to saltwater for the winter….
I think that was the brand Dahlberg was running. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 578
Location: deephaven mn | fished out of the sx2400 with John Sebold on Gulf f Mexico several times in some pretty rough water no stay dry issues.
As mentioned the sx2350 has a deeper hull and maybe a better fit for the nasty conditions Leech and Mille Lacs offer
Ben Olsen and Steve Jensen and Hammernick ran Pathfinders for a few years too. They liked the standing while driving as it is easier on back in rough water. These boats have lots of open room and are great for Musky fishing |
|
| |
|
Posts: 718
| I spent some time in Larry's 24' Skeeter and both his 23 and 25 foot Pathfinders. All of them had a great ride due to the length and standing really reduces how you absorb the impacts. Negatives: the lack of a deep keel makes them track poorly in cross winds...especially when working an edge with the bow mount, Storage vs a Ranger 620 or bass boat is lacking...a Justencase style box is almost a must have...so lots of room but not much storage, no kicker options unless you rig something custom and the lack of weather protection. The ride was great...they are BIG boats. Pretty dry and did fairly well while position fishing larger stuff but the sheer size dictates that steering input from the bow mount is slower...you need to plan a head much more if your fishing something technical. I decided they wouldn't fit my daily guiding needs (at the time in the Metro area) but they certainly would be a consideration if I was full time on a large lake and the boat would stay in the water. Forget putting one in a normal sized garage. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 9
| Pretty sure Hammernick had a 24' Pathfinder that he used in MN and still uses in FL. Smooth dry ride for me on a windy day on Mille Lacs. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3
| Thanks guys, alot of great input! These boats are definitely huge. Its a bit overkill for where I live but taking family and friends out on local waters seem fun with the center consoles. I hope to fish giant waters more and a bigger boat is a must. Ill have to check out the pathfinders |
|
| |
|
Location: Northern Illinois | Many guys still use bay boats, Jason Quintano LSC, Matt Catfish Firestein LSC, Devoted outdoors in MN used one for awhile. Good boats great casting boats. |
|
| |
Bay boats for muskies?