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| Hi All,
I am thinking about purchasing a 618T or a 620T. A friend of mine is concerned about how "fishable" the side decks are in the rear. Can a guy fish off the starboard deck in the back of the boat? Anyone that fishes from a 618T or 620T please let me know how that works for you. Also...why is the 620T sooo much more than a 618T? Yes, I know that the 20 takes a bigger motor...but besides the Engine $$$$?
Badger
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | Jonesi had a 620T last season and one day I was kindly invited to fish with him and a client. The client had the bow, and I fished the stern. I had plenty of room, even fly casting. It was a great platform to fish from, and a great boat. If I wasn't on LSC and not so in love with my 620/bay, I'd seriously look at the T. Tons of room and awesome boats to fish from. |
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Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN | They are both great boats to fish out of. With two guys in the boat I would fish from the back. But I would stand on My lake woods and use the side storage areas of the boat as kind of a deck. The price of the motor is a huge difference especially if your condidering a 150 or 200 for the 620T, compred to the 90 for the 618. Also 2 more feet of boat is a lot and a bigger trailer all adds up to more $$$. |
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| Pedro,
Thank you for your input. My friend is saying that he feels the side storage decks may be too narrow to fish confidently at night on. He also is saying that I would be better looking at a 188vx or 198vx type bass boat. We do have someone in the area that is an excellent Musky fisherman that loves fishing out of a bass type boat for Musky. I have looked at a Tuffy X-190 (EXCELLENT LAYOUT!!!) The other thing is that the Tuffy has a multitude of options for Tiller/DC/SC. Both boats (Ranger bass/X-190 are low to the water. I fish on a larger lake and the 618T/620T would seem to handle rough water better (pure guess/not based on experience).
I like your Lakewood Idea...just not sure how stable that would be because my frame resembles a walleye boat much more than a bass boat if ya know what I mean...
The other factor is fit and finish. The Tuffy is nice, but from my observation it isn't as nice as the Ranger.
Decisions, Decisions...I would appreciate any comments on my thoughts...I need help guys! Thank you.
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Posts: 32
| I purchased a 620T last year. I fish for Muskie most of the time but also fish for bass and walleye on a regular basis. I think that the 618/620 is a great option. I have owned a Ranger195VX as well other than the speed, they are a fast boat the 620t is a much better all purpose boat. I made a deck extension for the front and makes it very easy to fish 2 from the bow. In Canada last year for one day I had 4 people musky fishing with no issues at all. The sides are plenty big enough to stand on and fish as well as the back corners. I will, like it was mentioned put my Lakeland bow(which matches the side height perfect) behind me when fishing as a extra place to step. But overall they are awesome to fish out of. If you fish larger lakes the extra room in the 620T is a ton nicer! One other point is that when fighting fish you can literally run completely around the boat.
Scott Biscobing
Edited by Tillerman 12/30/2009 5:39 PM
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Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN | Badger,
I sold my 620T for a 618vs which was more like a bass boat thinking it would be nice for muskie fishing. I regret that choice big time. The bass style type boat I think stinks for muskie fishing; especially if you get on bigger water. The room and storage of the 620 or 618T's are great. Needless to say I got rid of the 618vs and will be returning to a 620 for the up-coming season. I would go with one of the Tuffy's over those Ranger bass boats for sure, for the deeper hulls if you don't go with the 618 or 620T. I think you can't beat a big tiller though for room and all around fishability. Ranger makes a excellent boat, and the quality of everything on them is second to none. |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | Comparing a 600 series hull to a bass boat is apples to oranges. When looking at hulls, look at the water you fish. A 188 is a fine small water bass boat, but would suck on Mille Lacs or St. Clair in anything above 2' chop. You gotta prioritize. Pick your hull first, then pic your interior. If you want the consoles and massive deck storage, get a 620 VS. If you want the room and the open lay out, get the T. But don't try to compare the T to a 188 bass boat. They are opposite ends of the spectrum.
Another thing concerning size, is go as big as you can afford. There are times when you do need a smaller boat, but those are specialized situations. I most every situation it's better to have the extra hp, lenth and so forth and not need it, than to need or want it and not have it. The 620 costs more because it's more boat in every way that's important- size and power. Not that the 618 is a little boat, but it's not as big as the 620. Its like comparing a 3/4 ton crew cab to a 1/2 standard cab. The half ton is still a good truck, but it can't two 12,000 lbs like the bigger truck can, with more space to boot. |
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Location: MN | Fishing partners have mentioned the same concern when fishing out of the back of my 680T (which is considerably smaller than the 618/620). I would recommend exploring the idea of building an additional casting platform in the back or having a box built to stand on. There are some good posts on these forums about building rear casting decks for tillers.
Another option is to contact Just Encase and have them build a box which would fit through the middle of the boat. I know Bturg has a sweet setup in his 620vs where the rear casting deck is a Just Encase box which you can stand on (has extra support).... also acts as a tacklebox/storage. I am sure the people at Just Encase could figure something out for you.
Edited by Mak51 1/2/2010 11:52 PM
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Posts: 315
| i fish out of a 618T and I love it. I usually cast off of the back corner and let my friends or clients cast from the deck. When I have two people I usually pull the lakewood over by the port side to give some extra standing room however im building a moveable deck to set next to my sides that will be carpeted and add extra room. lately i have been thinking about building a better corner deck on the back for myself something with a little extra padding because my knees start to hurt after extended periods of time. Boat model depends on where you fish... I fish a lot of large mn waters where you need a deep v because bass boats will get swamped in some of the big waves and I just like the added stability and being able to crash through big waves. The only thing I do not like about my 618T is the 90 horse because it just is not fast enough for me. But for now I will be sticking with it because Jonesi said I dont need anything else....and it has the mojo goin!
Hutter |
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618T Fishing from the back...