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Posts: 58
| Thinking about ordering this boat. I've had a esox magnum tiller and a ranger 618 in the past. I like the idea of being lower to the water like the tuffy esox but want more deck space. I fish northern wisconsin waters (flowages, 3k acre lakes) and a one week a year run to canada. I feel the vs boats are somewhat overkill in wisco as more likely then not i'm not fishing anyways cause the weather sucks. I would take my esox out in some pretty gnarly stuff and felt just fine with it as far as handling waves. I don't troll and who doesn't like going 70 mph on water. Am I missing something here as I feel this boat and boats like it are geared more towards northern wisconsin waters yet can still handle bigger water like LOTW, Lac Seul, Lacs etc. Any input? |
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Posts: 246
Location: Grand Marais, MN | I fish muskies out of a 17' bass boat all the time. actually more often from a 14' aluminum lund with an 8 horse yamaha on a 4k acre lake. the z520 would be great if you don't think you mind being a little bit exposed, but like you said, you dont go out in too bad of weather. Flat casting decks are pretty nice in most conditions. if it gets too choppy i think it could get a little wet/dangerous.
One more thing i can think of is security of your gear when you are running at high speeds. a lot of your gear may not fit underdeck storage, and there isn't anything in place to keep it in when its on the decks. so securing your gear could be a problem, but probably shouldn't be an issue if you remember to strap everything down somehow every time you move. |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | going 70 would be a blast. only you know the waters you like to fish and how you fish them. some of the bigger water I would rather be in a deep v but that's me. i would rather be dry then go fast |
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Posts: 86
| I fish out of my BassCat Pantera IV. 19.5', 94.5" beam. Huge, wide, flat decks front and back to fish from. It's like fishing from a dock! My boat has a little more freeboard than most bass boats but still only 4-5" max but does give a feeling of security for rods and gear on the deck. I've been out in water rough enough that any boat less than a saltwater offshore center console wouldn't make me feel any more comfortable.
I've got a stow master net which is nice cause it fits in one of the rod boxes. Plenty of DRY storage for everything. I typically have my net laying over my bump boar on one side of the front deck with the handle under a rod strap so its secure while moving from spot to spot yet quickly accessible. Rods lay on the opposite side of the front deck.
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 PIV at Dock.jpg (32KB - 164 downloads)
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Posts: 696
Location: Northern Illinois | Fishing out of a Z-21 is amazing. The only thing you will struggle with is monster waves. We go to LOTW 2 times a year and for that reason I think he is wishing he would have just got a 621. We have been on some scary stuff (8 footers) and its not enjoyable on any boat but I would rather be safe than sorry. We fish primarily Wisconsin waters as well which the Z-21 is better for b/c were not to worried about the safety of the lakes. If you plan on making more stops up in Canada I would go with a 621. |
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Posts: 89
| I got a Legend Alpha 199, You will not find a smoother riding boat and plus I can fit 9.5 foot rods in the rod lockers. I don't know were you live but if you want a ride in it just let me know
(Boat Photo for Web Use.jpg)
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Boat Photo for Web Use.jpg (32KB - 161 downloads)
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Location: Contrarian Island | Rolex, how fast does that basscat go? Looks like a fun rig to fish out of...and drive! ; ) |
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Posts: 32930
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | If I was to buy a Bass Boat, it would be a Cat. Great boats. I always have wanted a Pantera. |
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Posts: 86
| sworrall - 8/29/2013 6:21 PM
If I was to buy a Bass Boat, it would be a Cat. Great boats. I always have wanted a Pantera.
Don't know if you recall or not Steve but you and I had a conversation about my BassCat and the brand in general at Spring Bay in 2009. It's been a great boat for me. I toyed with downsizing to a Competitor 165 but my family held an intervention to straighten me out 
I've had my boat to 68.5 with another guy and half a tank of fuel and gear. That was pretty much flat out. I just got a Fury prop which should get me over 70mph but in all honesty I rarely go over 50 or so. My PIV isn't built to be a speed demon but instead have a great rough water ride and fish really shallow. |
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Posts: 555
Location: Tennessee | Unless you're in *big* water, I don't think a bassboat can be beat for muskie. Go for it, it's a great boat, although I'd check on maybe a Stratos 201 or Cat as others have said. |
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Posts: 216
Location: Elk River, MN | Figure 8's are easier....
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | Fished out of a 520 last weekend What a great platform to work from. I would have to agree that you have to think about storing things differently in a boat this style but the storage is there, you just have to put things in Plano boxes rather than big Lakewood style boxes. But being low to the water and having some much room to work fish is incredible. Personally the versitalty offered by a deep v is hard to beat. Using your boat for musky one day and the family the next, as well as anything else in between keeps me in a deep v but if I had to pick one boat for just casting Muskies a 520 would be it. |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | I love casting out of my bass boat (21' Procraft). There's a few things that I would advise:
-Buy used. There's TONS of great buys on bass boats. You can buy a 1 year old boat and have enough cash to put new big screens, and a Terrova.
-If you order new, have the factory install your Terrova. That motor isn't really designed for bass boats and is a b!tch to get installed correctly. Get the Terrova because fishing out of the back deck is even better for Figure-8's and on big wind days it's easier to fish from back there. The big V-6 keeps the butt down and is as comfortable as fishing off the dock.
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| Bassboats are great fishing platforms if all you plan to do is cast. If trolling even remotely is a consideration then I would move to something different. I like to be able to have all options and not limit myself to one platform. Plenty of guys run bassboats on Lake St Claire and other big bodies with few issues but no trolling. You dont want to take one over the bow for sure.
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | I troll out of mine just fine. I installed hand rails with Down East holders as well as a set of Scotties in the back (4 in total). It's not ideal, but if you're a 90% casting/ 10% trolling (like me) it works out.
BTW 4amuskie, nobody in a bass boat has ever taken one over the bow. We just "wash the deck" on occasion when it's extremely dirty. 
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Posts: 335
Location: Pulaski, WI | Anybody know what the difference in freeboard is between 520 and a 620? |
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Posts: 58
| Thanks guys for your thoughts....i'm thinking the 520 is the route i'm going to go. Bass Cat looks good too but the dealer support around the Wisco area isn't quite there compared to Ranger. I was in a 520 last week and was sold. Most if not all my concerns were answered. The only thing is my big kahuna net but the front deck is so big i'll be able to store it there when running. Tackle storage doesnt seem to be an issue b/c that center box is huge..plenty of room for tackle. I always end up throwing the same 10 baits anyways. Now it comes down to what motor I want. |
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