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| I'm in the possition where the Cajun (aka Carrier) may be replaced with a new boat via sponsorship. The company I'd be representing markets both walleye and bass boats. I've ALWAYS wanted a shiny new bassboat but I'm concerned with where I'd put the big plano box, not to mention my partners and the net. What do some of you guys with the bass boats do and would you recomend one for tournamet fishing? |
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| treats talk to Paul Hartman he fishes out of a bass boat and Im sure he has all the angles worked out |
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| Treats.
I've fished out of Muskyones Ranger "bass" boat. He keeps his baits in the smaller Plano boxes and stores them in the storage compartments. Hoop style net fit ok on the floor.
The boat fished nice although I did not have the opportunity to handle a fish over the side.
My Buddy has a 617 Fisherman Ranger and that is a damn nice rig for two guys and has pleanty of room for tackle boxes and rods/nets/etc. I guess you could call it a walleye boat???????
Fished out of Sheps Lund which technically would be called a walleye boat and that too fished very nice as well as Greg M's. Crestliner. Although the Crestliner was bit too high off the water for my liking but it was still ok.
If it were me I would opt for the "walleye" type interior as long as it had an area in the back to cast from.
Good luck,
Mark |
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| Treats-
I fish out of a 20' Single console ChampioN and it is great for storage. I can leave the net ready and open by leaving it on lay up against the side w/o the console, + the big bait box fits anywhere.
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| I fish out of a 16' aluminum bass boat (or modified vee as some call it, but its still a bass boat and is set up the same) I keep My big maximizer box by the console on the floor. I do the same with my net, behind the tackle box. It is a small boat but usually seems spacious. I like having a back deck as big as the front deck. (most bass boats don't, but this little thing does) Even if the back deck is smaller, someone can comfortably fish in most bass boats rear decks. |
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| I have a 21 ft. Gambler bass boat (what a dream!)that has a tackle box locker designed to accomodate Plano boxes. I put my muskie lures in the plastic Plano trays and fish that way. When Mauser or Tomyv fish with me, there is plenty of room in the under-deck lockers for their large boxes. The Gambler is an ideal boat ofr this type of fishing, it sets low in the water and makes reaching fish very easy. I hope this info helps you. m[:bigsmile:] |
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| Hey Treats if you don't fish rough water regularly, get the bass boat and don't look back. I love to fish out of mine vs my friends wally boats, when the water is under 2 footers.
Running_Hot has a Champ and it has a lot of floor space which is great if you can't give up your hanging bait boxes. Storage is outstanding on my 19ft Triton. I don't have to carry a single plano, lakewood or other box onboard which I love. I can get everything I need under lids on my boat. I have a huge tackle storage box in my front deck and two other smaller ones under lids on the port and starboard side of the rear deck for my partners.
I tried to use the small plano boxes which are designed to fit into my storage boxes but they rust hooks and don't hold too many baits. I found that the divider guts of a Flambeau Maximizer box fit nicely into my front storage box. I wedge two smaller plano boxes with my soft plastics between them to hold them tight in place. I can do same with the rear boxes but haven't found the need yet. I put 6-10 baits in a clear vision bait holder on my front seat post and don't find the need to dig for baits very often. My partners either bring the small plano's or a big plano box and they fit nicely into the rear boxes.
I tried leaving the net collapsed on the front deck but my partner blew a few fish for me trying to extned it so now I keep it extended at all times. I lay the hoop on the front starboard deck and put the retractable rod holder over it and hook it through one of the net loops. The last few inches of the handle rest on the middle seat.
I have to burn up some picturs to get a roll developed. I'll take a few pics for you later this week.
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| I have fished out of a friend of mines Triton 21 PDC, and never have a problem. He has all of his stuff in 3700 boxes, and the Triton has a built in storage system for these boxes. He has storage for about 12 boxes up front, and 2 smaller compartments in the back that hold about 6 each. I usually put a couple 3700 boxes in one of the back compartments, or under my side of the console, and then have my hanging box in between us. The net just sits on the deck during a run, or over a windsheild while we are fishing. I have never had a problem fishing out of this boat, and I have fished with him on Mille Lacs, and Leech.
Lance |
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| I fish out of my brother's Ranger R61, a little 16' fiberglass, and we've tweaked it to where it's pretty nice. Plano boxes in the lockers, replaced the folding seats with butt seats (more casting room), the net fits under the console while fishing. No large livewell, and no place for any rod over 7', but it fishes in a foot of water and we launch anywhere. I think it's nice and a third the price of most of the bigger boats. |
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| If you use the Plano plastic boxes, drill numerous holes in the top/bottom; that allows air to ciculate through them + also helps in drainage...just don't drop them over the side of the boat! Some of my boxes have holes drilled in all 4 sides also if placed upright in a storage area...I use a 1/4" or size larger drill bit.[::)] |
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| Treats, having always fished Muskies out of a "Bass" boat I can't tell you if a "Walleye" boat is better or worse. I know some guys like the floor space of the Walleye design and some like the deck space of a Bass boat layout. I am a fan of the Bass boat design. I can easily fit all of my most important tackle in one rear compartment of my 519 Ranger. Make sure the boat you get has compartments that are large enough for your particular storage needs. My boat has 4 very large compartments and 2 spacious rod lockers. Also a built in cooler, don't forget this item. I, for one, will never own a boat without a built in cooler again. The thing that Bass boats don't have is adequate livewell space for Muskies. This becomes a moot point if you release them all at boatside. The next issue is "fishability" and big water capability. You will like being closer to the water when fishing. Also netting a fish is much easier from a Bass Boat than a boat with high sides. My boat is great on big water like Cass and Mille Lacs. The hull design on the 519 Commanche is much like a Walleye boat hull. It has a deeper Vee than most other Bass boats. This is one of the reasons that I bought it.
Not all Bass boats are good on large water. Some can be downright dangerous. Be sure that you check these things out before you buy. If you want a ride in mine, contact me and we can look at the storage and spend an evening on the water. Hope this helps a little. |
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| Treats, forgot one thing, my Beckman Magnum Husky net fits right over the 225 Opti when I am fishing. Ask Steve W. and Muskymedic how it fishes. |
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| MuskyOne knows his stuff on this one for sure. |
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| Thanks everyone for your input. M1, the boat lines to choose from are Procraft or Nitro. Neither is very deep. I think that the safe choice is the walleye boat, even though that big 21'er with the 250hp sure would be fun. I'll let you guys know how it all works out.
-treats |
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