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Location: Grinnell, Iowa | Anyone running the 1860 or new 1880 Angler from Ranger? I used to have a 618. I'm looking for something more family friendly (3 kids) and will still fit in my garage. Looking for opinions of musky fishability of the 18 ft Angler series boats from those who have actually musky fished out of one. I am familiar with the layout of the boats and know of the rod locker limitations. Thanks! |
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Posts: 34
| Come to central minnesota and I will put you in the front of mine. Can be much diffrent form a 618. |
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Location: Grinnell, Iowa | I appreciate the invitation. Can you provide any insight to your likes and dis-likes about it? Thanks! |
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Posts: 457
Location: Minneconia | Roy, just man up and get a 619/620! Chris and I decided last season that Reata(Angler)means "compromise" in Spanish |
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Location: Grinnell, Iowa | HA! Yeah I'd like to get a 619/620 but they won't fit in my garage. I've never seen the Angler in person so wasn't sure of the fishability. Maybe I should man up and build a bigger garage! HAHA. |
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Posts: 243
Location: South Central Wisconsin | I have a 2013. It fishes great. Big platform in the front and a decent one in the back. Someone from another forum builds a removable one for the back to extend it. It also allows for a butt seat to be used in the back as the pedestal bases on the 1860 are to close to the edge to safely use a butt seat. Ask me anything you want to know. |
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Posts: 755
| I run a 2013 1860 Angler with a full wind shield...fished musky like a dream. ANy specifics you want to know just let me know... |
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Posts: 243
Location: South Central Wisconsin | know of the rod locker limitations. Thanks! You can cut the ends off of the rod rubes and get some, 8'6" rods in the locker. |
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Location: Grinnell, Iowa | I appreciate the feedback. Few specific questions:
1) Where does the guy fishing in the back of the boat store his rods? Is there an area on the side like on the 619/620 specifically made for rods or do they just lay on the side and you have to find a way to secure them?
2) When landing a musky up front, is there plenty of room for 2 guys up there 1 fighting the musky and 1 with the net?
3) How is the ride compared to the Fisherman series boats if you have been in both?
The Angler isn't my first choice for a Musky boat but like I said above, I need a family friendly (multi-species) boat that will fit in my garage. Would love to have a 620. Thanks, |
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Posts: 243
Location: South Central Wisconsin | The 1860 does not have the same "rod holder" as the fisherman series. I just lay the rods down along the side. The front platform is big enough for two EXPERIENCED fisherman to cast from. There is plenty of room for netting fish. The ride, well it is definitely better than any tin boat, it is no fisherman series either. The bigger boats have the more "battleship" hull to them. I've been on Green Bay in 4+ footers. And had no problems. It will eat 2'ers all day. As far as storing the net, I have a dual console and lay the net next to the passenger seat with the handle pointed to the front and can easily reach it when I fish solo. |
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Location: Grinnell, Iowa | Thanks for the pics and insight. I will be up at the musky expo in April. I'm planning on looking at one in person while I am up in the twin cities that weekend. |
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Posts: 243
Location: South Central Wisconsin | If you want to take a road trip, I'm about 50 minutes north of Madison WI. You can jump around in my 1860 to compare the two. If ya wait til the rivers are open, (which may be July at this rate...) we can go for a ride. |
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Posts: 755
| The Dogger - 2/6/2014 9:28 PM
I fish in most weather deemed "fishable" without being borderline crazy and the boat handles it just fine. Yes the Fisherman series handles it better, but by no means do I run off the water when they stay out and fish. If you know how to drive a boat in waves you will not get the chit beat out of you.
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X2... If I have not gone out due to weather a 620 was not goign to make the difference. Fog and Lightening are my Stop fishing factors. A 620 or 621 are goign to do a better job in super high wind but as said above an 1860 does just fine. I had always though my next boat would be a 620 until I got the 1860 and to be honest I fish by melft 85% of the time and I am having a hard time not just geting a newer version for my next boat. |
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Posts: 833
| He is not kdding, he completely ditched me last year! |
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Posts: 115
| Doesn't really apply but I like my Ranger Angler 1760. I needed a small boat to fit in my garage so it's a compromise. I've fished 3 for muskies many times. One needs a little co-ordination when netting. |
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Posts: 224
Location: Madison | Modog built the back extension for mine, plus a front deck extension as well (I have single console.) Tons of front deck space with SC, two guys fishing in front not any kind of issue. |
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