Getting my boat riged for fishing.

[Joe4711]

New to this and trying to get it all together, some suggestions please.

Boat is a '81 Wellcraft 16.5' air slot, what do you guys suggest for Fish / Depth finder, size of trolling motor and any other must have toys onboard.

I am presently taking out the floor and foam and would like to built-in a decent size live well, a casting deck infront and lockable rod holders in the sides.

Hope to have it all done by the end of the month.

Tx for any and all ideas.

Joe.

 

[mphy98]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

I suggest safety equipment first, vhf radio,flares,dual bilge pumps ect. then hummingbird side imaging gps fish finder chart lotter. A large bow mount trolling motor with remote control non wired. A marker buoy for when you are on the fish, so you can stay on the fish without diversion. Down riggers for the deeper fish, good live well aerators, the list goes on and on doesn't it!!!!!

 

[ebry710]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

New to this and trying to get it all together, some suggestions please.

Boat is a '81 Wellcraft 16.5' air slot, what do you guys suggest for Fish / Depth finder, size of trolling motor and any other must have toys onboard.

Joe.

This is my addition this year:

1) 2 -Big Jon 4' Manual Downriggers
2) Humminbird 565 w/ speedometer (TBA)
3) 9.9 4 stroke Trolling Motor (TBA)
4) Minn Kota Bow mount
5) More tackle then I ever use
6) 4 Abu Garcia level line w/ 6.5 ugly stik (two reels have lead core)
7) 96 quart cooler
8) Jensen msr 2007 Stereo w/ ipod controls (TBA)
9) rebuild seat for my captain's seat
10) Live well
11) Temperature Meter

I am having fun. I can't wait to see what others are doing.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

Joe i see you are just down the road. where are you wanting to fish. the local lakes, and St Johns, or the ocean. that makes a really big difference.

Join us one May 15 http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=291501

 

[Joe4711]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

Looking at St Johns river, Rhodmans Resevoier and Oklawaha river, maybee some of the smaller lakes around me.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

bow mount trolling motor, as said if $$ allow the wireless remote control models ( i will never go back to foot control) good fish/depth finder. i find GPS is not necessary. Vhf radio is not necessary, as all the areas have cell phone coverage, and the lakes don't have VHF monitored. am/fm radio if you desire.

rod holders, etc as you would like it set up. i will never be perfect.

i use coolers with aireators installed for live wells.

i can sit or stand anywhere in my boat, and control the trolling motor, with the key fob remote.

 

[BigJ08]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

I am presently taking out the floor and foam and would like to built-in a decent size live well, a casting deck infront and lockable rod holders in the sides.

Hope to have it all done by the end of the month.

Sounds like a tall order to finish in one month . But if you're determined..... There is always is going to be more/better accessories to add, its a vicious cycle. A good trolling motor (you can get by with a foot or hand control if you're on a budget) and a good fishfinder are probably essentials if you're asking most people. Plenty of rod/tackle storage is always helpful too.

 

[jennis9]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

I agree - safety equipmewnt first (and maybe a boaters safety course if you haven't had one lately)

we keep out fishfinder/GPS combo in a pelican case when it's not in use... comes in handy and we keep all the electronics in it as well. Love the GPS/sonar combo on the screen when we're on fish - makes going back to get em easier. We have the lowrance 335.

if you will be trolling - the church inline boards are nice (we have the mast as well as inlines) and I have retrofitted a night bobbers on them for night fishing... port and starboard. Night bite is popular up here.

I have a frabil baitkeeper and like it very much - but also have a setup like TDs for larger bait.

Spend the time organizing your tackle - you won't regret it later.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

the area he will be fishing does not require, exotic gear. the St Johns average depth is only 10 feet. the channels only 25 deep. i have fished it all my life.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

I wouldn't buy much stuff before the first couple of trips unless you already do great deal of fishing in those waters. The setup will be different for every boat and style of fishing, so until you decide on how you like to fish in this boat, hold off on any big purchases.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

bow mount trolling motor, as said if $$ allow the wireless remote control models ( i will never go back to foot control) good fish/depth finder. i find GPS is not necessary. Vhf radio is not necessary, as all the areas have cell phone coverage, and the lakes don't have VHF monitored. am/fm radio if you desire.

rod holders, etc as you would like it set up. i will never be perfect.

i use coolers with aireators installed for live wells.

i can sit or stand anywhere in my boat, and control the trolling motor, with the key fob remote.

this is a little more reasonable approach for a 16' skiff, you don't need downriggers or side imaging anything.....

 

[ebry710]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

bow mount trolling motor, as said if $$ allow the wireless remote control models ( i will never go back to foot control) good fish/depth finder.

I have not seen these wireless remotes. I hate the foot controls. I googled them and saw the CoPilot. Where do you put yours? I saw that they fit on a belt or even on a rod.

 

[Joe4711]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

Thanks for the input, I think I am going to keep it fairly basic at this stage.
Obviously all the safety equipment that is needed plus I like the Minn-Kota Riptide with the wireless remote and the 363/383c Hummingbird fish finder if I can swing it price wise, quess I will be doing some serious monitoring on Graigs list and e-bay.
Joe.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

i use the motor guide wireless motor. i clip the key for to my belt, it has a retractable lanyard.

set up for drift fishing, for specks.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

I like these rod holders: http://www.down-east.com/bolt-on.htm

Just lift and fight your fish- nothing to fool with, that simple. I have five on my boat, need two more

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

for the $ and the type fishing here, i have found these wonderful. you can get side or surface mount. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_97536____SearchResults i have 8 mount on my pontoon, and 6 on my 14' fisherman.
and 6 rod holders i swap around.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

I have 10, including 2 on downriggers.

 

[BigJ08]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

Thanks for the input, I think I am going to keep it fairly basic at this stage.
Obviously all the safety equipment that is needed plus I like the Minn-Kota Riptide with the wireless remote and the 363/383c Hummingbird fish finder if I can swing it price wise, quess I will be doing some serious monitoring on Graigs list and e-bay.
Joe.

Sounds like a good start.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

Sounds like a good start.

Sounds like great additions.

 

[grego]

Re: Getting my boat riged for fishing.

Man! go out fishing in your waters,talk to others, and see what you need to fish there. My02