newbie need to narrow choice of boat

[schreib]

I am looking for a boat I can use for both river fishing(Miss. and St. Croix) and lakes. There are mostly smaller lakes around the twin cities, but want to be able to hit Mille Lacs(big lake) and once in a great while, hit Lake Michigan for lake trout or salmon. So, the possibility is I might want to hit the sloughs, backwaters, and weedy bays in Miss River for bass fishing while want to have the ability to hit places apt to see big water, waves. . .

I am considering a center console boat as opposed to a deck type bass boat. or a deep V as opposed to a flat bottom river boat. However, I am mostly concerned about how much draft I should "settle" for. A typical 16 ft alum fishing boat with a 50 HP will work in the Mississippi since I have fished on one and it works. It probably weighs less than the 17 ft, 110 HP, 1500# CC I am considering. The CC is a 1990 Nissan boat, no specs available.

1) what kind of minimum draft should I consider?
2)what length, minimum, should I be looking for?
3)am I on the right track, generally?
4) suggestions?

Thanks Brian

 

[lprizman]

Re: newbie need to narrow choice of boat

20 degree deadrise,,,not to much wobble while idle
18',,,nothing smaller
115-150HP

I only say these because of your switching fishing areas which I am not familiar with.

I will always have max HP,,,conditions can turn quickly and there is no replacemnt for discplacement when your rear puckers and you need to put the hammer down.

Lance

 

[halas]

Re: newbie need to narrow choice of boat

I don't know about river fishing, but I would not get a center console boat for Lake Michigan.
I had a Mako 17 on Lake Erie but I am staying with boats with windshield and added protection from the elements (if I had the money a heated pilot house type boat).
It is almost always freezing out there unless I was only fishing in July- September.

 

[roscoe]

Re: newbie need to narrow choice of boat

THe sloughs and open waters of L Michigan or Superior are very different.

No way I want to go out on the big water in less than a 19-20'.

Its one thing to stay in the harbor, but quite a different situation if you plan on going out where the lakers or coho live.