How low can you go!!!

Been looking at new boats and was wondering your thoughts on brands or lengths of boats that would run shallow. I’m talking fiberglass 19′ or longer with minimun 200 h.p. on it. J Hall is always bragging about his Champ., is it because it floats threw that shallow of water or is it because he’s f’n crazy and will run through skinnier water than the next guy or does he have that good of insurance? Seriously when hunting for those hard to get to places it’s nice to have a boat that is not to back heavy but still big enough to give you a good ride and have enough space for all of your equipment. Let me know what you think. I run a Stratos right now and with the jack plate on it doesn’t seem to float real shallow. Thanks Fishnut. Bye the way Happy B-day Riverfan

i believe a champion used to be a heavier boat wich is why they are the best riding boat i have ever road in i have seen little 17 foot rangers go places i could go in my jon boat
just my observations
dusty taylor

Ouch! What a cheapshot!

I have never been acused of being sane, but I use my boat as a tool not a toy! My 191 is a CX series which does not float shallow at all. The 2004 CX series has the gas tank under the seats and floats a little better. I did have the chance to fish out of a 206 which is an “elite”, and they do fish shallow like a ranger and also offer a superior ride. The Elite is comperable to a “comanche” series with all the bells and whistles. They also make a 198, 196 and 188. Maybe JC will have somthing about a triton, i belive they are also good in shallow water.

JHall

JC thinks Tritons float shallower than they REALLY do

Big Bass Bane

Speaking of cheap shots.. That little area we got stuck in we floated through. The problem was that the current was rushing through at an aweful rate.
Maybe if the guy in the back of the boat didn’t have such a big head we would have made it easy.
Good thing he has big arms to go with that head or I might still be there.
Did I ever say thanks? Can’t wait to do it again.
How is the house going? Its about that time……
jc

Make sure you check out Blazer Bass Boats. The dealer is Jim Jones [email protected]
blazerboats.com

-Al

JC,

That was kind of a cheap shot. Tritons do float pretty
shallow, and I really can’t fault you for trying since
you had been through that little cut a few days earlier.

As for non-fishing distractions, I am up to my butt in
alligators. Contractors drive me nuts. We are starting
on the workshop, this June, and the house next June,
and believe me I am glad I have this much time to line
things up. The bulldozer starts blowing a hole through
the hardwoods, for a driveway in a couple of weeks.
As soon as the township removes the Spring Load limits
on the roads, so the excavator can move his heavy
equipment. I still have plans of fishing some tournaments
this year, but I can already see that will be a challenge
later this summer. As for our annual trip, I will
keep you posted, as soon as I get a firm date for different
construction phases. I should have that in a couple of
weeks. You all are making me drool with all of this
fishing talk. My boat is still in storage, and I just
started doing my Spring Tackle prep. I really need
to get on the water!

Big Bass Bane

A boat with at least a 200hp that runs shallow?

The word I get from folks makin’ a living at bass fishing is this. If you’re fishing big water most of the time, a 20+’ boat is good; if you’re fishing smaller water, a 18.5 to 19′ boat is good.

You’re on the Mississippi. A 19′ is what I’d shoot for.

Things have changed in my camp, so instead of a Bass Cat PIV (19.5′), this year, I’m going to run a Ranger 520 (20.9′) VX with a 225 Yamaha HPDI.

I don’t know anything about Triton or Blazer; Champions do ride very well though, I must agree.

Thanks,

I run a 21 ft. Blazer with a 225 Yamaha and have been pretty satisfied with staying afloat in thin water. I believe that it’s due to it being a true 21 ft. hull that weighs only 1450 lbs. On the other hand, when you hang a 500 lb. + outboard off the stern of ANY bass boat, you’re going to experience some “butt” drag. But I can guarantee that my butt does not drag as much as the Ran… err, the heavier boats out there.

Would I rather have a 19 ft.? Possibly. I agree that they will tread thinner water, but am I willing to give up the better ride and storage? Not sure. I guess that I’ll ask you all in a new post.

I will definatelly call you when I have a free weekend. You better work ahead so you can take a short break one of these weekends. I am thinking those smallies might be around somewhere soon
Getting the urge yet?
jc

JC,

Now that is a low blow. I still get sweaty palms when
I think of those smallies. As I recall that was around
Memorial Day. That time frame may work again. Damn
that was a nice largemouth I rolled with that spinnerbait!
And coming behind you makes that an even more impressive
feat. Actually the last two times we fished, I
long distance released a quality green bass. I just
have to work on keeping them buttoned up! What did
you think of that green bass in those pictures I sent you?

Big Bass Bane

Those fish were really fat and kinda odd looking.
maybe its because I never see them that big -grin-
Was that from your trip down to Chris’s place on kentucky lake?
jc

JC,

The washed out looking largemouth, with the
big water backdrop, is a KY Lake Spot(About 2.5 lbs).
That coco brown smallie(5+ lbs), with a serious gut, was
from a river running between two lakes, on a northern
Wisconsin chain of lakes. And that green bass(22″ 7+ lbs)
taken on a little moraine lake that the DNR stocks trout
in. From the looks of that bass, she likes trout! Not
a bad hat trick for 2003. I hope 2004 is as kind.

Happy Easter

Big Bass Bane