Cat fishing in a 14ft fiberglass boat on Minnesota

  • Angler007
    Posts: 24
    March 21, 2007 at 9:27 pm #1220157

    Hey, back me up, i got a coworker who says he’s gonna start cat’in on the Minnesota this season with his 14 ft fiberglass. I told he’s gotta be krzy…

    audemp
    Wi
    Posts: 721
    March 21, 2007 at 9:34 pm #551658

    Just make sure he has lights on the boat that everyone can see!

    He should be fine, he will probably get into spots most boats cant get into.

    mr-special
    MPLS
    Posts: 696
    March 21, 2007 at 9:37 pm #551660

    As long as it can draft fairly shallow and he’s careful in problems.
    WWG used to have a 14′ TriHull, man did we catch some nice fish out of that rig.
    Just be safe n smart about things and you’ll be ok. We now use WWG 18’DeepV Lund, but we know where not to go also.
    Later

    hanson
    Posts: 728
    March 21, 2007 at 9:47 pm #551670

    I dunno… tell him to be careful until he learns where the hazards are at. There is typically a lot of wood in the river, both visible and invisible. Its the stuff under the surface that can spook a guy, and crack a fiberglass hull. The truth is the motor will probably recieve more abuse than the hull.

    Like Mr Special said, if it doesn’t draft much water, he should be alright.

    brandy
    Minneapolis, MN
    Posts: 95
    March 21, 2007 at 9:51 pm #551676

    Quote:

    Just make sure he has lights on the boat that everyone can see!

    Mark-were you by chance referring to a particular incident??

    audemp
    Wi
    Posts: 721
    March 21, 2007 at 9:58 pm #551678

    I still have nightmares from that one! (J/K you know who)

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    March 21, 2007 at 10:15 pm #551686

    I’m really glad you guys are around to joke about it.

    Truth is..on the MN River, the St Croix and the Main channel of the Missisippi River, an anchor light isn’t enough in my opinion…I’m not talking about the laws…I’m talking about being safe.

    With ALL of my navagation lights on, I had a 65 footer come too close to me and he really only turned when I used my spot light…That was just one close call…we all have more we could share.

    I’m not picking on anyone or type of boat…and I have my own issues on the waters I fish…but the MN river is relativily narrow and all it’s going to take is one newbie parked around a bend and someone running 30 miles an hour or even 20…not seeing the next boat and we’ll have a bad newspaper report the next day. I’m not even considering the night boaters that like to have a beverage at night.

    Ok…i’m of my soapbox…hopefully it will keep someone alive.

    Doesn’t it depend what part of the MN river he’s planning on fishing? Seems pretty hazzard free (as a river can be) from the confluance quite a ways up stream?

    hanson
    Posts: 728
    March 21, 2007 at 10:38 pm #551692

    Quote:

    Doesn’t it depend what part of the MN river he’s planning on fishing? Seems pretty hazzard free (as a river can be) from the confluance quite a ways up stream?


    Its fairly “hazzard free” all the way up to where the dredged barge channel ends (between 35W & 169), then the game changes.

    david_scott
    Twin Cities
    Posts: 2946
    March 21, 2007 at 11:05 pm #551703

    Most of the river is pretty run-able when the water isnt low. When the water is low, everyone has to watch out.

    The minnesota river is the perfect place to put adent or scratch in anyones boat, newbie, or veteran. As we speak right now, lots of logs are getting pushed around and relocated, structures are changing, and things are going to start showing more and more as the water drops. Many of the hazzards from last year are going to be elsewhere this year.

    Teres always things that will go *bump* in the night on that river… wheather its a log or a 12′ V hull that doesnt have lights!.

    audemp
    Wi
    Posts: 721
    March 21, 2007 at 11:11 pm #551705

    I know when I get a boat I am going to rig it like C-15. C-15 has a light post in the middle of his boat! Sweet! Instead of a light post Im going to rig a traffic light post to mine.

    The croix freaked me out this year a couple times. I say at least if those insane boaters dont slow way down in the middle of the night then blind em with 15 million candlepower

    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    March 22, 2007 at 12:04 am #551739

    You really want to slow them down, make that light a siren. Funny how considerate people get when they think the law is around.

    larry_haugh
    MN
    Posts: 1767
    March 22, 2007 at 3:15 am #551858

    I spend a lot of time on the MN from the confluence to Shakopee. Last year went through 2 props and put a couple dings in my 19ft aluminum. He needs to be really careful in the high water. There will be debris consistantly until the level drops below 691-690 at the fort snelling gauge. Check out the MN river forum for more links on river data.

    MN River Info<<

    Even below that level it will be sporadic.

    Take it slow with plenty of light at the mates mentioned above. Ive seen a lot of close calls and some of us have seen worse on the MN. Keep an eye out when anchored. Lots of torpedos will be coming down till the level drops.

    There is lots of great fishing to be had, Just remember to take your time. Another heads up on the FOG some nights its thicker than soup.

    Good luck feel free to PM if you need any further info or ideas.

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