Boat for tournies and guiding

Well, I’ve just about decided to take my relationship with walleye fishing to the next level.

I’d had enough guys tell me that I should be guiding, and enough people ask me to guide them, that I think I will start to oblige them.

I’ve also had the priveledge of pre-fishing and fishing as a co-angler with a great group of guys in the FLW walleye league over the past couple of years, and I think that next year, I will enter as a boater.

To do both of these things, I need to upgrade my ride.

I have owned two lunds (explorers) and currently drive a crestliner 1750 fishhawk pushed by a 115. I think that I need another foot of length, if not two, in order to do this right.

What’s the group’s opinion about a very sound, entry level tournament/guiding boat? A ranger 620 is not in my future, nor is a 2025 ProV. Perhaps a TS192, a ProV 1900, maybe a used 619?

What mkes the most sense to guys who have made the transition I’m thinking about making?

I fish touneys and do some guiding and I am really happy with my Lund Pike 18 and every year they add improvements to me its the poor man Pro Vee

Tiller or console? A friend of mine guides and does tourneys out of his 1890BT Warrior, tons of room and scoots pretty good. Before I bought my last boat, I wanted to fish the occasional tourney and still have room for the kids or friends and I’ve been real happy with my Lund Explorer 18ft ss with a 140 Suzy.

Something to keep in mind is since it will be for business a percentage anyway Guiding/Tournaments maybe you can afford a little bigger boat with depreciation and other taz advantges.. Talk to a financial planner and or tax accountant. Guiding you need to be able to put up to 3 others in boat with you and gear for four so size yourself for guiding not tournaments and you will have size for guiding (Tiller) maybe not speed for tourneys (Console) good compromise might be a Side Console only good luck

I will tell you what my buddy says about his 619, “It’s a great two man tourney boat”. Any more people and she gets crowded real fast.

If I were in your shoes, I would look at the 1850 Fishawk or the above mentioned lund. Of course, it all depends on budget.

Also, if you plan to guide on the Mighty Miss, you will need to get your captain’s license. James can tell you lots more about that.

Good luck in your search.

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Also, if you plan to guide on the Mighty Miss, you will need to get your captain’s license. James can tell you lots more about that.

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Kooty: I’ve been wrestling with the licensing and especially the liabiliaty/insurance issues since there was snow on the ground. It is those up-front expenses in $$ and time that are keeping me on this side of the fence this year.

I would personally take a good look at the Lund Mr. Pike 18, the Lund Explorer 18, and the Alumacraft 185 Nagigator. If you are interested in any of those boats let me know what all you want in the package and I’ll get you some prices from Smittys Marine in Lake City, Mn.

Thanks, Bill

ps. If you are interested in a 1800 Lund Pro V tiller Nate is running one right now that will be up for sale this fall. Tons of storage, space and a really sharp boat. Its black in color.

I know where you can get a good deal on a TS182. Great boat for guiding.

Do you plan on guiding on larger lakes or mainly the river? I’ve owned both Crestliner and Alumacraft, and I feel much safer and get bounced around A LOT less in my Alumacraft Tournament Sport 175. My Crestliner was a 1750 fishhawk and it was fine on smaller water or the river, but big lakes threw that boat around like a pitbull with a ragdoll. As a matter of comfort and the feeling of safety, I would shy from that particular boat for any guiding purposes. Another thing to consider would be rod-storage, as you will probably be hauling quite a few more rods around for your clients….nice if you can keep them organized and out of the way….again, not possible with the fishhawk. Good Luck in your new endeavor.

When I was up at the Chippawa Flowage last week I saw guides with little Tuffy’s and 70HP Honda’s. There clientel were federal judge’s and attorneys. They even carried enough baggage for shore lunch. There was nothing fancy about those rigs and they have been doing this for years with this type of equipment. Take it for what it’s worth.

That’s a great point 2jranch! Infact, I’ve been dreaming of fishing Santee Cooper Blues for years and one of the best-known guides down there guides out of a little jon-boat….I kid you not! As long as the guide is knowledgable enough to keep the boatseats facing up I don’t care what kind of boat he uses.

My G3 is loaded to the gills, and will be available at season’s end. I cannot think of another option you would want to put on it! You would get two fantastic Yamaha engines, and a fantastic Bear bunk trailer! The full windshield is a real plus as well!

Jason,

My Ranger 620 was a dream boat IMO for tourney fishing (2 guys), but as Kooty mentioned it does fill up fast with a couple guys in the boat if you plan to guide out of it. If you are sticking to the rivers, I would opt for an Aluminum boat such as Crestliner, G3, Alumacraft, Lund etc. Also consider a boat that is at least 18 foot long. But if you plan to run some bigger waters with the boat in tourney situations, I would go Ranger and be done with it. The Ranger 620 is by far the best boat I have ever been in for big water running. If and when I ever decide to go back and start tourney fishing again, that will be the first boat I buy!

Good luck to you.

I echo what Steve just said. Base your decision on what types of Lakes or Rivers you will be fishing most.

Just make sure you consider all the costs involved with guiding, and ask yourself if you can honestly justify the investment. Guiding in the upper mid-west, unless you fish the river, is a 5-6 month/year part time job.

It sounds glorious to be a guide, but you won’t be funding any 401K programs by doing it!! Keep your regular job while you guide.

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It sounds glorious to be a guide, but you won’t be funding any 401K programs by doing it!! Keep your regular job while you guide.

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Very good point Jack.

Speaking of guiding.. How did the opener trip go Jack?

No too bad actually. We caught some fish and had a good time. The 10 year old boy had some issues with the rough conditions, so we stayed tucked inside of Hawkbill where the water was pretty calm. I really wanted to make the run up to the sand, but the father thought it was best to stay where we were. They were happy, and booked another trip for July, so I ain’t complaining!!

if your ready to go to that level you should have a good idea what you need