Anyone use a deck boat for fishing? I have a 2005 Hurricane GS 201 I/O (20 footer) I been thinking about rigging up for fishing. Depth finder, GPS and trolling motor. I could just use a cooler for a live well?
The wife has had so many surgeries it is just the most comfortable boat for her, we do everything together.
I’ll be using it on Norfork and Bull Shoals Ar. exclusively.
If anyone has any suggestions I’d appreciate it.
Thanks
Kid
IF you have some, post some pics. I know I’m not up-to-speed on the layout of that particular boat but with some pics I’m sure a number of us will have some ideas for you.
Here she is. All I have is a factory photo on my computer right now.
First thing… bow mount trolling motor on the bow. It looks like you have plenty of space for the mount and to operate the foot pedal from up there.
I see a few of these boats up on Mille Lacs. Of course they are mostly bobber fishing from an anchored postion, but yea it works just fine.
Couple of rod holders and an good anchor and you are set.
-J.
Quote:
First thing… bow mount trolling motor on the bow. It looks like you have plenty of space for the mount and to operate the foot pedal from up there.
Would you think a 24 or 36 volt motor?
Quote:
Quote:
First thing… bow mount trolling motor on the bow. It looks like you have plenty of space for the mount and to operate the foot pedal from up there.
Would you think a 24 or 36 volt motor?
20 foot boat with an IO I’d go 36 volt but then you might have a heck of a time finding space for 3 troller bats. 80 lb would definitely move you around fine most of the time. I think the choice comes down to how long you fish and how serious you are about fishing regardless of conditions (strong winds, big waves, 16 hour days). If you tend to take a more laid back approach an 80 will be fine 99% of the time.
As for the livewell… nobody really needs a “live” well unless they’re fishing tournaments. If you plan to keep fish bring a cooler with ice and get those fresh fish cold ASAP for the best table fare.
Nice rig. I have a pontoon all rigged out for fishing but I would like a deck boat some day.
She’s got lots of compartment space. 
What would be the best way to network 2 Lowrance HD5s so I can use the full screen for sonar and one for full screen GPS plus move one to the front trolling motor?
Thanks. It’s got a V6 in it and sips fuel pretty well if ya don’t get into very hard.
Quote:
As for the livewell… nobody really needs a “live” well unless they’re fishing tournaments. If you plan to keep fish bring a cooler with ice and get those fresh fish cold ASAP for the best table fare.
10-4 
I’m getting excited.
So what type of fishing do you plan to do out of it? Looks like plenty of room in it. That sun roof may get in the way for a lot of casting but most likely easy to deal with.
Quote:
So what type of fishing do you plan to do out of it? Looks like plenty of room in it. That sun roof may get in the way for a lot of casting but most likely easy to deal with.
Walleye and Crappie.
For what you want I think it should work well. I would put in some seat bases two in the front deck and two on the rear swim deck. Terrova trolling motor for wireless operation from any where in the boat. Up right rod holders so rods aren`t laying around. DRINK HOLDERS that are handy, nothing worse then having to get up to grab the beer.
Moving depth finders around what is really nice about the Hbirds is the mount the unit snaps into, all connections are made no undoing cables to move the unit. Moving the unit push the button on the back releases the head, and pop it back into the new mount. The newer Hbirds are Ethernet connected just one cable from unit to unit, no more extra box etc.
Should be fun to set up for fishing.
As long as it floats you can fish out of it 
Other then that it looks like a great rig,I all ways think I could have some fun with a group of guys/gals jigging for walleye’s below the dam with my pontoon.
I fished against a guy in SD who ran a deck boat in all the local tourneys out there. He even cashed some checks, so I know it’s fishable. Have fun rigging it up, I’d love to have one for the family. 
Thanks everyone!!
Quote:
She’s got lots of compartment space.
What would be the best way to network 2 Lowrance HD5s so I can use the full screen for sonar and one for full screen GPS plus move one to the front trolling motor?
Very simple to network the 2 HDS5’s, one ethernet cord between them and your done. If you have them both at the wheel, I don’t see why you would need to network them since you said one will be for sonar and one for GPS. With one on the dash and one up front the ethernet would work well. It will allow you to share weigh points, trails and sonar readings from the back transducer as well as the US2 transducer on the bow mount trolling motor. Great looking boat!
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
