Is my flat bottom too small for P4?

I have a 14’x 6′ flat bottom with an older 18 horse motor and I was wondering if it is too small for the Mighty Miss @ P4. I have only fished P4 a couple of times and I do not remember seeing any craft this small. I typically like to avoid crowds, if possible, and wouldn’t be fishing any weekends so other boat traffic shouldn’t be too bad.

you are fine in the river (red wing and wabasha areas) but i wouldn’t venture out on to lake pepin until after close weather inspections, it can get really bad out there with the right wind directions. as always though in a small craft you need to be extra careful what for other boats wakes and stuff you know.

I ran a 14 foot jon for years on P2, P3, and P4. Just need to be a little more aware of what is going on around you. This time of year you won’t be the only one in a 14 ft jon out there.

-J.

What Drew and Jon said. Pepin is fine with your size boat – if there’s little to no wind. In my case (16 foot boat) if it’s gonna be pretty breezy, I just plan on the Red Wing area for example, to get out of the wind more. I’ve seen lots of guys out with boats your size, so just be careful and you should be fine.

You may want to go down there on a day that isnt swamped with a bunch of other guys. Some people like to see how fast they can as they weave through traffic… and thats some bad news for a little boat

I have a 1454 Alumacraft flat and push it with an older 20 hp. I’ve been all over the river from the dam at Red Wing down to La Crosse and including Lake Pepin. Know your boat and its limitations as well as your limitations operating that boat and you’ll be fine.

Pepin can be a real hound dog and if winds shift quickly you can find yourself in some unsavory water conditions, so take to heart the previous comment on weather watching. On Pepin everyone should heed the weather as it changes.

I would watch the weather and wind directions very close. Some may consider any boat “safe” on the biggest of waters in calm winds.

For example, around Lake City I would watch out for NW or SE winds especially.

Thanks for the replies!