Thread: First crappie fishing boat

I'd keep my eye on this forum. I almost pulled the trigger on a boat a member was selling several years ago, but another member got to it first ... and all indications are that he's satisfied with his purchase. I lucked into a friend's boat somewhat later and am satisfied with my purchase.

As to what brand/style/size boat, or brand of motor, that's a little trickier question.

Id look for a small 16-18 ft pontoon if you have something to pull it, love my 18 ft a lot better then any other boat Ive owned.. plenty of room to move around easy to spider rig or troll from. With a Xi5 trolling motor don't have to worry about using anchors even though it has electric anchors as long as not out in 20 mph winds.
My 18 ft pontoon actually pulls pretty easy with my small v-8 Ford F-150, doesn't get great gas mileage but pulls down the road actually smoother then my last 14 ft Crestliner did, cant tell pontoon is back there the little boat you could feel every bump in road thru to from boat.

You should be able to find an excellent boat with that kind of jack. I’d get something that has lots of floor space like a Lund or Tracker. Deep V boats are great to do both spider and longline trolling. Family has plenty of room also.

Take a look at: Price recently dropped on perfect boat for a Crappie Newbie, listed in this section of ads. For a few more dollars and some luck you might could get that nice boat! Good luck

Originally Posted by BigDawgg

Take a look at: Price recently dropped on perfect boat for a Crappie Newbie, listed in this section of ads. For a few more dollars and some luck you might could get that nice boat! Good luck

Agreed. I looked at that listing and wished I could afford it. It looks like a great setup.


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A fiberglass bass boat style with at least a 150 is a real good boat to start with. I like the room on the deck of them and you should be able to get a used one for that kind of money. Bad time of year to be buying used though they are higher in the spring.

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There are a lot for sale right now in your price range that are great boats. Just do your searches and don't be afraid to expand out beyond your local area. Just saw a 2012 Lowe Stinger 195 in great shape that sold for 10k. They are out there, don't give up.

For 10k you'd do well to try and find the biggest aluminum boat you can find, or at least an 1860.

Low maintenance, low cost, easy to tow, lower fuel bill than fiberglass. Also, with a newer model aluminum boat, you gain the track rail system, which allows an incredible amount of options for mounting things.

I also find it easier to drill holes into an aluminum boat vs. a fiberglass boat.

SeaArk is my favorite brand as they tend to use heavier gauge aluminum for their hulls (a hair more expensive as a result too), but I also like War Eagle, Lowe, Excel, Triton, and Crestliner.

Aluminum boats tend to hold their value well too in case you decide to upgrade after a few years, especially if you buy one that's at least 5 to 7 years old so the depreciation has slowed down dramatically, that would be about a 2013 model or older.