Nice rig
Fiberglass bass
Aluminum bass
Fish and Ski
Jon
Still a little surreal but happy to finally report that after years and years of research, over analysis, two relocations and three daughters, we finally pulled the trigger. I'm 39 and fully expect to be my "forever" rig. We've been fishing it for ~5 months now, have it dang near exactly how I want it set up and it's producing here in North Carolina.
2021 Ranger 1880MS
U
Nice rig
The love for fishing is one of the best gifts you can pass along
I've got a little 15' Lowe mod-v with a 25hp Evinrude. My first boat ever, bought just last summer. Fun little boat, but cramped with 2 adults fishing & don't both y'all be trying to lean over the same side of the boat at once. Also not my idea of fun in any sort of wind. It'll be a fun little river runner, but is really just too small for a general purpose fishing boat, IMO.
Ideally, I'd like a 16'-18' tin boat. Mod-v, side console, either one larger live well or two smaller ones, functional storage & a motor in the 70-100hp range. My uncle has a 16.5' Lowe (Stinger?) that about nails that, with the exception of its 50hp motor. In fact, we've talked about trading my puddle jumper plus a moderate amount of cash for his boat, as he's thinking about something smaller & easier to manage when he's by himself. I'll hafta bring it up next time we go fishing.
I have sat and read all the posts on this tread. So many good boats and reasons for liking them. I have had a few different styles and types over the years. As a young boy may grandfather built several wooden boats. Open utility type for river fishing on the French Broad River and Dougles Lake area. The last boat he had was a little aluminum thing that barely carried us without sinking. The man always caught fish. My dad once had an aluminum 14' sears utility fishing boat. I have many fond memories of each. I have ad fish and ski, a 20' bass boat, and a 14' tri hull, with varying sizes of outboards. I spent several years not fishing or having a boat. I mentioned to my wife and daughter how I would like to spend my final years using a little aluminum boat like my dad had and fish and enjoy being on the water. Well, my daughter decided to buy me said boat. hard to beat that kind of consideration. We all have our own preference.
so far here is mine.
not fast, not fancy. but for an old guy that enjoys fishing alone. it works!
Catch all you can when you can!
An old man in his old boat having fun!
FISHING REPORT: ‹Caught two docks, 3 trees and a stump- threw them back!grizwilson LIKED above post
I've had 4 boats since Feb of 2020. The first boat was a Charger 20 ft boat. It was a very nice boat for its age, but I didn't like the carbureted engine. So, I set out to find a boat within my means and picked up a 1996 Nitro with an EFI engine. It fished nice, was kind of rough on the water, but got the trick done for the most part. I wanted more deck space for rigging and my GF to stand up front and jig with me. A friend had a Lowe Catfish 20 with a 110HP Four-stroke. Deck space was pretty legit, but it lacked rod storage and storage in general. After my 2nd trip out, the engine started acting up. Then it progressively got worse! Being a very mechanically inclined person I worked hard to try and figure it out and was at the end of my rope. The last thing any boat owner wants is an unreliable motor. While I was at the stealership buying some parts and fuel treatment I stumbled across this 2022 Lowe Stinger 178. I have to say I fell in love immediately! Plenty of deck space, storage and after navigating the trees of Truman, I wanted a shorter boat. Talking with the salesman he stated this is the oldest 22 on the lot and for that, we'll knock $8752 off the top. They ran a report on my boat and offered me $750 less than I paid for it and I got to keep my Ulterra, both Helix 9s and my Mega Live. I have never purchased a new boat, but they also threw in a new cranking battery and two trolling motor batts. I'm extremely happy with what I bought and the deck space is premium! You can walk from the bow to the stern without stepping down into the console area. That is extra nice for someone with bad knees. I have fished the crap out of it since I picked it up and it has plenty of Truman stump pinstriping.
Anthony
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FISHING is my PASSION!