Minnow
Boat Opinions
Ok, so I'm hopeful you guys can give me some of your vast experience and opinions.
Looking at getting a boat. Don't have a huge budget as it wont be something I'm using (currently) weekly. Looking to go in with my 75 year old father on a crappie boat. But do want something pretty good just not over the top for what we're doing.
First off we'll be fishing mainly in Lake Eufaula, Ok with the occasional trip to Lake Texoma and some other lakes, but 90% of the time on Lake Eufaula. (I asked this same question on the main forum, but as it's 90% Eufaula and Oklahoma fishing I wanted opinions here too).
Typically we'll fish out of our Pontoon boat as it does have 2 bow seats on a fishing platform and a live well, but as you can imagine it's not the best "fishing" boat. It's mainly just something we take out for the kids and dogs etc to cruise around.
Today I ran up to Cabela's and they are running some really great pricing on Lowe Boats because they will no longer be Lowe dealer with the merger/acquisition with Bass Pro.
They had the following:
Lowe Stinger 175 with a Merc 60, Motorguide X3 70 Trolling Motor and it has that interior that is the spray in like a rhino spray. $17,200 comes with cover, trailer and a single Hook 5X
Lowe Stinger 195 with the Merc ProXS 115, same Trolling Motor, Carpet, and everything else basically the same $22,500
Ranger 178C with same electronics, same engine as the Lowe 175 etc etc. Frankly it's the same thing as the Lowe for hardware, electronics, but nicer seats and of course a Ranger.
Question; best option of the listed above? the Lowe 195 priced on their website as built at Cabelas is about 7K more, but the cabela's price is low because they wont be carrying Lowe any longer.
Thoughts?
Keeper
Honestly, my advice would be to get on Craigslist or look at some ads for a used aluminum boats. There’s G3, skeeter, war eagle, etc that are great boats for crappie fishing. If you can find one that has been taken care of and motor maintained you can get a lot of use out of it for a long time. This would be a cheaper way of going about it. The boats you mentioned are great boats and NEW. If I were to buy a NEW boat mainly for crappie fishing it would be hard to beat Ranger.
Hat55 LIKED above post
Crappie Wall Hanger II
With the Okla. wind, I would look for a used fiberglass boat. I have had both. Like gas expense of tin boat, but like weight and safety of glass. It's your money buy what you like. All the opinions you will get will be worth what they cost you.
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Crappie Wall Hanger II
Hat is right. I remember several years ago I went down to Eufaula to fish with some relatives. I took my deep v 16 ft boat and was very limited to where I could go because of high winds. Eufaula is a big lake.
Keeper
Yes. If you’re talking about fighting wind then fiberglass is the way to go. Aluminum is hard to beat when you need to get in some thick areas or right into some brush. Eufaula is a huge lake with many different fishing opportunities. Fiberglass is the smart choice if you plan to fish Eufaula the majority of the time.
Slabmaster
Fiberglass x2.....used, if you look you can find one.
Crappie Wall Hanger II
Redge did have a good one for sale.
Sent from my SM-G900M using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
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Minnow
Crappie Wall Hanger II
Man of the year C dot C. Lives near Okc. find him on Okla. board.
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Crappie Wall Hanger II
His bus. number 405-917-7837 Kirk WeberOriginally Posted by Hat55
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