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Caught the bug
I've been lurking for a while and finally registered. It's nice to be able to tap into all this experience out here.
Anyway, a little background. My name is Joe and I used to bass fish in a club and bass were my main targets. About 8 years ago I got married and started a family and fishing took a back seat. Fast forward to the present and I've got a 6 year old boy, 4 year old boy, 1 year old boy, and a little girl on the way. Now, I'm getting my boys into fishing and I'm finding that I'm more interested in slowing down for a little catfish and crappie fishing than I am running the coves looking for largemouth. And with my little ones, I need to be able to help them get their hooks in the water so running a trolling motor al the time is unrealistic.
OK- I need some advice. I'm looking at boats , boats big enough for me and my family for fishing. Here are a few of my thoughts:
-Pontoon Boat: Lots of room, can fish all night(Texas summer days too hot), kids can sleep on it if they get tired. Big enough for the 6 year old attention span. BUT-very big and I've never tried to crappie or catfish off of one. Not always rigged for fishing
-Boat like Lund Alaskan 2000- Big V-Hole , more of a fishing boat -quality without killing the bank account- no frills fishing.- BUT -May not be as comfy or fun as the pontoon. Big though and set up to fish.
-BayBoat- Center console type- Could use at coast if needed. Haven't looked at too many of them
I live in Texas west of San Antonio and would be fishing Medina Lake, Choke Canyon, and Amistad.
I appreciate any advice on what other fishing families have done to get everyone out on the water. I'm leaning towards a pontoon because I think it can be fun for the kids when they don't want to fish.
Thanks
Joe
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welcome to the board joe
i'm in texas also just north of denton at lake ray roberts, i fish out of a 18' center console g3,i put a bimini top on for some shade and works real well for the way i fish,i can run the brush piles for crappie at ray bob,are chase the stripers at texoma,i would just go look around at different boats and see which one suits your needs,and the way you fish....good luck
jerry
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Welcome to the board. I agree with crome. Go out and look at the different boats and the way that they are set up. You may like something other than the 3 styles that you are looking at. Good luck.
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Joe, welcome from Dale Hollow Lake,Tn.!!! I Agree -look around,there are lots of boats out there. Pontoons have lots of room but loading,manuvering,ect. can be a problem in some areas!Good luck and get those Boys on the water!! Some of my Best times have been fishin with my Kids & Gran kids!!!
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welcome from Georgia,there are alot of good boats on the market,look for one that will fill all of your needs.
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Welcome Joe. I am convinced that a center console bay boat is the best fishing boat for families and groups. You might also want to consider a deck boat in a fishing package. This versatile boat could be used for both fishing and pleasure with the family.
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Thanks guys.I appreciate the welcomes and advice.
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Get an XPress G51! Best boat out there!
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Try a pontoon boat and I guarantee you will never go back. Especially nice for family fishing.
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welcomDHanis_Dude ijust bought a good used pontoon . it ain`t fancy but just needed something the wife could git on and off easy . i think you are looking in the right direction . the familey will enjoy bit . i am keeping my other boat for the trips i take by myself or a frind . the pontoon isen`t that hard to moniver . it is a little different as it doesen`t turn as sharp and the wend will hender the controlle more . it is like anything els you will need to git use to it .you might rent one for a day and see if that is what you wan`t .