Thread: How many fish out of a center console?

SYG, I don't have one but if I had the money, I would

SYG we have a couple over here. Feelay guides out of a big Ranger. They seem to be the hot ticket because they fish so well and have such a shallow draft. On the lakes your going to be fishing when you get back home I think it would be a very wise investment. I have seen some of your pictures with 4 guys in your old boat. Real easy in a Bay boat with plenty of room, very stable and good family boat. Same size Bass hull same size not nearly as versatile.

I had a 20 foot CC for about 6 years that I bought for striper fishing, but I ended up crappie fishing 90% of the time from it. It was great and I would love to got back to one. It provided an awesome work platform and plenty of room to move around. It was also easier than my bass boat to carry all the gear I wanted to carry. The other positives were no carpet and it worked great for the occasional trip to the coast to chase red drum. If you have the ability to get one, get it. Just my two cents, good luck on your decision.

young gun,

I've had 2 center consoles, Mckee craft, and Century bayboat, There's several reason's I don't own a center console now... Wind, Wind, Wind, MOST maybe not all center consoles (bayboats types) are shallow drafts which computes too the wind will whip your butt, the century I had I put a 80lbs thrust trolling motor and at times still couldn't pull a straight line with it. IF your not thinking of fishing in the saltwater I'd say stick with what the tournament guys fish out of Bassboats, Walleye type, Even some of the alumn. boats.

If I ever would buy another center console it would have to be a alumn. boat, but they sit high in water too.

I know fish a 520vx and wouldn't trade it for any other boat I've fished out of. Skeeter would be my next chose if I ever need another boat (both take the water well).

Young Gun,

In my opinion, there is NO better boat than a center console bay boat for any style of fishing other than maybe that "run and gun" style of bass chasin'. Now to what Stumpjumper said, I'll add this. Make sure you get a true "bay boat" with the deep V hull and not a "flats boat" designed to fish skinny water (less than a foot). They look almost identical 'top side' but what a difference tracking true and handling rough water.

I have a 2002 20' Sea Pro Bay boat and I've used it for absolutely everything. I've also been part time guiding for the last 10 years, and it works awesome for taking out a family. Lots of room and when you do hook that monster, you can walk front to back and back to front fighting it with nothing in your way. And when you have to cross "big water" with 2 foot swells, it is a very dry and stable ride.

Plus, if you spend "big bucks" and decide you don't like it...just sell it to me for 10 cents on the dollar!

Mt pontoon is even center console would have nothing else

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Originally Posted by cray

SYG we have a couple over here. Feelay guides out of a big Ranger. They seem to be the hot ticket because they fish so well and have such a shallow draft. On the lakes your going to be fishing when you get back home I think it would be a very wise investment. I have seen some of your pictures with 4 guys in your old boat. Real easy in a Bay boat with plenty of room, very stable and good family boat. Same size Bass hull same size not nearly as versatile.

Yeah i fish with alot of my friends. I do need something that can handle a small crowd but a 20' bass boat would work too. I love getting out on the lake with my buddies and talk crap and catch fish all day......aint nothing better

Originally Posted by stumpjumper

young gun,

I've had 2 center consoles, Mckee craft, and Century bayboat, There's several reason's I don't own a center console now... Wind, Wind, Wind, MOST maybe not all center consoles (bayboats types) are shallow drafts which computes too the wind will whip your butt, the century I had I put a 80lbs thrust trolling motor and at times still couldn't pull a straight line with it. IF your not thinking of fishing in the saltwater I'd say stick with what the tournament guys fish out of Bassboats, Walleye type, Even some of the alumn. boats.

If I ever would buy another center console it would have to be a alumn. boat, but they sit high in water too.

I know fish a 520vx and wouldn't trade it for any other boat I've fished out of. Skeeter would be my next chose if I ever need another boat (both take the water well).

your right, wind is a big worry. I purchased my last boat, a 1860 Grizzly because I wanted to be able to crappie, catfish, duck hunt, and anything else. As time went on I regretted the decision more and more because I crappie fish more than anything and it wasnt as stable of a platform as i would like for trolling or pushin. But after looking at the Rangers and Skeeters I think they sit lower in the water than most center consoles and will not catch quite as much wind. I know they are not better than a bass boat because the center console itself will catch wind. I think i saw where you fish alot of local tournaments in SC and I plan on doing the same, along with a few CrappieUSA and CrappieMaster tournament thrown in the mix. My military schedule doesnt allow me to take the time off now to go fish tournaments like I would like. If everything goes right i will be out of the Navy and back in SC in May of 2014 and can hopefully devote more time to crappie fishing, if my wife doesnt kill me in the process. Thanks for all of your opinions on the matter. I have alot of time to sit around and think while I am over here in El-Salvador so my mind changes daily, lol. Last month I was dead set on an Xpress X19, now the Center Console, and I will prob be back to where I started in the beginning and want to get a Ranger Fisherman before its all said and done. I am ready to get back and just get something and get it over with, lol.