Thread: Pics of J12 Carolina Skiff set up for crappie fishing?

They are a SMALL 12ft. Id definitely go 14 ft. I've also heard issues with the 12 getting on plane because its so short.

I want small. It will be trolling motor only so not worried about planing ability.

I don't have one nearby to look at but sorta worried it might be too wide? The plan would be to mount a seat about 2/3 of the way forward where I would sit and control the bow-mounted trolling motor with a foot pedal, and then fish with a series of rod holders on my left and right. I do a lot of pushing bobbers and/or pulling jigs and like having the ability to hold 2 to 4 rods out each side, but close enough to grab them quick when a bite happens.

I think the boat is 50" wide so not sure if that will have me reaching too far if I am sitting in the middle. I think this one shows the short deck that I would want.

I would imagine that thing will scoot right along with that 25 on it.

I think that boat has a 60" beam. I think the actual measurement across the gunnels is 55". It is a cadilac of Jon boats. That boat will be perfect for what you want to do. There is a site for skiff owners if you want to get a lot more info. Carolina skiff owner.com. last time I priced a j12 it was $950 at Eds marine. That was a bare hull.

I had a JV13 Carolina Skiff with stick steer. I had rod holders mounted on both sides and could reach them very well. Only reason I got rid of the boat was I had always wanted a stick steer boat. I keep it a little over a year and decided I didn't like stick steer. Going back to anther tiller boat, most likely another Carolina Skiff.

anything under 14' hard to control been there done that ....

I ain't skeered of no small boat

I had a 13 footer ( whaler) years ago with at 30 on it. It has been 20 yrs, ago and may not be 100 percent sure on facts, I did like it for small to medium lakes. However it was fairly heavy compared to other boats. I was told the C skiff were take from the whaler specks. Have you looked at any aluminum boats? Good luck.