fiberglass bass boats on bigger water question?

[iceman16]

Does anyone have a 18-19 foot bass boat that they take on bigger waters? I like to muskie fish and walleye fish and found a good deal on a ranger bass boat and was wondering if it would be worth getting. I mainly fish metro lakes but do like to go up to mille lacs and rainy too. Thanks for any help.

Iceman

[crappiegetter]

My dad owns a 19'6" champion bass boat and the biggest lake he has it on usually is Leech or Gull lake. On very windy bad days it does get a little rough but once on plane rides okay. He still cries like a girl that he wants the Ranger z21 though.

[Northlander]

If your going to play on big waters get a deep V.

[Ralph Wiggum]

There's bass tournaments on Erie. Bass boats can take a beating.

[Esox_Magnum]

My buddy runs a Z2o Commanche and it does ok in rough water, not as good as my deep V but fishable without a problem.

[Shawn Kellett]

I've been running a 21' bass boat for muskies/multispecies for years. The longer you can go the better when it comes to ride quality. There are day where I wish I had a deep V, but about 90% of the time my boat is comfortable. On those other days even deep v's aren't all that great, but they're definitely better. Personally I wouldn't go less then 20' if you plan on spending any appreciable amount of time on big water.

[Smallie Hunter]

I have a Triton TR186. I have been to Mille Lacs and other larger lakes. If it very windy the ride can be rough and can be a little wet. Get the longest you can. I wish I would have got at least a 19 footer.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Bigger is better on bigger water. I have a 20' 4" BassCat, and it handles Mille Lacs pretty well. I will get wetter than a deep V lund like a tyee.. but still do pretty well. All depends on you, and what you want and how often you fish on windy days. Bass boat will have more storage, higher floor making it easier to figure 8 and run jerk baits.. but will be easier to loose gear out of, fall out of, and get a little wetter.

[Chode2235]

We would run our 18.5 bass boat on Kabetogma back in the day. The bass boats typically stay above the waves when running but you get a lot of water in them while you try and sit fishing in any rougher waters.

My dad has since upgraded to a 22' Champion, and it is night and day. Length makes a huge different

Bass boats work great for musky fishing, and if it is what you have then go for it. But they are not ideal for big open rough water lakes.

[iceman16]

This is a 19.5 ranger. I really like the idea of a lot of casting room. And if I were to hit big water I usually pick my days. Thanks for your help guys!

Iceman

[Chode2235]

This is a 19.5 ranger. I really like the idea of a lot of casting room. And if I were to hit big water I usually pick my days. Thanks for your help guys!

Iceman

You should be good.

[pureinsanity]

Deitz did I see the word cat in your boats name?

[401TE]

Bass boats work just fine for big waters as long as you have a competent driver. I run a Champion 191DC Elite and fish Mille Lacs, LOTW, Vermilion and other bigger lakes where 3' waves aren't uncommon and it works for me. That said, if you have the cash, I'd be looking at a 620 or 621 (or other brand equivalents) if you're going to spend any significant amount of time on big water. You'll stay drier and the boat will handle a lot better in big waves.

[Esox_Magnum]

1 downside of a bass boat is at least for walleys you may not be able to troll. They are not designed for a kicker. As for things falling off, I'm sure it happens but I left my fancy Cannon camera on the rear deck of my buddys Z20 and at 68mph and a 3 mile run never moved. Water was semi calm though.

[delmuts]

"I left my fancy Cannon camera on the rear deck of my buddys Z20 and at 68mph and a 3 mile run never moved. Water was semi calm though."

Esox. What do you have against cameras?? You beat them on the side of a boat( wouldn't work during a muskie tourn.) and now try to deep six one??

[Esox_Magnum]

Hey that camera still works no idea why it didnt during the torney. I just forgot to put my good one in the storage that morning and was shocked when I stood up and seen it still on the deck lol

[iceman16]

has anyone fished out of a ranger 617 tiller? i have been looking around and doing my homework and found one.

iceman

[Esox_Magnum]

617 is a good boat, a buddy had one and I almost bought it, but bank said otherwise. With a tiller you wont get a rear casting deck for others to fish from if you cast for anything. Don't think theres enough room on the bow for 2 either. I run a 17' Skeeter deep v and perfect for 2 guys muskie fishing and about the dryest 17' glass you'll find. Mine sits on the same hulls that Tuffy owns now and been around since about 1990. I'll put my skeeter against any 17-19' Ranger anyday for dryness.

Bonus was my buddy wanted $10K for the Ranger and got it, I paid $3K for mine. Mine is a single console though wit a 115 merc and currently pushes 2 guys loaded at around 43, will do better once I figure out the right SS prop. Best you'll do with the tiller 617 is mid 30's??

[WalleyeBIZ]

I had an 18 foot warrior witch did great in big water but moved up to a skeeter wx1880! The ride is great and it moves across the bigger waves great! I use this boat on superior, millelacs, and winni! havnt had a problem! Got caught on winni with a pregnant wife in 7 foot wave! Boy was she [PoorWordUsage] but we got in ok!