Stratos Bass Boats???

[Bushwacker]

I am on the verge of buying a 1995 Stratos 284DC. It is an 18 foot fiberglass bass boat with dual counsels. It has a 1995 Envirude 150hp Intruder with SE sport SE 300 fin on it. Does anybody have any experience with Stratos boats or with that particular motor? I really like the set-up of the boat and I can get a pretty good deal on it, but I am a little aprehensive about going with a bass boat over my 17 foot Alumacraft walleye style boat. Any positive or negative thoughts would be greatly apprieciated. Thanks.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Well bushwacker, it really depends on your style fishing. Bass boats are not designed well for walleye fishing. They don ot back troll at all.. So any trolling would have to be with the t-moter. Bass boats also do not handle a lot of big waves.. yes you can run a bass boat in heavy waves but its really not the most confrtable ride. But for crappie fishing, bass, and and stuff like that.. you will love the bass boat.

Statos boats are nice. not top of the line but, still a very nice boat.

[jerkin'm]

I have a 17'6" Skeeter bass boat. Have fished big water in some heavy surf. If you don't mind your feet getting a little wet, you can fish BIG waves. The nice thing is they don't catch as much wind as a walleye style boat. As long as you have a powerfull trolling motor on the front, everything is good. I probably walleye fish more than bass, and I would never go back to a big deep boat. Get the Stratos, they make a good boat. You will never be disappointed in the fishability of a bass boat.

[ChuckN]

The fiberglass alone is a world of difference.

I've never fished a bass boat, but I know jerkn'm and he does some crazy things in his bass boat from what I hear...

I have seen bass boats do some incredible things on choppy waters (full throttle, smooth ride), when I was struggling to get on plane in an aluminum boat and taking the abuse.

Personally, I don't want any waves to stop me from fishing and I really like staying dry. I went to a deep V glass and I won't buy anything else.

[Bushwacker]

Thanks for the replies guys. I already learned how to spell Stratos from them My main fishing is for Muskies. I also fish for bass, pike, crappies, sunfish, and walleyes. I would say 90% of the fishing that I do involves casting and retrieving, which I would say a bass boat would be perfect for. I am glad you mentioned walleye fishing in your post jerkin'm. That is probably my number one concern with switching styles. The only thing I think I am giving up is trolling crankbaits for walleyes and pike. I don't think that the 150hp would troll down enough for that. Has anybody ever tried open water trolling with a bass boat?

[Tonka Boy]

For a guy like me a bass boat wouldn't cut it. I prefer bigger waters (but not always), rocky lakes which I often "beach" upon, and trolling is a must and cannot be done with a bass boat. Some situations sure, but if you really want to be precise it's not going to work. BUT, that is just me...I'm a walleye/muskie guy.

On the other hand I have buddies who mostly bass fish on metro lakes. For these guys it works out perfectly. Obvisously you get there in a hurry (which you can in a deeper boat), but the thing I really like is the fact that you're near water level. Huffing those fish into the boat is easy as can be. There is also plenty of room to walk around.

Like the previous posts state here, it really depends on the individual. I see you're from Sauk Center so "big waters", with the exception of Osakis aren't a big issue. Then it becomes a matter of style. Good luck on your decision.

[jerkin'm]

I have trolled muskies in the fall with the 115 on my boat, no problem. Your bow mount will troll cranks all day if you get a 24 or 36 volt, cheaper than a kicker motor any day. No smell and nice and quiet for those shallow night eyes. As to Tonka Boys post about big water, I think Rainy, Ottertail, Lake of the Woods, Vermillion, would all count as big water, my boat has seen them all, with plenty of wind. Like I said before, wet feet never hurt anyone!

[Bushwacker]

Tonka Boy,

What really gets me the most excited about getting a bass boat would be to muskie fish. I don't troll for them at all, and I think casting for muskies out of a bass boat would be great.

I do fish my share of "big water". We have a place up in Blackduck and we fish Cass, Winnie, and Red up there, and I make a few trips up to Mille Lacs each year also. I would think a 18 ft bass boat would be fine to take out most of the time, am I right about that or are they an absolute no-no on bigger waters? I am a little worried about when there is three foot or bigger rollers on those lakes. My current 17 foot aluminum boat handles the big waves very well when I am actually fishing in them, but then I have problems running across the lake getting bounced around. I don't think there such a thing as a perfect boat.

[jerkin'm]

Just out of curiosity, what are you paying for this boat?

[HuskerTornado]

Also, just make sure you use the NADA before you purchase a boat.

It'll save you from paying too much.

[Bushwacker]

I checked out the NADA this morning and with the boat, motor, trailer, and the add ons this package's average retail is $8940.00, in my experience the NADA is a little low on most used boats that sell in MN. If I get this boat I will be paying a little less than $7000. I think that is a great deal. There is one spot on the hull by the driver's side counsel where the fiberglass finish is spidered in about a 6 inch circle. It is not very noticable and I have been assured that it does not leak at all. Also there is a small rip in the middle of the seats between the two counsels. The motor is in great shape and so is the trailer. It comes with a 24 volt trolling motor. The main issue I have is that I have to drive down to Missouri to pick it up. That is why I am a little aprehensive. I figure I can buy it down there, fish out of it for a couple months and then decide whether to keep my Alumacraft or the Stratos. I think I should be able to get at least what I pay for it out of it. What do you think?

[Stratosman]

I have a 1999 Stratos 21SS Extreme w/ a 225 Evinrude and absolutly love it, very dry ride, smooth as well. I can run it pretty much wide open even in 3' waves, not that I do, only when outrunning a storm. I has never chinewalked on me either. It has a huge front platform and tons of storage. I have ridden in Rangers and Nitro's and for the money, I would say it performs as well as the Rangers and better than the Nitro.

I fish mostly muskies and bass, and the low profile makes figure 8's a breeze, and with the low profile, fishing the wind is much easier. I fish Mille-Lacs a few times a year, Gull, pretty much anywhere, and have never not went out because I was worried how my boat would handle the conditions.

If you are strictly a walleye fisherman, then I would reconsider, but bass and muskie, man you won't regret it.

Good luck in your search!

[fishfearme]

I have a 1995 285pro xl dc. Almost the exact same boat. 18'10" * 89" beam with 150 faststrike. It rides very good in rough water as long as you keep it under 40mph. I fish Mille Lacs alot and have never had a problem running in big waves. It has a nice deep V the entire lenght of the hull that cuts waves nice, but it makes it a little less stable. The rod lockers are a little small, but thats the only complaint I have about the boat. It's a fast hull too! You'll pass every other boat with a 150. It is worth the drive to MO to check it out.

[delmuts]

bush, for casting a bass boat rally shines. if teh water gets too rough, then it is time to crank that 150 and beat it back to shore or a protected cove.i just sold my bass baot last year and went to a fisherman series. it just fits my uses better.( now i can pull the kids skiing and such too) you will have to learn to drive the bass rig, but they do make for awesome fishing.

[Tonka Boy]

Quote:

---

I figure I can buy it down there, fish out of it for a couple months and then decide whether to keep my Alumacraft or the Stratos. I think I should be able to get at least what I pay for it out of it. What do you think?

---

Since you a fortunate enough to have that option you really can't loose! On the other hand, maybe someone on here would be willing to give you a spin in their bass boat? At least then you could get a feel for it before you make the long trip.

[andy j]

For the kind of fishing you do I would go with the bass boats. I have a lund pro-bass and do a lot of walleye fishing out of it and it does fine. a thing to consider is weight. A 19 foot fiberglass boat with a 150 with a big bunk trailer is going to be a lot heavier then a average deep-V Aluminum with a 50-90 horse on a lightweight roller trailer. Just something to think about especially with gas prices they way they are. You would have no problem selling that boat in MN.

[scsavre]

Get the boat.

I recently did the same thing. I had a 17 foot alumicraft and now fish out of A nitro that isn't as nice as that stratos.

Missourri is the best place to buy a boat. I know a couple of people that buy boats down there use em for a year up here and make money on the sale. Minnesota is one of the best states to sell but not buy a used boat.

The Nitro I picked up was in Southern Iowa and was a couple thou cheaper then anything comparible up here.

My friends dad drives to Missourri from Arizona just to buy boats.

So if you don't like sell and make money.

The only prob I have had with the bass boat muskie fishing is a couple of waves comiing over the front while running the t-moter. Very seldom and I probably shouldn't have been out there anyway.

[Bushwacker]

Thank all of you very much for all of the posts. I gave it the go ahead and I am meeting the guy to pick up the boat on May 21st at Mark Twain Lake in Monroe City, MO. I am now officially pumped Thanks for all the advice. I think a bass boat will fit my fishing styles perfect.

[scsavre]

Might as well bring a couple of rods and catch a few of those MO bass

[Bushwacker]

The guy is telling me that Mark Twain Lake is one of the best crappie lakes in the world and he fishes it all the time. So I might have to bring down a couple crappie rods too. That would be a good way to break up 20 of drive time.

[Bushwacker]

My wife and I are heading out at 4:30am on Saturday morning to pick it up, I wonder if I will be able to sleep tonight Thanks for all the help guys.

[HaywardBound]

Good luck with your purchase.

I hope you see this before you go. Check out bassboatcentral.com...Somewhere in there look for 'buying a bass boat'. A bunch of info about what to look for before you buy. I printed this out and brought it with me when looking.

It is a great site with a ton of info on bass boats.

I have other sites if you are still shopping, let me know if you are interested.

[Muskydanno]

Bushwhacker, You will be happy with your purchase.

I am primarily a musky/bass angler and got rid of my 182 tourney series crestliner for a 201 pro xl stratos and i mean to tell you the difference in ride and fishability is incredible. I would never go back for the type of fishing i do. My buddy liked it so much that we had to go down to texas to pick up a 275 xl for him. Very fast hull and an excellent ride. I don't believe you can beat it for the money.For the occassional pulling cranks or spinners for walleyes i use the bow mount troller and it works fine. Like was mentioned above the only complaints i have is the rod locker could be slightly bigger and if i were to catch that next world record ski,it wouldn't fit in the livewell, but after all it is purpose built for bass. I fish leech and mille lacs alot, and believe this is the boat for me. You will get wet in anything if the waves are high enough unless you have a full windshield and i've found for drift fishing you don't have to rely on your drift sock to slow you down as the bass boat has a low profile that doesn't grab the wind.You have to drive these things a little bit in rough water but once you find the trim angle and speed that works they ride just as good as anything out there. This is primarily why i got the 20 footer is for the extra weight and lenght to ride out the rough stuff and it does make a difference. The mega casting deck is nice though too. Now if i could get someone to pay the gas bill for that 225 on the back of it......hmmm.

[HaywardBound]

So...did you buy it? How did everything go?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Yes, please do tell... and we want pictures too.. alway fun to see a guy with his first glass baot!