bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

[drew2237]

i was recently given a 1998 2355 bayliner ciera that i did a complete repower on and it should be fnished by the end of the week i do a lot of offshore fishing on my uncles 30ft center console boat and i was wondering if any one has fished off of a cabin cruiser before and if so how did it go with the limited space on the back deck?

 

[MarkSee]

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

My son and I fish on our 270 Sundancer.

Having some rod holders really helps to hold a pole to walk around and we've learned it easiest if one of us fishes from the swim platform while the other is in the cockpit. We have even tried from up front on top of the cabin; only he managed to land something up there.
Important to keep the tackle box closed to reduce the chance of someone tripping over it and of course, no knives left out.

Mark

 

[drew2237]

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

how many rod holders do you have? and do you have any tope of top or enclosure on the boat bimini or hard top?

 

[MarkSee]

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

There are 2 flush-mount rod holders installed along the top of the transom then 1 on each side(port/starboard) on the gunwale.

Yes, our model has an aluminum arch that has another 8 built-in rocket launchers where we stow the rods, hook and nets when not actually anchored and fishing.

I'm not sure what is made that might attach to the bimini like what your boat has but if you find something that will attach, buy it regardless of cost as that allows for a much nicer/clearer/safer cockpit area.
I'm assuming it would be cost prohibitive to add an aluminum arch with rocket launchers to your boat but maybe you can find something on sale or a fabricator in your area that would make it reasonable.

Mark

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

I don't know that hull, but offshore from North Carolina in a 23' requires the correct design. Also no fishing from the swim platform except in the summer. If "offshore" means sneaking out the inlet on a good day to fish along the beach, fine, but you may not have the hull to run home from a distance if the weather kicks up.

Safety is your #1 concern. Those of us fishing often see crazy use of the wrong style boat for the conditions. Don't be that guy.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

I did a quick search and there are items made that attach to a bimini. Here's a url but I'm sure there are others.
Amazon.com: Rocket Launcher 6 Rod Bimini Boat Top Carrier Fits 74"-91" Aluminum Construction: Sports & Outdoors

Mark

 

[JoLin]

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

I don't know that hull, but offshore from North Carolina in a 23' requires the correct design. Also no fishing from the swim platform except in the summer. If "offshore" means sneaking out the inlet on a good day to fish along the beach, fine, but you may not have the hull to run home from a distance if the weather kicks up.

Safety is your #1 concern. Those of us fishing often see crazy use of the wrong style boat for the conditions. Don't be that guy.

What HC said. Any boat can be used for fishing, and (almost) any boat can go anywhere on a good day. You don't want to be caught far offshore in a Ciera if weather and waves suddenly turn to crap. Nothing wrong with the boat per se, but it (like my Four Winns) is not built to 'offshore' standards. It doesn't have a self-bailing cockpit, high deadrise hull, or a big fuel tank. A Trophy of the same length is better suited to offshore conditions than the Ciera.

Have fun, keep a close eye on the weather, and consider upgrading your bilge pumping capacity.

My .02

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

also consider that you MIGHT be able to swap it for a trophy or other offshore friendly boat

 

[mr 88]

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

Off shore fishing,wrong boat for that sport.As mentioned,trade if not sell it and buy the correct boat.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

Drew2237:
You seem to be getting opinions about your new boat's ability to be an "offshore" fishing machine though in your original post you only asked about the cockpit space issues fishing in a cruiser then subsequently about rod holders.

Nowhere did I read you wanted to use, or ask for opinions, on this new boat's ability for "offshore" fishing as you mention you do that from a proper 30 foot cc boat.

If you really do want some feedback on that particular topic, indicate so and I can tell you the little I've learned.

Mark

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

You need something that can CUT, like a 23' Chris Craft Lancer or a 30' Sport Fisherman with the Ray Hunt designed hull

 

[drew2237]

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

yeah im just looking around at ideas i though about sellin the boat but until it dose sell it has to be better than the 30 foot cc on fuel. with the cc boat we can run to the point from oregon inlet and stop at the 102 and the 85 tower and use almost 130 gallons of fuel. all i was looking to so with this ciera was maybe run to the 65 tower which is 14 miles offshore and maybe the 102 (21 or so miles) the fuel capacity in the ciera is 50 or 55 gallons. but i took out the water heater and put in 20 extra gallon tank in its place. Under the motor hatch on the back deck there are 4 self bailing deck drains in the water track around the hatch lid

 

[JoLin]

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

Drew2237:
Nowhere did I read you wanted to use, or ask for opinions, on this new boat's ability for "offshore" fishing as you mention you do that from a proper 30 foot cc boat.

The implication was that he wanted to do the same with his Ciera. Judging from his last post, that seems to be the case. 21 miles offshore is nothing to sneeze at.

Drew, if your deck drains around the engine hatch are anything like mine, they don't equate to self-bailing scuppers. They're just there to take care of rain water.

My .02

 

[MarkSee]

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

The implication was that he wanted to do the same with his Ciera. Judging from his last post, that seems to be the case. 21 miles offshore is nothing to sneeze at.

Drew, if your deck drains around the engine hatch are anything like mine, they don't equate to self-bailing scuppers. They're just there to take care of rain water.

My .02

Yes he does. But he says he was already thinking of selling that boat but needs to make it fishable for now.
He still does not state he's looking for opinions on whether that is the right boat for fishing; kind of admitted himself it's not.
I was just trying to stay on topic (cockpit and rod holders) with what he was really asking about, not questioning his judgement on if that is the right boat or not for offshore fishing like others did.

Mark

 

[drew2237]

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

there are 4 drains around the engine hatch that are about 2 or 2.5 inches in diameter. ill be home thursday and ill take pics of the boat and upload them so everyone can see it

 

[25thmustang]

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

Whether its the best fishing boat or not, it's doable. My cousins fish from a 21' express boat every weekend. Only a couple of them but they seem to have a great time!

It will be a bit cramped, but you can add rail mount or gunwale mount rod holders. Set up 4-6 poles, man one and have the rest in the holders. If one hooks, that's your pole to reel in.

My 34 has newly added rod holders and will be fished some.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

last year some local sailors were pulling up stipers (20") from the fantail of a destroyer docked at the naval base.

People are often too quick to say you can't use this boat for that thing. naturally, some boats are better than others fro different things. Few of us can have a selection of 10-12 boats for our 10-12 different activities we enjoy.

But some of us are headed that way!

 

[mr 88]

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

Sure you can fish off of anything. String some logs together if you want or take a canoe out there. IF you are going to go that distance off shore and want to be somewhat safe and comfortable I will suggest again to lose the bayliner and get a real fishing boat,self bailing cockpit,low to the water in the stern area,twin engines,gunnels that will accept fishing gear,large fuel capacity. It is a lot easier to use a boat built for fishing to pull some tubers around than to take some generic cruiser and try to turn that into a fishing boat. NOT being to quick to say you cannot use the bayliner,but you will hate it in the long,maybe even short run for your intended purpose... I know what your original question was,just trying to save you the hassle of putting a bunch of work into a hull that is not set up for fishing off shore.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

The little rain channels will NOT drain anything much more than a garden hose..... If a wave comes over the stern, most of it will shower on your engine while a small amount leaks out..... Honestly I wouldn't go anywhere near 20 miles from shore in that thing....

Mark, if you want to "keep on topic" then maybe you could just reply to what you feel his question is.... leave the forum policing to the o/p and the mods.... I as many others feel that his question implies a bit of "is my boat suited for these waters" and mean no disrespect at all to him by suggesting another boat..... Honestly it would take just a few minutes to climb in the back with some gear to decide if he felt cramped but if, and I do mean, IF he turned out to be over his head on the big water it could be a lifetime trying to get home.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: bayliner 2355 Ciera fishing?

Mark, .... leave the forum policing to the o/p and the mods....

????
Nowhere in this thread did I address anything to you yet you felt you had to say something to me telling me about forum etiquette.....I see no 'moderator' next to you name. Just kind of contradicted yourself it seems.

If you want to battle over some topic with me, then send a PM or start a thread in the Dockside chat section and we'll have it out, just have the courtesy to leave it out of other folks thread.

Mark