boat for fresh and salt water fishing

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shinerbock

Cadet
Joined
Jun 20, 2008
Messages
11
i was hoping you guys could give me a little insight on what type of boat to get. i like ot do both bass fishing in fresh water, and fish for specks and red drum in salt water. i was going to buy a bass boat, but the guy i was going ot buy it from sold it out from under me, so im in the market again. i was leaning to like a carolina skiff, or a bass boat. i really like the center console boats, but then again the bass boats do it for me to. i just dont know. i love fishing both kinds of water and dont know what to buy. can i get your help?

i really cant wait to get home to fish again. im here in iraq counting down the days. why would the Marine Corps have to send me to a place with hardly any water to fish!!!:(
 
H

haulinbass

Cadet
Joined
Jul 1, 2008
Messages
22
Re: boat for fresh and salt water fishing

Thanks for your service. 8 years USMC. Not a whole lot of water over there. If you want do both equally you need to look at a center console bay boat. If you want to do more freshwater go ahead and get a bass boat. I have fished saltwater with a bass boat. Just make sure you rinse the saltwater off the trailer and rinse out the motor. if its something you are going to keep for quite awhile go ahead and get a galvanized or alum trailer. You'll be better off in the long run. Semper Fi
 
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jm_bullard

Seaman
Joined
Jul 17, 2007
Messages
53
Re: boat for fresh and salt water fishing

I have a bass boat that I have used in saltwater (for 11 years)heavily, and I have had NO issues with corrosion on the boat or motor. I wash it out at a car wash and flush the motor immediately on every trip. The trailer, however, has been reworked twice. Go with galvanized or aluminum trailer for sure.
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: boat for fresh and salt water fishing

i like center consoles, for both types of fishing. they can be equipped with pedistals for fishing, trolling motor, buy if you are going to use trolling motor in the salt you need a saltwater trolling motor. you can pull the pedistals and it becomes a decent family boat. which bass boat don't. kill 3 birds with one stone. definately a Galvanized or Aluminum trailer. washdowns are absolutly necessary, in salt, and best even in fresh water. to keep your boat up to par. keeping it covered goes a long way, to keep it's looks.
 
vandy21

vandy21

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 27, 2007
Messages
375
Re: boat for fresh and salt water fishing

I like your idea of a Carolina skiff, they're pretty neat boats. Or maybe if a skiff wouldn't be stable enough, a Boston Whaler or another stable bay center console might work well for you.
 
A

angler53

Seaman
Joined
Sep 9, 2007
Messages
74
Re: boat for fresh and salt water fishing

I to wanted a boat for dual purpose. I live 90 miles from the gulf of Mexico and 70 miles from 4 to 5 different big fresh water lakes. The Chattahoochee river is 30 miles out.
In order to get the wife to go along with the deal I had to also have somewhat of a pleasure boat to deal with all these grandkid's.
I chose the Ranger 1850Vs, Reata. It's an 18.5' deep-v rated for 175hp. The boat on the trailer weighs a little over 4500 lbs loaded and ready to go (I think), I haven't weighed it yet. It's a hand full for this old man to unload and load by myself but manageable.
I haven't had in salt water yet due to work and cost of fuel. Other than that, I am so very pleased with it.
I've been 50 miles out many times in a 20' Grady-White and the reata is very close in size and shape so I don't see any problems going out on the right day.
I need to spend some money to fit it out for the job before I go but that will come in due time.
 
S

shinerbock

Cadet
Joined
Jun 20, 2008
Messages
11
Re: boat for fresh and salt water fishing

Thanks guys for all your help. Im still looking for a boat. its kinda hard finding something in my price range. $6500 is the most i want to spend. i have seen some that are a little older, but i just dont get a good feeling about buying a boat thats as old as myself, 26 years. when i do find something i like, im sending a buddy of mine thats in the states to go and look at it, he knows alot about boats. im not to worried about getting something for the fam to enjoy, i have two kids, 3 years and 4 months, so i wouldnt take them out anyway untill they get older. maybe ill get a 16 foot jonboat and spend some money on adding stuff to it. i dont know, im going to need to buy everything. all my fishing gear was left in texas when i joined the corps in 2001, and my older bro didnt take care of anything. so if anyone knows someone in the NC area sellin a boat let me know. thanks again

semper fi,
ken
 
C

clemsonfor

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Sep 19, 2005
Messages
1,011
Re: boat for fresh and salt water fishing

you should be able to find a nice carolina skiff (16-18ft) in that price range with a smaller motor 40-70 horse 2 stroke thats not but 4-8 years old. Carolina also makes some dual consoles like a bass boat but mostly there newer models i think so not in that price range probably.

-nate
 
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