On top of my ‘to do’ list, when we were getting ready to move out west, was to go fishing for Northern Pike.
Now, we’ve been out here almost two years, and have yet to go fishing.
This spring and summer, I plan to break that streak, and I got Sat^Gal’s and my fishing licence. We’ll most likely be doing our fishing this year from shore, since we have no boat, but I’ve been looking at some of the different types of small boats out there, thinking it might be nice to get one, and get to where the fish are bigger.
I’m thinking something under $500, 2-seater, and appropriate for fishing pike.
I have a Ford Explorer, so something that can be strapped to the roof would be ideal
Some of the ones I’ve been looking at are inflatable pontoon boats (the 2-seaters are beyond budget, though), mini bass boats (these are interesting), canoes (a bit tippy, though?)…
I plan on, if I get one, taking it out on some decent-sized lakes (a few miles across or more), and possibly some rivers, but nothing fast.
So, what do you guys think makes a good cheap fun fishing craft?
The potential problem with Inflatables is the idea of being in the middle of the lake, waving around pointy things (hooks), combined with the difficulties of leaning/reaching over the side of something that has a tendency to give way.
Maybe a flat bottom duck boat?
I’d go with a canoe. You’ll get used to leaning properly. As you lean in to get the fish, the other person leans away. Just do it slowly and you won’t have a problem with tipping. And don’t stand up.
I’ve had my canoe for 17 years. To spite the “I buy the most expensive Kevlar canoe because it weighs nothing” people, my canoe is a featherweight 17’ aluminum, weighing all of 57 pounds. Of course, at that weight, it has no internal floatation, so if it sinks, it’s going all the way down. (Hasn’t happened yet!) A couple of years ago I even bought a trolling motor for it.
What that means is: Don’t get sucked into the argument that you need some big fancy expensive canoe. Buy a straight forward 17’ full sized aluminum canoe. You’ll be able to throw it on top of your Exploder and take it anywhere.
My dad bought a buster boat (busterboats.com) and sold it to me and I love it. It’s just a little two seater plastic foam filled boat that can be driven around by either a 5hp or a decent electric trolling motor. I have a 5hp on the back and a 50lb thrust electric motor on the front and it works like a charm. I keep it on a small flatbed trailer myself but i think it would fit in a truck box as long as it wasn’t a short bed. I think the price is around 500 bucks give or take and even though they are small they are built pontoon style and quite stable.
I just checked these out, and the least expensive one was over $900, which would be a bit outside the stipulated price range… mind you, I’ve seen similar boats for the $500 range, which would be cool to have… these are the ones I refer to as mini bass boats. This site has some affordable ones, for example…
