SFL BassHunter

Yup the weight limit is 1000 lbs which should be plenty for 2 people and all my gear.

Yeah I had some folks tell me to go smaller but it was just a combo of things that got me. The price was 200 for a saltwater rated motor, that really drove it home for me. It has a battery meter, it's something I can put on a bigger boat when I get one, and I figure I won't be running it on full speed most of the time anyways. It will be more for moving locations at a decent rate without having to get a really expensive outboard. I plan on having an extra battery on board anyways, just in case.

How about how far did the trolling motor get you? How much thrust? How heavy is your boat?

K thanks!

Boat Rentals in my past experience have never been good. But now I know what to look for and what to ask for when calling about boats. For example I won't touch a jon boat rental unless it has a trolling motor or at least an anchor. I ran into a place where my friend and I rented a skiff at a great price, then as the current was taking us down the canal we realized well we don't have an anchor. We spent about an hour and a half trying to get the hang of course correcting with the outboard motor so we wouldn't get pushed into the mangroves. Eventually we decided to look and see how much gas we had. So we left the motor on the entire time and would course correct constantly. At that point we didn't feel bad at all about wasting all their gas. On top of it the skiff was very unstable.

Yeah you get what you pay for! I didn't want to spend to much money on an inflatable at the moment because when I get ready to turn in my lease I'm hoping to get something I can put a hitch on and then just get me a nice little jon boat.

Anyone know if I need to register it with the DMV?

Well guys I don't think I will be having much of a problem getting to the fish now! I went ahead and got me an Intex Seahawk 4 Inflatable. I'm excited about it mostly because its only 129 bucks, even though in total I've spent more. The trolling motor is 200 and all the other nice additions will rack up to a bit more. But in reality all those other things including the motor, battery, charger are things I can use in the future for my next vessel. The trolling motor is a Newport Vessel 55lb thrust rated for salt and freshwater. Till I can get something something decent like a jon boat or better, I hope to get out on the water with this!

Sure thing! I promise you it won't be much originality. With so many people already doing this and youtube videos I might just take what I think is best from each and do it. I'm expecting some hawgs as well! I've yet to get me one of them. 2.8 lbs is currently my PB, I'd like to change that with my new "bass boat".

Thanks for the advice and help with the photos of your setups. I went ahead and pulled the trigger. Made a few changes but I did go with the following: Intex Seahawk 4 for $129 Newport Vessels 55lb trolling motor for $199 rated for fresh and salt water Schumacher SEM-1562A-CA 1.5 Amp Speed Charge Battery Maintainer for $20Intex 12v electric pump $10 Onyx life vest $20 Now I just need to buy a battery and a few small items. I'll pick those up at Walmart.

How is the stability with the floor it comes with? About $269 Wind is sometimes a factor, sometimes not. Sometimes the day is fairly nice and then starts to rain and becomes nice again within the hour. Other boats are always a factor on canals and lakes with boat ramps.

The mariner 4 was my first option then i started looking at cheaper options. I really like the mariner and I guess I wanted to know how stable it is for fishing standing up?

Good point. I do figure though, I would have more weight on the boat, mine will be bigger than yours and I am close to 300 lbs myself. The main reason I am considering the intex 40lb thrust is because it is rated for saltwater and freshwater. On occassion I may take it out to some flats. For example snake bight down in Flamingo Everglades to do some redfish and snook fishing. Those flats are a no motor zone and require only a trolling motor, push pole or oars. It would be like fishing a lake with maybe even shallower water. I'd love to go with a Minn Kota that is rated for salt and fresh but they are far more expensive.

You make a great point, even better with your 40 dollar set up. You have sea hawk 2, and I am looking at the 4 just because I am a big guy and if I want to get a buddy to come along 2 can fish it. But I thought the same thing, its 129 with the motor mount. If it turns out to be crap, well I'm out 129 bucks but I still have the battery, the motor, and everything else. I do think about the darned thing deflating while I'm on the water and it's the only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on it. I don't mind being on top of water, but not really interested in being IN the water.

Yeah thats kind of the set up I was going for. I wasn't really planning on the rod holder but that is a great idea. I was actually planning on putting the battery in the cooler, but making it a live well also works! Displacing the body weight with the battery up front is a great idea too. It's good to know that a 30lb thrust moves it pretty good. I do plan on getting something with more thrust. Thanks for the set up info and advice.

Yeah that's one of the things I considered. I guess you really don't think of it much before having to inflate it and deflate it over and over again. I could see how that can eventually turn into a pain. I'll take that into consideration. I'll also look into a variable speed motor. I did not know the 5 speed would just suck up the juice. I figured on low it would drain less. Good info to have. Thanks loop

Yeah only thing is my car is a lease, not sure if putting a trailer hitch on it will be a problem.

I don't know how many large bass there are in Turkey Lake but I know there are numbers. I did spot a large one roaming. One thing they do is rent out some pretty good jon boats thursdays through sundays. Full days I think for less than 40 bucks. They come with outboard and trolling motor. They have 5 and from what I read they only allow those 5 boats on the lake for fishing. All other fishing pressure comes from the bank and they do tell you Bass are catch and release. Just in case you need another fishing spot to add to your trip.

Alright guys so I have been looking into getting my first boat. I am very close to pulling the trigger on an inflatable. I need something cheap and portable. Right off the bat, I don't think I can for a kayak. I feel claustrophobic just looking at them. So my next option was a Canoe, but those are heavier and require me to get a roof rack. So I am thinking Inflatable might just meet my needs. What do you all think of this set up? A Minn Kota Trolling Motor Power Center (If I need it??? Not sure) Intex 40lb Thrust Trolling Motor (Fresh&Saltwater) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005QIB7K8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER Deep Cycle 27 Marine Battery http://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-27DC-6-Marine-Battery/16795212 and maybe a smaller 24 as a backup. http://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-24MS-6-Marine-Battery/16782694 I plan on making a custom standing platform with hinges to make foldable and portable in my car. I've seen several on youtube made of plywood. Which could work, but I would like to go as light as possible while being able to hold my weight. This vessel holds 880 lbs which should be plenty for 2 along with all equipment. Though I seem to have my mind made up and everything is in my amazon and walmart carts, I have not pulled the trigger and would appreciate any feedback, advice on any of these items. But keep in mind I am on a budget and would like to stay close to the price of these items. I've considered a minn kota trolling motor, maybe with more thrust. Not sure...

I tried frogs on Toho and Turkey Lake, 0 bites. Switched to senko and caught the ones I just posted.

Out in Orlando tried out Turkey Lake and it turned out to be a good fishery. Caught 5 bass, lost 2 in about 3 hours, they were hitting stick baits. Used up all my senko's. They sure do fall apart in cover rather quick. I had one Bass chomp down on one and eat half. I used another stick bait and got similar results. Two different colors. Then I tried the Boyd Duckett night crawlers and got 2 on those. BUT I snapped my medium rod. Epic fail. Lots of cover and I was eating crap lol. Well still had a great time! The rod was free anyways, but it has been my go to rod so I need to go get me something similar, hopefully a bit sturdier.