Aaron Trotter

Middle Iowa banks are melting but still ice covered. We had 50s and some wind today. Should be open soon!

Considering The videos that I have watched and people that I have talked to it seems as if a pedal drive would be a benefit and efficient during a tournament. For the fact of using a large muscle group during the day to keep fresh, and adjusting position while fishing rather than using hands. A 2017 Like new Hobie PA 14 for the price I believe will be the best choice after more research. What are the things that are needed for tournaments as far as rigging goes? Or what should I add to the Hobie to be successful ? Thank you all very much for the information and input it is all appreciated!

Thank you everyone for the replies! For budget and being first kayak I’m going to go with the lure 13.5. It already has rudder kit installed.

Thank you all for the input! I really like the feel free but is there a disadvantage for people that paddel vs pedal for tournaments? It seems with pedaling you have hands free to do more. Thank you!

Hello everyone, I appreciate the experience and knowledge this forum has to offer so I thought I’d throw out my circumstance at this time. I have two friends both getting rid of kayaks. One is a 2017 Hobie pro angler 14 (getting rid of kayak to make more room for bass boat) The other is a feel free lure 13.5 2017) getting rid because doesn’t like kayak fishing). Obviously Hobie comes with mirage drive and feel free is a paddel drive with overdrive optional. Quesion is which would you choose considering use for fishing small to medium lake bass tournaments. Maybe occasionally big lake. Considering price as well. I can pick up the feel free for <500 Hobie is close to 2250. Thank you for the input!

Hello y'all, Little update I got the transmission in the back of the Trailblazer. Its going to be installed next week! I have a close friend that is parting with his Fishing Kayak, Feel Free Lure 13.5 (last years model). He used it two times, and the Kayak fishing thing is not for him. He is willing to sell it to me at 25% of new cost. My question is, is kayak fishing good practice for big boat fishing? I have always been interested in kayak fishing and there is a very cool local tournament trail. My view of the pros are 1. it gets me on the water fishing. 2. I can try it out before I buy it to see if its something I'll like. 3. fishing practice 4. I get some tournament experience 5. I will be able to save up $ to get the boat I want while enjoying some fishing. I thought I'd run it by you all because you all have good unbiased input! Thank you all!

Well things took an unexpected turn today. My Trailblazer transmission went out. I diagnosed the problem myself and took it to the stealership for diagnostic confirmation. So a new GM 4l60e transmission is coming (with a heavy duty tranny cooler)but that takes some serious funds out of the boat fund. However this would be my towing vehicle so glad I’m fixing It before I’m towing my new boat home?? Anyways stay tuned a boat will be purchased might be closer to spring than I wanted though. Wanted to to say thank you again very much for all the comments. There will be more questions coming as boats and fish are on the mind!

If I go to a dealership to look at a used boat would it be common practice or acceptable to ask them to start and run motor?

I'm going to check into some loan options this week. I don't mind financing if its something I'm going to keep for a while. My girlfriend knows me well enough and said "a while like a few months". She's a part time comedian. I hope looking this early I will find something by the time the ice is melting. Last year I was fishing up here in February.

Sounds good guys. Just wanted to throw that idea out there. My moms husband owns a large building where he keeps his semis that i have permission to keep the boat. So it has a climate controlled free space! I could afford payments on a nice used boat I’m just not sure how the bank reacts to used boats for loans. If I were to go close to the 10,000 dollars range for a newer equipped 17.5 or 18.

Sorry to double reply but I was reading about the new heritage tracker post. I could probably drop 3000 on a down payment and make double payments each month to be upside on the loan. I would be able to make reasonable upgrades in the fall (budget wise). Do you all think this is a good value? Or should I stick with used? Thank you!

Hey guys, it looks extremely clean and can tell it was taken care of. I guess that was my biggest concern is structural quality of the boat. At this point function is more important than show in my life. If it gets me fishing and having fun then it’s doing it’s job. It’s a great stress relief and good for mental health. Also a good remembrance for my dad and grandpa. I would love the Triton at this point that would be at top of budget. I’d like that have some wiggle room for tackle or accessories etc. Even after a couple years I’d be financially able to finance a ranger, Lund, or Triton 18 or 19. Jbuchanan- did you find the 1648 big enough? Thank you you all again!

Thank you all!! I have been looking around the Kansas City area there seems too be much more to choose from in that area. I did come across a person at work that is selling a 2002 pro team tx bass tracker. He’s a 60 year old guy has it since new. Has all records of maintenance since new. Has a 40hp “tracker” motor ( two stroke) I assume is built my mercury. But not sure if you all opt against tracker If possible or if it’s something to consider. Comes with minn Kota power drive 2 and hummingbird 898. Carpet looks new, seats are good. Hull has no scratches or dents. Now looks solid. There’s no mildew on the hull looks like it’s been kept clean. Price is 4000. I’ve heard trackers bad rap and I wouldn’t mind having a Triton or Lund but this also fits the budget. Any thoughts?

Hey Fishnkamp, first of all thank you for the information I really appreciate it! I lost my grandpa and my dad in the last 2 years (my fishing teachers if you will) so I don’t have the old wise knowledge to turn to so it helps tremendously to have some wisdom from those of you that have been there before. I will mostly fish small to medium lakes. Never large bodies, at least not in the near future. I fish in Iowa mostly. I am planning on a once a year trip to Texas but that’s about it. My favorite lake is 2000 sq ft. No rivers at all. Top end budget at this time is 10,000 5000-7000 is preferred but I also want something as quality as I can get for the money. I will absolutely read that article thank you!! (that Triton looks very nice)

Hello out there, I will explain my situation a little bit, I am a recent college grad just started my first "career" job. By no means rolling in the money, but I am looking to get out on the water. Any *** would be appreciated. As my title foreshadowed I am looking into buying a boat for primarily bass fishing. I have decided to buy used due to budget, and I know that I will want something different sooner rather than later so instead of buying new and deal with depreciation I'll buy used and enjoy! My needs are big enough for two people to comfortably fish out of, ability to do some small local tournaments. In my area there are very few options as far as used boats go. Many of the used boats are deep V. The options that are present are older 1980s to 1990s bass glass boats, or used trackers. once in a while something different will pop up but these two options are the ones usually present. My question is how do I identify a quality used older bass boat, and are the older trackers (2000-2012) decent boats? Same question as well with the tracker how do I identify a quality tracker boat? I live in Iowa and have toyed with the idea of driving to Tennessee, Kentucky area to actually purchase a nicer/newer Bass glass boat. What are the thoughts about this idea as well? At this time specifically there are a couple used Skeeters 1986 bass boats available here in Iowa, these are the kind of boats that pop up once in a while. Are these boats quality, or how do you inspect to make sure they are worthy. I'm sure this is a loaded question, and classes could be taught about this subject, but any help would be awesome! Thank yoU!