Salt And Freshwater Boat

[fstr385]

I havent been fishing long, but have gotten really into it. I got a little 10' tracker with a troller and 3.5hp 4 stroke to start with once I reallized I wasnt going to put the poles down. It was good for my canals and throw in the truck or trailer to other small spots, but now that Ive gotten better, wanna try some better bigger areas and some tournaments and want a real bass boat. Ive been tryin to decide between the trackers to a nitro z6, but thing is we wanna do some saltwater/brackish fishing too. Like snook and tarpon fishing around south florida between everglades city, to the gulf side North keys. Are these boats ok for this? I dont know much about tourney rules, but ive never seen a mako flats boat in a bass tournament lol. I dont really care about going out in the ocean or high water areas, but would like to get some 25-80lb fish too once in a while, but freshwater would be the primary use.

[Shewillbemine]

If you're going to balance between freshwater and saltwater fishing, then you may not want a dedicated bass boat. They lack the freeboard to handle waves and you might poop your pants in rougher seas. 

 

You're likely not to see Mako boats in bass tournaments either but as long as the tourney allows your kind of boat, who cares whatever it is? 

 

I have a Tracker Deep V and I purposely chose that design because a) I fish year-round for all species   I fish saltwater inshore   c) I use it for recreational water sports as well. It's really served its purpose and works well for me. 

 

From what you've described about your kind of fishing, I'd look at any deep V models from all manufacturers and the smaller, skiff or inshore type boats. LOL you'll grow tired of cleaning blood off bass boat carpet real quickly. 

[Fishing Rhino]

Good advice.

[slonezp]

Good advice.

Did you expect any different? I mean, this IS Bass Resource.

 

There is a company called Big O boats out of FL that may make what you're looking for.

[fstr385]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Yea I was eyeballin the tracker v16 at bps the other day, but it seems high for primarily bein in freshwater, but it had everything else for it and some inshore saltwater. I think it had carpet all around though.

And like sloan mentioned too,.. i should look into a few specialized boat dealers for more selection.

How does the V handle in the wind compared to a low profile glass bass boat being aluminum. Does that offset the blowing around a little more than a standard aluminum boat?

[Shewillbemine]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Yea I was eyeballin the tracker v16 at bps the other day, but it seems high for primarily bein in freshwater, but it had everything else for it and some inshore saltwater. I think it had carpet all around though. And like sloan mentioned too,.. i should look into a few specialized boat dealers for more selection. How does the V handle in the wind compared to a low profile glass bass boat being aluminum. Does that offset the blowing around a little more than a standard aluminum boat?

 

Any aluminum boat (within reason; we're not talking about commercial vessels) will be much more tossable in the wind. Light aluminum's advantage of easy towing, less fuel consumption, low maintenance, low cost, low anxiety when bumping into things becomes a disadvantage in the wind and waves. 

 

I don't think the deep V model necessarily gets more pushed than another aluminum bass boat. Just be sure to have the correctly powered trolling motor or anchors or Power Poles and you're fine. It WILL be moved around by wind regardless of size.

 

But ask me how often I've filled up my fuel tank since I purchased the boat and gone on 7 fishing trips since then. Once. 

[fstr385]

Nice.

Saving money is always a big factor too.