Northern Virginia Bass Boat- Help

[wxman1]

Hi my name is Ken. I'm 35 and have been living in Ashburn, Va just over one year. I have been fishing on and off for much of my life. Grew up fishing mostly outflows with waders on the north shore of Long Island. Last year I bought a wilderness tarpon 120 angler and began kayak fishing. While I do enjoy it there are many challenges that make it inconvenient. I want to stand up, be able to sit comfortably, move around and be able to hit other parts of the lake quicker and be able to take people with me. It's also tough to navigate the current in the potomac. So I'm looking for a small bass boat. My goal is to fish for bass in lakes and the potomac. Most lakes are TM or 9.9hp or less. We live In a condo with no garage so if I got something I would need advice on where to put it at a reasonable price. What do you guys recommend for a good first boat for these areas and for storage?

Thanks

[CMG]

If $146 per quarter of a year is reasonable, there is Algonkian Park.  If they have room.  I've heard of a waiting list.  Your access is limited to park hours too I believe.

Otherwise you won't find reasonable around here. 

 

If storage wasn't an issue I would already have a bass boat.

[wxman1]

I guess a storage unit is out of the question? I have seen people store boats outside covered at storage facilities is that possible?

[soccplayer07]

many condo/hoa associations have boat storage. Check around. 

[wxman1]

What do you guys think of the portabote or sea eagle inflatables? Would they work on the potomac and in lakes?

[Sam]

What do you guys think of the portabote or sea eagle inflatables? Would they work on the potomac and in lakes?

 

Too light.

 

The Potomac can turn into the Chesapeake Bay with white caps via the wind in an instant.  You can also be tossed around by bass boats and the big ocean vessels that go up and down the Potomac and its creeks.

 

You need a boat that is safe and that you can move around the Potomac and the other bodies of water in Northern Virginia in additon to hitting the southern rivers and lakes (Lake Anna, Mattaponi, Rapp, Pamunkey, etc.). This translates into an aluminium or glass boat with a 40+ horsepower two-stroke motor as a minimum.

 

I will suggest looking for a nice used boat and have the motor checked out by a local marine service center to make sure it is in good condition.

 

The largest boat you can afford or can store is also suggested.

 

As for storing your boat, good question. Boat storage is and will continue to be a problem if you do not have a single family dwelling with a back yard, garage or a driveway and the neighbors do not mind having a boat in their neighborhood.

 

If you do purchase a light weight raft please stay in the creeks and keep an eye on the weather. Hit the banks and stay away from open water unless there is no wind and no boat traffic.

 

I know there are other places to fish up your way safely in a raft and we have a number of members from NOVA that can give you suggestions just as soon as they get home for spending all day in NOVA traffic!!!!!

 

Good luck and always remember safety first. Let us know what you decided and also what bodies of water you want to fish from your raft.

[wxman1]

Thanks for the help. So anyone else out there from NOVA who fish with inflatables or portabote a in smaller lakes?

[quanjig]

You should be fine in lakes and reservoirs. The river however, like Sam said is not your best option for either one of those!

[WDinarte]

Boat storage is a killer here ( NOVA ) I have few friend that at some point they have some nice boats but the storage was just a pain on the bones, one of the manager at the place that I work have his boat out side on the parking lot, and at one point the owner of the facility was in his case.

I'm on the same road like you, I do have a garage but is full of camping stuff and 4-bike, I did have one raft but was not a good option for family of 4, fishing standing was not good.

 

This past weekend I was at one of the sports retails stores they have one nice " jon boat " plastic. It looks ok, but will need some storage too.

I probable will be on the jon boat option ( but not the plastic ) but I learn here that Potomac River is to BIG for a JB.

 

WE need some back yard

[Traveler2586]

X2 on what Sam said.  The Potomac between the Rte. 301 Bridge and DC is my home water; and I can tell you that it has many faces on the same day depending on where you are, wind direction, and wind speed. So play it safe.

 

As for boat storage, look on CraigsList for people that want to make money renting out their out buildings, garage, or yard.  Years ago a friend rented an old Tobacco Barn from a farmer; it had some real nice drive through parking with plenty of space, but no power.  Another friend answered an add for renting a garage, but it was too narrow for his boat; so they hit on a deal where he could park next to the garage in the yard; that deal came with power!  So keep your eyes open, use CraigsList, news papers, and network with friends & family.