HardcoreBassin Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 PA, as well as many other states have lakes with hp restrictions. PA's restriction, on my lake specifically (Nockamixon) is 20hp. I currently own a 2005 Stratos 275 Pro XL with a 90hp on it, which obviously can't be used on the Nock. It's too big of a lake to use just the trolling motor to get from spot to spot. I'm probably going to sell the Stratos and get something specifically for the Nock. I will have an even split of fishing alone and fishing with 1 other person on board, so the boat needs to be stable. I'm not looking to try to win any races, but I want the boat to be able to plane. What type of boat do you fish from on restricted lakes? Aside from a decked out jon boat, what type of boat would you suggest? The budget is $9,000 Thanks in advance for your help guys! - Dale Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted July 17, 2015 Super User Posted July 17, 2015 I use a kayak but i have seen some pretty slick set ups for all the electric only lakes around here. One guy even had 2 of the electric outboards from torqueedo on the back and that thing was hauling. Quote
HardcoreBassin Posted July 17, 2015 Author Posted July 17, 2015 I use a kayak but i have seen some pretty slick set ups for all the electric only lakes around here. One guy even had 2 of the electric outboards from torqueedo on the back and that thing was hauling. Yea I've seen some neat set-ups like that. With the evolution of the electric motors, I'm sure its only a matter of time before the electric only lakes have speed restrictions too... Quote
thomas15 Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 I don't have any boat recommendations but simply share in your frustration. I live literally 1/4 mile from the Pine Run launch on Beltzville Lake. As you know Beltzville is unlimited HP so my 50 HP outboard is small compared to what is average. The downside is all the boat traffic and the pressure placed on the fish. So I have this ongoing argument with myself on what to do about it. The Nox is about the same size (it is actually bigger) than Beltz so an electric would be slow going. Mauch Chunk in Jim Thorpe is electric only but the bass are all dinks. I don't want to spend a huge amount on a platform boat with 20 HP and I don't want to get rid of my present boat. So I tough it out on the Beltz, and have the Pack as an alternate also I think Blue Marsh is unlimited HP. There are several in Wayne and Pike Counties that are unlimited. Granted that is far for you but the pack is only 1.5 hours drive for me. I'm always keeping an eye out for a jon but I cannot seem to pull the trigger when one comes across my path. I guess there is no such thing as a perfect boat. 1 Quote
HardcoreBassin Posted July 17, 2015 Author Posted July 17, 2015 I don't have any boat recommendations but simply share in your frustration. I live literally 1/4 mile from the Pine Run launch on Beltzville Lake. As you know Beltzville is unlimited HP so my 50 HP outboard is small compared to what is average. The downside is all the boat traffic and the pressure placed on the fish. So I have this ongoing argument with myself on what to do about it. The Nox is about the same size (it is actually bigger) than Beltz so an electric would be slow going. Mauch Chunk in Jim Thorpe is electric only but the bass are all dinks. I don't want to spend a huge amount on a platform boat with 20 HP and I don't want to get rid of my present boat. So I tough it out on the Beltz, and have the Pack as an alternate also I think Blue Marsh is unlimited HP. There are several in Wayne and Pike Counties that are unlimited. Granted that is far for you but the pack is only 1.5 hours drive for me. I'm always keeping an eye out for a jon but I cannot seem to pull the trigger when one comes across my path. I guess there is no such thing as a perfect boat. We are in the same boat....no pun intended. I can't bring myself to fish from a jon after fishing from a bass boat. It may be screwed up to say that, but oh well haha. I've been looking into small "bass boats" like the Lowe 16/17 Storm or the Tracker 160, or used 165. Tough market for those though... Quote
thomas15 Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 We are in the same boat....no pun intended. I can't bring myself to fish from a jon after fishing from a bass boat. It may be screwed up to say that, but oh well haha. I've been looking into small "bass boats" like the Lowe 16/17 Storm or the Tracker 160, or used 165. Tough market for those though... ^^^^^ you are saying exactly what I'm thinking. Being addicted to LMB fishing and living in PA is an exercise in frustration on many fronts. My brother lives in Plattsburg, NY. For many reasons I cannot imagine moving from PA to NY. But he lives minutes from access to Lake Champlain which Bassmaster magazine rates #14 this year. Quote
Rob96 Posted July 18, 2015 Posted July 18, 2015 I am in this process now myself. I shore fish but want to get on the water. With so many electric only lakes, I am going gthe canoe route with a trolling motor. Had one years ago and it was great for the the Nock and the Lehigh River. Quote
Megastink Posted July 21, 2015 Posted July 21, 2015 Consider a jet boat, like a Lowe Stryker or tracker 165. If you get a 30/20 jet, you can use it in Nock, but also in the Suskie, Juniata or upper Delaware for trophy smallies! Plus, that boat is enough for places like Beltzville, Marsh Creek and Blue Marsh. Quote
Super User tomustang Posted July 21, 2015 Super User Posted July 21, 2015 I avoid fishing nock because of the restriction. Have heard enough about guys breaking down and still getting fined cause they needed to idle their big motors back shore. If I was a bit closer and tended to it 50% I would look for a cheap glass boat hull and put a 20hp on it. Wouldn't sell what I had to downgrade for the lake though. Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted July 21, 2015 Super User Posted July 21, 2015 Styling in the Old Town Predator . . . . A-Jay 2 Quote
Dogmatic Posted July 21, 2015 Posted July 21, 2015 I picked up a "Nock Special", 12ft Meyers semi v, with a 10 hp, decked out, just perfect for one, and occasionally 2($500). Most of the time I use another craft though(canoe,kayak,pontoon). My advice, choose your launch wisely. Quote
Super User fishballer06 Posted July 21, 2015 Super User Posted July 21, 2015 I personally think that the HP restrictions is the dumbest thing ever. There are numerous lakes around Pittsburgh that have 9.9 and 20 HP limits on them, yet basically everyone on those waters has a 30 or 40 HP motor and different stickers on them so that they're legal. It's easy to tell whenever you see a guy running down the lake at 20-23 MPH and he's supposed to be capped at 9.9 HP. And then you have the guys who have a larger boat, like yourself, who are forced to use their trolling motor. Which means they're either not fishing a lot of lakes, or they're limited on how far they can go on a lake. God forbid something happens and your trolling motor dies on you because you won't be allowed to put your way back to the dock. They need to change the limit to a speed limit, just like the roads. Don't make it a 20 HP limit, make it a 15 MPH limit. Or, you could just make the 9.9 lakes completely "no wake". Because if you're truly using a 9.9, lets be honest, you're not making a wake, and neither will my Blazer 202 Pro V with a 200 Mercury on it if I'm putting along at 6 MPH. Quote
Dogmatic Posted July 23, 2015 Posted July 23, 2015 I like hp restrictions,keeps the pressure down, and theres plenty of wake coming from the 9.9 hp and 20 hp lakes I fish on. The re-badging engines use to be a thing on The Nock, but from what I understand, the Rangers have gotten wise and check registrations and serial numbers on suspect motors. 1 Quote
Rob96 Posted July 23, 2015 Posted July 23, 2015 Funny how on CraigsList you still see people selling boats with 25-30hp motors with 20hp covers. 1 Quote
norotorfc Posted July 25, 2015 Posted July 25, 2015 I would suggest looking into a J14 or 16 skiff. Light enough and can still run well with a 20hp on it. Also, I would check out the Alumacraft semi v Jons. For the price, they care cheap, have a front deck and center stroage that can be made a livewell and modded from there for under $2,000. Quote
HardcoreBassin Posted July 27, 2015 Author Posted July 27, 2015 Consider a jet boat, like a Lowe Stryker or tracker 165. If you get a 30/20 jet, you can use it in Nock, but also in the Suskie, Juniata or upper Delaware for trophy smallies! Plus, that boat is enough for places like Beltzville, Marsh Creek and Blue Marsh. That is a great idea. I know nothing about jet outboards though. Is a 30/20 jet considered a 20? Would that be allowed on the Nock? Quote
-David- Posted July 27, 2015 Posted July 27, 2015 Crestliner 1650 Fish Hawk. Pics in a Lake Nox thread http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/129800-lake-nockamixon/page-2 And yes, the 20 HP limit sucks and forced me to outfit a boat just for the lake because we live so close. Quote
Dogmatic Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 That is a great idea. I know nothing about jet outboards though. Is a 30/20 jet considered a 20? Would that be allowed on the Nock? I actually checked into this when a 30/20 came up on CL, and no, it's not ok to have on The Nock. It's a 30 hp motor not 20. I tried arguing with the rangers, but they didn't care. It's not the "output" they were concerned with. 1 Quote
HardcoreBassin Posted August 4, 2015 Author Posted August 4, 2015 I actually checked into this when a 30/20 came up on CL, and no, it's not ok to have on The Nock. It's a 30 hp motor not 20. I tried arguing with the rangers, but they didn't care. It's not the "output" they were concerned with. Yea, I checked with parks and rec and they said the same thing. Still on the hunt for a boat. Hoping to get a good deal over the winter on one. Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted August 4, 2015 Super User Posted August 4, 2015 Has anyone thought of petitioning the PFBC for a speed limit regulation to replace the HP restriction? That would allow more people to fish with their current equipment with a speed limit restriction like 10 MPH or under. 1 Quote
HardcoreBassin Posted August 4, 2015 Author Posted August 4, 2015 Has anyone thought of petitioning the PFBC for a speed limit regulation to replace the HP restriction? That would allow more people to fish with their current equipment with a speed limit restriction like 10 MPH or under. I'm sure its been brought up. I know what happens when we assume, but I think its safe to assume that their reasoning is that people don't abide by speed limits on the road either, so why would they on the water. No matter how its cut, people are going to be ticked. If they make it a speed limit, the people who spent money to make a little tourney ready jon boat with a 20hp go 40mph are going to be ticked. That being said, I'm looking more into light tunnel hull boats. Looks like the Sea Ark 1652 MVT might be a good option. Quote
-David- Posted August 5, 2015 Posted August 5, 2015 The problem at Nox are all the sail boaters who are still annoyed at it being raised to 20. They consider the lake as their own personal bathtub and act accordingly. Quote
Super User tomustang Posted August 5, 2015 Super User Posted August 5, 2015 Has anyone thought of petitioning the PFBC for a speed limit regulation to replace the HP restriction? That would allow more people to fish with their current equipment with a speed limit restriction like 10 MPH or under. Constantly, since the dawn of the lake. It's local politics. Quote
Tim Kelly Posted August 5, 2015 Posted August 5, 2015 If you picked up a walleye/multi species type boat you can put a 9.9 kicker next to the main motor. That way you can fish restricted lakes and still have the power for the big lakes. Some of them have quite good bass fishing layouts inside too. Quote
HardcoreBassin Posted August 5, 2015 Author Posted August 5, 2015 Is the PA restriction apply to the motor(s) in use as a total. Ex, if it is a 20hp limit, could I run twin 20hp motors? Would that even make sense? - Dale Quote
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