A Must for the Bluegill Fisherman

[Bill Trussell]

Guys this little item is a must if you are fishing larger ponds and small lakes. I am talking about my Pelican Raider 8 ft. pontoon boat. Two individuals’ can fish comfortable with room for your tackle. The seats can slide forward and backward depending on how much leg room one needs. I decided to add an anchor in case I am in wind and need to set up at one particular place. I am using it with a 30 lb. thrust Min-Kota trolling motor. I even added a portable deep finder which is really handy fishing a lake or pond for the first time. I was debating on getting an aluminum boat, but I decided against it because I wanted a boat that would cut down on noise and this little boat fits the ticket. Only weights 50 lbs. and extremely easy to load and unload. Has anyone out there used this boat?

[JBplusThuy]

That's a very nice boat, for sure. I've considered getting one, but am really hoping for one of these:

http://www.sundolphinboats.com/oz/4/com/fish/pro/pro.html

 

At 225 pounds and 11 feet, it's not something you just toss in the back of a pickup, but it has built-in live wells, etc, and fore and aft casting platforms. It's a mini bass boat, pretty much. I guess we could call it a Bluegill Boat :-) Anybody using one of these? If so, how do you like it?

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

It's all about compromise, of course. If you are confined to small waters without much wind or extensive motoring, one of these bass buggies would work. A third wheel, dolly trailer would be needed for the sort of transport you're talking about.

Much the same could be said of the others you've mentioned. For the same beam (width), though, I'd be looking for a more proportional length. Here's why.

Im big on versatility, myself; you never know when the chance to fish a different body of water than you've planned for will come up. For this reason, I'm keen on the following:

Class I (12 - 14 foot)

- Jon boats

- V hulls

- Gheenoes

 

Class II (10-12 foot)

- Nucanoes

- flat stern canoes.

 

As you might have guessed, I also like the option of powered boating. Paddling is fine for sequestered waters, but beyond that I want some help. As a former small-boat sailor, it's also safe to say I prefer a bit more boat, than too little.

[Dwayne Denison]

David, I fish a lot by myself. I am looking for something to fish small lakes around here and something I pull behind my atv, to fish the river. There are just so many choices out there.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I think it would be a great single hander in ponds and lakes where you don't motor much. Stable and easy to sit up high in. I'd prefer something with a bit more seaworthyness, myself, as I can expect to make way on larger waters at some point. I'd sacrifice a bit of the upright stability for more streamlined motoring.

Im also a little fuzzy about two people in this thing, but that's me. Such boats have been around for a long time, though, so it's doable within it's limits.

[Dwayne Denison]

Is anybody fishing with this type boat? I am trying to decide on canoe,kayak, nucanoe or this type. Would love to see pics of other setups. I am thinking this may work best for me, I am short dumpy guy with bad knees. I like the way you setup on this. I fished in one of these about twenty years ago. Looks like it may also work on some of the smaller 10hp lakes around here. Any help would be great.

[bluegillboogieman]

It is a full size truck bed like the F150. As long as your bed is 8 ft long you can close the tailgate. It is wider at the top than the bottom allowing it to fit between the wheel wells of a standard width truck bed.

[JWinpisinger]

Bluegillboogieman what size is your truck. Is it like a ranger or F150?

[Bill Trussell]

Really a great looking little boat. I like the wheels, really helps when you have to move it some distance. Looks like you have everything in it you need for a great day on the water. I have spent all day on our small lake with mine and was not tired at the end of the day. I have the umbrella I used it sometimes on mine, but when the humidity gets too high I pack it up and go home. I hate the humidity in the south.

[bluegillboogieman]

I bought mine online and paid $99 to have it shipped. Like I said, I bought it because of the wheels, move it around like a wheelbarrow. Has molded in handles all around too. I caught about 80 gills yeasterday in the second pond I fished. Got skunked in the first one on the same ranch. Comes with two seats but I usually fish alone. I can stand up, stretch, fish standing up for a while, very stable feel to it. Here is where I got it. http://www.directboats.com./bassbaby.html

Here is how I rigged it out and the pond I got skunked at. Last year I couldn't miss there. The umbtella isn't showing but I highly recommend the EZ Mount Umbrella holder. Lots of bait stores in Alabama have it, about $70.

[JWinpisinger]

I'dike to now where you can buy one of these boats, either the pelicn or the bass baby.