Best setup for 210 Acre Lake- Aluminum or Fiberglass

[Foodeefish]

 

If you were in the market for a new boat ( budget is $14,000) , what's the best set-up for fishing a 210 acre lake that is only 35 feet deep and 5 miles around. If very rarely get any white caps and when bad weather arises it's only a ten minute ride at the most.

It will be for Largemouth bass fishing and mostly I will fish alone. Do I buy an aluminum modified V Bass Tracker package with a 25 HP on it, a John boat and have someone build a casing deck and spend more money on better electronics, or should I buy something different.

Thanks for the opinions

[ssj3goten]

With that budget I would get a bass tracker. I have a pro 16 and it handles just find for a lake that size and also does alright in bigger bodies of water expect is big winds. I find it easy to load and unload because of the lighter weight as well.

[coldfront]

here's a differing opinion:  I believe the angler who selects the boat based on how he fishes...not necessarily 'where' he fishes...will be much happier...

do you want/need a larger livewell?  either for tournament angling, or for those spring days when maybe you want to load up on the crappie?  Do you fish alone mostly or with friends?  If so, larger front deck can be a good thing...if you use longer rods...a longer boat to gain much needed (safety) distance between you and your guest can be awful nice...

do you like to stand?  or sit? while fishing?  If so, a more 'laterally stable' boat might be your preference...one that when you and your partner stand next to the gunwale at the same time, you still have 'freeboard'...

do you get in/out of tangled trees?  if so, aluminum looks a lot better after 'encounters' than does glass...

Now, if you do go aluminum don't skimp on trolling motor power...aluminum tends to blow around a bit more and can use some good TM power more often than not...

[classic242]

here's a differing opinion:  I believe the angler who selects the boat based on how he fishes...not necessarily 'where' he fishes...will be much happier...

do you want/need a larger livewell?  either for tournament angling, or for those spring days when maybe you want to load up on the crappie?  Do you fish alone mostly or with friends?  If so, larger front deck can be a good thing...if you use longer rods...a longer boat to gain much needed (safety) distance between you and your guest can be awful nice...

do you like to stand?  or sit? while fishing?  If so, a more 'laterally stable' boat might be your preference...one that when you and your partner stand next to the gunwale at the same time, you still have 'freeboard'...

do you get in/out of tangled trees?  if so, aluminum looks a lot better after 'encounters' than does glass...

Now, if you do go aluminum don't skimp on trolling motor power...aluminum tends to blow around a bit more and can use some good TM power more often than not...

I'm going to have to agree with coldfront on this one, he has some really good questions that you need to answer for yourself before making a purchase.

[coldfront]

I'm going to have to agree with coldfront on this one, he has some really good questions that you need to answer for yourself before making a purchase.

thanks classic...

I'd like to point out my 'ride' is a 16 foot aluminum semi v with a 40hp...love this little boat.  Hoping someday to 'upgrade' to a 17-18 footer with under deck rod storage...but it'll still PROBABLY be aluminum.  It's just what's right for me...

although Ranger really caught my eye with the z118...   who knew the 'baitmonkey' also worked in their product development lab?