HELP I NEED SMALL YOUR BOAT OPINIONS

mlakrid · May 02, 2012, 09:26:30 AM

I am looking to purchase a small lightweight boat for bass fishing on all the ponds I fish here in Florida. I have been fishing either out of my 12 foot jon boat or my friend Mauros Coleman crawdad.

I have been scouring on-line looking for a similar replacement boat for myself.

Here is my "MUST HAVE":

1) MUST fit in the bed of my Truck laying flat
2) Easy to load and unload (I.E> not overly heavy)
3) Must hold at least 2 people 3 would be nice but not required
4) Must be stable enough to stand up in
5) Must have seats or the ability to add seats
6) Must have the ability to accept a transom mount trolling motor

My jon boat is not wide enough to stand in, and really that is the only reason I am looking to replace it, well that, and because I do not want to have to go through the pain of creating a VIN for the boat.

Here are a few I have been looking at: (Please feel free to add others I should consider)

Coleman Crawdad
Stealth 2000 (Can be found by searching for the name at Basspros website)
KL Industries Jon Boat
KL Industries Sportsman fishing boat
Pelican Bass Raider
Pelican Intruder 12 Jon Boat

I am also looking for someplace semi-local here in Florida when I decide whichever model to purchase.

I look forward to everyones Input!

Cheers!

Mike A!

-Shawn- · May 02, 2012, 09:33:19 AM

Just looking through and Gander has the KL sportman for sale for 499.00 thats a pretty good deal..

calincalif50 · May 02, 2012, 10:34:41 AM

Cabela's has some small boats as well

sillybass · May 02, 2012, 11:46:41 AM

Bass Hunter ! I believe they have a 10ft and it's only 150lbs

mlakrid · May 02, 2012, 02:19:49 PM

Who makes the basshunter and do they make a 12 foot version?

Thanks!

Mike A!

Ron Fogelson · May 02, 2012, 02:25:00 PM

http://www.basspro.com/Boating-Canoes-Kayaks-Small-Boats-Small-Boats/_/N-1z11d3d#Category

Uncle Buck's Pond Prowler Boat sold at BPS

$620.00 to $830.00

sillybass · May 03, 2012, 06:18:44 AM

Quote from: mlakrid on May 02, 2012, 02:19:49 PM
Who makes the basshunter and do they make a 12 foot version? But only 135 lbs

Thanks!

Mike A!

Not that I know of but haven't looked at them in a while . Just looked at there website 11ft 4 inches looks like their biggest .

copnjax · May 03, 2012, 07:02:42 AM

The Bass Raider-10 can't be beat, in my opinion. I've had one and am getting ready to buy another one. I currently fish out of a kayak but, I can't STAND to flip from my kayak. You can get the Bass Raider 10 ft. for $499.00 just about anywhere. I put a 30 lb. thrust Minn-Kota on mine and it did just fine.

Bassinkorea · May 03, 2012, 07:10:17 AM

Would it be possible to add some removable or inflatable pontoons to your current jon boat to make it more sturdy to stand in?

mlakrid · May 03, 2012, 07:11:38 AM

Thanks for everyones responses...

A Ten foot boat would be the absolute minimum.

I would prefer slightly larger solely because I am a big guy 6ft 5in (@ 265 LBs) and the friend I fish with the most is a big guy also at like 6ft 2 (@ 290), so I am trying to get aboat that we will not excede the max weight.

Which we do now on his boat with just the two of us, most the boats I have found we exceed the weight limits without any gear.

I was just TRYING to avoid that if possible.

//EDIT:

Quote from: Bassinkorea on May 03, 2012, 07:10:17 AM
Would it be possible to add some removable or inflatable pontoons to your current jon boat to make it more sturdy to stand in?

Hey BK, yes it is possible, but it would also impede the ability to get right up on the vegetation when we are punching as we parallel the shore line to allow both of us to pitch and flip.
END Edit

Thanks everyone...

Mike A!

mlakrid · May 03, 2012, 08:47:47 AM

Quote from: copnjax on May 03, 2012, 07:02:42 AM
The Bass Raider-10 can't be beat, in my opinion. I've had one and am getting ready to buy another one. I currently fish out of a kayak but, I can't STAND to flip from my kayak. You can get the Bass Raider 10 ft. for $499.00 just about anywhere. I put a 30 lb. thrust Minn-Kota on mine and it did just fine.

Hey CopnJax,

I'm assuming $499 used???

If not, where did you find it so cheap?

Thanks!

Mike A!

dallicis · May 03, 2012, 02:34:28 PM

Academy has it for 499

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_150007_-1?N=581132420

Captk88 · May 03, 2012, 09:46:01 PM

Hands down GHEENOE!!! I used to do the same down in south florida and I could load the small gheenoe in the back of the truck and pond and canal hop all the time. Very stable too for a small boat, HIGHLY recomend you take a look at them at least.

copnjax · May 04, 2012, 07:05:09 AM

Quote from: mlakrid on May 03, 2012, 08:47:47 AM
Hey CopnJax,

I'm assuming $499 used???

If not, where did you find it so cheap?

Thanks!

Mike A!

That is the normal price at Academy and at Dick's for the Bass Raider.

mlakrid · May 04, 2012, 09:30:02 AM

There is No Academy sports near me and they do not have either of those boats availbale on-line.

At Dickssportinggoods they are $599 or 650 respectively.

I can get the Bass hunter EX delivered for only $100 shipped and it is Roto-molded so it will last longer than the bass raider.

Looks like I found the boat I am getting... and with all of the Dicks gift cards I have it will only end up costing me around $500 even after adding taxes and delivery...

Not too shabby...

I will post pics when I get it!

Cheers!

Mike A!

mlakrid · May 04, 2012, 09:33:30 AM

Quote from: Captk88 on May 03, 2012, 09:46:01 PM
Hands down GHEENOE!!! I used to do the same down in south florida and I could load the small gheenoe in the back of the truck and pond and canal hop all the time. Very stable too for a small boat, HIGHLY recomend you take a look at them at least.

If it were just me I would, but I think you may have missed that my friend Mauro and I are already near 600 lbs with just us, not counting battery, trolling motor and gear...

I tried a few gheenoes, and unless I was able to get a highsider, it was not happening... Plus I would never be able to get one for less than $800 used...

So Im sticking with getting the basshunter EX and hoping they end up making one that is slightly longer in the next year or so...

Cheers!

Mike A!

fishinfranklin · May 06, 2012, 07:14:11 AM

I dont know where or who is making the bass hunter boats now,, but years ago they was made in valdosta ga an my brother and best friend molded everyone, I have fished many of days out of them, there light stable and will last forever,, you could call Bobby Carter in valdosta he was the plant manager back then and still sells the boats out of his front yard there on ga hwy 133.

Ranger76 · May 23, 2012, 09:37:09 AM

I just picked up a Bass Hunter Stalker II for $260.00. Boat was practically brand new and came with a new in box Minn Kota trolling motor. Keep you eyes on the paper and craigslist. I got lucky as the guy was in the Military and had to move.

The boat is extremely stable (I weight about 280 and can stand on the pontoon without flipping the boat) and is rated for about 500lbs. My son and I love it!

bigb201 · May 23, 2012, 03:31:12 PM

Great find

Please do not use Outdoor Hub Mobile, Please find and use TapaTalk for your phone

Ranger76 · May 29, 2012, 03:28:42 PM

Thanks, we've been looking for about two years and had to budget (new baby). Just got lucky. Now we start working on the accessories (fish finder, rod holders, etc..)!

BassZombie · June 26, 2012, 08:59:45 AM

I just got a new Bass Raider 10e from Academy sports for 499.00 What Iv found out so far is you do have to organize well so that the whole floor is not full of tackle nets ect.
But I triped and fell on my A$$ this weekend with my wife in t he boat. When I fell i swear the boat didnt even hardly rock. Very sturdy for such a little boat. Great deal I highly recommend.