I've been fishing the lakes from my kayak with my guests using the club boats, but now I'm in the market for a boat that I can set up the way I want for fishing club lakes or elsewhere. I thought I remembered a previous post in which members showed the boats they use to fish club lakes, but I can't seem to find it now. To aid in my search, I have a few questions for the membership:

- I've considered buying a larger boat (17' - 18') and using only the trolling motor in club waters (which of course would rule out lakes without ramps). Does anyone else use a full-sized boat on club lakes?

- The Sun Dolphin 120 seems to be popular with club members. I assume it's trailered, but is it also transportable in the back of a truck?

- What other recommendations do you have for a stable craft suitable for two fisherman but easily transported and loaded/unloaded by one person?

I appreciate your consideration. 

- Steve R.

hey steve, i started off in the club in 2004-5, and used a standard 10 ft bass pro shops pond prowler which was great and could use a truck and highly manuverable to get launched into any lake that the club had... now that i have aged (a little) i had trouble sitting long in that boat, so with MUCH investingating and asking and looking i went with the PRO 120 and never looked back.. i got it with the trailer because after actually physically seeing one and lifting it and playing around with it i knew immediatelly i would need the trailer.. it is very easy to dock with the trailer since it slids right into the water then winches right out.. in my opinion it wouldnt work well in the back of a pickup.. it has a tri hull and may not sit flat.. plus i know i couldnt pick it up and drag it down to the water if i had to.. maybe with a couple fishing buddies.. dont get me wrong it isnt THAT heavy , its just awkward,, plus its wider than a pickup bed... but with the boat and trailer combo there isnt a lake you cant get on in the club and it is so very comfortable.. i can fish in it all day ,, standing and sitting,, i made a few modifications to personalize it but it is sweet... you can ask Zach Milwood or Dr Bean their opinions since they fish these also... i bought mine new, but i see them all the time used on the internet... hope this helps.. i live in Allen if you ever want to see one up close.. one last thing , it is very stable, i was even surprised my first time out... i never feel uncomfortable or tipsy in it at all... let us know what you decide.. email me anytime

Have you researched the jon boat conversions? A quick google search for "Jon boat conversion" will show you some boats that guys have started with a wide bottomed (stability) jon boat and built decks onto for fishing. The amount of storage compartments, electronics,  lights, etc. are only limited by your imagination and budget. Most of the ones I find are in Georgia as they seem to have a lot of electric only lakes that prohibit gasoline motors.

This guy built so many for the Jon boat forum that guys started asking him to build their own boats. He created a business doing this. You can send him the measurements for your boat and he'll ship your pre-fabbed components. His site is a wealth of info and ideas.

http://www.fishonfabrications.com/custom-fabrication.html

As my daughter grows, this is probably where I'm headed for my next PWF boat. Something in the 15-16 foot size that will be easily launched and retrieved.

Hey Steve,

As Phillip said, the Sun Dolphin Pro 120 is a great boat and stable for its size.  I have a Bass Tender 11.3 which is almost identical in size but just older and not made anymore.  These 12 foot models offer enough fishing space for two people yet still zip in and out of the timber for fishing Marshall, Sulphur Bluff, etc and get you way up into the backs of creeks with ease.  The thing I would want to change is the size because a wider boat, even two or three feet longer, offers quite a bit more room.  Of course this comes at a cost of not being as nimble and as you stated, launching becomes more of an issue.  Don't underestimate a good 4WD vehicle and an electric winch on your trailer though.  Brian Long (a club member) can show you how to modify any trailer to make trailering even larger boats a snap yet still launch from most banks.  I bought an electric winch but haven't installed it mainly because my boat is so easy to winch up with the manual winch that came mounted on the trailer.  Truck beds are out of the question once you start talking about 12 foot long boats mainly because of the wide beam.  There are trailers out there that have a very high frame due to the way they are built and the size of the wheels they have on it.  Mine is that way......  ugly as heck but backs right off of any shoreline with easy and doesn't drag in most situations.  There are some other great tricks regarding raising up the tail lights of the trailer onto poles that keep you from replacing those constantly though that hasn't been an issue with the trailer I have. 

The best advice I can offer Steve is to go fish out of as many boats as you can to see what you like. 

Tight lines,

J

Steve,

I fish two different boats. A fifteeen foot aluminum Tracker, that has an outboard, trolling motor, power pole and depth finders. I fish it in public lakes and club lakes when I fish with a partner. The other is a 8 ft buster type boat that Bass Pro markets. It has a trolling motor and depth finder. This one I can fish anywhere when I fish alone. It slides easily in and out of the truck bed and requires no maintenance other than charging the battery.

For launching larger boats at club lakes, four wheel drive is needed most of the time. During the drought over the last few years, there were many club properties where the big boat could not be launched at times.

even in the drought i never found a lake in our club that i couldnt get into with my PRO 120 and the stock trailer that came with it.. i was like Dr Bean and i too bought a winch , but i have never even had to take it out .. i think the trick to this boat is the light weight of it for its roomy size.. i can actually stand and fish from the front or rear decks, or walk around on the floor to stretch.. thats good for an old man.. and it just cranks right up on the trailer with ease.. and ive never used more than a mini van to get into most the club lakes with it, and ive been in and out of some tough places... good luck Steve in what ever you chose.. if you want pics of my set up just send me your email to phillipchapin@gmail.com

Thanks to everyone for the input!  I'm keeping an eye out for a Pro 120 for sale in the local area before pulling the trigger on a new one. I talked to Steve Alexander and discussed options, and I'm staying open to a wide beamed jon boat as both Steve and Kelly suggested. I've modified one of them in the distant past and it was a great little boat. If I can find one in the 14'-15' range on a trailer that has swivel seats, game on!

After looking at a private sale Bass Raider 10E and passing on it Sunday morning, I stopped by the Cabela's in Allen and looked at the Bass Hunter EX as an option. I like the rotomolded hull, but the new model has a really low lip around the rod tray, so I can imagine I'd be donating expensive combos to the bottom of club lakes. If you know of anyone who might be interested, they have two in stock that have just been put in the Bargain Cave for $571 versus a new price of $899.

Dale: I've also considered getting a 17' Tracker that I could use on club and public lakes. I don't see a lot of them online, but it's another option that's in play.

I'm having back surgery next month, so anything I buy has to be on a trailer from this point forward. Keep the ideas coming!

- Steve R.

I bought a used 16 foot Lowe Stinger (aluminum bass boat). I bought it specifically for fishing private lakes, so I sold the motor. I bought the boat (a 2006 model in great shape) for $5500, and sold the Mercury motor off of it for $3000. So basically, I ended up paying $2500 for the boat and trailer, and it is perfect for fishing private lakes. Carpeted deck, foot controlled trolling motor, rod storage, electronics, comfortable seats, and plenty of room for two guys to fish with 6 or so rods each up on the deck.

Steve.. you wont like the Bass Hunter .. have friend that had it a few months and sold it, especially if you having back surgery, i didnt like it either.. bass pro shops pond prowler much more stable... i have one of those and the Pro 120...you said you went to cabelas in allen... i live in allen if you ever wanna drive by and see my pro 120 just let me know.. its sitting in back.... remember with your back,, weight is gonna be an issue

Phillip,

Yeah, I agree... I was mentioning it in case someone else was interested since it's a good price if you know you want one. I believe I'll stick with trailerable boats from now on.

If I make it back out that way I'll give you advance notice and stop by. It would be good to meet you!

Thanks,

Steve R.

Steve... did you check out my club boat I have posted under classifieds?

Gary sold the boat to a PWF member this week. That was a sweet looking boat. It will make someone very happy.

S Raulerson !!  here you go.  some used Pro 120s for sale .. if you dont see one you like keep checking back                                                      

            http://for-sale.yakaz.com/sun-dolphin-pro-120