Best Big Water Boats?

Dennis Bligh Jr · Post by **Dennis Bligh Jr** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 4:20 pm

Hey guys, what do you think is the best big water bass boat? I fished on the co-angler side of the champlian tourney last weekend and the swells reached 6 feet.Needless to say we got our butts kicked.

mrbass · Post by **mrbass** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 4:30 pm

A Ship..LOL Pro-Craft

brendanc · Post by **brendanc** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 6:56 pm

Dennis,

I have yet to see a bass boat that handles big water as well as a Champion. The only draw back is that they draft more water then the average bass boat. The other option is going with a Walleye boat like a big Lund. They fish ok, (nothing like a real bass boat), but they are a deep V with high gunnels designed for ruff water.

2 options, ultimately you will have to make a compromise either way you choose to go.

BC

6.54BASS · Post by **6.54BASS** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 12:22 am

I have a Tracker Avalanche, it sits a little higher in the water, I think it does real well, not to mention that I have taken people out in some pretty heavy stuff and got positive comments about the dry ride. I have been in 3-4 foot swells with no problems. No, it's not a walleye boat just because it says "Tracker" on the side. I think the wide beam (96") does something for how it rides.

JT_BAGWELL · Post by **JT_BAGWELL** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 1:25 am

Check out the new Triton X series. They sit higher in the water and have larger decks than the other Tritons.

I called yesterday and I will likely order one in December or January because they take 2 months to build.

JT Bagwell

johnnie crain outdoors · Fri Jul 18, 2003 5:25 am

Champions are super boats as the Tracker Targa for big water. I personally run a Ranger ,but have owned Champions for 20 years. I'm sure the Triton line is good also. It's always a tough call when considering new boat. You need to decide exactly what percentage ofr the time you'll need the larger boat compared to other fishing. Example: I once fished with a lady in a Poe's Tournament who had just recently boat the largest Ranger boat. We were fishing on Truman Lake in Missouri and she kept getting wedged between the trees, She couldn't figure out why as she had fished that stretch of bank for years with a smaller Ranger. The bigger boat just wouldn't fit between the trees. She now thinks she may have gone overboard on the size. It was a terific ride and the lady could drive, but it virtually eliminated some fishing areas. Good luck, my friend, Johnnie

Dennis Bligh Jr · Post by **Dennis Bligh Jr** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 1:41 pm

Great point Jonnie. Personally I like to creep up into places other fellas tend not to go.
Also, great tip on the lemon pledge in another post. I tried it lastnight and was amazed with the result.

bassin butch · Post by **bassin butch** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 2:46 pm

Years ago I had a small aluminum boat that I never used on big water tournaments. On big water I went as a non-boater, and that gave me a chance to ride in different models. From my point of view Champion boats were exceptional in respect to ride, comfort, and stability. My first ride in a Champ was on Greenbay on a day that have big waves, and anyone who has been on this water knows that GB big waves are risky. The Champion was very impressive.

Bassin
Butch