Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Chum Slayer on July 29, 2022, 07:55:43 PM

Title: Boat recomendations for interior lakes
Post by: Chum Slayer on July 29, 2022, 07:55:43 PM

After trying some interior trout fishing with a friend I can say I am hooked, I am looking for a boat for interior lakes and taking it out to some larger lakes like Okanagan when my family goes on their yearly vacation. The boat I was looking at was a spratly 14 foot rigged with a 9.9 hp motor and an electric trolling motor, I know this is enough for smaller lakes but could I take this out on the Okanagan to troll for kokanee or rainbows?

Thanks in advance Chum Slayer

Title: Re: Boat recomendations for interior lakes
Post by: Big Green Machine on July 30, 2022, 05:56:58 AM

Any flat bottom, Jon style boat is not recommended for trolling. The hull design is better suited to anchoring up for fly fishing and water tends to pound the bow, is noisy, and can get easily blown around in the lightest of winds. Spratley, Journey are all welded however, well made boats. I have a Marlon, it is the widest, most stable of all these style boats, but again, not design for trolling bigger lakes. I miss my old Princecraft V hull.

Title: Re: Boat recomendations for interior lakes
Post by: psd1179 on July 30, 2022, 05:32:10 PM

Bearing in mind people trolling okanagan lake in the kayak or paddle board, I don't see why your boat cannot

Title: Re: Boat recomendations for interior lakes
Post by: RalphH on July 31, 2022, 04:27:25 PM

I think a standard V hull aluminum boat will suffice for either. If you intend to row smaller lakes you might want a 12 footer. A 14 foot boat with a gas outboard (where allowed) is a good platform for large lakes. I used one for years on Kootenay sometimes in some rough weather. with An electric motor it would be perfect for smaller interior lakes.

I also think you should drop into a good boat shop and get some recommendations.

Title: Re: Boat recomendations for interior lakes
Post by: firstlight on July 31, 2022, 04:32:11 PM

The Lund WC line is a good one for refference for you.
Nice and deep and wide .
You can fish the big lakes with anything but you better pay attention to the wind and weather in any small boat.

Title: Re: Boat recomendations for interior lakes
Post by: Darko on July 31, 2022, 10:26:52 PM

For smaller interior lakes how would inflatables like the voyager 300/500 work? Is a motor nessecary or just a nice thing to have? Would the wind cause any troubles?

Title: Re: Boat recomendations for interior lakes
Post by: jettabambino on August 01, 2022, 08:58:26 AM

So while not ideal, I had my spratley out on tunkwa this year and it was a typical windy tunkwa day.  I didn’t get blown around.  I used a 6horse motor and things were fine.  I do understand the physics of it but the spratley more than impressed me…. I have been fighting wind in all different lakes with different boats…