Promotional
Team Favorites
Lodging food and more
|
Finding the Right Boat
By John Campbell
As I pulled my Ranger 620 VS out of the garage the other day I started
to think that many anglers don't realize that a boat is an extremely
important part of their fishing presentation. Hundreds of articles
have
been written about how important your rod, line, and bait selection
are,
but few, if any have been written concerning your boat and how it is
a
factor in helping you to catch fish.
I know what you are thinking at this point. You probably think that
a
boat gets a person to a specific spot that they can't reach from shore.
That is true, but your boat does more than that. Think about what you
have in your boat. Yes, it is true that it not only makes it easy for
you to reach the spot, but also your tackle, thermos and cooler. Again,
your boat is more than an object to carry items, it is part of how
you
present your bait so that fish find it attractive enough to bite.
What then do you need to look for in a boat.? The answer of course
will
describe what kind of fishing you prefer and what items in a boat,
"creature features" you can't live without. For example, how does this
particular boat drift? Will it drift faster from the stern or bow?
What
or how do you need to compensate for an uneven drift? Do you need a
bow
mount trolling motor or a stern mounted trolling motor? Does your boat
give you a dry ride? Are there places in the boat that are advertised
as
dry storage, but in a torrential down pour you discover that your
expensive camera is ruined? How does the wind effect the boat? Does
this
boat have big enough side boards to take rough water?
My answer to all of these questions have been addressed by Ranger Boats.
The Ranger Fisherman series boast an entire line of formidable fishing
machines. From walleye and musky to bass and crappie, these
multi-species rigs are among the most versatile anglers have to choose
from. Whether it's the rigorous demands of professional walleye trails
or simply a weekend get away, this series is specifically geared to
deliver superior performance both on and off plane. The 620 VS sports
a
deeper, wider vee hull to crush rough water. It's bog 50" aerated
livewell is positioned at the stern so re-entry in rough water carries
a
softer; more stable feel. Fuel capacity measures 50 gallons and is
located on the center line of the hull for faster hole shots, solid
tracking and responsive boat control. The 620's integrated engine set
back not only enhances acceleration, but virtually eliminates backwash
from sudden stops.
Inside there's a world of lockable storage and a built in cooler sits
just in front of the passenger console. Gauges and electronics are
positioned on the upper portions of the instrumentation panel while
an
all new digital switching system lines the lower panel. The 620 VS
is a
console boat that is 19'10" in length. If you are a tiller person Ranger
has also included a the 620T. This is a beautiful boat that is 20'
1/2"
and is rated for a 115 - 125 HP motor.
When a person spends as many days on the water a year as I do, it's
important that they fish in as much comfort as possible. The comfort
level also is important when it comes to selection of a motor. My choice
are Mercury Motors.
Mercury's newest form of motors incorporates an onboard computer system
called SmartCraft. SmartCraft operates in conjunction with the company's
2001 OptiMax outboards to gather data from sensors all over the boat.
It
then uses that data to monitor over 15 different systems, including
speed and fuel flow, then automatically adjusts each operation to peak
efficiency. Like your car, SmartCraft responds to operator input, so
you
can program your engine and boat to perform exactly the way you want.
Functions include Troll Control, which sets rpm up to 1,000. This
function alone is ideal especially if I am pulling trolling boards
or if
I have multiple lines out forward trolling. It allows me to sit at
my
console and monitor my depthfinder and use the steering wheel to follow
the active fish.
Although the backtrolling technique is still ideal for vertical jigging
and live-bait rigging in deep water, walleye professionals today favor
trolling forward with a small "kicker," typically a 9.9 to 15 hp
outboard. Why? It allows them to fish large bodies of water such as
reservoirs more effectively at higher speeds than electric trolling
motors can sustain. Forward-trollers commonly use crankbaits, bottom
bouncers or weighted three-way rigs with crankbaits, spinners or spoons.
My Ranger 620 boat is equipped with a small four-stoke kicker motor
from
Mercury. It allows me to fish all day without using much fuel. This
small engine is extremely quiet which makes for a more pleasant angling
experience.
Your boat is as critical as the rod you select or the bait that you
tie
on. It delivers you to the spot to fish but it gives you the confidence
to arrive there safely and works with you so that you can get the most
fishing pleasure. It provides you with the tools you need to enable
you
to harvest a days catch and gives other members of your family a relaxed
enjoyable experience. If you have selected the right boat you will
notice that it stays in the family for a long time, because it has
become part of your presentation. If you have selected the wrong boat
you will see it in the classified section, because it just didn't fit
the bill for your presentation purposes.
If you are interested in more information about Ranger Boats or Mercury
motors drop me a line on the web, at www.walleye.info.
and we can talk
about your favorite fishing presentation.
Fish
Clix Banner Exchange
Walleyes Inc. website is maintained
by Randy
Tyler Fishing the In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Circuit, Masters
Walleye Circuit and the RCL Wal-Mart circuit All rights reserved.Copyright
1999/2004
Please visit these site sponsors
Daiichi/Tru-Turn Hooks,
Lindy
Little Joe,
R-A.M Mounting Systems,
Ranger
boats, Mercury Outboards,
Bedford
Sales , Church Tackle, Panther
Marine Products,
Webfoots body sock,
Bait
Rigs Tackle ,Dual Pro Charging Systems,
Daiwa Rods and Reels,
Driftcontrol
Wind socks,
Trojan Batteries
|