Northwest Fishing Reports

I currently have a 16' smoker craft for small lakes and a 22 foot Boston Whaler outrage for big water.


I am getting more and more obsessed with bass fishing and want something that is a little better suited for chasing bass. I was poking along on the lake with the family this weekend with the family and both dogs in the little boat with a 9.9 wide open at a whopping 11 MPH when I said ENOUGH I want a bass boat.

Here is the rub.

I want to sell the big whaler and buy something else so it needs to be a little more multi purpose then just going down and buying a 21' bass boat.

Looking for advise on a good compromise.

I want a good bow/ casting deck and a powerful bow mount motor.

Need room for 4 people and 2 dogs at times.

gotta be stable

I want to be able to fish for salmon out of it on the salt.

Gotta haul azz: 45 + with 4 people and gear

A jet sled would be cool because I would also like to fish the rivers.


Ugly welded aluminum would be awesome..... "go ahead bump into me with your bayliner"

Looking to spend around $10-25k


How fast are the larger outboard/jet motors. Ive seen some nice looking 20' sleds that could fit the bill but I always thought jets were dogs???

Yea that could work, I guess I could build a removable casting deck and bow motor for bassin. How much power would that setup have? anybody on here have experience with IB Jets?

Depending on the year, it has 190 or 225 horse. If you want to try mine lets go fish. You can stand or fish on the bow, some of the guys in ID put a pedestal seat on the bow and troll motor. It's pretty much a fresh water boat in that size. You could take it out in the sound but I don't. A couple sizes up and I would be all over it.

I love mine it's a very nice boat.

There were 2 '98 Hewescraft 19' RiverRunners listed in our Friday sales flyers, both Sportjets and at least one had a kicker on it. I could rustle up the flyers if you might be interested.

Like Joe, I'm not affiliated with them in any way.

Here's the answer to all your needs. It's for sale in Redding Calif. on ebay. 19 foot boat with an inboard jet, casting deck, bow mount trolling motor, plenty of room and seats. It even has a kicker motor bracket and rod holders. $16k

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ALUMINUM ... 20bb834b2a

According to google it's a 12hr 38 minute drive from Liberty Lakew Wa to Redding Calif. That's a short road trip for the perfect boat.

Woops I blew it. I was reading Lotechjoes reply and thought he was the one looking. You are in Maple Valley. That's only 9hrs 54 minutes. That's even better.

That looks like a nice rig and I love road trips. Ill give him a call. What sales flyer are you guys talking about?

Im really stuck on this; Really want a bass boat but I know Ill want something with canvas and a windshield once the 2 weeks of summer is over.

Look at the Rangers. They make a multi species boat that will fit four people and lots of room for the dogs. Powerful bow mount and you can upgrade. Casting deck live well rod lockers and a powerful 250 vmax. Handles very nice in rough water so the sound shouldn`t be any trouble. You can go to the ranger site or one of the dealers in Washington. I think it`s the model 621 fsherman.

Have you looked at the fish/ski model bassboats? Cabelas has the Stratos sitting in their store if you want to look (or drop a bundle). The flatter bottom may not be great for salmon, but they are nice boats.

Front and rear casting deck, seats 5 easily and the dogs can be up front, plenty of power, livewell, etc.

Skeeter, Ranger, Triton all make them too. There was a sweet 2001 Skeeter on craigslist http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/boa/2512745945.html It needs a motor rebuild, but a good price for the boat (and a lot closer than California).

I was looking for one until the family said they wanted a bowrider.

Good luck. Gary