Bass Boat

[riverrat12]

I agree with most all of whats been said. The only thing I might add is I know you fish out of westport on the Ohio as I have for over 40 years,if you go with a john boat make sure it is a V-hull, a small flat bottom boat won't cut it when the wind kicks up out of the west or the big pleasure boats come callin.Take your time,be aware of your surroundings,and watch out for the other guy.Be safe good luck Chuck

[artcarney_agr]

Just saw lots of kayaks, canoes, small boats on sale at a Sporting Goods in Clarksville, IN - the name of it gets censored on here for some reason, but it sounds like Rick's

I was really surprised at the sale prices.

[Oldlures]

Kfed5, I agree with Carter1 at your age you may be required to take a boating safety course; if not I too, highly recommend that you do. One can go to the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife web site and take thier course on line.(I personally recommend that all boaters take some type of boaters safety course)
I also agree with Riverrat12 if you are indeed are fishing the Ohio River please heed his sage advice and follow it . . . he has extensive experience on the Ohio. He is telling you exactly the way it is on the river.
I do have a recommendation as starting out, look for a used, unsinkable two man Bass Hunter with two seat/pedestals and trolling motor. You could save your money and buy one possible under $500. You can haul it and handle it with a pick up or SUV. This can be used most every where. I have friends that own them and fish crappie in creeks off the Ohio with out navigating the river . . you will go where most bass boats can't go.
Good luck to you on your endeavor and hope this has been of help to you.

[coombro]

!0' river jon lite enough for one man to handle.

[smljaw]

Get a 10' 2 man boat with battery and trolling motor. All you need is a truck bed for loading in and out. It's perfect for a young guy like yourself. No gas, no big motor and no upkeep to speak of. They are pefect for smaller bodies of water, rivers, creeks, etc.

[ESOX2009]

I agree with everyone about not taking on payments for a bass boat.

Yesterday, i just handed over $1750.00 to my boat mechanic for replacing gears, drive shafts, etc in my bass boat's lower unit. This kinda crap is constant when you own boats.

I love my little 12 foot jon boat with a 3.5 horse motor. It rarely costs me anything and I use it on the river and creeks all of the time. My son and I muskie fish out of it and we can get to a lot of places that a bass boat can't get to.

[Kfed5]

Thanks guys, really does make sense. But i dont need to worry about college funds. Im going through a UPS program that pays ALL of it, i just gotta work for UPS which i want to do. Then persue whatever major i decide. My original plan was to see if my dad would split it with me, since he enjoys fishing as well. Ill just save up all my money, and ill think about a boat when i graduate or something. I also was givin a 12' jon boat. Ill probably stick to bank fishing the ohio for awhile lol. Any other areas with good bank acsess?

[coombro]

Don't be surprised where that jon boat will take you. I use to go out many a time on the Mississippi in my 10 foot river jon. Conditions were favorable mind you. Use whats between your ears.

[the_donger]

Taylorsville Lake, Elkhorn Creek in Frankfort, KY river and its feeder creeks. Use the money you are saving on bass boat payments and use it to explore your area. Get a map and check out the smaller creeks and lakes around LaGrange. With a 12" jon boat, you can get to many of the places that guys with big bass boats would love to get to but can't.

Was the 12'er you received a Vhull? If not, keep the motor, trade or sell it and get a vhull jon boat. Don't give up, adapt and overcome. Don't look at it like you are stuck bank fishing, look at it as an opportunity to get places others can't.

[billm_usa1]

the best thing you can do is join a bass club as a co-angler. This will allow you to fish out of some of the best rigs without the expense of ownership. There are several out of the louisville area that would work for you.