Hey everyone. I'm looking into getting my first catfish rig here in the ear future, and after recently riding in a center console, I'm sold on them. They just make it easier to fish in my opinion. So, who makes the best center console out there in your all's opinion. Thanks in advance.

Amen on the center console being a great fishing platform-but be prepared for all kinds of opinions on the best! Blue Wave, Mako and Kenner will come up a lot and they are probably what could be considered reasonably priced. One of the top-end boats would be the Shearwater and they get up into the big bass boat price range-over 50 grand. And all other in between boats in size and price. Most people fishing freshwater lakes seem to opt for th "bay boat" and I have had one for 15 years. On the bigger lakes there are times when an offshore boat would be nice but they are not receptive (usually) to a trolling motor mount. Maybe a "scooter" type shallow water boat will work for you...anyway be prepared for a lot of input and take your time figuring out what you want...it should last you a long time.

NoUse if you are going to fish Elephant Butte a lot be sure and get as much boat as the budget will allow-I am sure you know how rough it can be...

If you are considering a cc bay boat you want to consider a model with a liner or without. The liner provides a bit more storage to which you give up interior space and is a slightly heavier boat if you're concerned with towing. As an example you might check the differences mentioned between the Kenner Vision and VX models with the Vision being the lined one. I have the Kenner 19VX. I fish Lake Amistad 95% of the time and I stay dry.

95% of my time will be on Elephant Butte. Yes the wind can wip up fast on it. Safety is my main concern and being able to get to the dock safely when the wind comes up. I'm not looking to stay out and fish in a wind storm. I heard some builders still use wood covered with composite in their boats but I will stay away from those.

There are lots to choose from, I run a skeeter and ranger and both seem to be good boats, but there are lots of good ones out there.

I have been running a Blue Wave for past 10 years.
This rig has performed very well for me.

There are literally hundreds of choices....
Don't trust anyone's personal boat, your pride of ownership tends to overlook other choices.
Don't buy anything without riding in it.

Any used rolled edge boat will be built with wood, nobody started making rolled edge non wood hulls until 3 years ago. Doesn't make it bad, it just is what it is.

The deeper the hull, the smoother the ride, also the more water it takes to float in. A tunnel hull will not serve you well on that lake, so stay away from one of those for sure.

Good luck with your search.

Thanks for the info Pat. Do you have opinions as to who makes a good rolled edge boat? I understand that they might be less expensive than the liner boats. My needs are safety first, center console second. The boat would probably be used once a month on Elephant Butte, and as stated, it can get really windy very quickly. I love the center console Tritons as i have ridden in one on the lake when it got windy and it handled very well, but they are out of my price range. Anything comaprable to a Triton in a rolled edge boat? Thanks again.

Well, I wouldn't get just squiggy over a treated wood deck, they really don't cause issues unless they are drilled into and not sealed properly. I just sold one that had 16 years of HARD use, zero issues.

Your Kenner/Nitro/Mako (all made by kenner) will give you a great ride and are priced pretty well, just be sure and power them with enough motor. The 21 nitro cc is really an amazing ride, I've been in victory at sea stuff in one, and it rode amazing.

If you look at a blue wave, look only at their deeper V hull, their "bay/flats" hull will not be fun on elephant butte in high winds.

Champion and bass cat make great CC's, their 21' models are top shelf, but will cost more than the rolled edge boats.

I'm not a fan of:
VIP/Stealths
anything that says bayliner

After that there's literally hundreds of boats to look at, take your time, and ask a zillion questions. Ask the guys who work on them, not the one who owns them (always the *best*)...

Nautic Star isnt a bad value boat either, although in that price range, I prefer a Kenner/Mako.

Take a look at the K2 Marine (Bill Kenner) "Frontier" line too. It's basically a rolled edge model with short caps on it, to add storage.

Hands down, the best of 'em is Grady White.

If you know anyone who can afford one, let him know that I'm willing for him to adopt me.

Grady's are indeed fine hulls...they just cross the line from CC bay hull to serious offshore work.

Grady's are fine hulls. You just dont want to go chasin' reds in the marsh with them. Same goes for Whalers. I WANT a 28 ft Outrage with twin Yammys, but since I fish inshore mainly...it aint gonna happen anytime soon. Cant afford two rigs.

Just found a 2000 Champion Baychamp 21 footer in Houston (Trinity) w/a 150 saltwater Merc on it for $8000. Damn! I live too far from Houston!