I am looking in to possibly getting a jetski to fish from. Fishiong from a kayak is great for close to shore fishing, but limiting to me. I was considering buying a boat, but unless we start to get some rain... I wont be able to launch in many places. I figure the ski would be a good in between option until the lakes fillup some.

Thanks,
Scooter

I asked that same question...for the same reasons. I've been contemplating a 8-10 ft "john" boat or similar...but dang the jet ski would serve a dual purpose...fishing and fun! i'll try and find the pic a guy sent me of his jet ski all geared up for fishing...pretty cool. and he said it worked perfectly!

Originally Posted by cgny27 View Post
I have considered the kayak route...just not convinced fighting a paddle while trying to fish is the better alternative. I think like some have said, skip the gas motor and stick a stout trolling motor on it and it would be ready to go. But the kayak is cool no doubt.



I'm a little surprised nobody gears up a jet ski...that seems like it would be the crossbow of boats for these purposes.


Yeah we tried that. It was fun.

If/when you dump your jetski and it flips, you are sure going to be pissed off about losing all your gear.

I had a really nice SeaDoo that I fished from. It was great to run to the coast and fish if it was just me.

It can be very unstable at times and you can get a little cramped on it. I found that shallow areas were actually tougher to fish in. The PWC needs a minimum of 36" of water underneath it. I tried fishing in some more shallow areas and it sucked up sticks and oysters and rocks and such into the impeller and would stall the engine. I sold it to a couple that just wanted to race around on it. I typically wont endorse them for fishing in freshwater. If it is too shallow for a boat, it is too shallow for the PWC.

you've never fished from a kayak before have ya Rex...LOL! I'm guessing you've never fished from a PWC either... so thanks for your information.

The shallows I have covered with the kayak, its fishing the main lake I am looking to cover with the PWC, So it may work out well for me Capt. Craig

Checkout jetskiebrian.com

I troll rattle traps behind my jetski and catch large delicious bass all the time.

It is easy to add a fishfinder sorta... I had to put a humminbird 798ci HD on a ramn mount. The plastic wont support the weight, so you have to add starboard (plastic plywood) creatively to support the weight of the unit. I removed the original battery and added a sealed gel battery that was slightly larger and help up to running the fishfinder and the pull of frequent starting. If you are going to anchor, get a Cooper anchor (http://cooperanchors.com.au/) it is light and holds exceptionally well. I also mounted an onboard charger so I could keep everything charged quickly and easily. If you are going to use it only for fishing, you will want to create a rack on the back to hold a cooler and gear. Some Texas shops that make T-tops and such wont build the rack as it is too time consuming. Shop around and talk to them in advance. Keep in mind that it you fall off and it does happen, you have to be physically able to climb back on board, even more challenging with a gear rack blocking the back! Jet Ski Brian is a nice guy and a pioneer in the field of jet ski fishing. He helped me when I was designing and building mine.

For your description of what you want to use it for, the jetski would be more bother than a jon boat which would be more stable, have more room, and cover both shallow and deep. You can also launch a jon boat anywhere you can launch a jetski. I've seen jon boats launched off the bank and drug down to the water. I don't think you'd want to try that with a jetski.
Jetski's have a primary purpose and that's to run all over the lake and Pizz people off.

Thanks, Capt.

the small john boat wont handle water as well as a jetski, and it wont go as fast or as far as a jetski.. already thought about it.

Actually I have fished from a kayak for around 5 years, and have dumped one before. That being said, a jetski can flip easier since you are going faster in what isn't a stable platform, nor is is meant to be fished from.



This^^, a john boat is easier to launch than a jet ski. Heck you can take the motor off and carry the boat and it apart if need be. Its a much more stable platform and is designed to be fished from, unlike a jetski. You can use a gas motor/electric motor or a combination of the two.

Fast no, as far, I'd venture to say yes since an external gas tank comes in multiple sizes. You seem set on a jetski so I'm not going to comment anymore but its not the best of ideas, otherwise everyone on the lake would be doing it.

I've fished in joh boats and they can take just as rough water as a jetski, but you have to be sensable and know your crafts limitations. Slow down, quarter the waves, secure your gear, and wear your PFD. It will go as far and further since you can carry plenty of extra gas cans with the room. It definately may not be as fast, but I've never caught fish running wide open throttle either.
Seems you've already made it your mind though! So Jetski it is!