If you primarily target DDs, I would strongly consider a peddle kayak
The stealth of a kayak can be a huge advantage going for DDs shallow
With the peddles you are obviously limited, but with map study, you can target big fish deep
You might want to avoid big lakes in wind and bass tournaments
There are 5-6 companies now that make peddle kayaks
If your wife is agreeable and loves the outdoors, I'd get her one also (instead of a 17ft tandem peddle)

No maintenance
No registration
Can launch just about anywhere

My favorite thing about owning my boat is that I can go find some peace and relaxation any time I want.

Hook it up and I can be away from the daily hustle and on a lake in 30 minutes or less. Catching fish is a bonus.

When I get to old to launch and load myself I'll go the guide route.

I almost pulled the trigger on buying a boat last year (with DDs in mind)

I prefer to fish smaller lakes with little boat traffic/few or no big tournaments

After a lot of research, I narrowed it down to an 18ft Carolina skiff (stealthy shallow also)
and a 19ft progator

The thoughts of maintenance, storage, taxes, insurance, paying for gas all put an end to the potential purchase.

Boats are a royal pain the butt, but also bring hours of enjoyment.



Bon voyage

yes

Buying a boat makes you a boater, not a fisherman. You're already quite a fisherman, so I'd say you don't need a boat from that perspective. On the other hand, buying a boat makes you a boater, so if the fish aren't biting, you can go for a boat ride and chill out. My wife likes to sit on the back deck listening to audio books or watching videos while eating snacks and saying, "That's a nice one, dear!" when I catch an 8" bass. I like bank fishing myself, and I still do it sometimes and catch more fish doing it. But I *really* enjoy getting out on the lake instead of standing by it all the time.

My $.02 worth...

Got to agree with Doug on this: I do not simply love fishing-I also love boating. Many will tell you you don't "need a boat" to bass fish Texas(you have proven that many times over) but I also enjoy riding around in a boat! I don't want to feel I have to explain the need for 250HP Outboard's or HiDef TV's or anything else. Boating is just fun. My wife & I were on Caddo a few months ago and we spent way more time cruising than fishing(rare) and we had a great time. That being said buy only what you can afford. 10 years worth the monthly payments on a boat that is a drain on your finances will be very unpleasant in a few years and for a few years. Be wise, good luck!

... THIS .....
or go used,,, small length,,,, small motor & inexpensive.

I was smjall ,,,, then BIG ,,,,, back to small.
you will still catch fish..... they do not know that you are NOT FISHING from a $25,000 boat.
$5-10K will work just fine

If you have to ask wether or not you should have one you probably are not really at the point you truly want one.

When I decided I wanted one there was no doubt about it

I would say start off with a kayak. They are fun to fish out of and cost way less than a boat plus you get a little exercise in.

A boat is real convenient to fish out of plus you can bring people along , but they also require maintenance .

I don't know what the "equivalent" would be but if you could find a boat comparable to, in automobiles, say a 1965 Ford Mustang or a Willys Jeep . . . or some other perennially favorite make and model, old but well maintained, you could buy it and use it and determine whether you really want a boat or not. The advantage? Very little, if any, depreciation if you decide to sell it after a few years either to return to bank fishing or on to a bigger, faster, newer boat.

Some of the guys here might suggest a model or two that might fit this description, how old to find the sweet spot, that sort of thing.

All boats have maintenance requirements, and things break whether brand new or older; so, if you are handy, this might be the way to go.

Brad

it really comes down to the whole expense of owning a boat.

If you are having fun fishing from a bank, bridge, pier, or in waders why spend your retirement on a boat?

Not only is there the cost of the boat, with all of the added accessories, but insurance, storage, maintenance,
and all the extra tackle to fill up all of those compartments you don't have now.

Then there is launching fees, gasoline, oil, additives, replacing batteries.

And since you like the relative quietness you get standing on a remote bank, I'd go to a kayak instead.

A whole bunch of the mentioned expenses above you will not have. But you will get to glide to the back of creeks silently, fish deeper waters if you must and still get some exercise in the process.

Do this,..

I know several marinas and other places that rent boats just to see what they're like . I friend of mine has an 18 foot flatbottom that he will let me try here in the next few weeks . He selling it because he's getting into flyfishing
Personally I think some of the most purest fishing is fly fishing. I took a guide trip once with a flyfishing guide and we walk the bank and I learned how to read water ,how to read a lay down ,
Really hone in my shallow water bass fishing . It was eye opening

Thank you for your comments
.

Something else to consider is where you will keep the boat. Ideal situation is home in garage or covered parking, especially if you buy a nice boat. I own a landscape business, have a big warehouse less than a mile from my home. I planned on keeping my boat there. I hated not having my boat at home ready to go with all my rods and tackle. I bought a 21' Ranger so it requires a pretty large parking area, will not fit in my garage, so I am in the process of building boat parking at the rear of my home. There have been several times I wanted to fish but didn't because the hassle to go get my boat out of the warehouse as opposed to backing up, hooking up, and heading to the lake. All that said, I went from bank fishing to owning a small tracker to the Ranger in less than a year! The tracker was nice but big water killed me, the Ranger is a dream and so glad I bought it! Bought used and searched until I found the perfect boat! Good Luck with your decision!

In general if you are questioning whether you should buy the boat, you probably shouldn't. In a situation like that, you may not use it enough to make it worth your while. Boating is Boating, Fishing is Fishing. There is significant overlap, and the ability to cover more water, but if you are happy with what you are doing, don't worry about it.

If you do buy a boat, the bug may hit, and you have the potential for using it more than you think now... Where are you going to want to take it, just on the same lake you are 'banking'?