Hello all,

Newbie here. I'm in the market for a small 1 to 2 man fishing boat, like the Pelican Bass Raider10e. I want something small that I can just put in the backyard when I'm done. No trailering either. I plan on putting it on a roof rack.
Has anyone had experience fishing on one?

Thanks

Sounds hard,... I tried the "back of the pickup" for my 8 ft. a few times. Enjoy it so much more after I went and got a lawn mower trailer from tractor supply. Can also use the trailer for many more things.

Unless your pretty big fella that roof rack routine is gonna be difficult especially trying solo. Defiantly wanna have a truck and preferably a small trailer.

Yeah, mine wasn't so bad loading in the pickup bed. No way I'd try loading it on a roof rack.

better stay of lakes unless you want to be swamped.

Agree with all the above.

Texas sun and UV will destroy anything plastic within 5 years.
Whatever you choose to buy, keep it covered.

I'd look at kayaks also; easier to haul and carry; less maintenance; don't have to lug around a trolling motor and big 12V battery.

I appreciate all the advice. I definitely plan on keeping it covered when not in use.
If anyone has a line on a used one in or near SA, I'm all ears. I just want to get off the bank already.

Craigslist. Back in the day I had a BPS bass buster. 8 ft long with 2 swivel seats and I fished out of that thing for
years. A 55 lb trolling motor will last all day and then some.

Fished ponds and small lakes-as said, would not recommend getting out on bigger lakes-but with most any lake you can
usually find an area with calm water-say up a creek or cove. Get a decent fish finder and put it on the TM and you're
good to go.

They are great boats and you can put a ton of accessories on them, fishing finders, rod holders, etc. But without a trailer, atleast consider the wear & tear of the hull from dragging it. Usually by yourself, its not crazy heavy but because of the awkward shape you usually tend to pick one end up and it drag on the back to corners and that eats that plastic up ofcourse depending on the surface you drag it on. If you dont want to trailer it, ever think about a sit on top kayak?

I had a Bass Pro Shops 8' model over 10 years ago and it slid in the bed of my pickup truck. You can fish in the back of coves on most lakes and access areas that are many times very productive. Just remember to always wear your life preserver while in your 2 man boat. It can be a lot of fun.

I have the Bass Raider 10 E and take it out just about every weekend. Very stable little boat. If you plan on fishing larger lakes I�d get a small outboard. A trolling motor will also work but make sure to take two batteries.

My first boat was a 8' plastic bass buggy. It worked great on small water lakes along with electric only lakes. It didn't manage well in the wind, but what made up for it was the amount of fish I put in that thing.

I graduated to a 12' aluminum V-hull, did quite well on it.

Then I moved into a big boy boat...Nitro 700LX 17' w/ Force 120HP. That's when my wallet and bank account started to suffer.

AHAHHAHAHAHAH

There's nothing wrong with small boats as long as you have access to smaller water.

I plan on buying/making a dolly for it. The last thing I want to do is put a hole in my little boat.

Build your dolly, get your boat, and have a ball! Do yourself one favor though; invest the time for a bunch of trips before you start making it into a "tournament rig" with ten times the boat's value in electronics and accessories. You just might find that you prefer to keep it simple and uncluttered. Either way, enjoy!

That sounds like very good advice. I can't wait to get it!