Good afternoon to all, I would like to ask you for some feedback. I will be looking at getting a boat pretty soon and this will be my very first. I am wanting to know what boat would be best suited for my needs. I am a panfisherman to the heart and this is generally what I target year round. I may "occasionally" stray from the beaten path and catfish or sandbass fish but 98% of the time I am fishing for crappie or monster bluegills. With all of this being said, I am looking to get a dependable boat. Sometimes I fish shallow water lakes where your normal boat will not launch and so I will need a boat that will permit this. I need a boat that will support at least 2 other people for I have fishing buddies/family that I would like to bring along with me at times. I am not opposed to going out on somewhat windy days so I need a boat that will be most stable in these conditions and also that will be most balanced when riding through the waves. I would like a boat with a good balance of power and fuel efficiency for I would like to be able to beat an incoming storm if need be. Should I be looking at fiberglass or aluminum? Which is better and why? Should I be looking at a bass boat, bay boat, etc? I am open to all suggestions/input.

I believe you will find a lot of support for the Deep-V style of boats. Be sure to check out the Crestliners and Lunds from Advantage Marine.

You might consider a pontoon,stable, roomy,set up nice with 2 front fishing chairs, lot's of storage,good for night fishing etc.

I have an 18' & it launches anywhere you could launch a simular size boat.

I have owned lots of different boats. Every style of boat has an advantage for something. The deep V aluminum boats are fuel efficient and stable boats. They are light weight which is good and bad. It will save you fuel but it will be harder to control in the wind/waves. A heavier fiberglass boat handles the rough water better and will offer a dryer ride in most cases. Unfortunatly they will use a bit more fuel due to it's weight.

good Luck

Xpress makes some nice heavier aluminum models such as the 19' that handle rough waves a LOT better than you would think. they are generally set up for bass fisherman- but with some mods, can be turned into a perfect crappie catching machine! you can fish big water, and small creeks in one of these - and run 60 mph to get there

A nice deep V would probably work best for year round fishing, especially lately with the wind and all.

Get a bass cat and be safe and stable life is short get a stable and dependable boat and dont look back .

I like the deep v style like the lunds and crestliners too. Another plus in my book is the high side when it is windy and rough. Keeps the little ones from stumbling off into the water. I am liking the windshield option and top option too, as I get older staying out of the sun is a little more important and cutting the wind sure is nice in the cold. I guess my days of run and gun bass boat driving are over.

Whatever you end up with you will end up trading that end on something else.

All boats float, hold water and move you across the water (kind of all the same).

What is more important is your outboard (four strokes), your trolling motor (size) and especially you electronics (get the absolute best electronics, that is what really makes you a fisherman).

As to the boat, I think it�s all about the design chose, Smallish Crappie Type/Pan Fish boat versus a bass boat style or a Center Console. Most folks end up with a Center Console as they progress thru the boat designs (primarily because of the walk around, open ness of the boats). Pontoons are too cumbersome for most fishermen.

Lot�s of folks stop a long that progression and are happy with what they got.

Very well put Mark and it makes alot of sense. I can tell your speaking from experience!

I have a 18 foot Sea Ark and it fishes well. It is an aluminum bass boat that is light weight and has huge decks to fish off of front and back. It does about 35 mph which is fast enough for what I use it for.

I like the looks and the features that a Lund has and will hopefully graduate to one of those someday. I think they are the Cadillac of the panfish fishing boats. Crestliners are very comparable as are the Alumacrafts.

I have fished alot from a center console and luv the way you can fish all over the boat, but for panfish I dont think a center console will make that big of a difference, they are great for hybrids and white bass though.

You'll also want a boat that is easy to load and unload by yourself so take that into consideration, believe me even though you have many friends and family, you'll find yourself fishing by yourself often,,,,or is it just me? LOL

Here is a perfect boat for you! It even comes with a Crappie Anglers of Texas sticker already on it! That will save you $10.00 when you join!

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...r_C#Post2876928

As to Boats, what Chuck said is correct:

"Aluminum boats are fuel efficient (light weight). Fiberglass handles the rough water better and will offer a dryer ride in most cases (heaver). Unfortunately they will use a bit more fuel due to it's weight."

I primarily used Aluminum boats (Xpress, or Aluminaweld) when it was just me fishing (but also had several fiberglass, they always ride better but require more horsepower too).

But then I went Fiberglass when I went to heaver water for comfort and dryer ride for the custmers.

But still the most important is your outboard (four strokes), your trolling motor (size) and especially you electronics (get the absolute best electronics, that is what really makes you a fisherman).

As to being just a fisherman, it is not about the boat, but it about, everything else, Motor, Trolling Motor and especially the electronics.

Check out what Crestliner and Lund has to offer. I think you will find that either brand has something that will fit your needs plus they are a major sponsor of CAT.
Call Joe at Advantage marine and he will take care of you.

Not so sure a fiberglass rides better and dryer than an aluminum deep-v.
That's going to depend on the two boats.

Drive whatever boat you are thinking about buying before you buy it. Drive it in the worse conditions that your dealer will let you test drive it in. Don't just putt around the dock. Drive it. Get out in the middle of the lake, stand up and "fish" out of it.

Do whatever you think is necessary to make sure that you are going to be comfortable in the worse conditions than you can imagine.

You'd be surprised how dry and comfortable a Lund 1900 Pro-V can be. Don't be fooled and get roped in to those who say one construction material is better than the other. Try 'em both.

Get one that stays deep in the boat. A boat that is decked front and rear is not for panfishing, you want to be closer to the water. Get the biggest outboard possible for the boat. I think I will get a deep v next. I have a procrappie 175 now, and wish it had more room in it. Stay away from a flatbottom for a better ride. Mine has the modified v and rides alot better and is drier than a flat bottom. Also, my mercury is very cold natured, I hear others don't have this problem. Good luck