Buying boat - need opinion

[ragin_cajuns]

I am new to freshwater fishing - don't know a thing about it yet other than what i have read in this forum.

I grew up saltwater fishing in S La and now live in Lewisville, Tx and want to get back into fishing. I'm going to start some bank fishing and buy a boat by the end of the summer.

I will be fishing exclusively in lake Lewisville and I've been looking at the Nitro 750 and some similar sized Trackers - I want to stay under 20k. Is this the right kind of boat to get for Lake Lewisville fishing [bass, hybrids, sand bass, crappie - or sac-a-lait as well call in in La]? Or would a center console bay boat be better on Lewisville? Anyone on the foum familiar with Lake Lewisville?

Thanks for the help. I've already learned a lot about freswater fishing just from reading this forum.


Thanks,
Ryan

[Rudeman]

Welcome to Bass Boat Central.

I'm not familiar with Lewisville but...

If you want to bass fish then the best thing to do is to get a boat designed for that purpose.

A Nitro 750 is a good entry level bass boat for sure and one that you could enjoy for several years. You will no doubt want to fish other lakes anyway so you should get something you can use anywhere.

Whatever you do have it thoroughly checked out for stuctural integrity and have the motor checked out. Make sure you are not under powered the 750 is rated for 115HP, you will want at least 90hp on that boat.

Take your time and buy with your head not your heart.

[Largemouthlou]

Some good advice right there now!!!!!!!!!!!!! Louis

[ragin_cajuns]

thanks for the advice - it comes with a 90 for 16k, i think you can upgrade to the 115 for 2k or somethign like that but i will stick with the 90 on my first boat. i'm not really concerened with speed. i'm buying new.

[capt_lunker]

I would still get the motor upgraded. You'll never hear someone say "i wish i would have gotten the smaller motor". Cheaper to do it now, than later.

[Stein]

Plus, resale is always better and sells faster with any boat that is maxed on HP.

[fastman151]

Hey Ryan...welcome to the boards!!...if you're looking around at boats...do your self a favor and check out the new Stratos 176xt, you might be pleasantly surprised. To help you learn some more about freshwater fishing check out this link...Good luck!!!

http://www.bassresource.com/

[ragin_cajuns]

thanks fastman - i did come across that stratos today online and like it. i need to find a local dealer this weekend to see one in person.

[fastman151]

Whatever boat you decide on, consider upgrading to as close to max hp as possible. You'll be glad you did and it'll be much easier to sell when the time comes!!

[bmas13]

As far as your HP rating, remember, that's not just about speed. When you have all of your gear on board, your livewells are full, and it's full of fuel, it's going to be heavy. You will need the power to get you on plane.

More HP will get you more resale when you trade it. NITRO has lots of "power-up" savings. It was only $500 more for me to upgrade from a 175 to a 225 Optimax (on my 898). Then the dealer cut me a smokin' deal and it only cost me $500 more to go from the 225 Opti to the 225 ProXS (because it was the first ProXS they had gotten - Mercury cut them a deal on their first one). So I upgraded BIGTIME for $1,000. Check out all of your options.

One other thing...I am a proud NITRO owner and they will tell you that you don't need a jackplate, but get a 6" when you upgrade your HP. You'll want that so that you can dial in your performance a bit.

[ragin_cajuns]

what purpose does a jackplate serve exactly? is it something that is necessary or just in instances when someone wants to get maximum performance out of their boat?

i'm perfectally satisified with from the factory performance. i'm not looking to max out performance regardless of the size engine i get. I'm not interested in being the fastest boat.

just not familiar with what a jackplate does.

thanks,