Can you use bass boats in Rivers??

[Shortstop9]

I am totally new to bass boats, and there arnt many lakes where i live in Virginia. Although i would travel to lakes every now and then, I would do most of my fishing in a creek or a river. I live on the rappahannock river which the waves arnt that big, on average probably around 1ft. where i live. I'm thinking about the Skeeter SX-190 but am open to suggestions. Should i not get a bass boat for the river?

Thanks,
Nick

[11pounder]

A bass boat works fine in rivers, I fish the oxbows off the vedigris navigation channel here and no problem at all. As long as there is enough water to float it in and the channels are clear enough from debris then go for it.

[Shortstop9]

What about the carpet, and trailer? Are there any tricks to keep the carpet in good shape, and the trailer from rusting?

[11pounder]

If you're fishing brackish water then you will want a galvanized trailer, other wise you will need to power wash it after every use, which would not be a bad idea to give the boat a good power wash after also and flush the motor. If fresh water just normal maintenance. As for the carpet get a good wet vac. to clean it with occaisional power washings.

[Skeet'r89]

I would say the big question is how deep is the water in the rivers and creeks you are going to fish. Most of us fish in water that is less than 5 ft. deep most of the time, but have deeper water to navigate the boat in. If you are going to be navigating in water that is normally 5 ft. or less most of the time you may want to look into a boat with a jet drive instead of a typical prop.

[MassBass320v]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Skeet’r89 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would say the big question is how deep is the water in the rivers and creeks you are going to fish. Most of us fish in water that is less than 5 ft. deep most of the time, but have deeper water to navigate the boat in. If you are going to be navigating in water that is normally 5 ft. or less most of the time you may want to look into a boat with a jet drive instead of a typical prop.</TD></TR></TABLE>


good advice, for the same reason you might want to consider an aluminum over a fiberglass boat, especially if the river is shallow and has a lot of rocks and/or stumps

[Shortstop9]

The river and creeks are well over 5 ft. deep. towards the middle its upwards of 45 to 50. the creeks are probly around 10 to 20. Only from the shore to about 50 ft out is it 5-10 feet. Im more worried about how big of a wave will ruin the boat.

[marshall256]

I was raised fishing rivers. Lakes are something new to me. So, my answer to your question is..yes, you can use a bass boat in river systems. What type of bass boat depends on what type of river system, as well as, whether or not you plan to tournament fish and where those tournaments normally launch. I guess what I'm trying to say is...if you are going to tournament fish and most of the tournaments launch abot 50 miles from where most of the folks are catching the winning stringers....then you'll want a boat with a good range, so that, you can make the run you need. You'll also probably want a relatively fast bass boat, so that, you don't waste your time running to your spot and can have more time fishing. From the brief look on the internet of the river you mentioned...seems like there are some rocky areas. If this is typical, you may opt for an aluminum boat as has already been mentioned...it may be able to take a little more of a beating than a fiberglass rig. If you are fairly confident in navigating this river system...then a fiberglass boat is not a bad way to go. As for waves....I think any fiberglass boat can take the abuse of up to 4 foot waves. Once you get over 4 foot...I wouldn't even want to be on the water.

[Shortstop9]

So all i need to do to keep the trailer from rusting is power wash it after each use?

[Skeet'r89]

The biggest problem with most of the trailers today is that they are built with box tubing. The tubing gets wet inside and then rusts from the inside out. If you can find a "C" channel trailer you will be a lot better off. My 89 Skeeter has a C channel trailer and it is 19 years old. I am not saying that there are not rust spots on it, but it is not falling apart. The original ownerprobably used it in near similar brackish water that I have used it in in the past 6 years. If you were to use it in heavier salt content then, yes a goog pressure washing or car wash after coming home will help save your trailer.

[Shortstop9]

Sweet. Thanks everyone!

[hsb]

I grew up on the Rappahannock. There are a ton of bass boats out there. Go for it. Would run almost up to the fault line in Fredburg down to Port Royal. Port Royal can get a little thin if you run that area, but you would be fine either above or below that area. Ok, so you are in brackish waters there, if you get the boat, get a galvanized trailer and think about a saltwater motor if you are running that far down. I lived much further up the river than where you are, but I used to use mine, and my dad still does down around Reedville.

[dondon123]

Yes.. I live on the coast and all we have here is brackish water rivers.. I would definitly take a little extra time in cleaning the boat after your done using it and flush the motor a little longer.. rappahannock river, i think i used to live by that river when i lived in fredericksburg..

[hsb]

DonDon yes the Rappahannock runs right through the middle of Fredericksburg.