Hey everybody, I have a bass raider 10e and I am wanting to go to Lake Amistad. I was just seeing if anybody has experience with the boat in such large bodies of water?

I have seen one in the bay by my house (I wouldn't try that).

I feel safe enough in my boat to go on big lakes.

I just wouldn't wander more than a 1/4 mile away from my starting point or go further out that a couple of hundred yards.

Then again I'm old and don't take as many chances as I used to. lol 

I was wondering if anyone has tried using the BR yak style?

I have a couple of places where I would like to try it.

I have a very weedy, shallow lake with tons of weeds and stumps making using the motor a major pain in the ass. Tons of bass in there and the place gets almost no pressure, I picked up 8 or 10 in a couple of hours there one day, then the weeds got so bad you could barely travel more the 30 ft before stopping and clearing the prop. So I gave up on it.

There is also another lake near me where no electric motors are permitted and it  is huge lake by NJ standards, again not pressured by bass guys.

I looked at a couple of yak double paddles and I think I would have to lengthen it some since we sit higher than yak guys and add a rudder to the boat. Has anyone tried this?

I am wondering more guy's are hualing or putting in bed of pick up?

I use a Harbor Freight trailer

I was wondering if anyone has tried using the BR yak style?

I have a couple of places where I would like to try it.

I have a very weedy, shallow lake with tons of weeds and stumps making using the motor a major pain in the ass. Tons of bass in there and the place gets almost no pressure, I picked up 8 or 10 in a couple of hours there one day, then the weeds got so bad you could barely travel more the 30 ft before stopping and clearing the prop. So I gave up on it.

There is also another lake near me where no electric motors are permitted and it is huge lake by NJ standards, again not pressured by bass guys.

I looked at a couple of yak double paddles and I think I would have to lengthen it some since we sit higher than yak guys and add a rudder to the boat. Has anyone tried this?

They don't paddle very well. If weeds are your problem, a push pole is a better option. Grass emerging to the surface leaves me a good guess that the water is shallow enough for this. Its not hard and can actually move you along nicely once you get used to it.

They don't paddle very well. If weeds are your problem, a push pole is a better option. Grass emerging to the surface leaves me a good guess that the water is shallow enough for this. Its not hard and can actually move you along nicely once you get used to it.

Thanks, I was going to pick up a push pole as well. I know a few "fields" of lily pads I would love to get in the middle of.

Been looking for a truck. This dude being so wide sits tilted in small trucks. I am going to be getting an 8ft bed for it

Been looking for a truck. This dude being so wide sits tilted in small trucks. I am going to be getting an 8ft bed for it

Long bed versus short bed isn't a big deal on a full size pick-up. My short bed isn't any harder to load and unload than a long bed and the boat is still in between the wheel wells. If you want a long bed, by all means go for it. Just don't think you need it for this type of boat.

I suppose your right but I'll be getting full size for sure

I suppose your right but I'll be getting full size for sure

I know my boat didn't like my friend's ranger at all so full size is the way to go.

My 2002 Ford ranger works great for the Pelican Bass raider 8e. (I purposely bought this boat so I could handle it by myself). I cut two 2x4's to lay in the notches of molded bed liner. The bed liner is made for doing this. Stapled some I/O carpet to the boards. I lift the end of the boat onto the tailgate, and push it up onto the carpeted boards, so the rim of the boat sets just above the top of the truck bed. Strap it down and go! When it's not in use, I stand my Bass raider up against the wall of my garage in a "cradle" made from scrap wood and a strap to hold it upright. I'll try to add some pictures soon.

I guess to be fair, we may have slightly different measurements. I dint actually have a Bass Raider. Its a Colman Perch which has now been rebranded to a su dolphon sportsman I believe. It was in the bed of an older late 90s ranger, I think. It didn't fit and had to be put in at a slant. Sure it handled it fine, but for someone buying a truck with their little boat in mind, the full size pickup gives a little more ease to the process of loading and unloading.

I have a 2015 Nissan Frontier and the Bass Raider 10e fits perfectly in the bed.  Its only a 5 foot bed, so obviously leave the tailgate down and strap it down nicely and it works....  Have traveled over 75 miles on the road with it in the bed with no issues... Check your wheel well measurements..and remember the pontoons are not as wide as the top of the boat (which I believe is 48")... Hope this helps...

Decided this year to redo the flooring in my Dolphin Sportsman.  Before I had just a sheet of 3/4 marine plywood, with 1 pedestal seat base screwed to it.  Decided to build the floor up enough so that the base would set flush on it, and have a couple of compartments in the flooring for storage.  Got the hatch in the middle completed, but need to finish the front hatch.  I'd say the total weight is around 75-80 lbs, but I have a 4x8 trailer that I use for my little 8ft boat.

Also added the battery box in the back to keep things secured going down the highway.  Nothing worse than hitting a bump and having the battery bounce around.

jaaron01, that looks really nice.  I love the compartments!

I keep the boat outside during the winter, upside down on it's trailer, then pull the seat/flooring section out for storage.  It's nice to just drop this section in, and go.  Plus it weights enough that it won't blow out while driving down the road.  I made sure and made the compartment doors facing backwards so the wind wouldn't get under them.

On 1/8/2016 at 11:08 AM, jaaron01 said:

Decided this year to redo the flooring in my Dolphin Sportsman.  Before I had just a sheet of 3/4 marine plywood, with 1 pedestal seat base screwed to it.  Decided to build the floor up enough so that the base would set flush on it, and have a couple of compartments in the flooring for storage.  Got the hatch in the middle completed, but need to finish the front hatch.  I'd say the total weight is around 75-80 lbs, but I have a 4x8 trailer that I use for my little 8ft boat.

Also added the battery box in the back to keep things secured going down the highway.  Nothing worse than hitting a bump and having the battery bounce around.

How big are the compartments?  Do you use a foot control motor with yours I have the same boat and the control takes up alot of the floor.

very nice!

I have read this thread from page 1 and finally decided I needed to join. Lots of great ideas.  I've already decided my next project is a rudder.  Glad to have found this site. 

1 hour ago, GonFishin said:

I have read this thread from page 1 and finally decided I needed to join. Lots of great ideas.  I've already decided my next project is a rudder.  Glad to have found this site. 

The best rudder system I've found for pond boats (I've used this on several Bass Hounds and Bass Tenders) is just to hang an old outboard motor off the back-either running or broken, doesn't matter.  It provides a counter-balance if you're fishing alone in the front of the boat, and it really makes the boat track well and drastically reduces spinning issues in the wind as well! 

You probably know someone who has one taking up space in their garage, you're almost doing them a favor by taking it  

I have my boat fairly well balanced with my and the tm up front and the deep cycle battery in the back. I would think an outboard would add a little to much weight. I believe I am going to build the rudder out of pvc as was pictured a few pages back. My only concern is how well it will stay on the boat or if it will come off easily. 

5 hours ago, GonFishin said:

I have my boat fairly well balanced with my and the tm up front and the deep cycle battery in the back. I would think an outboard would add a little to much weight. I believe I am going to build the rudder out of pvc as was pictured a few pages back. My only concern is how well it will stay on the boat or if it will come off easily. 

Someone in this thread showed one they did with a C-clamp attached to it.  Just an idea to keep it in place.

16 hours ago, GonFishin said:

I have my boat fairly well balanced with my and the tm up front and the deep cycle battery in the back. I would think an outboard would add a little to much weight. I believe I am going to build the rudder out of pvc as was pictured a few pages back. My only concern is how well it will stay on the boat or if it will come off easily. 

This website has a neat little rudder in their "add on" page.  It just slips over the transom.   It's a little pricey, but it may give you some ideas if you fabricate one.

 http://www.pondking.com/product/pond-king-ultra/

 

I'm curious how these little boats handle with small outboards speed wise.  I know they still wouldn't be a rocket on the water but I'm wondering if a 2.5 HP outboard is worth it?  I'm currently running a 50lb trolling motor and was thinking of maybe purchasing a small outboard for getting me from point A to B.

8 minutes ago, GonFishin said:

I have my boat fairly well balanced with my and the tm up front and the deep cycle battery in the back. I would think an outboard would add a little to much weight. I believe I am going to build the rudder out of pvc as was pictured a few pages back. My only concern is how well it will stay on the boat or if it will come off easily. 

A Bass Raider's CG is relatively centered (empty) so with you and the trolling motor up front it's difficult to imagine a battery that weighs enough to compensate. If you believe you need a rudder, chances are it's probably not that balanced as the sponsons (8 or 10') provide more than enough rudder effect when the boat is properly balanced. Try getting an extension for your TM that allows you to control it when sitting more aft. You may find that a rudder is not required.