What size boat would you recommend for fishing smallmouth on Erie and the grand river?

[Aaron Stelmach]

Planning on getting my first boat, I want to be able to fish for smallmouth in lake erie (when its somewhat calm) and the grand river. 
 

What size boat would you recommend? I seen online that generally a 21 foot would handle erie but I don’t know if I’d want something that big.

[casts_by_fly]

grand river ohio?

[TnRiver46]

Bass boat and Great Lakes seems to equal broken stuff and limited on which days you can safely fish . Windshield or something designed for offshore saltwater would allow you more days 

[Aaron Stelmach]

14 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

grand river ohio?

Ontario lol

[A-Jay]

What vehicle are you planning to use to tow this new rig with ? 

A-Jay 

[WRB]

39 minutes ago, Aaron Stelmach said:

Planning on getting my first boat, I want to be able to fish for smallmouth in lake erie (when its somewhat calm) and the grand river. 
 

What size boat would you recommend? I seen online that generally a 21 foot would handle erie but I don’t know if I’d want something that big.

Boat length isn’t necessarily the most important factor, freeboard height is important in big waves. The typical “bass” boat has low freeboard height so the angler is closer to the water surface when using the front trolling motor.

The higher the freeboard the more wind hits the sides making it difficult to maintain boat control. Trade offs.

Multi species aluminum boats are popular in your area for god reasons.

Tom

[Aaron Stelmach]

26 minutes ago, WRB said:

Boat length isn’t necessarily the most important factor, freeboard height is important in big waves. The typical “bass” boat has low freeboard height so the angler is closer to the water surface when using the front trolling motor.

The higher the freeboard the more wind hits the sides making it difficult to maintain boat control. Trade offs.

Multi species aluminum boats are popular in your area for god reasons.

Tom

Thanks for the answer man! You’ve helped me out quite a bit with my various questions appreciate it

42 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

What vehicle are you planning to use to tow this new rig with ? 

A-Jay 

Dodge durango haha

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, Aaron Stelmach said:

Ontario lol

 

gotcha.  I know the grand in Ohio and just assumed.  if you meant that one, I was going to suggest a kayak..

 

The other big water guys will sort you out.  I've been out on Erie in an 18' bass boat (92" beam and heavy) and it would be fine for calm days and 1-2's.  Erie gets really odd rollers though unlike any I've seen anywhere else-- lake, river, ocean.  The spacing is odd.  Erie also kicks up quickly if you're not paying attention.

[Junk Fisherman]

I've never fished Erie but I spend a lot of time on Lake Michigan around Chicago and the different bays in Wisconsin and Michigan.  The key question is- are you planning on fishing tournaments?  If you plan on tournament fishing then your best best is a walleye boat or a 20'-21' bassboat since you'll inevitably have to make a long run in rough water at some point but if you're a fun fisherman, like me, it changes everything.  Depending on the wind direction, I'll change where I launch or simply won't go out at all if I fear the waves are going to be too uncomfortable to fish or run in.  Learning what winds you're willing to fish in and not putting yourself in bad situations is the key.  I monitor wind speeds and direction constantly when fishing the Great Lakes and have only had a couple bad experiences and they were both due to my own poor judgment.  Granted, I was very happy I was in my 19' deep V in those instances rather than a 18'-19' bassboat.  But the vast majority of the time I fish Lake Michigan, any average bassboat would suffice since I always launch closest to where I plan to fish and won't go out if the forecast is too sketchy.  

 

But what boats specifically would I recommend?  If you are not fishing tournaments, you can make any bass boat work on Erie as long as you are sensible about it.  My next boat is probably going to be a Lund Pro V Bass which from all the reviews I've read is a great big water bass boat.  Another boat I will consider is the Basscat Caracal which is a deep bass boat which is good for big water.  Personally, I don't know if I'll be able to justify spending the money on that boat though (the Pro V Bass is expensive enough).   Good luck.  

[airshot]

Fished lake Erie for over 60 years, all depends on how much chop you want to handle.  How well do you do in rough water.  In my opinion, the best boat is one 21' or over.  The reason being is the average distance between waves is about 7' so capable of being on three waves at a time would give the best ride in normal chop of 2-3 ft.  Next would be the popular 18' boat, easier to handle, still good for 2-3 chop but nothing bigger and limited number of passengers. I have owned and used 14' on lake erie but limited to 1-2' waves at best and 2 fisherman max.  I currently have a 16' side console that is great, but do have to watch the weather and choose my days carefully. Been out in two ft chop and it is fine but more would be uncomfortable!!  Everyone has different levels of comfort, width and depth make a real big difference, go wide and deep as you can.  Go as big in length as you are comfortable with.  Choose your days carefully, watch the weather reports closely and learn to pay attention to wind speed and direction.  Storms don't just appear out of no where but they can move quickly, so know the forecast ahead of going out.  It is probably more your boating knowledge and experience then the size of your boat actually....

[NYBasser]

I would go with as big of a boat as your budget allows. Longer and heavier (glass) boats are going to ride and handle better in rough water.
 

Fwiw, my buddy fishes erie and ontario out of a 17ft glass triton and does just fine. Just gotta know the limits of yourself, your equipment, and pick your days.

53 minutes ago, Junk Fisherman said:

I've never fished Erie but I spend a lot of time on Lake Michigan around Chicago and the different bays in Wisconsin and Michigan.  The key question is- are you planning on fishing tournaments?  If you plan on tournament fishing then your best best is a walleye boat or a 20'-21' bassboat since you'll inevitably have to make a long run in rough water at some point but if you're a fun fisherman, like me, it changes everything.  Depending on the wind direction, I'll change where I launch or simply won't go out at all if I fear the waves are going to be too uncomfortable to fish or run in.  Learning what winds you're willing to fish in and not putting yourself in bad situations is the key.  I monitor wind speeds and direction constantly when fishing the Great Lakes and have only had a couple bad experiences and they were both due to my own poor judgment.  Granted, I was very happy I was in my 19' deep V in those instances rather than a 18'-19' bassboat.  But the vast majority of the time I fish Lake Michigan, any average bassboat would suffice since I always launch closest to where I plan to fish and won't go out if the forecast is too sketchy.  

 

But what boats specifically would I recommend?  If you are not fishing tournaments, you can make any bass boat work on Erie as long as you are sensible about it.  My next boat is probably going to be a Lund Pro V Bass which from all the reviews I've read is a great big water bass boat.  Another boat I will consider is the Basscat Caracal which is a deep bass boat which is good for big water.  Personally, I don't know if I'll be able to justify spending the money on that boat though (the Pro V Bass is expensive enough).   Good luck.  

Take a good look at the Lund warranty/customer service before you decide to buy one. My buddy just got burned by Lund as the original owner of a 4 year old Fury 1600. The boat was not involved in any accidents, and the transom cracked and the retaining wall on the side completely split from the transom.
 

Lund wants him to cover 30% of the repairs now, about $2000 according to them. Their quote to fix the transom is $6000 on a boat that was $13k new 4 years ago (including the engine that’s at least half the price of the boat). So much for a lifetime hull warranty. And no the dealer said they can’t do anything due to the extent of the transom damage so it has to go back to the factory, (they said Lund should’ve just sent him a new boat).

 

If you read the fine details of their warranty, the coverage is only good for 3 years, and after that they prorate the repair costs starting at 70% coverage year 4 and 10% reduction for every year after. Most other companies that I know of offer lifetime hull and structural coverage and will fix the boat on their own dime. Just some food for thought.

[airshot]

Years back I had a Northwood ( made by Starcraft) after a couple years it started leaking bad, many loose rivets and developed a hook in the bottom. Had to drive it back to the Indiana factory and leave it over the winter, picked it up in the spring.  That part sucked but they fixed it at no charge. 

[Aaron Stelmach]

On 8/15/2023 at 6:16 PM, Junk Fisherman said:

I've never fished Erie but I spend a lot of time on Lake Michigan around Chicago and the different bays in Wisconsin and Michigan.  The key question is- are you planning on fishing tournaments?  If you plan on tournament fishing then your best best is a walleye boat or a 20'-21' bassboat since you'll inevitably have to make a long run in rough water at some point but if you're a fun fisherman, like me, it changes everything.  Depending on the wind direction, I'll change where I launch or simply won't go out at all if I fear the waves are going to be too uncomfortable to fish or run in.  Learning what winds you're willing to fish in and not putting yourself in bad situations is the key.  I monitor wind speeds and direction constantly when fishing the Great Lakes and have only had a couple bad experiences and they were both due to my own poor judgment.  Granted, I was very happy I was in my 19' deep V in those instances rather than a 18'-19' bassboat.  But the vast majority of the time I fish Lake Michigan, any average bassboat would suffice since I always launch closest to where I plan to fish and won't go out if the forecast is too sketchy.  

 

But what boats specifically would I recommend?  If you are not fishing tournaments, you can make any bass boat work on Erie as long as you are sensible about it.  My next boat is probably going to be a Lund Pro V Bass which from all the reviews I've read is a great big water bass boat.  Another boat I will consider is the Basscat Caracal which is a deep bass boat which is good for big water.  Personally, I don't know if I'll be able to justify spending the money on that boat though (the Pro V Bass is expensive enough).   Good luck.  

Thanks for taking the time it took to write that man! MUCH appreciated. I’m just a fun fisherman, not planning on doing tournaments, honestly i just wanna be able to go dropshot schools of decent sized smallies,

[gimruis]

4 minutes ago, Aaron Stelmach said:

honestly i just wanna be able to go dropshot schools of decent sized smallies,

Why would you ever want to do that

[Aaron Stelmach]

On 8/15/2023 at 5:37 PM, casts_by_fly said:

 

gotcha.  I know the grand in Ohio and just assumed.  if you meant that one, I was going to suggest a kayak..

 

The other big water guys will sort you out.  I've been out on Erie in an 18' bass boat (92" beam and heavy) and it would be fine for calm days and 1-2's.  Erie gets really odd rollers though unlike any I've seen anywhere else-- lake, river, ocean.  The spacing is odd.  Erie also kicks up quickly if you're not paying attention.

Oh buddy erie is nuts. Another thing im worried about is other boats wakes.. i was in my buddies 14 foot tinner with a 7.5 the other day and we just wanted to check the water. Some guy in a speedboat was at where the inlet opened up doing figure 8s at full throttle. That almost tipped us alone

[casts_by_fly]

50 minutes ago, Aaron Stelmach said:

Oh buddy erie is nuts. Another thing im worried about is other boats wakes.. i was in my buddies 14 foot tinner with a 7.5 the other day and we just wanted to check the water. Some guy in a speedboat was at where the inlet opened up doing figure 8s at full throttle. That almost tipped us alone

 

we get big wakeboats here on a couple places. They will throw 3’ wakes on a 10’ center which will come over the bow of a lot of boats if you’re not watching. I manage them in my kayak because I’m only 12’ and can angle them pretty well. I’ve taken a couple over the nose and the kayak will drain through the scuppers. 
 

If it were me in your shoes, I’d pick and choose my battles. I wouldn’t be out there fishing in 3’ waves by any chance or choice.  Sure, if your budget and situation allows for a 21’ boat then go for it. If not' then an 18’ Lund deep v bass would do a whole lot of things (ajay can inform about Great Lakes runs I’m sure) and be a lot more manageable than a 21’ glass boat. 

[slonezp]

I have only fished Erie in a 30ft walleye charter out of Ohio. The day prior to fishing, none of the charter boats went out.

 

I had a 20ft Lund and fished Lake Michigan in IL and WI with it.  Pick and choose your days. If Erie is going to be your daily driver for smallies, a 24-26ft hybrid bay boat would be a better choice.  

[airshot]

On 8/16/2023 at 9:10 PM, Aaron Stelmach said:

Oh buddy erie is nuts. Another thing im worried about is other boats wakes.. i was in my buddies 14 foot tinner with a 7.5 the other day and we just wanted to check the water. Some guy in a speedboat was at where the inlet opened up doing figure 8s at full throttle. That almost tipped us alone

Snap a pic of there bow reg numbers and file a claim with the local sherriff, boat drivers are responsible for there wakes.  When I had my small tinnie, I had a few bigger boats go out of there way to try and swamp my boat.  The sherriff gave me there address after filing a complaint, yes we visited....