Anyone fish in their non fishing jet boat?

[KrodWhodat]

My son and I want to do a lot of fishing this year in Candlewood Lake in CT. I have a 242 limited SE. does anyone have a trolling motor? I just added the cobras so maybe that helps. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[HangOutdoors]

I am getting ready to craft a custom mount with a quick release for a Minn Kota 24v 80# Terrova. I want it on the bow but the grab rail is making initial mockups a bit tricky. Some have mounted it to the Anchor Locker which will be the fall back plan.

Terrova 80 lb. / FP / US2 / i-Pilot - 60" | Minn Kota Motors (johnsonoutdoors.com)

Also installing a Garmin 93sv Echo Map plus UHD in a couple days after I finish one more trim tab.

Trying to make it a true fish and watersports boat.

I will post pics of the trolling motor if I get it mounted to my satisfaction plan to have it done this coming week or weekend then heading out for some walleye fishing.

 

[Scuba_ref]

We troll at 11 mph, this was yesterday!

 

[capt]

50 miles offshore out of Port O'Connor Texas.

 

[HangOutdoors]

Those pics look fantastic. Someday I hopefully plan on fishing in the ocean.

The problem with inland lake fishing is either you have a calm day and you can cast around, or you are trolling with the engines which isn't great or you are getting blown around while casting ending up wherever.

With a bow mounted trolling motor it will be fantastic for casting and site fishing and working in and out of structure and coves. It also enables fishing in a few feet of water without worry of damaging the impellors.

Can't wait to see the look on peoples faces as I am fishing shallow water 2-3 ft deep from the bow or the swim platform on my boat as glide in and out of the reeds.

 

[capt]

I spent too much getting my boat setup to surf. So I gotta wait a bit for the trolling motor!

 

[JB Nonamé]

My son and I want to do a lot of fishing this year in Candlewood Lake in CT. I have a 242 limited SE. does anyone have a trolling motor? I just added the cobras so maybe that helps. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Hey Krod,
I have the same boat and my son and I tried fishing from it (inland-river)...it was work! Strong current, steady wind...couldn't get situated for long without needing to fire up and move the boat. We don't have a trolling motor equipped, that would definitely have helped! I ended up watching him fish while I worked the helm and/or the anchor.

That frustration led to me owning two boats...found a cheap used Tracker on facebook. Didn't plan to do that, but it has worked out well and I don't have to worry about getting the Yamaha dirty from fishing.

That said, I've seen alot of folks on here with trolling motors and it seems to work well for them. I just wasn't interested in putting that on the 242. Let us know what you end up with and post pics if you can!

 

[KrodWhodat]

Hey Krod,
I have the same boat and my son and I tried fishing from it (inland-river)...it was work! Strong current, steady wind...couldn't get situated for long without needing to fire up and move the boat. We don't have a trolling motor equipped, that would definitely have helped! I ended up watching him fish while I worked the helm and/or the anchor.

That frustration led to me owning two boats...found a cheap used Tracker on facebook. Didn't plan to do that, but it has worked out well and I don't have to worry about getting the Yamaha dirty from fishing.

That said, I've seen alot of folks on here with trolling motors and it seems to work well for them. I just wasn't interested in putting that on the 242. Let us know what you end up with and post pics if you can!

This is where I am. I’ll probably just idle along while he fishes. Let him have a good time. It’s father son bonding regardless

 

[HangOutdoors]

This is where I am. I’ll probably just idle along while he fishes. Let him have a good time. It’s father son bonding regardless

We tried that on multiple occasions and it wasn't great at all. The kids didn't enjoy it, nor did I. Helping them, navigating the boat, the sound of engines as well as not being able to be on the swim platform because of the potential of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Starting and stopping and checking that all the fishing line was out behind the boat not getting sucked up into the intake. Also putting hours on the engines as well.

When there is a current, as in some of the bigger rivers we are in, once there is a line foul or the kids hook something up I have to be sensitive to where I am at where I am going to drift, boats moving around me, etc. With the Minn Kota "Spot Lock" I can press a button and the boat will sit right there while I tend to everything. These are my thoughts of course.

It worked fine while trolling in certain water though. I just want a better experience and figure if I have this much into a 47k+ boat (which is on the low end of what the larger or nicer trim level Yamaha's cost) it should be able to allow me/us to fish well. At least that is the journey I am on right now. Few more days and I will be working on the mounting positions.

I wanted the FSH but got out voted unanimously so this is the direction I am trying.

 

[biffdotorg]

We tried that on multiple occasions and it wasn't great at all. The kids didn't enjoy it, nor did I. Helping them, navigating the boat, the sound of engines as well as not being able to be on the swim platform because of the potential of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Starting and stopping and checking that all the fishing line was out behind the boat not getting sucked up into the intake. Also putting hours on the engines as well.

When there is a current, as in some of the bigger rivers we are in, once there is a line foul or the kids hook something up I have to be sensitive to where I am at where I am going to drift, boats moving around me, etc. With the Minn Kota "Spot Lock" I can press a button and the boat will sit right there while I tend to everything. These are my thoughts of course.

It worked fine while trolling in certain water though. I just want a better experience and figure if I have this much into a 47k+ boat (which is on the low end of what the larger or nicer trim level Yamaha's cost) it should be able to allow me/us to fish well. At least that is the journey I am on right now. Few more days and I will be working on the mounting positions.

I wanted the FSH but got out voted unanimously so this is the direction I am trying.

Did you see this one from a few years back on the other board:

Yamaha Jet Boaters • View topic - Trolling Motor Installed on 2018 AR240

It's one of the nicest installs of a bow mount on one of our boats. The issue I have, is the motor I would want to buy, 24v MinnKota would cost as much as a cheap used Lund fishing boat and motor. HA!

 

[HangOutdoors]

Yes. My trolling motor was 1700 for the Minn Kota. Cant tow two boats though when heading out of town.

 

[marcham]

We did some casting off the ar195 last year , it worked well.

We're kicking it up a notch this summer. I'm almost done installing a downrigger and have 2 rod holders on the tower... ready for salmon season when it re-opens in June.

I plan on securing a large cooler (120 qt) to the lower swim deck.

I'd like to try halibut fishing as well but I'm concerned about damaging the upholstery...

 

[HangOutdoors]

@marcham I have a large cooler as well think it is about that size we used to drop Salmon into in the bed of my truck. It is somewhere need to find it maybe in storage. Planning on doing the same thing on the swim deck.

I was casting a bit last year, but as the wind would push the boat around it was annoying me. I wanted to add one downrigger but will start the season without and see how it goes. It looks like the downrigger mods are fairly straight forward. Need to put the brakes on mod spending for a while.

Right now in the St. Clair River they are hooking into Steelhead, Salmon and Walleyes pretty solid. I am getting edgy waiting to get out. I am hoping I can finish everything up by the end of the weekend.

 

[Wisefam22]

@Scuba_ref where do you live? What setup is best for trolling kings? Are you trolling over edge of reef?

 

[Scuba_ref]

I moved to Kailua Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii almost 2 years ago. Put the boat on an aluminum trailer and shipped it over - I couldn't find a decent boat I liked at a price I wanted to pay here. I spoke with @rkim808 about bringing it and he said do it. I don't regret it at all.

The 200 to 400 foot depth is called the Ono lane here in Kona. I use navionics to keep me meandering about at that depth between 9 and 11 mph. When my PerfectPass was working that was awesome, I would set the cruise (basically wake surf speed) and go.

I'm also looking at options for sonar to make me a little less blind out there!

The one of the first times out I hooked something so large that it tore the plastic rod holder right off of my downrigger mount and the ocean swallowed my brand new $600 rod/reel trolling setup. Have since moved to all metal holders and leashes attaching the rod/reel to the boat.

 

[Scuba_ref]

@Scuba_ref where do you live? What setup is best for trolling kings? Are you trolling over edge of reef?

I never addressed the setup portion of your comment:

I troll three rods all lures, no bait.
Middle rod out of a rod holder in a table leg on the swim platform. That lure goes out the farthest, about 200 feet or so behind the boat and is a diving lure that can get about 30 feet down.
Port rod out of a rod holder on the wakeboard tower. That lure goes back between 125 to 150 feet, it is also a diving lure, just not as deep.
Starboard rod also out of a rod holder on the tower. That one gets a squid skirt and only goes back as far as the second wake wave, maybe 50 feet or so at my trolling speed.

I found that setup on YouTube and it was being used on the one charter I went on and by two fishing charter captains that I play tennis with!

I'd really like to figure out some light tackle bottom fishing - that is way more fun for people as it is more interactive! But the Ono taste so good and are a thrill to bring in!

 

[rkim808]

I moved to Kailua Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii almost 2 years ago. Put the boat on an aluminum trailer and shipped it over - I couldn't find a decent boat I liked at a price I wanted to pay here. I spoke with @rkim808 about bringing it and he said do it. I don't regret it at all.

The 200 to 400 foot depth is called the Ono lane here in Kona. I use navionics to keep me meandering about at that depth between 9 and 11 mph. When my PerfectPass was working that was awesome, I would set the cruise (basically wake surf speed) and go.

I'm also looking at options for sonar to make me a little less blind out there!

The one of the first times out I hooked something so large that it tore the plastic rod holder right off of my downrigger mount and the ocean swallowed my brand new $600 rod/reel trolling setup. Have since moved to all metal holders and leashes attaching the rod/reel to the boat.

Aloha Brother,

Go Gettum, Cheeeeeehuu!??

 

[rkim808]

I never addressed the setup portion of your comment:

I troll three rods all lures, no bait.
Middle rod out of a rod holder in a table leg on the swim platform. That lure goes out the farthest, about 200 feet or so behind the boat and is a diving lure that can get about 30 feet down.
Port rod out of a rod holder on the wakeboard tower. That lure goes back between 125 to 150 feet, it is also a diving lure, just not as deep.
Starboard rod also out of a rod holder on the tower. That one gets a squid skirt and only goes back as far as the second wake wave, maybe 50 feet or so at my trolling speed.

I found that setup on YouTube and it was being used on the one charter I went on and by two fishing charter captains that I play tennis with!

I'd really like to figure out some light tackle bottom fishing - that is way more fun for people as it is more interactive! But the Ono taste so good and are a thrill to bring in!

Call me Brother, I can help you with the light tackle stuff and for Bottom and jig action.??

 

[dadofral]

My kids use ours to fish all the time, but no trolling motor.....they usually drop anchor or just float and the move the boat around if they need to.

 

[Scuba_ref]

Call me Brother, I can help you with the light tackle stuff and for Bottom and jig action.??

Mahalo, I will!