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Author Topic:   Boat for Lake Superior Eastern Shore

tl2926 posted 09-02-2011 01:25 PM ET (US)
I am trying to see if I can purchase one Whaler (maybe a new one) to fit all my fishing needs. The boat will be used up on the Eastern Shore of Lake Superior in Canada. I will need a boat to do some river bait cast fishing for Northern Pike and Muskie. I will also want to use the same boat for trolling the bays of Lake Superior for Walleye, Pike and Salmon.
The needs for the bait casting:
Shallow Draft - Quite a few sand bars and shallow areas.
Trolling Motor mounting - A Minn Kota with I-Pilot is a must!
Pedestal seat fishing - I would want to mount a pedestal seat in the front and hopefully in the back - even if it is aftermarket.
The needs for the bay fishing:
A stable boat to handle the demands that can come from the Great Lakes.
Smoothest ride in the Great Lakes chop and swells.
Rod Holder mounting
Down Rigger mounting
As you can see I can vary my fishing based on the weather, if it is too darn rough out on the lake I can fish the river and on those "nice" days I can fish the bay.
Right now I use 2 boats - one for just river fishing and one for the bay. I would like to get one boat that can "do it all".
Now the big question?
What Whaler do I lean towards?
The Montauk 170 - Is it big enough for the Bay?
The Montauk 190 - Is it too big for the River?
The Dauntless 180 - Not sure it is best suited for the Bay?
The Outrage 190 - Might be the best choice, but is it too big for the River? What about Pedestal seating front and back?
I am leaning towards either the Montauk 190 or the Outrage 190.
Your thoughts or ideas?
You guys got any pictures of your rigs or setups that you might use in a similar fishing environment?
Thanks in advance,
Tim

prj posted 09-05-2011 10:34 AM ET (US)
I suppose that everyone is out in their boat this holiday weekend, thus the lack of replies Tim. Many of us boat and fish with Whalers in the Great Lakes region, so I expect you'll get some good opinions with back-up if you're patient.
I'd recommend an 18 or 22 foot Outrage for your use. I rigged my 18 to fish pretty much just as you've described; with downriggers for Lake Michigan salmon and trout, and with a bow mounted Minn Kota for inland position fishing walleye and musky.
This required some reinforcement of the teak gunnel rodholders to accept the load of a gimble mounted downrigger and a custom fabricated aluminum bow plate to mount a removable trolling motor. I did not install a pedestal seat in the bow, but expect it could be done quite easily by adding a mount to the anchor locker hatch. The boat works perfectly for my purposes on the Great Lakes and inland waters including LOTW.
Downrigger Installation
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/007512.html
Teak Gunnel Reinforcement
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/008509.html
Bow Mounted Trolling Motor
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/015489.html
Good luck and pay attention to my second paragraph in the trolling motor article. I'm not certain if I still feel that way, but its something to consider.
Buckda posted 09-05-2011 06:39 PM ET (US)
I haven't really responded, since you asked about newer boats, and I don't have experience in them, nor do I have a lot of experience with the Eastern Shore (also the windward shore) of this lake. I do know that the shoreline is rocky and fog is often present.
I'd recommend an 18' Outrage with a forward shelter, windshield and flying top so you have some protection from the misty cold. The biggest drawback to the 18' Outrage is that the gunwales are rather low (compared to the 22' Outrage) - and in that cold water, staying in the boat is of utmost importance. I had once considered adding a toe-rail to my 18' Outrage for greater comfort when tending downriggers and lines - especially when fishing solo. I've thought about adding them to my 25 as well.
That said, I do think the 22 may be too big for your inland/river boating needs.
An 18' Outrage with side rails may be the way to go.

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Author	Topic: Boat for Lake Superior Eastern Shore
tl2926	posted 09-02-2011 01:25 PM ET (US) I am trying to see if I can purchase one Whaler (maybe a new one) to fit all my fishing needs. The boat will be used up on the Eastern Shore of Lake Superior in Canada. I will need a boat to do some river bait cast fishing for Northern Pike and Muskie. I will also want to use the same boat for trolling the bays of Lake Superior for Walleye, Pike and Salmon. The needs for the bait casting: Shallow Draft - Quite a few sand bars and shallow areas. Trolling Motor mounting - A Minn Kota with I-Pilot is a must! Pedestal seat fishing - I would want to mount a pedestal seat in the front and hopefully in the back - even if it is aftermarket. The needs for the bay fishing: A stable boat to handle the demands that can come from the Great Lakes. Smoothest ride in the Great Lakes chop and swells. Rod Holder mounting Down Rigger mounting As you can see I can vary my fishing based on the weather, if it is too darn rough out on the lake I can fish the river and on those "nice" days I can fish the bay. Right now I use 2 boats - one for just river fishing and one for the bay. I would like to get one boat that can "do it all". Now the big question? What Whaler do I lean towards? The Montauk 170 - Is it big enough for the Bay? The Montauk 190 - Is it too big for the River? The Dauntless 180 - Not sure it is best suited for the Bay? The Outrage 190 - Might be the best choice, but is it too big for the River? What about Pedestal seating front and back? I am leaning towards either the Montauk 190 or the Outrage 190. Your thoughts or ideas? You guys got any pictures of your rigs or setups that you might use in a similar fishing environment? Thanks in advance, Tim
prj	posted 09-05-2011 10:34 AM ET (US) I suppose that everyone is out in their boat this holiday weekend, thus the lack of replies Tim. Many of us boat and fish with Whalers in the Great Lakes region, so I expect you'll get some good opinions with back-up if you're patient. I'd recommend an 18 or 22 foot Outrage for your use. I rigged my 18 to fish pretty much just as you've described; with downriggers for Lake Michigan salmon and trout, and with a bow mounted Minn Kota for inland position fishing walleye and musky. This required some reinforcement of the teak gunnel rodholders to accept the load of a gimble mounted downrigger and a custom fabricated aluminum bow plate to mount a removable trolling motor. I did not install a pedestal seat in the bow, but expect it could be done quite easily by adding a mount to the anchor locker hatch. The boat works perfectly for my purposes on the Great Lakes and inland waters including LOTW. Downrigger Installation http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/007512.html Teak Gunnel Reinforcement http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/008509.html Bow Mounted Trolling Motor http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/015489.html Good luck and pay attention to my second paragraph in the trolling motor article. I'm not certain if I still feel that way, but its something to consider.
Buckda	posted 09-05-2011 06:39 PM ET (US) I haven't really responded, since you asked about newer boats, and I don't have experience in them, nor do I have a lot of experience with the Eastern Shore (also the windward shore) of this lake. I do know that the shoreline is rocky and fog is often present. I'd recommend an 18' Outrage with a forward shelter, windshield and flying top so you have some protection from the misty cold. The biggest drawback to the 18' Outrage is that the gunwales are rather low (compared to the 22' Outrage) - and in that cold water, staying in the boat is of utmost importance. I had once considered adding a toe-rail to my 18' Outrage for greater comfort when tending downriggers and lines - especially when fishing solo. I've thought about adding them to my 25 as well. That said, I do think the 22 may be too big for your inland/river boating needs. An 18' Outrage with side rails may be the way to go.