What Kind Of Boat For Stockton Lake

[DLM84]

Ok guys I have been thinking, what is the best boat for fishing Stockton lake for me? I have heard some stories from some of the old guys just sitting in a restaurant over hearing them talk about fishing the lake with their old bass boats. Apparently they are all well before they stuffed em with as much foam as they can cram in their. Some thing about not coming off plane till you are in a cove some where or you WILL get swamped. So I wonder should I look for a high walled styled fishing boat for fishing the lakes like Stockton? Is Stockton the only one which has this problem, I know their are sail boats on the bigger ones around the Branson area.

I just want to catch some walleyes, crappie and maybe some bass for fun. Ill probably not be going to the muddy rivers with a boat unless my Uncle wants some company ( he has a john boat) so no worries there. And maybe ski some but most boats have the stuff for towing skiers if you want that so Im not really worried there.

I have read that Aluminum is noisy on the water while fiberglass is quietest. Price seems to fallow those two from cheapest to most expensive too it seems like to me. I have seen plenty of both on the water at stockton so they must be good enough.

So I am just wondering what your experiences are with both and what should I be looking at? A tall sided sort of "trolling" in deep water type or the bass boat type? If bass boat I would be looking at used or perhaps those cheaper variants like the x5 or stratos XT series. If the high waled versions I might be only in the aluminum boats.

So what might work best on the Lakes? :shrug:

[crackleback]

Age and agillity are very important . . . . . the high-platform modern-day bass boats do not allow much room for error in a case where you might lose your balance . . . . . . I've owned many types of fishing boats and at my present age of 65, I have gone back to a Lund medium-sized deep V with a slightly elevated fishing platform up front . . . . I fish most reservoirs withing a 50-mile radius of Springfield . . . . . I would say the open waters of Stockton are the least forgiving of all . . . . . think twice about Stockton if the forecasted winds exceed 15mph . . . . . returning to a Lund at this point in my life has worked out great . . . . . . single console with a 60hp Merc (40mph on plane) . . . . I do not fish tournaments so hole-shots and high speeds are not important . . . . . fish catching has remained constant regardless of style of boat . . . . . . if you choose to go with a fiberglass bass boat, don't get the smallest and cheapest, it will not give you what you need . . . . . . get at lesst an 18 ft with a minimum 90 inch beam . . . . have fun

[Gilly]

Grand children. That was the deciding factor in our latest boat purchase. Having run the full spectrum of boats over the years our latest boat is a 19' Alumacraft w-150 Honda. Not as smooth of a ride as some of the glass ski boats we've had but definitely serves the purpose. And like you said a ski pylon can be put on for the kids. Tows very well and is pretty fuel efficent.

High side walls make it a lot safer than a bass boat but definitely not as 'kool'.

[Walleyedmike]

That's easy...a 2011 Ranger 621! Unless you can't afford 70k for a boat. Seriously, choosing your boat is a very personal decision. I would never dream of dropping any of my hard earned cash on a bass boat. But, a bass boat doesn't fit my style of fishing. For Stockton I would recommend at least an 18' glass or aluminum multi-species boat. A Lund like Crackleback's is a great choice, a Ranger Reata, or Crestliner, or Alumacraft...the list goes on and on. I would target at least a 115HP outboardon an 18 footer. You gotta climb around in some boats, decide how you want to fish and then start looking for the rig you decide will work best for you. I have a Ranger Reata 210. It's a fish and ski boat, but it works great for a weekend fisherman like me. I've had it on Devils Lake ND in 30mph winds, so I think it will handle most days on Stockton. Best of luck, be sure to post pics when you buy your new rig!

WM

[Dutch]

I, like others, have run the gammet on boats on Stockton. Your age, agility and fishing style should play a big part in what you get as well as family if you are married with kids.

I started out in a 16' alum with a 9.9 tiller motor. Now I run a 21' bass boat and there are lots of days that I won't take it to Stockton. When the wind is 20-30 mph it is just too rough for me to have any fun so I choose another lake.

There are lots of choices but for that lake I think bigger is better and safer. I'm not sure I'd want an 18' unless it was a deep V.

[Hunter91]

I run a 20 ft champion, bass and walleye fish out of it. I am never worried about how it handles in rough weather but, as Dutch says, I won't take it out on Stockton either on real windy days. I had a 17 ft G3 before this boat and really watched the wind close as it would not handle as well in the wind. I have a retired friend that I fish with on Stockton that has a Lund and it fishes well also. So, my vote is for what your money situation can provide in preference, comfort and useability.

[Guest csfishinfool]

I have an old 1988 Ranger 374, you can find these around here for around 4000-5000. This is one of the best fishing platforms you will ever find. With a 82 pound trolling motor this boat fishes great. This boat handels really ruff water with ease. I had it on Pickwick a couple years ago and ran into 5-6 foot waves. Just kept it slow and steady, she plowed right through. Rangers hull are the strongest available. The only time you would be worried on Stockton is with a 35-40 mph south wind. And even then it can be done. Plus this lake does get big, but up the rivers there is really no need to be concerned. There is actually a really good deal in Rogersville right now, its a 1991 374 w/ a mariner 175 for 4500 i believe. Check out craigslist.

[Lead Head]

DLM84, I live within sight of Stockton Lake and fish it alot, no matter what the weather. I have an 18 foot Charger Bass boat with a 150 HP motor and there has not been a day I couldn't have fished somewhere on the lake if I thought I had top. If the wind is strong I make my decisions as to where to launch with the wind direction in mind and I don't usually run all over the lake. I dont't think you can go wrong with a fiberglass boat over aluminum unless you plan to tie up somewhere and fish stationary. Every aluminum boat I have been in has been affected by the wind more than my glass boat. There is alot of lake up here and it can be fished from any style of boat if you go to the right places, like up in the rivers or protected coves with the smaller boats or down on the main lake with the bigger boats. Think about how you like to fish and your budget and there is a boat out there that will work for you. Good luck and wear your life jacket.

[kwall]

I used a 1650 Lund with a 40 mariner the past 3years ,worked great on most days.I did however stayed off the lake if the winds got 15 or more for safety and to be frank I don't like fishing when it's windy,I really enjoyed it so much that I have bought a 1775 Lund and just this week installed a Lowance 10 hds structure scan on it ,looking forward to hunting down walleyes this year.

P.S. FYI my 1650 is for sale