Great Lakes - 20 ft center console on Lake Erie ?

Starting to think about a new boat. It's been 2 1/2 yrs since I sold my last Erie boat (a Grady White 226 walk around). I've always had a cuddy boat for Erie and I have a little 16 ft side console I use for the local waters.

But now I want to own just one boat. I want something that I could launch and load myself on the local Pittsburgh ramps (which generally suck) and also take out on Erie for smallmouth or perch (my two favorite species to fish for on Erie) when the weather's nice. Maybe even run out a little deeper if / when the weather's nice. I guess I'm looking for the closest thing I can get to the best all 'round "do it all" kind of boat. The more I think about it, a 20 ft center console seems to be the best compromise. Perhaps maybe a 20 ft dual console. No less than 18 degree deadrise (preferably 20 degrees), self bailing, and a decent amount of freeboard. For instance, a Grady 20 foot center console.

What's everyone's thoughts, opinions of 20 ft center, or dual console on Lake Erie?

I have taken a few waves over the bow in all my years of Erie fishing, but I also used to chance going out when the weather's marginal. I wouldn't foresee myself doing that anymore. Lol, getting too old for that crap.

I'm in Cleveland and I have a 1993 21' Pursuit walk around. It's trailerable with plenty of freeboard and self bails. The cuddy cabin can sleep two and has a portable toilet. The cuddy does sacrifice some forward fishing room, but the aft area is quite roomy. I like the fact I can go to the islands (PIB or Kelleys) for an overnighter plus I can keep my gear stowed on the boat in the cuddy. Gradys are also good Lake Erie boats.

Be careful guys, I have a 36 ft. Trojan and the Lake can give me trouble, and I do watch the weather.

I have a 2003 25' Proline center console for sale that I use on Lake Erie. Plenty of boat for Erie and plenty of room for family outings on the river. I load and unload it myself not as easy as a little bass boat but still not difficult.

I'm in Cleveland and I have a 1993 21' Pursuit walk around. It's trailerable with plenty of freeboard and self bails. The cuddy cabin can sleep two and has a portable toilet. The cuddy does sacrifice some forward fishing room, but the aft area is quite roomy. I like the fact I can go to the islands (PIB or Kelleys) for an overnighter plus I can keep my gear stowed on the boat in the cuddy. Gradys are also good Lake Erie boats.

Yeah, I did like the cuddy for being able to stow my gear and lock it up on the occaisions that I would rent a transient slip. But I'm probably going to be doing Erie trips less than I did in the past (It's 145 mile drive one way). Locally, a cuddy would be more of a hinderance. I was in Baltimore for a wedding last weekend, and the day after, I stopped at the Bass Pro Shops down there. They had a 21ft Mako CC that had some nice storage in the console, and even extended under the floor in front of the console. I could lock my rods and downriggers in that space. But I'm not looking to buy new.

Be careful guys, I have a 36 ft. Trojan and the Lake can give me trouble, and I do watch the weather.

Ditto!
I know SeaTow is not in our area, but their new iPhone app is awesome for providing all weather and marine conditions in one app. You don't have to be a member to use it.

I've been fishing lake erie for the last 7 years or so with an 18' dual console McKee Craft. It has full foam flotation and is much like a whaler. I don't like going out in anything over 3' but have been caught in 4 to 6's before and felt safe. I do have over 20 years experience on the lake though. I've taken it on 40 mile runs to Wheatley for steelhead and ran to the weather buoy off Vermilion from Mazurick's (20 miles).

Just my opinion but I've never been a fan of center consoles for lake erie. You get a good ride due to helm being located further aft but you also have little weather protection ( T top/windshield vs bimini with front and side curtains) and the fact that the helm is further aft, reduces the amount of cockpit space available for trolling.

Lots of good boats in the 20' range but I'd stick with a dual console myself.

I have a Wellcraft 190 Fisherman CC in western L.E. I choose not to chance it going out on a marginal day and so far have not been caught in adverse situations. 1-3 footers are not a problem. It's self baling so I don't worry too much about over the bow waves (which only happen on occasion if I am dropping or pulling anchor standing at the bow). With a little common sense and the fear of getting caught in a wind shift or storm you'll be just fine with a 20 footer. Pick and choose your days.

my first Lake Ontario salmon boat was a 20' center. I loved the boat, but seriously got into some jams once in a while.

I used to keep a close eye on the weather, but like anything else, we would always push our luck.

Hell, you can catch fish in a canoe on the great lakes if you don't mind waiting for the weather to be nice, so the size is always relevant to your comfort and how many days you want to fish.

Here's my biggest complaint on the center though, the lakes are awfully cold, and the wind spray would be a game changer for me. I've had many days where I was the only one having fun because I was behind the little center curtain...

Now that I have a little girl with me most often, no way I'd take her on that thing. It was a guys boat for sure.

I know what you guys mean about the lack of weather protection on a center console. But I have seen some pretty nice canvas configurations on center console boats with T tops. Enclosures that would seem to keep the wind and spray off you even on a center console. Granted, it'd probably cost one or two grand to get something like that custom made at a canvas shop.

My biggest concern with the CC (or dual console) is the safety factor. Specifically, not having a closed bow for a wave to break over. I've been running my own boat on lake erie for 16 yrs. In that time, I did have a wave break over the bow twice (it was on different days). But I used to go out in weather that was somewhat marginal.

I know what you guys mean about the lack of weather protection on a center console. But I have seen some pretty nice canvas configurations on center console boats with T tops. Enclosures that would seem to keep the wind and spray off you even on a center console. Granted, it'd probably cost one or two grand to get something like that custom made at a canvas shop.

My biggest concern with the CC (or dual console) is the safety factor. Specifically, not having a closed bow for a wave to break over. I've been running my own boat on lake erie for 16 yrs. In that time, I did have a wave break over the bow twice (it was on different days). But I used to go out in weather that was somewhat marginal.

Where do you put in in PGH? Southside?

Where do you put in in PGH? Southside?

Harmarville, on the Allegheny river. Just below lock #3. I live in Plum Boro and can be launching at that ramp about 20 minutes after I leave my driveway. Right now, I'm just using a 16 ft Starcraft side console.

I haven't launched at the southside ramp since the mid-90s when I had my 18 ft Starcraft Islander. But after I sold my Islander, I bought a couple 22 ft cuddy's back to back (a 22 ft Proline, then a 22 ft Grady) that I only kept (and used) at Erie. I never felt comfortable launching those boats at the rivers, plus it was too much hassle (and expense) towing then back and forth, to / from Erie.

The southside ramp is pretty nice from what I remember of it. From what I recall, it can get crowded on the weekends. The ramps on the Allegheny aren't too good. They're very steep, and they don't have the docks in for most of the year.

Harmarville, on the Allegheny river. Just below lock #3. I live in Plum Boro and can be launching at that ramp about 20 minutes after I leave my driveway. Right now, I'm just using a 16 ft Starcraft side console.

I haven't launched at the southside ramp since the mid-90s when I had my 18 ft Starcraft Islander. But after I sold my Islander, I bought a couple 22 ft cuddy's back to back (a 22 ft Proline, then a 22 ft Grady) that I only kept (and used) at Erie. I never felt comfortable launching those boats at the rivers, plus it was too much hassle (and expense) towing then back and forth, to / from Erie.

The southside ramp is pretty nice from what I remember of it. From what I recall, it can get crowded on the weekends. The ramps on the Allegheny aren't too good. They're very steep, and they don't have the docks in for most of the year.

I used to have a 191 Islander i used on Erie. Went out of Walnut Creek and North East ( Safe Harbor) There were times i didn't think the boat was coming back down off the top of the wave.

I ran walleye charters on Erie for years until the late 90s. Best boat for that was a 24' cuddy. Chartered on good days and filled the freezer on 6 footer days. If rarely or never taking water over the bow (I've had it coming over 3 sides more than once) you are not on Erie very often or out far enough to catch 6 to 8 limits of walleye. Since I moved to SE NC I bought a CC- a 17' that I'll take out in the Atlantic 20 miles. Would never do that with her on Erie!

I have had no problems with mine. I don't go out when it is rough - anything more than 2' and I go to work instead. The couple times I had to make a short run across from the Peace Bridge to the Small Boat Harbor in difficult conditions the boat did fine. I primarily fish for smallies though - and I really like the casting deck up front for early season. The rear deck is still fishable with the T-Top but casting is a bit more difficult. I do troll a few times each year for Salmon on Ontario - if I was doing that more I'd have a cuddy for sure.

I ran walleye charters on Erie for years until the late 90s. Best boat for that was a 24' cuddy. Chartered on good days and filled the freezer on 6 footer days. If rarely or never taking water over the bow (I've had it coming over 3 sides more than once) you are not on Erie very often or out far enough to catch 6 to 8 limits of walleye. Since I moved to SE NC I bought a CC- a 17' that I'll take out in the Atlantic 20 miles. Would never do that with her on Erie!

Try and tell that to a Fla fisherman. They think they have all the bad water.

Unless you are willing to fish in hunting gear center consoles are good for about 8 weeks a year max up here IMO.

Try and tell that to a Fla fisherman. They think they have all the bad water.

I fished Lake Erie for a long time and ran a charter boat there for 9 years. I've put more time on the Atlantic because the season is longer and she is much less troublesome. Erie can go from glat to 6' in 30 minutes or less. There will be 2 crashing 6' whitecaps under a 24' boat. In the Atlantic there is more warning and more time to react to a coming storm-- 6' are often rollers and 4 - 8 seconds apart. I usually started fishing 33 miles out of Geneva Oh in a 24' or 26' boat. That is big enough to hit the Stream at 60 - 65 miles on the Atlantic and fish overnight. My 17' goes out 18 - 20 miles now and I know better than to take it more than 1 - 3 on Erie.

Unless you are willing to fish in hunting gear center consoles are good for about 8 weeks a year max up here IMO.
I tried both center consoles and fully enclosed walk arounds before purchasing. I bought the walk around and extended my seasons by months. C/C's are great but are more for the warmer climates. Been out in some pretty chilly weather the last few weekends and would never know it. That on top of like the other poster said how rough and nasty it can get here would make me consider a different style like a W/A for fishing. alot of people really who have not been on erie do not understand how nasty it gets and how hard it is to navigate the nasty close waves. My grandfather worked for a shipping company years ago in the port of cleveland and said many of the saltie and laker captains would much rather navigate on the ocean than erie for the very fact of how close the waves were together, making it tough for navigation. Therefore, consider that and consider something with protection from the elements.

I have a 20 foot dual console and although I love the boat it has its drawbacks both as a pure fishing boat and it’s a little small for the great lakes. I’d go with the CC for just fishing and I’d say at least a 22 footer.

I fished Lake Erie for a long time and ran a charter boat there for 9 years. I've put more time on the Atlantic because the season is longer and she is much less troublesome. Erie can go from glat to 6' in 30 minutes or less. There will be 2 crashing 6' whitecaps under a 24' boat. In the Atlantic there is more warning and more time to react to a coming storm-- 6' are often rollers and 4 - 8 seconds apart. I usually started fishing 33 miles out of Geneva Oh in a 24' or 26' boat. That is big enough to hit the Stream at 60 - 65 miles on the Atlantic and fish overnight. My 17' goes out 18 - 20 miles now and I know better than to take it more than 1 - 3 on Erie.

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I fished Lake Erie for a long time and ran a charter boat there for 9 years. I've put more time on the Atlantic because the season is longer and she is much less troublesome. Erie can go from glat to 6' in 30 minutes or less. There will be 2 crashing 6' whitecaps under a 24' boat. In the Atlantic there is more warning and more time to react to a coming storm-- 6' are often rollers and 4 - 8 seconds apart. I usually started fishing 33 miles out of Geneva Oh in a 24' or 26' boat. That is big enough to hit the Stream at 60 - 65 miles on the Atlantic and fish overnight. My 17' goes out 18 - 20 miles now and I know better than to take it more than 1 - 3 on Erie.

33 miles out of Geneva Oh. Hope you weren't due north, that'd be a good 10 miles or so into Canada, right?

I used to fish out of Geneva OH alot. Used to keep my boat on it's trailer in the boat storage facility at Indian Creek camping resort. My family used to love to go there.

Yeah, I've been away from Erie fishing the past couple years so I'm starting to forget how uncomfortable it can get in May. Though I'll never forget how rough that lake can get. As many days as I have run off shore for Walleye (sometimes 15 to 20 miles out), the worst weather situations I have encountered were near shore, between Erie and Northeast, PA, with a strong wind coming out of the west.

I really do want something that is not too big. But I'm starting to refine / adjust what I'm leaning towards in the way of a boat. Now I'm starting to think a small walkaround might be best. Something 20 foot perhaps. Aquasport made a 215 Exlporer walkaround that I always thought was a nicely designed boat (though I've never been on one or seen one first hand). Proline makes (or at least made) a 20 ft walkaround that also seems to be what I have in mind.

I've been fishing on Erie for 30 yrs, about 1/2 that time out of a boat of my own, so I know you can never have too big a boat on Erie, and that Erie can get really nasty, real fast. I'm just trying to arrive at a best compromise for a boat that I'll only be using on Erie sometime, but I could use locally as well. And perhaps even tow with something one step down from what I have today (ie. a Nissan Titan).

Lol, if only someone would invent the perfect boat.

27 miles due north of geneva is the line. i run a ranger 621 i fish inland and anywhere on the lake! its easy to load and unload myself. erie is a beast and ive been out in some nasty stuff and thats why i had to buy one of the best boats in rough water..best part u can kick on the ap and fish all by yourself!

27 miles due north of geneva is the line. i run a ranger 621 i fish inland and anywhere on the lake! its easy to load and unload myself. erie is a beast and ive been out in some nasty stuff and thats why i had to buy one of the best boats in rough water..best part u can kick on the ap and fish all by yourself!

What's the roughest water you've ever seen in that Ranger and how well did it handle it?

So far my Triton 220 LTS is doing the job on Lake Erie. I've been out 6 or 7 times. I think a bay boat like that is a very good fit. Handles shallow water and although it hasn't been in real nasty weather yet, 2'/3' chop is nothing. Love the way it rides and I put it on and take it off the trailer by myself. I've fished Lake Erie for 30 plus years as well. I'm all done pushing it on rough weather days.

Unless you are willing to fish in hunting gear center consoles are good for about 8 weeks a year max up here IMO.
This is so far from the truth, you must not have one. I have fished a center console for the last 4 years and granted you have to bundle up in March till about the middle of May. After that you are fine till the middle of October. Although I do not dress any different than I did when I had a cuddy. The only issue I have had fishing a center console is getting out of the rain.

This is so far from the truth, you must not have one. I have fished a center console for the last 4 years and granted you have to bundle up in March till about the middle of May. After that you are fine till the middle of October. Although I do not dress any different than I did when I had a cuddy. The only issue I have had fishing a center console is getting out of the rain.

How does it do in rough water as far as shedding it compared to an enclosed type of boat with no open bow. I'll bet it's wet? I always wondered how a Yellowfin would do.

What's the roughest water you've ever seen in that Ranger and how well did it handle it?

so far in this boat ive seen 3-4's and done 35-40mph not the most comfortable way to ride the waves but it will handle it! my buddy had a 25ft fountain cc that we fished all last year in tourneys and that boat would go in anything!! u will always have the water that gets to the point of not fishable but saftey wise always come into play. even though im low to the water in the ranger i dont feel unsafe its nice and wide which makes up for being low

No - not dead north- I ended up about 3 miles inside US waters. From that point I zig-zagged toward shore until fish were found. two lines were out for every license on the boat. Downriggers, planer boards, Dipsey Divers, and flatlines. Some had a 3-way so two lures were fished per line. Once fish were found like lures were used as much as possible and ran through the school over again.

33 miles out of Geneva Oh. Hope you weren't due north, that'd be a good 10 miles or so into Canada, right?

I used to fish out of Geneva OH alot. Used to keep my boat on it's trailer in the boat storage facility at Indian Creek camping resort. My family used to love to go there.

Yeah, I've been away from Erie fishing the past couple years so I'm starting to forget how uncomfortable it can get in May. Though I'll never forget how rough that lake can get. As many days as I have run off shore for Walleye (sometimes 15 to 20 miles out), the worst weather situations I have encountered were near shore, between Erie and Northeast, PA, with a strong wind coming out of the west.

I really do want something that is not too big. But I'm starting to refine / adjust what I'm leaning towards in the way of a boat. Now I'm starting to think a small walkaround might be best. Something 20 foot perhaps. Aquasport made a 215 Exlporer walkaround that I always thought was a nicely designed boat (though I've never been on one or seen one first hand). Proline makes (or at least made) a 20 ft walkaround that also seems to be what I have in mind.

I've been fishing on Erie for 30 yrs, about 1/2 that time out of a boat of my own, so I know you can never have too big a boat on Erie, and that Erie can get really nasty, real fast. I'm just trying to arrive at a best compromise for a boat that I'll only be using on Erie sometime, but I could use locally as well. And perhaps even tow with something one step down from what I have today (ie. a Nissan Titan).

Lol, if only someone would invent the perfect boat.

Most boats will handle more than the lake will be fishable. Once Erie builds to 6' my boat was fine but the fishing not so much. Besides- the 1st mate had to work too hard to remain safe working the net and etc. Clients did nothing but crank at 4' if they were not chumming over the gunnel.

so far in this boat ive seen 3-4's and done 35-40mph not the most comfortable way to ride the waves but it will handle it! my buddy had a 25ft fountain cc that we fished all last year in tourneys and that boat would go in anything!! u will always have the water that gets to the point of not fishable but saftey wise always come into play. even though im low to the water in the ranger i dont feel unsafe its nice and wide which makes up for being low

How does it do in rough water as far as shedding it compared to an enclosed type of boat with no open bow. I'll bet it's wet? I always wondered how a Yellowfin would do.
The CC I have throws the water away and down from the bow. When it got rough I would trim the bow up a little bit and it would keep me dry. The only water I took over the bow was wind driven when running into the wind. Rain is really the only issue I have with the boat and I usually don't go out in the rain.

so far in this boat ive seen 3-4's and done 35-40mph

in THIS boat?
http://www.rangerboats.com/models.cfm?gid=35&mid=6566

Please.

I fish Lake Erie from my Kencraft Challenger 215. It's a 21.5' CC with a closed transom and bracket but she fishes/rides more like a 23 footer.
I was out this past Sat. with 3 other guys on my boat trolling north of Niagara Reef in 4 to 5 footers from a N.E. wind. We quit at 1:30 in easy 5 to 6's with a few 8's in the mix now and then. Made the 9 mile run back in to Catawba no problem.
My curtain enclosure saved the day or we would have been like drowned rats by the time we got back. Curtains are a MUST for a CC on Lake Erie.

in THIS boat?
http://www.rangerboats.com/models.cfm?gid=35&mid=6566

Please.

u think i have nothing better to do than lie about it come on now.. heres some others that felt they should lie too http://www.fishingbuddy.com/621_ranger_good_or_bad?app_p=2

BS meter pegged

in THIS boat?
http://www.rangerboats.com/models.cfm?gid=35&mid=6566

Please.
You have obviously never been in a Ranger 620 or 621. Incredible performing boat and ride. They will eat up the nasty stuff. There's a reason the pros fish from them.

Not a big fan of the ranger. I have been on them and they do fish great are a great platform for fishing but are terrible for protection from the elements. They have a good V if you buy a deep V but no protection. Most of the pros have them bc somewhere down the line they have an agreement with them to use them. Either through a pay to play option or full out sponsor. Can they tear, oh yes! Do I want to be on one when I am trolling the junk you were in the other day Reel Time, Heck No. The back end of those things are right at the waters edge. Great for lake of the woods but not Erie. They make it on erie but not like a good center console or walkaround.

How many years ago was it when the Bass Tournament was held and all those bass boats sunk and some fisherman died? ( Rough Water)

There were not eight foot waves in the western basin of Lake Erie last Saturday and a Ranger will not cruise at 35 mph in 3 to 4 foot waves.

I don't know if there were 8's last Saturday but it wasn't pretty out there that's for sure. It kept me in for the weekend.

There were not eight foot waves in the western basin of Lake Erie last Saturday and a Ranger will not cruise at 35 mph in 3 to 4 foot waves.Very tactful reply forddeal and you gave great info. to back up your statements.:roll

I didn't get out a tape measure and actually check the waves but I was 9 miles out in the middle of them...were you? I said they were 5 to 6's with a few 8's.

How many years ago was it when the Bass Tournament was held and all those bass boats sunk and some fisherman died? ( Rough Water)

I remember when that happened. I don't recall which year though.

Back in '08, I launched at either Geneva-on-the-lake State park, or ARE (in Ashtabula) and was heading due north in solid 2 to 4's, with an occaisional 5 footer. I was in my Grady 226, which rode pretty good for a boat that size, doing around 18 mph. The sun hadn't quite come up over the horizon, but it was getting light. Over my shoulder and out of the corner of my eye, I saw a black silouette of what looked like a missle skimming over the waves, running parallel to us off to the starboard side. It seemed to be traveling twice our speed. It was Contender. Roughly about 28 to 30 ft long. Man that thing was just skimming across the top of the waves as smooth as could be. It was a very impressive sight.

Very tactful reply forddeal and you gave great info. to back up your statements.:roll

I didn't get out a tape measure and actually check the waves but I was 9 miles out in the middle of them...were you? I said they were 5 to 6's with a few 8's.

I was out there saturday and I even had my dog with me, measure your waves vertically and not the entire length. I do like your boat though.

so far in this boat ive seen 3-4's and done 35-40mph not the most comfortable way to ride the waves but it will handle it! my buddy had a 25ft fountain cc that we fished all last year in tourneys and that boat would go in anything!! u will always have the water that gets to the point of not fishable but saftey wise always come into play. even though im low to the water in the ranger i dont feel unsafe its nice and wide which makes up for being low

Sorry, but no 20ft boat is going 35-40mph in lake Erie 3-4ft. waves

Sorry, but no 20ft boat is going 35-40mph in lake Erie 3-4ft. waves
The Jet Express can.:grin:

You have obviously never been in a Ranger 620 or 621. Incredible performing boat and ride. They will eat up the nasty stuff. There's a reason the pros fish from them.

True.
But I have been on a 28 Carolina Classic. I ran one for 4 years.
You could not run a 28 Carolina at 35 knots in lake Erie 3-4 footers, so I am pretty sure you could not run a 20 foot bass boat in those conditions. :grin:

I have a 31' Contender and I know I can run 35 to 40 mph in 3 to 5 footers with out a problem that is what is was built to do. I really doubt that a 20' Ranger will be able to run with me, but pass me. Yea, when pigs fly. Ranger makes one hell of a boat but, it is not an offshore boat.

True.
But I have been on a 28 Carolina Classic. I ran one for 4 years.
You could not run a 28 Carolina at 35 knots in lake Erie 3-4 footers, so I am pretty sure you could not run a 20 foot bass boat in those conditions. :grin:
I don't doubt you but don't get the Ranger 621 confused with a bass boat. It is a much deeper hull than a bass boat.

kinda depends somewhat on the DIRECTION you are running ( into them, trough etc) but yes , a Ranger 621 walleye boat (not a bass boat) will run 35 mph or more in 3 to 4's. Been on one....not my cup of tea but they will do it.

Fascinating, Ranger boats has done what none of the other manufacturers have been able to accomplish by building a short fat boat that defies all laws of physics. Contender, Yellowfin, and Carolina Classic will have to get on the ball and splash the hulls of these inland lake phenoms. I am not a full time physicist.

That was between '93 and '96. My charter boat was a CG Operational Vessel and I belonged to the Aux. I was returning to shore when the call went out of people in the water. By the time I arrived everyone was out of the water and no lives were lost. Bass boats were everywhere on/in the water and shore. A lot of fools beginning with the organizer of the bass tourney, then everyone that took a bass boat beyond Presque Isle inlet. The smartest of the bunch were those that ran their expensive boat bass aground on shore when it got bad. We towed boats to keep them from the rocks and shore-- the rest they picked up later.

With fast walleye limits I would often go (out of Geneva) toward the nuke station- not as far as the discharge and troll bass on Hot N Tots. Troll near- not over the boulders and it was steady action. Boring but the clients enjoyed it.


How many years ago was it when the Bass Tournament was held and all those bass boats sunk and some fisherman died? ( Rough Water)

I'm surprised to hear some of you guys still use Hot n Tots for walleye on Erie. I haven't used them in years on Erie. The last time I remember using Hot n Tots was the last time we fished out of Port Clinton, and that was many years back. Since then, I've only fished as far west as Geneva-on-the-lake, or as far east as the east mountain (northeast of Presque Isle, PA) and only used crawler harnesses, spoons, or (out on my planer board lines) deep diving bomber long As.

I still have a bunch of Hot n Tots though. Just dragged a few on the Allegheny this past Sunday afternoon (only picked up one Sauger). Hot n Tots and Bagleys Killer B2s (the deeper diver) have always been my favorite crank baits. You can really crush the smallmouth on Erie with the Bagleys Killer B2s (Bill Nornam Deep Ns work every bit as good though). Used to catch alot of Walleyes on Pymatuming with Hot n Tots. Roughly 10 years ago (give or take a year or two) when they were going to quit making the original Storm Hot n Tot, I started to panic buy. Bought a bunch of my favorite color (Fire Tiger) and a bunch of others as well. Probably bought 50 to 100 Hot n Tots at that time. One of my other favorite colors is gold with a flouresnt orange back. Could only find them on ebay. They were going for $11.99. Lol, yes, I bought several at that price. What can I say, I got a fishing problem.

I did not use Hot N Tots for walleye. Strictly for bass over the boulders near shore. I used (remember this was until '96) Bomber Long As, spoons, and crawler harnesses mostly. Most lines had a 3 way-- Long A on a longer 8' leader and a spoon or harness on a 5 1/2' leader. The lure would be lower in the water column than what was on the short leader. I ran the set off riggers, Dipsey Divers, planer boards, and flatlines. That gave the fish multiple choices of bait and the entire water column could be searched for fish.


I'm surprised to hear some of you guys still use Hot n Tots for walleye on Erie. I haven't used them in years on Erie. The last time I remember using Hot n Tots was the last time we fished out of Port Clinton, and that was many years back. Since then, I've only fished as far west as Geneva-on-the-lake, or as far east as the east mountain (northeast of Presque Isle, PA) and only used crawler harnesses, spoons, or (out on my planer board lines) deep diving bomber long As.

I still have a bunch of Hot n Tots though. Just dragged a few on the Allegheny this past Sunday afternoon (only picked up one Sauger). Hot n Tots and Bagleys Killer B2s (the deeper diver) have always been my favorite crank baits. You can really crush the smallmouth on Erie with the Bagleys Killer B2s (Bill Nornam Deep Ns work every bit as good though). Used to catch alot of Walleyes on Pymatuming with Hot n Tots. Roughly 10 years ago (give or take a year or two) when they were going to quit making the original Storm Hot n Tot, I started to panic buy. Bought a bunch of my favorite color (Fire Tiger) and a bunch of others as well. Probably bought 50 to 100 Hot n Tots at that time. One of my other favorite colors is gold with a flouresnt orange back. Could only find them on ebay. They were going for $11.99. Lol, yes, I bought several at that price. What can I say, I got a fishing problem.

This hull strikes me as one that should perform well on Erie while still being within the 19 to 21 ft range I'm looking for:

http://www.thehulltruth.com/boats-sale-wanted/412143-1999-20-hydrasport-vector-2000cc.html

Too bad that one's no longer for sale. I think it would be that "all 'round" boat I'm looking for. Not too big to take out locally, yet big enough to handle Erie (choosing my days of course). In particular, I like that it has a 22 degree deadrise. I would think the Kevlar in the hull would be good for local use where it's not unusual to hit floating debris.

Nice big gas tank, head in the console. There's no perfect boat, but if I had to choose one and only one boat that would best suit my needs, I think that 20 ft HS Vector hull might be it. On paper anyway.

Lol, now I just gotta locate one that's for sale.

Meanwhile, I'll be heading up to Erie this weekend with my 16 ft Starcraft in tow. Saturday looks like it's going to be great (conditions wise). I'm going to attempt to launch at Shades Beach (never launched there before, I typically use Lampe). Only heading out into the 25 ft depth. Targeting smallmouth. May smallmouth fishing is probably my favorite fishing there is on Erie.

BTW, thanks for all the replies everyone.

Yep that HS Vector is a great boat. The only thing I have to say is that you lose alot of room with the euro style transom. I went from a 20 foot euro style transom boat to my 21.5 foot full transom w/bracket boat and felt like I gained 3 to 4 feet of boat. Just something to consider. Take a hard look at the Kencrafts. Love mine on Erie. Dusky is another one that would be great.

This would be great on Erie. $15.5K
http://www.thehulltruth.com/boats-sale-wanted/385177-dusky-233-fc.html

Very tactful reply forddeal and you gave great info. to back up your statements.:roll

I didn't get out a tape measure and actually check the waves but I was 9 miles out in the middle of them...were you? I said they were 5 to 6's with a few 8's.

I was out that day as well. Sorry, but the largest waves recorded were in the 4ft range.

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/realtime2/45005.spec

This hull strikes me as one that should perform well on Erie while still being within the 19 to 21 ft range I'm looking for:

http://www.thehulltruth.com/boats-sale-wanted/412143-1999-20-hydrasport-vector-2000cc.html

Too bad that one's no longer for sale. I think it would be that "all 'round" boat I'm looking for. Not too big to take out locally, yet big enough to handle Erie (choosing my days of course). In particular, I like that it has a 22 degree deadrise. I would think the Kevlar in the hull would be good for local use where it's not unusual to hit floating debris.

Nice big gas tank, head in the console. There's no perfect boat, but if I had to choose one and only one boat that would best suit my needs, I think that 20 ft HS Vector hull might be it. On paper anyway.

Lol, now I just gotta locate one that's for sale.

Meanwhile, I'll be heading up to Erie this weekend with my 16 ft Starcraft in tow. Saturday looks like it's going to be great (conditions wise). I'm going to attempt to launch at Shades Beach (never launched there before, I typically use Lampe). Only heading out into the 25 ft depth. Targeting smallmouth. May smallmouth fishing is probably my favorite fishing there is on Erie.

BTW, thanks for all the replies everyone.Have you seen this one?
http://www.thehulltruth.com/boats-sale-wanted/424537-1999-hydra-sports-vector-2250-all-gear.html

I was out that day as well. Sorry, but the largest waves recorded were in the 4ft range.

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/realtime2/45005.specWhatever you want to call it is fine. NOAA buoy uses median water level.
Most guys on Erie calculate the bouy wave height measurements by multiplying by 1.5 x 'posted wave height' to determine approximate crest to trough height.

Have you seen this one?
http://www.thehulltruth.com/boats-sale-wanted/424537-1999-hydra-sports-vector-2250-all-gear.html

Thanks OHB. But that's just a little bigger than what I'm looking for. I'm also looking for something without a bow pulpit.

Was out on Lake Erie on Saturday. I'd estimate the wave height to be a whopping 4 inches. Seriously. Lake was flat. Beautiful day. Lousy fishing though.

Brad1 have you seen this one?

http://www.thehulltruth.com/boats-sale-wanted/333486-2005-challenger-206-a.html