Re: fish from bowrider?
Earlier this month, 2 sailors on the back of a destroyer (docked) caught 6 keeper stripers, from the deck 30' above the water. Moral: You can fish from anything!
But the down-side of many bowriders is that the "cockpit" area is crowded already, with no room for a fish box and a bait cooler, rods and tackle, net plus other gear. But you can work around it. Just don't take as many people as you might for just riding around.
One approach is to make the bow one platform, conceptually by laying a piece of plywood across the "knee hole." You then have an open platform area in the bow, and the open area in the stern (if you have an OB).
A lot depends on how your particular boat is outfitted. You want room to move around and to stand up, so it's great if you can remove cushions, side padding, back to back seats, etc. Some consoles are minimal and open (good) and some are like wrap-around (bad).
Growing up we had 2 16' starcraft aluminum bow riders. the cushions on the front seat area were not attached, so we left them home for fishing. Consoles were basic. used to go way out in the mouth of the bay in them trolling for big blues.
I'm not one for pedestal seats, but I think that's a salt water thing. Anyway, you definitely don't need them, even if most of the "fishing" boats in your area have them.
It's good to be able to stand and drive, or sit up on the seat back.
Yes you can use an electric trolling motor in the bay; they are deadly for working bridge pilings and edges, shallow bays, etc. They can be hard to mount on many bow riders or boats with a high bow design, though. The friend of mine who swears by them holds the world (that's WORLD) record for striped bass on a fly rod. However, few people use them, and I don't think they'd be much good for straight line trolling; your OB does fine for that, or a kicker.
Once trolled with a 43' Black Thunder go fast. Neither had a rod holder. I figure as long as I can land a fish on the stern of any vessel....I will fish off it....if allowed. Enjoy!
