Fishing from an Inflatable?

[FishBuilder123]

Hey Guys,
I am in the market for a small boat to fish some small back lakes. Was looking at some inflatables but don't think i can fork over the money for anything in the zodiac range. Was just wondering if anyone had any experience with sevylor type inflatables for fishing. I would use it mostly for trolling but would be nice if I could stand to cast on it ( don't even know if thats possible with these boats)
I was looking at this boat

With this motor

Any ideas how long the minkotta (36 lb thrust) would run with one deep cycle battery, mostly at trolling speed.
Thanks for anyone who can give any input.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Fishing from an Inflatable?

that boat and one person plus some gears, TM, battery, you should get a whole day worth of fishing from a fully charged battery. Coincidentally, I was looking at an inflatable at a flea market couple weeks ago that was exactly the same as the one in the picture. I almost went for it but said no considering all the hassles associates with inflatable. I've seen on the Hank Parker's show where his fished from a kayak looking thing made by Hobie. It has fins underneath and you paddle it like a paddle boat. Don't know how much it is but looks very cool.

 

[FishBuilder123]

Re: Fishing from an Inflatable?

Thanks, that sounds pretty good

 

[esoxlee]

Re: Fishing from an Inflatable?

A buddy and I got the exact same boat about 10 yrs ago and it was a pain to use. First and foremost, it took forever to inflate because of all the seperate compartments. We would take turns pumping air into it and when it was finally inflated, we were exhausted. Deflating would also take forever because of how small the inlets were. And forget about standing up, the floor is too soft especially if it's a warm day. The inability to stand meant serious cramps in your legs. It was like trying to fish in one of those inflatable playgrounds that you see at McDonalds. We stopped using it after only one season. Also bear in mind that in order to use a trolling motor, you'll have to buy a bracket mount which also requires assembly with nuts and bolts. Even with a trolling, the boat is very hard to control on a windy day.

Don't make the same mistake we did. I would suggest 2 alternatives for fishermen on a tight budget.

A no-name brand zodiac that are really low in price. They have floors that you can actually stand on. The one in the jpeg is a 2 person 9 footer that sold for under $500 on flea-bay. I have a 10 footer that I use with both a minn kota and a 6 hp yamaha. They are super stable even with 2 people standing and casting at the same time.


Second, consider getting a float tube (see jpeg ). I also have one and they are amazing especially in water that boats can't access. You can literally sneak up on fish because it is so quiet. The biggest largemouth I ever caught was from a tube. Sitting in it is was like relaxing in a lazyboy recliner.
I paid about $100 for mine. I can remember the first I used my tube, people fishing from boats just stared at me because I looked ridiculous. However, when I started catching lunkers in water that was too shallow for them, they realized the huge advantage I had.

 

[FishBuilder123]

Re: Fishing from an Inflatable?

wow, Thanks for the help, can you transport the rip-off zodiac types without a trailer? (deflate and put in car).

Thanks again

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Fishing from an Inflatable?

Fishbuilder, Check you private messages

 

[esoxlee]

Re: Fishing from an Inflatable?

wow, Thanks for the help, can you transport the rip-off zodiac types without a trailer? (deflate and put in car).

Thanks again

Yes, they fold up and can fit in a hockey sized duffle bag. Easily fits in the trunck with room to spare.

 

[FishBuilder123]

Re: Fishing from an Inflatable?

Thanks alot for the help!

 

[esoxlee]

Re: Fishing from an Inflatable?

Thanks alot for the help!

Don't thank me yet !!!

When I first got my no-name zodiac, I was planning just to use only a 25 - 30 lb thrust minn kota and nothing more. It was slow but it got me around the lake OK and it was great for sneaking up on fish. However, someone lent me a 6 hp yamaha that they were trying to sell. Holy crapola, the boat was flying on the water with just 6 horses. Even with 2 people in the boat, it took just a few seconds for the motor to get the boat up on plane. Seriously, I had to lower my head because of all the bugs slamming into my face and eyes. Keep in mind that the boat is rated for 10 hp so I was seeing only a fraction of the speed that it was capable with the 6 hp.

To make a long story short, I ended buying that yamaha which ended up costing more than the boat.


So if someone wants to lends you 6 to 10 horse outboard, decline or you'll end up buying one.

 

[FishBuilder123]

Re: Fishing from an Inflatable?

How does the 6 hp mulch up those floating carp, lol just kidding, how were the batteries on the minn kota when you ran it without a gas motor on the zodiac type boat(full day of fishing from one charge)?
Thanks again

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Fishing from an Inflatable?

How long you go on a full charge depends on a lot of factors. First it depends on the battery you buy. A group 24 will not last near as long as a group 30. It all has to do with the amp hour rating of the battery, way to much tech stuff for me to try to type on here. Do a web search. It also depends on how much you run at the high speed, into the wind, or in current.


I keep a small boat at a fairly large body of water for electric motors only. I use a 24 volt 80 pound thrust bow mount motor, and a small 37 pound 12 volt on the transom just for insurance in case the other one quits, Needless to say I use my battery's a lot. My experience has been that the AGM battery's last longer and are pretty well bullet proof. A good quality digital "Smart" charger is worth its weight in gold as far as keeping the battery's in tip top shape.

 

[esoxlee]

Re: Fishing from an Inflatable?

How does the 6 hp mulch up those floating carp, lol just kidding, how were the batteries on the minn kota when you ran it without a gas motor on the zodiac type boat(full day of fishing from one charge)?
Thanks again

Using an Endura 30 (30 lb thrust ) on a deep cycle battery rated @ 120 reserve minutes easily lasted a days worth of fishing without using an outboard (average 6 to 8 hours ). At the end of a trip, I think the lowest I've seen the battery level was 1/4 capacity. Bear in mind that we were always within 2 km of our launch point and we were always conservative when engaging the motor. Going to a 160 will give you more range and freedom.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Fishing from an Inflatable?

I get 47mph out of my 8,5ft inflatable ........

 

[BF]

Re: Fishing from an Inflatable?

I've never fished much out of one... but when I was a youngin' friends had a 10' zodiac with a 35 hp on it... we did lots of skiing behind that boat (along with assorted forms of "stupid" things). One thing about them that might be a pain for fishing is how light they are in the front end. It didn't take much of a breeze before it would become quite difficult to keep the nose pointing the direction you want (when you're going slow). For trolling, I'd think more than a few mph of wind would make controlling the boat a PITA. Kinda like if you canoe solo and sit in the back... any breeze grabs the bow and can spin you sideways.

For sheltered small lakes it wouldn't be an issue.. maybe someone with more experience with fishing from them can tell you how much of a problem it is for trolling.

good luck

 

[FishBuilder123]

Re: Fishing from an Inflatable?

I've never fished much out of one... but when I was a youngin' friends had a 10' zodiac with a 35 hp on it... we did lots of skiing behind that boat (along with assorted forms of "stupid" things). One thing about them that might be a pain for fishing is how light they are in the front end. It didn't take much of a breeze before it would become quite difficult to keep the nose pointing the direction you want (when you're going slow). For trolling, I'd think more than a few mph of wind would make controlling the boat a PITA. Kinda like if you canoe solo and sit in the back... any breeze grabs the bow and can spin you sideways.

For sheltered small lakes it wouldn't be an issue.. maybe someone with more experience with fishing from them can tell you how much of a problem it is for trolling.

good luck

Good to know, thanks

 

[mobyjaws]

Re: Fishing from an Inflatable?

Good thread. Great info Esoxlee! I,m also looking for something I can single-hand without a boat ramp. I think an inflatible is just the ticket. Let us know how it goes Fishbuilder. MJ