Hello!

[captdavid]

Hello, I'm a 63yr old school teacher. I will be retiring soon. I'm an experienced boater and fisherman. I live on the coast of south Texas, but soon will be moving to an inland lake, probably Canyon. I am between boats now, but have pretty much decided on a pontoon. . I will be buying a one, probably an 18'-21.' I will do a lot of trolling for whites/hybrids/stripers. When I buy a new, or remodel an older, pontoon boat it will be set up to fish. I will primarily troll or drift, but will have a trolling motor to chase schoolies. It will have four fishing seats, one on each corner, and a center console. I have very little experience with pontoons and lots of questions. All recomendations are appreciated. thanks in advance for your help, capt david

[HandymanHerb]

Welcome glad to have you with us, I would say go 20 or bigger, the 18 are a little rougher ride and will rock and roll more, when a boat passes by.

[captdavid]

I am planning on moving to a lake (LBJ) in central Texas. I will live in a subdivision, on the lake, with its own boat ramp. I will probably have to load the boat by myself most of the time. Canyon is also 30min from Lake Buchanon, a lake that is full of stripers. I also plan to trailer there on ocassion. An 18' 'generic,' or even a 16'10" Apex seems, on paper anyway, practical for my wants/needs. All my experience, of late, has been in 18'-25' center console V-bottom boats. What got me to considering 'toons' was a ride in a 21" Suntracker Fishin Barge(?). It seemed huge, and I though I could get by with less boat. My boat will be stricly for Fishing with downriggers, drifting and chasing schoolies with a trolling motor. That said, I appreciate your suggestions. I am 6 months to a year from buying a boat and have tine to test ride and check out the different sizes. Thanks, capt david

FWIW, I'm going to post this on the general board.