Okay, here's the deal. A friend of mine has a 2001 16' Willie drift boat that he wants to sell. It has been used 4 times and looks brand new. It has a trailer and every option available and he's willing to sell it to me for a very good price. I have the money, a place to store it and it's cleared with my better half. My dilemma is that I love to fish from the bank and do pretty well and I don't know if I want to deal with the hastle of towing a boat, dealing with the return trip from the take-out, etc. I am a little nervous about rowing, but mainly from not having done it a lot. I have made several trips in drift boats and thought they were great. I know some of you go on a regular basis and it seems like no big deal. Would I be missing out on some great fishing if I don't buy? Should I join the already crowded masses that jockey for postion on most of our rivers? I guess I need some feedback on those issues and what you all think of the idea.

Thanks,
Q

Captain Q:

Here is the opinion of one who "wished" he had a DB, and doesn't.

Done most of my fishing from the bank, but so many times a DB would have been a blessing, if for nothing more than just floating down to the right spot, anchoring up and being able to fish the "hot" water.

I have had the chance (thanks to Beezer and others) to fish from a DB a few times. Great experience, for sure, and even got to row a bit (and did lousy, but it does take practice).

Crowds? On our little stretch of water here I have seen 3 DB's pass in the last year. Even last week upriver (Skagit) we saw only one other DB, and had great water pretty much all to ourselves.

Try it out in a few froggy water lakes to get used to rowing and controlling (and fish a bit while your at it) then try a couple pieces of easy water in rivers to get the hang of things.

I say if the $$ isn't a problem, go for it!

Mike

I say go for it. I have always been just a bank fisherman untill 2 years ago when my dad bought an 18' Hewes craft. I know thats not a drift boat and I have never had the chance to try in one but it opens up your options. You don't always have to take the boat out when you fish but sometimes its nice to get away a little from everyone else.

lots of times you can find turn arounds when you get to the launch, if another fisher is nice enough to take drive you back up.

With a drift boat you will be able to fish water that isnt able to be fished from bank.

I say go for it and have a blast!!!

Definitely go for it. You can always get other people to go with you and bring another vehicle if you can't shuttle.

Are you kidding? Your wife OK'd it and you're still not sure?

If you're good off the bank, you'll be better from a boat. All those little pockets, slots. and tailouts you can't get to from the bank.......no sweat from a boat.

Turnarounds shouldn't be much of a problem if you have an open DB seat. Plenty of guys will drive a turnaround vehicle to ride in a boat for a day.

I probably bank fish more than I boat fish.........but it's nice having the boat when you need one.

You said you had all the green lights.............I'd get on that deal before he sells it to somebody else.

Captain Q:

While I agree with everything the others have said.........well, here goes:

Have had a driftboat since 1985, the same one, the driftboat has only been used about 10 times in 14 years. That to fish the West Fork of the Humptulips, and summerrun in the same area.

Why???? bought a small jet boat, 14'....allows me to fish most of the year on all the rivers in Grays Harbor County. Can go when I want to, leave when I want to, fish how I want to.....1 vehicle, boat, motor and trailer.....

Willie drift boats are a super, look good in the water, fish nice........but the bottom line is...they are still a "drift" boat.

Lot's of used small jet boats for sale.....just something to think about...

"Worse day sport fishing, still better than the best day working"

Dan S first statement says it all ... What are you thinking.

I was a bank fisherman for 30 years. Got the money and the Ok and bought a 2004 17x60 Willie. Doubt I'll see the bank again. Sometimes I don't even bring a turnaround, just hitchhike. Get picked up within 5 minutes everytime. Especially with fisherman driving past you. You'll love the new options. I say GO FOR IT!!

~steelymann~

I finally got all the green lights last summer and bought one, haven't looked back. Heck, I'm thinking about just drifting the river without fishing while it's closed, just for the fun of it.

Strike while the iron is hot, man....do it!

Shoot ... If you don't like it you can always sell it ... seems like a win win

I'd jump on it.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

I bought a 17x60 willie with all the options a while back and love it! Have had DB's since 1981 and bank alot too but would never go without a DB again..

Capitan Q go for it,you won't regret it. I have owned DBs off and on for 25 years.Have used a DB in lakes and the sound.They also retain value and are easy to sell.

If you're getting a good price, there isn't much downside to this. If you don't use it, sell it. I expect you'll use it.

The key difficulty you will find is getting buddies for the trip, or some other arrangement for the turnaround. If you have some regular fishing partners already, you're good to go. I've not had great luck hitchhiking - must look too much like an axe murderer.

SH,

There is some truth in your self-assesment!



:p

DO IT NOW before your wife changes her mind!!!
I just got my first DB couple months ago also, its a Clack WF 2001. Took it out to the Cow for the first time and had my buddy instruct me, it was awesome but a little scared at first I got to admit, especially around those fast corner river bends, but its all about preparing ahead of time. Put it this way, if you bank fish 99% of the time, at least you have that last option to take out your boat when you are ready, and take along friends. Plus you also don't have to feel guity for not using it cause its not like you spend $20,000 and are miserable. Good luck!

><>

Heck Yeah!

I have the same boat........it will treat you well. In my year-round fishing, I still bank it about 75% of the time but that other 25% of boat time is huge in that it gives me the flexibility to be on a hot fishery when it happens instead of wishing I had a boat.

Simply put, it gives you more options. Not to mention the inherent pleasure you get from just floating a beautiful river; good fishing or not.