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Boat for the river


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I'm looking for a small boat to fish the river. Leaning towards a 14ft modv jon. looking to spend under three grand. So far haven't found what I wanted or would any aluminum boat work for the river. I would be fishing the Mississippi from Champlin to Monticello area targeting smallies or the Rum. I do not have any experience fishing the river in a boat any advice would be be very helpful. Thanks.

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in that section of the river you will for sure want a flat bottom jon boat. there is a lot of rocks and boulders just under the water in that section( especially around Monticello. as for a motor a jet outboard would be best but that will be out of your budget. to get even a new basic flat bottom jon with say a regular 15 hp will run you about $5000.00 to $6000.00 unless you go used then you might make your budget. the river setup I am leaning towards will either be a 1650 Center console Modified V All weld Alumacraft jon with a 60/40 jet out board (about $15000 after taxes) or a 1652 G3 Gator tough Deluxe Jon with the 60/40 Jet out board (about $17000 after taxes)

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Brad is right. I run a 60/40 Merc Jet right now on the Rum and Snake rivers and wouldnt use anything else. I have had enough with breaking lower units and buying props and prop polishing all the time. I went to the Jet outboard about 6 years ago and would go back, best investment I ever made. I have my eye on the 1860 G3 with a 115/80 hp jet, but need to sell mine first.

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Thanks for the advice. So buying a cheaper aluminum boat with a 15h motor would not be a good option for fishing the river?

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It would be a fine choice, I went many years in a 1436 lt jon boat and a 8 hp johnson.

Just make sure you have shallow drive setting on your outboard, i some of the older ones just had all the way down or all the way up. In the middle of the summer you will have it set up as far as it can go on the sand bars.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

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