If you are within driving distance of a major metropolitan area, watch craig's list. i have picked up several models for a fraction of new price and that allowed me to try different models. I settled on a Hobie Pro Angler 14 and a Old Town Auto pilot 136. Both super stable for a fishing or hunting platform for an old guy like me.

I live west of Leavenworth and north of Tonganoxie. Fish Clinton a lot. Maybe we could hook up sometime. I have a Ranger deep vee walleye boat I use for larger lakes. I also started kayak fishing last year during the covid restrictions and love it.

I bought an aluminum boat last year. The "gentleman" who sold it to me said it might leak a gallon or so of wqater in a half day of fishing. My first trip revealed that it leaked more like five gallons per hour! I started searching for leaks by filling the boat about ten inches deep with water on the trailer and sealing the rivets I saw leaking. I found that if a rivet leaks sitting in the driveway, it REALLY leaks when in the water and under power.

I finally broke down and removed the floor of the boat and went to the lake. What an eye opener. Working alone and unable to buck the rivets, I sealed the leakers from outside with JB Weld marine and from the inside with Flex Seal liquid.

While I had the floor out I removed the old carpet and replaced it with marine vinyl.

Lots of work but looks great. Went to the lake today and put the boat through as many tough maneuvers as possible.

Loaded the boat and pulled the plug.....Drier than a popcorn fart.

I use the AMPED 60 AH lithium in my Old Town Autopilot 13.6 with the minkota 45 lb Ipilot trolling motor. Have fished 6+ hours on spot lock in 10-12 mph wind including a mile and a half trip each way to fishing spot. Super light weight, recharges quickly, guaranteed ten years. Fishing the gulf and backwaers in Missississp, Louisiana have never run low on batery. Locator has battery level on screen. Start at 14 volts and never get below 13. A little pricey but no lugging heavy lead acid battery (or hauling it in your kayak).

Catching crappie in Clinton by "dipping" trees with minnows. Be ready for the occasional catfish or drum. Stay as far away from the tree as possible. Fish are spooky. We are using 12-14 foot rods. I'm from Leavenworth, Ks and fish Clinton regularly.

Motors run differently in the water than they do on muffs. Take it to the lake or take your chances. Talking from experience. I am currently working on a rivetted aluminum boat with several leaking rivets.

Down load an app. called GoPaddling. It will show you all boat and kayak launches in the area near you. I wish it gave driving directions or google maps. I think you can subscribe to a different part of the app. for the driving directions.

I have used the app when traveling to new area and have usually been able to find the ramps. I'm kinda cheap so I just use the free app.

Eat them. I remember growing up in the Missouri River area of southwest Iowa we fished for carp and ate a ton of them. There were comercial fishermen running nets on the river and there was a commercial fish shop next to the river in Nebraska City, Nebraska. All the bars and taverns had fish frys on Friday night and all they served was deep fried carp. See if you can find a youtube video of how to "score" them to help eliminate the bones.

We usually rent houses. It gives us more access to the beach and water and a place to park the boat trailer. This house had a great fishing pier/boat dock but the sea wall made it impossible to launch my big fishing kayaks from the yard/beach.

The whole VRBO concept is amazing for us. We have stayed in houses all over the country and have not had a bad experience yet. Retirement is wonderful!

I live north of Tonganoxie. I fish Clinton regularly. Perry occasionaly. Boat is ready and waiting for this wind to lay down. Wife bought me a new Ultera last year and can't wait to give it a try.

Had a great trip from snowy Kansas to sunny gulf. Too windy and rough for the kayak on the bay but caught a variety of fish off the pier at the house we rented on Biloxy Bay. Just a beginner at this salt water fishing, but having a ball learning something new every outing. Also caught seven sting rays. All fish caught on seven foot medium spinning rods.

Headed to Ocean springs Mississippi next week (20-25th). Any one have info on the trout and red fish bite? Will be kayak fishing either the bay or Graveline.

Took the project boat to the lake today. Good news is that it runs great and everything on the boat operates as it should. BAD news is IT LEAKS. Brought it home and put the garden hose in the boat. Found five rivets that leak. Any tips on ways to seal the rivets from the outside. I really don't want to have to remove the floor to seal from inside. (until that is the only remedy).

Thanks guys. I can attest to the expensive stainless repair. I have a stainless prop on a 150 hp Yamaha. A bent prop shaft cost me several hundred dollars to replace. This boat I'm putting together only has a 25 hp motor and will be run in bays and back water flats only.

I am putting together a boat to fish for red fish and trout in the backwaters off the Gulf. Is a stainless steel prop a good idea or bad?