The decision as to which boat to buy is not easy. A little background. Originally from California, fishing my entire life. Got into fly fishing in 1982 and fly fishing has become my almost 100% go to when fishing. I consequently have fished mainly in streams and rivers (wading). I also have a fishing kayak (seaghost) I have used on a small lake (pond to your midwestern people) and have fished in Idaho on drift boats. I still have many spin rods (easier in windy conditions), mostly light stuff for trout, but at least a couple that are serious for ocean fishing.
Now I have moved to Missouri, next to Stockton lake. So, I am looking at a power boat for fishing. I doubt I will be doing any skiing or pulling rafts. My problem is many of the locals say I should have a walleye type boat (walk through) and others say I should stay with a bass boat. I like both types of boats. And the boat will stay almost exclusively on Stockton Lake. I will be fishing multi-species, not just bass. And I will not fly fish in very windy conditions, so I will get back to spin rod (baitcaster?) use.
And the lake is rather large, so I will be getting some horsepower. Probably 150 or above as has been suggested by the locals.
This post is to start a discussion on which boat would be best for these needs. Like I stated, I like both types of boats. The fishing platforms of a bass boat make it nice for fly fishing, and the deep v of a walleye boat make it nice for rougher conditions. And there are a lot of people with experience on this forum.
So here goes. Thanks

I was fishing up there in May, and I had a very difficult time getting a place to fish. The homeless encampments are getting worse. The trash along the stream banks is incredible. My wife was fishing a hole north of McNalley's and a car pulled in , unloaded a bunch of kids, and they started throwing rocks over my wifes head into the pool. They were from LA BTW, most of the Kern waters have been ruined by the LA visitors. During Covid all the Kern waters were heavily, and negatively, impacted by LA. (I also posted this in another topic.)

I was fishing up there in May, and I had a very difficult time getting a place to fish. The homeless encampments are getting worse. The trash along the stream banks is incredible. My wife was fishing a hole north of McNalley's and a car pulled in , unloaded a bunch of kids, and they started throwing rocks over my wifes head into the pool. They were from LA BTW, most of the Kern waters have been ruined by the LA visitors. During Covid all the Kern waters were heavily, and negatively, impacted by LA

LOL. Now that is a new take on the song

My wife's friends are catching some amazing sized stripers and catfish out of the aqueduct. Not exciting fishing, but many are successful

Buena Vista stocks decent sized fish. Lake Isabella used to be one of the premier largemouth fisheries, but with the drought it has been shrinking. Same with Lake Kaweah. Upper kern for trout (smaller than up are used to). Lower kern for smallmouth.

It truly is a great place. And I agree. Lol

Merle had a home on the Kern. He didn't write the song, but could have. A lot of people die on that river every year

My PB trout was also on the Kern. 23 inch rainbow, wild caught about 4 miles outside of Kernville. Used a muddler minnow I had tied. That was back in the 90"s when there was actual water in the lake and river.

Spent a large portion of my life fishing the Kern. Particularly the 20 mile section below Johnsondale. Even cabined at the R ranch. Heading back that way in the spring so thought I would start a topic about fishing on the Kern. To include lake (or is it now "pond") Isabella. I know wooly buggers are a permanent fixture in my fly box when on the Kern. But I am open to any other ideas (oh yeah, never leave home without EHC in various colors and sizes

Thanks Bill S. I appreciate it

Pictures? Here is the Missouri Property

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Just married a woman who insisted we move to Missouri (I wanted Idaho). So I made an impossible list of factors that had to be there before I would move, and sure enough she found a place in Stockton that satisfied every one of the items on the list. We visitied Missouri last summer and fell in love with the people and the country. It is remote, but that is atually one of the requirements. I am not a city person by any means.

I am an avid fly fisherman. Recent transplant to Stockton Missouri. Generally fish off a kayak, but looking to get into powerboats for the lake. I also spin fish as needed. Overall I use fishing to get away from the BS. So a day on water is always a good day

Fly fishing the Walker river