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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! - What to Look For in a Striper Boat
April 1, 2007
Striper fishing boats come in various hull designs and interior configurations. They are made of wood, aluminum, fiberglass, and a multitude of space age materials. Generic names that commonly identify striper boat designs are Semi-V, Jon, Tri-Hull, Pontoon, Bay, Cuddy, and Center Console.
Striper boats do not need to be as fast. A boat that planes easily and achieves a top speed of thirty miles per hour is sufficient. Length and beam are important. Lengths vary to suit individuals needs, but a 16' to 24' boat is ideal. The standard striper boat plying Lake Norman's water is about 21'. A boat of this size can easily be towed and can breach the open water chop on windy days. A broad beamed boat (8' wide), provides a stable fishing platform and ample areas for storage.
The interior of a striper boat must not only allow for room to move about, but also for the placement of equipment, tackle and electronics. Before finalizing a buying decision, be certain that the boat has the correct design and enough space to meet your needs.
When shopping for a new or used striper rig, consider the following. Can a 12 or 24 volt electric trolling motor be mounted on the bow? Determine the placement and accessibility of the trolling motor and starting batteries as well as an onboard charging system. If the boat lacks sufficient deck space for a twenty gallon (or larger) bait tank, consider a different boat. Is there ample room to store fishing rods up to 9 feet in length? Will the boat's gunwales accommodate six or more horizontal rod holders? Is the helm large enough to position a fish finder, GPS, VHF radio, compass, remote trolling motor controller and cell phone bracket? Can a T-top or a Bimini with curtains, be added?
Other points to ponder:
* Hull weight is an indication of the amount & quality of material used to build a boat.
* A 21' fiberglass hull can vary in weight from 1500 to 2200 lbs.
* V- Hulls ride smoother and drier than tri-hulls.
* Tri-Hulls allow maximum deck area and stability.
* Test drive and fish from several boats before deciding on a hull and interior design.
Upcoming Events:
Boat Handling, Maneuvering & Docking Class - April 14, 2007, 9:00 a.m. till Noon - The Peninsula Yacht Club, Cornelius, NC. For more information contact Capt. Alan Stopko - 704 895 6993
Safe Boating Course - April 21, 2007 - 8:00 am - 5:00pm - Mt. Mourne Volunter Fire Dept., Rt. 115. Interested parties should contact the Lake Norman Sail & Power Squadron -
704 947 2729
Safe Boating Course - April 21, 2007 - 9:00 am - 5:00 pm - Kings Point Marina, Cornelius, NC. For more information contact Lighthouse Marine Service - 704 587 0325
Free - Advanced Cat Fishing Seminar - Saturday, April 21, 2007- 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Capt. Gus Gustafson and Mack Byrum will conduct this seminar at Gander Mountain, Mooresville, NC. 704 658 0822.
NCCATS - Catfish Tournament - April 21, 2007 - 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m. @ Pinnacle Access, Lake Norman, NC. Visit http://www.nccats.net for additional information.
Lake Norman Striper Swipers Spring Classic- Striper Tournament - May 5 - 6, 2007
Mark your calendars and visit http://www.lnssfishn.com for additional information.
Tips from Gus: When your fishing line gets twisted, remove all terminal tackle (lures, swivels, weights and hooks). Let the line out and troll it slowly behind the boat for a few minutes. When the line is retrieved, the twists will be gone.
Hot Spot of the Week The past week has been good to excellent for all species. Striper and bass have been active in shallow water throughout the day. Reeds, Little and Stumpy Creeks have been particularly productive.
The lake level 96.4 or 3.6' below full pond Water surface temperature is in the low sixties.
Captain Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is an outdoor columnist and a full time professional fishing guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his web site, Fishin' With Gus! at www.FishingWithGus.com or call 704-617-6812.
For additional information e-mail Gus at Gus@LakeNorman.com
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