Fishing boat. Alum vs glass

[hully1029]

Going to be in market soon for a fishing boat. Cant decide if i want alum or glass. 75% of use will be chasing crappie and catfish on local lakes and rivers. But, will take to coast whenever i can for reds/trout/etc in the bays and flats.. but would also like one sturdy enough to troll for kings out by the rigs..

budget would be around 10-12k.

ideas??

[Snowflake Killa]

You sure have a big gap on your fishing and a very small budget to fill that gap. If you buy a boat to do all that for that budget good luck

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[hully1029]

You sure have a big gap on your fishing and a very small budget to fill that gap. If you buy a boat to do all that for that budget good luck

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If it helps, I'm definitely not going to be buying new. I was looking at a cc alumacraft in the 17-20ft range.. or a early 2000s shoalwater/transcat/ etc

[Snowflake Killa]

I know people that love there aluminum boats. I've owned a few but I like my glass boat. I have as much money in accessories. Is what my boat is worth

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[Quackerbox]

There is no way I could go back to aluminum and continue to fish saltwater.

Unless I went to aluminum that was way out of your budget (not production hulls)
And 20 foot minimum if I planned on jetty or rig fishing.

I'd suggest finding a 18 foot CC metal boat for fresh and hiring out salt stuff

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[Mayhem]

Fishing boat. Alum vs glass

Good luck finding a shoalwater or trans cat in that price range.


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[SRK14]

I’d go with aluminum for any situation I would find myself in personally. I’m not a saltwater fisherman so take that for what it’s worth. I run red and sulphur river and you never know when you may come upon a chunk of concrete, rebar or some other type of obstacle. Not that an aluminum boat can’t get torn up, but I feel as if it’s definitely more durable and easier to repair. I like my express

[huntandfishguy6]

Express aluminum

[bboswell]

I like my aluminum and do most of what you want to do but it’s on a different level than an Alumacraft or even Allweld and you likely can’t find a bare hull in your budget

[sticknstring]

Express or sea ark 20’ aluminum. It’ll do 99% of what you ask- all the time. The offshore part- you’ll have to limit. Pick and choose your outings during the dog days of summer.

[SaltwaterSlick]

In my experience, chasing crappie and catfish in stumps is tough on glass boats... I eventually gave up trying and just got me an aluminum boat... had a bunch of 'em over the years of both materials... for clean water, glass every time for every purpose... for water with common obsticles, aluminum and a hull that is all welded... no rivets...


You ain't likely gonna find a 20 foot boat in aluminum or glass that is truly suited for your described fishing desires for your budget... unless you're a pretty good boat mechanic... been there, done that... no thank you. But good luck!!