Michiganders

Rich T

Rich T

Member
Need advise on boat motor combo for the Muskegon / Grand / Kalamazoo / Manistee rivers... Anyone fimiliar with hunting these areas? Suspect a mud motor would work best but was wondering how others may setup thier boats. Suspect mud motor is essential to get into some of the marsh areas... Any imput would be great!!!!
 
I think your on the right track. I'd just find a 16 Big Jon and a big enough long tail to push it. I've drooled crossing the muskegon on 131 many times. I think those areas get hit pretty hard early. A mud motor would help get away from the crowds there.

Good luck,
 
If it were me I'd go with a jet-drive in a 16 or 17 foot jon. There are lots of them for sale around Newaygo on the Muskegon. Try Tracey's....you can take a steelhead jet and work it over for ducks. You'll shoot past all the guys with useless mud-motors. With the possible exception of the early season you'll find that a jet will get you there quicker and with less fuss. If you have to trim it up in the gunk use a kicker, electric, oars or a pole to get into the sloppy stuff which is relatively hard to find anyway.
 
I spoke with Tracy, he said he could build a custom boat and paint it slate gray with a jet as the primary motor... put a blind on the boat and a prop kicker... just wonder how big of prop I would need....
 
For the kicker? Depending on how heavy and drafty your rig is. I would think anything from a 6 to a 15 would work fine. There are tons of used long-shaft drift boat kicker around up there between the Mo, the PM and the Manistee. Think 2 stroke for the weight advantage. A 9.9 2 stroke prolly weighs as much as a 6 hs 4. Definately want a pole though to push yourself out.

For that matter a 4 hs Nissan would probably do the job.
 
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Uh, yes. That would be perfect. Of course since you have now suggested you are a fisherman....be sure and set the boat up with some removeable platforms that can be put in for fishing.
 
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