Next last boat

[John Harkrader]

After hunting from my Scaup that I completed several years ago, I have come to the conclusion that I'm ready to expand the way I hunt. I usually hunt the Ohio River and its tributaries between Cincinnati and Lousville. My Scaup is currently set up with a "high blind" which allows two hunters to hunt in comfort for long periods. The problem I would like to overcome is the profile of the boat with the blind up. There are times that I would like to be able to hunt in a low profile manner along low banks, on flats with wood (dead trees grounded on river flats) or amongst flooded vegitation and trees. Overall I would like to simplify my setup to be more modile and stealthy and was thinking a smaller boat hunted with a dodger style blind similar to Davids estuary's might fit the bill.

Here's my question. Is a tradtional BBSB enough to handle the currents and trash of the Ohio River in the winter? If so, is it the right boat to hide next to big downed tree on a flat or in ultra shallow water in the back of a slough? The reason I ask such a question that might best be answered by me is that I cannot figure out why in my 12 years of hunting the river I have never seen this style of hunting here (with the exception of once when I think I saw MLBob in his scull boat hunting with decoys). Any insight would be appreciated. I am starting to feel an urge to build another boat or maybe restore a BBSB.

 

[Carl]

WHy not just hunt your Scaup in these situations with the blind down?
Simply drape some camo burlap over the cockpit & use a backboard to lay against. Make sure to use a face net or camo paint.

 

[Pete McMiller]

John,

You have the right idea but why not just lower the blind on your Scaup? The Scaup is everything you want in a boat for the potential snotty conditions isn't it? Here are a couple of pics of my BB3.

This pic is at a DHBP event up in LaCrosse, WI a couple years ago and shows my dodger with the far side of the blind up. Otto can just see over the top of the blind when it's up and it comes up to about my arm pits or a bit higher. It has been plenty high to shoot a pile of ducks out of. As long as you have something behind you that is higher than the blind the birds will never see you.

View attachment BB3dhbpevent.jpg

This pic just shows how low the blind would be if you imagine it coming up to my arm pits or shoulders.
View attachment Ice2.jpg
Quite a low profile and quite deadly - then again I hunt 99% divers. If you are all about puddle ducks, they maybe you do need a new set up.

 

[Tom Scholberg]

I would never want to talk someone out of there next last boat but Carl has a point. If the Scaup is too big then I would reconmmend a BB3 or something similar. With a low blind those boats hide pretty well.( or is it good)? I look forward to what others have to say because I don't know your river. Good Luck.

 

[John Harkrader]

I've thought of using the Scaup and changing the blind but at almost 16 feet long and 5 feet wide with a 25 horse motor it is pretty big to man handle in the ultra shallow mud which can be an issue as the river can drop several inches during a hunt. On the other hand at 6'3" and 250 lbs. I am not sure how small I can go.

I sometimes travel up to four miles in the main river and find that the Scaup handles great. But smaller would definately be better when I'm by myself and on shallow flats or in flooded brush, willows and saplings. I'm thinking total boat and motor weight of 200-250 lbs.

I'm still wondering why I never see this type of hunting in my area. Is it the conditions and environment? Maybe it's the loss of the social aspect of the hunt since you are hunting alone. Or perhaps it is because most of the hunting is for puddle ducks. The standard here is the semi vee aluminum boat with a high blind.

Just a few more thoughts.....

 

[Phil Nowack]

I would use the scaup! On the Mississippi River where I hunt... the most common boat is a 16' aluminum boat. And most people hunt puddlers...

If you want an excuse to build another boat.. fine.. but.. I think with the low profile and sea worthiness of the scaup.. it is one of the best all purpose boats out there. It will work for Puddlers in skinny water. IMO

 

[Gene R.]

John, you would have to go a few more miles up the Ohio to see me in my Broadbill. Like all the way to Pa line! Haha. I can completely understand what your geting at with profile and wanting to tuck up in snags, islands and creek mouths. My tdb is same length as BB, but BB seems to work better in more in more situtions for concealment. Mine is a planing hull and find it very easy to go in skinny stuff. It is a litttle crazy with the bargs and all the crap floating in the river and late season with the ice it can be hairy. I think i know where your coming from with smaller boat and and hunting alone and with low prices the fixer uppers bbsb in the classified Ya can't go wrong.

Gene R.