If you don’t know how to set a hook, you’re going to have a hard time catching fish. It’s not the easiest skill to learn because the technique changes depending on what type of hook you’re trying to set. Treble hooks must be set very differently than those on a top water frog, for example. This article will teach you how to stick your fish with confidence to increase your hook up percentage and fun out on the water.
What Does “Setting the Hook” Mean?
Setting the hook means driving it into the fish’s mouth so it can’t be easily dislodged and thrown. Typically, this involves a quick movement of the rod away from the fish, bringing the line tight and the hook to bear in the fish’s mouth. Setting a hook is sometimes referred to as a “hookset,” and you will often hear anglers refer to the need to secure a solid one. If the hookset is not done correctly, it is very likely that a fish will escape.
Are Some Fish More Difficult to Hook Than Others?
In a word, yes. Certain species are notorious for being difficult to hook. This usually is because their mouth is either very soft, or very bony and hard. For example, in Alaska, Chum Salmon are known for having soft mouths. It can be very difficult to keep a hook set into them, because you can easily tear the hook right through their mouth if you use too much force. In contrast, fish like northern pike and bowfin can sometimes be difficult to hook because they have so many hard teeth and plates in their mouth that you need to get past.
How Do You Know When to Set the Hook?
Knowing when to set the hook can be challenging because there are many factors that can come into play. Typically, however, when fishing with artificial lures, you’re going to want to set the hook as soon as you feel the fish bite. A fish is unlikely to hold onto an artificial lure for very long, and will reject it as “not food” if you don’t act fast. On the other hand, some northern pike anglers fishing with live or dead bait recommend waiting an extended period of time before setting the hook. This is because you need to give the fish a chance to move the bait into their mouth where you can snag them.
What are Some Signs that a Fish is Biting?
If you’re holding your rod and have enough tension on the line, you’ll be able to detect a bite simply by the tug. If you want to know approximately what a fish bite feels like, taking one hand and extend it outward, palm up. Now, take a finger from your other hand and start tapping into your palm rapidly. When you feel your rod doing that, you’ll know a fish is on.
This only works if you have a good rod, or if your line taut enough to feel the vibrations. If you have a lot of slack in your line, you’re going to need to watch it for movement. The surest sign of a fish bite is that your line will start doing something very unnatural, such as moving to the side. When you see this, it’s time to set the hook!
How Can You Make Sure You Don’t Miss Your Chance?
If you want to set the hook into a fish, you need to actually be there to do it. Remember how I hate bobbers? Well here’s another reason why! It sounds simple, and it really is, but if you’re going to get a good hookset, you actually need to hold your rod. Not only will this help you detect bites and set the hook better, but it will spare the lives of fish who otherwise might swallow the hook. While it is possible to remove a swallowed hook, better to avoid that in the first place!
Setting the Hook with a J Hook
A J-style hook is one of the more common ones that fishermen use. You’ll find it on spinnerbaits, jigs, and drop shots. This is one of the easier hooks to set, because you simply need to jam it into the fish’s mouth. You do this by quickly reeling in any slack between you and the fish and giving a good tug on the rod, usually upward, but in any case, away from the fish.
The trick is to determine just how strong that tug should be. To understand this, you need to look at your hook. If you set the hook too hard with a thin wire hook, there’s a good chance you will rip it right out of the fish’s mouth. On the other hand, if your hookset is too weak with a thick hook, it might not penetrate deep enough to snag the fish.
The hook on the left is much thinner. It will require less force to set in a fish’s mouth than the hook on the right.
How to Get a Good Hookset with Treble Hooks
Most lures that feature treble hooks require a slightly different hookset. To set a treble hook, you don’t want to pull the rod up with great force as you would with a thicker J-style hook. Instead, you want to use a technique known as the “sweep set.” Most lures that have treble hooks, such as crank baits and jerkbaits, see you working them back to the boat with your rod down low. When a fish bites, don’t raise it rapidly. Instead, move it quickly off to your side and behind you in one smooth sweep.
This is important to do because treble hooks tend to be very thin, and if you use too much force while you’re trying to set a treble hook, you will very likely pull it straight out of the fish’s mouth. Even with the sweep set, it can be a near run thing when trying to land fish on a crankbait. This can be hard to believe when you consider just how “sticky” these lures are in your tackle box, but fish tend to throw these pretty well.
How to Set the Hook with a Top Water Lure
Top water lures come in a few varieties, but most of them either have very solid J Hooks (such as with a buzzbait), or very flimsy treble hooks (such as with a Rebel Pop-R). Really, the advice for both the J hook and the treble hooks found above applies to top water lures too. The only difference is you need to wait a half second before you try and set it, or else you’ll likely pull it from the fish’s mouth. This is easier said than done when the fish busts out of the water after your lure, however!
How to Set the Hook With Frogs
One caveat to the above would be with frogs. It is very hard to set the hook with top water frogs. There is just so much going against you. You’re typically fishing them in very heavy cover, and the fish don’t always get the best look at them. Additionally, their hooks are quite obscured by the lure itself to make them weedless. The fish needs to get a good chomp on the lure before the hooks will be exposed, and you need to contain your excitement long enough for this to happen. Then, when you set the hook, you need to drive not one, but typically two of the thickest J hooks imaginable into the top of the fish’s mouth, which is usually the hardest part.
It should come as no surprise that it is difficult to set the hook with frogs! There are a few things you can do to increase your hookup percentage. First and foremost, bring the right gear. You should have a heavy rod, and at least 50lb braided line. A baitcasting reel with the drag set down *tight* is also important. Lastly, have the patience to wait for the fish to actually grab the lure. Even with all this, many pros struggle with this lure and there are relatively few specialists.
Do You Set the Hook with Circle Hooks?
You don’t set the hook with circle hooks in the traditional manner. They are instead designed to simply be reeled in. They then will naturally catch on the corner of the fish’s mouth as it swims away from you. If you try to set the hook normally with a circle hook, you’ll likely pull it out of the fish’s mouth.
Circle hooks are actually better for the fish for this reason. You are very unlikely to gut hook a fish with a circle hook. Their design does tend to work exactly as advertised. For this reason, they make a great choice when fishing with live bait. Nothing ruins a fishing trip quite like killing a fish you didn’t intend to eat.
Are There Any Hooks That Are Easier to Set?
Yes, sharp ones. OK, I kid, but not really. Sharper hooks are going to have a much easier time penetrating a fish’s mouth than dull ones. This often means that the hooks that cost a premium are going to do better than the ones that don’t. I wont’ claim to have tried every sharp hook in the world, but I did get a great deal on some Trokar hooks a few years ago. These are surgically sharpened hooks that do cost more than most, but also give me confidence when I need it.
I know that some of the tournament guys out there will use duller hooks on practice days when they want to shake fish off, and swap out to Trokars or the like when money is on the line. If you haven’t tried these hooks out yet, pick up a box today. Here’s a link to the ones I like to use for drop shots. Go ahead and check them out.
What Hook File Should You Buy?
There’s many different hook files on the market, including some electronic ones that claim to save you time, however I prefer a simple one such as the Luhr-Jensen Original Hook File. I don’t have much confidence in the electronic or automatic ones and think I can do a better job than the machine. Also, with one of these tried and true sharpeners, on-the-water tune ups are much easier. I recommend that you pick one up. It’s very inexpensive (it makes a great stocking stuffer) and could easily pay for itself in a fishing tournament. You can purchase it at Amazon by clicking on the link above. Honestly, it’s so handy that it’s one of those tools I buy several of and keep in different places.
Other Tips for Getting a Better Hookset
In addition to the above, keep the following in mind while setting your hook:
When in doubt, set the hook. If you aren’t sure that a fish bit, just remember the old saying that “hooksets are free” and swing away. The worst that will happen is you look a little foolish, but better safe than sorry!
Make sure your drag is set appropriately. It is very difficult to set a hook with a drag that is set too loose. While you want it to give a little, it shouldn’t immediately pull line.
Use the proper rod for the hook. An ultralight rod isn’t going to work very well for setting the hook with a top water frog. Likewise, a heavy rod could easily pull a treble hook out. Match your tackle to your rod for better results.
Relax and have fun with it, especially if you’re fishing top water. If you’re too tense, you’ll pull the hook out of the fish’s mouth for sure.
In Summary
While setting the hook properly is a skill that takes time to learn, it is certainly within your grasp. Just remember that you aren’t going to catch every fish that bites, and that is OK. If you caught every one you encountered, this sport would get boring quick (if you don’t believe me, go find a school of small sunfish and tell me how long you can stand fishing for them). Nonetheless, the tips above should help you increase your hook up percentage and enjoy this sport.
I hope you found this article helpful. If you did, please consider posting it on social media and sharing with your friends as it would really help me out. I’d also appreciate it if you’d consider purchasing my book as a gift for any new parents in your circle of friends. The book is called Fishing with Kids: A Parent’s Guide and would make a very unique gift at a fishing baby shower.
I’m just going to come right out and say it: Mustang Survival makes the best kids’ life jackets, period. I know this may seem odd coming from me, since I spend a good portion of this blog trying to help families save money while fishing, and these jackets are so expensive, but I really believe in this product. I’ve bought enough to outfit my entire family with them, and have experience with the various children’s sizes available. I would highly recommend that you pick one up immediately for your infant, child, or youth. Read on to find out why.
Peace of Mind
A quality child’s life jacket gives you peace of mind, making investing in one a prime safety tip. When we think about going off on the water with our families, we envision smiling children, bright sun, calm waves. Unfortunately, nature does not care about your PTO day and none of this is the norm. If you took a week off to head to the lake, you’re going to have to deal with whatever weather you’re confronted by, and it’s usually grim. Even if it starts off nice enough, it doesn’t take much for the wind to pick up and the seas to become dangerous. A good life jacket will keep your kids secure.
“Sure, John, but we just won’t go swimming on a bad day — we’ll stay in the boat.” Well, you certainly think you will. But what about when that drunk weekend warrior comes by and rams you by accident? Have you been to a boat ramp on a holiday? They are out there and they don’t know what they’re doing. Even if you are a strong boater, playing by all the rules, all it takes is one idiot to send your family into the drink.
You share the water with people who don’t value life as highly as you. You must outfit your children with the best protection, period, and Mustang Survival is a brand that will help you do that.
A Durable Life Jacket Your Kids Can Grow With
I appreciate the design of these kids life jackets so much that I’ve kept my son in one for his entire life. As you can see from the three photos below, I’ve been practicing what I preach. I love how Mustang Survival makes a life jacket for the entire family to grow in. Now, my daughter is using her older brother’s old equipment as it is tried and true. These are high-quality kids life vests that don’t break down and can hold up to years of fishing, though they come with a decent warranty for the kids’ gear (as of checking, it’s 2 years, which is about as long as you might expect your child to fit in most of these).
Handy Features
As you can see from the photos above and below this section, these kids life vests have some great features. I love how they come with grab handles as well as neck and head protectors. Further, their double redundancy of snaps and zippers give extra peace of mind. They come in bright colors that kids think are cool and rescuers might be able to find. Finally, they basically act as body armor for your little ones.
Grab Handles
As you can see from the photos on this page, these child life jackets come with a “grab handle.” This is important as it allows you to lift them swiftly from the water should they fall in. The handle will not place any pressure on their neck and instead they’ll be lifted from under their arms.
My wife and I find this handle to be very useful when our children are leaning over staring at fish in the livewell, or even just to hold onto them and give them some security when they’re fighting a particularly large fish on the boat. It’s much easier to grab and hold these handles (which can be done with one hand) than to try and wrap your hands around their torso in any of these situations.
Neck and Head Guard
While you can buy Mustang Survival children’s life jackets without a neck / head guard, it is a feature that I prefer and recommend. We’ve pool-tested this as a family and it helps little ones keep their head above water should they fall in. Further, it is a little bit of padding in case they topple down on a wobbly boat. I like this option and recommend it, though it is a bit bulkier than a kids’ life vest without one.
Zipper and Buckle
Every parent knows that kids get into things, and while you’re out fishing, you aren’t always guaranteed to notice if your little one unclasps a buckle or unzips their life vest. It’s nice to have a little double redundancy here and two levels that the kids need to go past before they can take these jackets off without you knowing.
Bright Colors
Kids like bright colors and these life jackets don’t disappoint. However, these aren’t bright colors simply for style – they also have a very important feature: they can be easily scene by rescuers. I’ve never understood why some life jacket manufacturers offer them in dark blues or murky greens – that can’t be easy to spot from a rescue boat.
Mustang Survival kids life vests come in a variety of colors that kids like and rescuers can see.
Infant Body Armor
If there is any downside to these jackets, it’s that they’re a little bulky for infants. Once you get into the child and youth sizes, they tend to fit better.
The infant size, admittedly, can be a bit bulky.
All the same, this bulk isn’t necessarily a deal breaker. Indeed, it can be beneficial for younger, clumsier kids who are walking around the boat, knocking into everything they can and falling down left and right.
When I first started taking my son out, he’d often bounce into things while he was on his way up to the casting deck to check out a fish I’d caught. His Mustang Survival infant life jacket no doubt spared him from his share of bruises, especially one time that he fell backward. Do you see the head protection in the photo to the left? That works wonders for keeping your kids smiling happy on a wave-tossed boat.
As mentioned, once your child grows older the bulkiness ends and they become just like any other life jacket. I’ve yet to hear my son complain about any of the life jackets I’ve bought him from this brand, though when he was little I did go out of my way to ensure he had plenty of fish to reel in and play with so he wouldn’t notice any discomfort.
Conclusions
Look, this is a product I really believe in. I know it isn’t the least expensive option out there, but I don’t skimp when it comes to my kids’ life jackets and neither should you. I’ve been fishing with my kids for awhile now, and these life vests work well for them. They’re comfortable and effective. I’d highly recommend that you go ahead and place an order for them. You can find them at the following links:
By all means, click on any of these links and read through some further reviews from parents. You’ll see that these are well-thought of.
Hopefully you found this article helpful. I try to recommend products that I actually use and enjoy. I’m happy that you read this, as it likely means you’re preparing to take your little ones on the water. If you’re just getting started, consider buying my book, Fishing with Kids: A Parent’s Guide. I wrote it to try and help parents take their kids out fishing. If you read it and find some success, I’d love to hear about it! Please drop me an email, or post a comment below!
While I love my current boat, at some point I’ll need to replace her. When that time comes, I’m going to have to make a very important decision: should I buy a Lund Impact, or a Lund Pro-V? This article is my attempt to wrestle with this impossible choice. This is a decision that is keeping me up at night a bit given the boats are both great, but so very different. To put it simply, if your children are young, buy a Lund Impact. If your children are grown, buy the Pro-V. If you’re struggling with the same decision and want to know why I’d say this, read on.
A Note on Pricing Information
Throughout this article you’re going to see me refer to some MSRP pricing for these Lund boats. These prices reflect the 2021 model year for these boats, and are taken directly from the Lund website’s boat builder on the date of publication (March 14, 2021). These are subject to change by the manufacturer at any time and are merely a guideline. Indeed, even while just writing this and going back and double checking, there were slight variations that I can’t explain. So, any price you see is very much a “guideline” and should be taken with a grain of salt. Remember, these are MSRP, dealers will have different prices, and at any given moment another trade war, pandemic, or utter chaos could erupt, throwing these prices out the window. It’s the 2020’s, after all.
Where noted, these prices will reflect the use of the boat builder to max out the motor. Most of Lund’s MSRP is “starting at” which usually means a motor with less horsepower. I’ve used the “starting at” figure as the least you’d pay, and then used their boat builder to figure out what the MSRP is when the boat is maxed out. I have not made ANY OTHER CHANGES, so these prices are generally going to be without trolling motors, batteries, boat covers, trailer upgrades, etc.
Spousal Disclaimer – You’re on Your Own!
In other words, your out the door price is going to vary wildly and I cannot be held liableif you tried to use this article to convince your spouse to let you buy this boat, only to find out that there’s another $10k or more tacked on the end price! All the same, I do think it’s useful to include the pricing so you get at least a rough idea of how the different models scale against each other.
If this article becomes popular, I may update it from year to year and if so, you’ll see this disclaimer change. If it is 2022 or later and you’re still seeing “2021,” send me an email and tell me to get my butt in gear 🙂
Apples to Apples
I’ll let you know right off the bat that this article won’t consider the 2075 or 2175 Pro-V. I don’t think I could afford them in the first place, but more importantly – there’s just no comparison between those two models and the Impact lineup. Instead, I’m going to focus on two specific matchups:
The 1875 Impact Sport vs. the 1875 Pro-V
The 2025 Impact Sport XS vs. the 1975 Pro-V
These two matchups seem pretty fair and frankly my next boat decision is going to boil down between one of the two. I’d argue that if you’re looking at an apples to apples comparison between the Lund Impact and the Lund Pro-V, you’re probably considering all of these boats.
The Lund Impact 1875 Sport vs. The Lund Pro-V 1875
We’ll first discuss the Lund Impact 1875 Sport (my boat) vs. the Lund Pro-V 1875. Before we dive into a discussion, here’s a handy chart with some key stats. Note that the chart below reflects the Sports models for each boat (meaning, the walkthrough windshield model). Both the Lund Impact 1875 and Lund Pro-V 1875 offer an “SS” model that has a single windscreen for the driver. The numbers are going to be slightly different (in terms of weight especially) for that model, so do visit Lund’s website for more details.
There’s no disputing that from a pure construction standpoint, the Pro-V is better. It offers the more advanced IPS2 hull design than the Impact’s IPS. The IPS2 provides additional strakes in the hull which provides a drier, smoother experience, as well as some advantages in handling. Reading through some owner comments in various fishing forums, it is said to be a significant difference.
In addition to this important factor, the Impact 1875 Sport is 1″ longer than the Pro-V 1875, but also 1″ narrower. The 1″ length difference is likely imperceptible, but a wider beam is almost always going to provide a more stable experience. Coupled with the more than 2″ greater chine width and extra 300lbs of weight, and the Pro-V is going to be more stable and offer a better ride than the Impact, period.
The Pro-V’s hull is thicker in all aspects and thus more durable than the Impact’s, which could be an important consideration if you fish around stump fields or the like frequently. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t count on this saving you if you are merciless to the boat, so don’t drive with reckless abandon.
Performance
According to Lund’s website, the Pro-V 1875 is capable of a max speed of 56mph compared to the Impact 1875 Sport’s 52mph. I don’t have a 150 on mine, so I can’t speak to the accuracy there, but I’m guessing it’s on point because the 40mph listed for the Impact with a 115 motor is about what I get (38-42 per the GPS, dependent on conditions).
What’s worth noting however is that the 56mph vs. 52mph assumes boat’s that each have maximum horsepower motors. If you were to compare a Pro-V 1875 with a 150 vs. an Impact 1875 with the same, the Impact is faster (52 mph vs. 46 mph). You’ll note that the MSRP for an underpowered Pro-V 1875 is about $2500 greater than a maxed out Impact 1875.
Fishability
One place where the Pro-V indisputably reigns supreme from a performance standpoint is fishability. It’s hard to argue with this when you can easily put a kicker motor andshallow water anchor on while still having a boarding ladder for safety and legal reasons. This is because of an ingenious trick Lund has done to put a boarding ladder directly inside the port gunnel.
While it probably isn’t the best ladder on earth, if you’re fairly fit, it will allow you to refuse to compromise between having a kicker or having a shallow water anchor, which is a huge plus in my mind. You can troll for lake trout with your kicker motor one minute and park yourself directly next to a bass bed the next with your anchor. With the Impact, you need to pick one or the other (or buy a really fancy trolling motor, like a Minn Kota Terrova to try and compensate).
Storage
The layout on the Pro-V provides more and better storage than the Impact. The front casting deck especially shows this point. I’ve always felt like my Impact had a lot of wasted space on the front casting deck as the angle and type of storage boxes left a lot to be desired. For example, while the port side compartment is spacious, the one on starboard is tiny. The Pro-V corrects this in a big way, as the compartments are mirrored on both sides (and, from the looks of it, much larger in the first place). Additionally, while there’s never going to be something as “truly dry” storage on a boat, the Pro-V’s compartments seem substantially more likely to keep water out than the Impact’s as they have much wider metal lips and dividers around them.
The Pro-V also has a very handy storage space for your cranking battery in the center of the rear floor where it is completely out of the way. In the Impact, you end up using one of the boxes on the rear casting deck that you’d really rather have for other stuff.
Rod Storage
One place the Impact does do better than the Pro-V, surprisingly, is with rod storage, as you can get an 8′ 6″ rod in the port gunnel storage as opposed to an 8′ rod that the Pro-V allows. While I haven’t had a chance to play around with the Pro-V, I do think the “top down” port storage on the Impact seems like it would be easier to access and use than the side-opening port storage the Pro-V favors. On the other hand, the Pro-V can carry 15 rods in its center rod storage compared to only 10 on the Impact. While you can buy rod tubes for the port rod storage as an option, this is something to consider.
Family-Friendly
The Impact 1875 Sport is a better family boat than the Pro-V 1875. I’m reaching that conclusion based on my experience with my Impact and knowledge of how the layout “plays out” in practice. I look at the Pro-V and have concerns that if I bought one in the future, I’d really miss the Impact’s layout.
While it might sound stupid, the specific reason for this is that the Impact has the recessed gunnel storage while the Pro-V’s gunnel storage is flush with the top of the side of the boat. In practical use, this means that the Impact has substantially more places for a kid to sit and fish from, or put their lunch and have a snack. It’s also another place that you can go to help them retie a lure, or even just to kick your feet up on while you’re trolling from your captain’s chair.
Finally, the Impact allows for more family members or friends to come along. It is rated for 7 passengers as opposed to the Pro-V’s 6 passengers. Depending on the size of your family, this could be an important consideration.
The Pro-V has many “better” features, but at the end of the day, I think the Impact is laid out substantially better because of these recessed gunnels, and it allows for more passengers. It’s too bad Lund doesn’t offer a recessed gunnel option on their Pro-V lineup, but “them’s the chips.”
See that recessed gunnel? It might as well be a landing deck on an aircraft carrier compared to my kid. It’s a great option.
Cost of Ownership
The Impact is going to cost you less to own over time. First, it’s substantially less expensive to purchase, even with maximum horsepower. Secondly, its towing weight is substantially less which will cost you less fuel to move it, and possibly allow a smaller vehicle to move it.
In addition to these factors, also consider that the Pro-V 1875 does come prepared to accept 4 batteries in that many folks rig one up with the 36-volt trolling motor. I can’t say for sure if you’d really need one, with just about 300lbs difference between the boats, but you might. If you do, that’s another battery to buy, a more expensive trolling motor to buy, and just one more thing to go wrong.
The Verdict: Lund Pro-V 1875 or Lund Impact 1875 Sport?
When I think of my next boat, I’d have a really hard time justifying going with a Lund Pro-V 1875 over the Impact 1875 Sport. While it is an upgrade in nearly every respect, it’s not that compelling of one to justify the much higher price, and much worse layout given the gunnel storage.
In my mind, and given I already own the Impact, “upgrading” to the Pro-V 1875 would mean that I would be going to a boat that could bring one less passenger with two less handy areas to sit and fish from. It seems likely to feel much more crowded, and that doesn’t work for me. The only reason it’s even in consideration is because of its price point compared to the Pro-V 1975 coupled with the fact that it can accept a kicker and talon on the transom while still having a boarding ladder. That is a very nice option indeed.
Weighing all of this, if I was in my 50’s and my children were grown, the Pro-V would probably be my choice. But, as I’m in my 30’s and my children are young, a Pro-V that is this small just seems impractical to me. If I was going to jump to this model, it would need to be one of the larger ones (1975 or up) or it just doesn’t seem worth it.
The Lund Impact 2025 XS vs. the Lund Pro-V 1975
Now let’s look at some bigger brothers. Again, we’re not going to check out the 2075 or 2175 Pro-V’s as they’re in a class completely in their own. Instead, we’ll look at the Pro-V 1975. Unfortunately, Lund does not offer the Impact in a 1975 version, so the closest comparison we can get to the Pro-V 1975 is the Lund Impact 2025 XS.
Note that there are some pretty significant changes between the 2025XS and the 1875 Sport in terms of layout. It’s not so much of a stretch to call them completely different boats, so it’s worth doing the comparison all over again. First, some stats (note that neither of these boats offer any option other than a full walkthrough windshield):
Here too the Pro-V is going to have the edge over the Impact in terms of pure construction. Granted, the Impact 2025 XS moves up to the IPS2 hull which is nice, and matches the Pro-V in hull thickness in 2/3 of the measured categories. Even so, The Pro-V 1975, while 4″ shorter, has a 4″ wider beam and a 5.5″ greater chine width. All of this should add up to a better-performing boat, on the water. I’ll leave to you whether the Pro-V’s .020″ thicker double-plated bow is going to make that much difference with what you tend to hit day to day, but it certainly can’t hurt.
Performance
Lund’s website again places the Pro-V faster, with the 1975 topping out at 56 mph compared to the 52 mph Impact 2025 XS. However, this is also a matchup between two different engines as the Pro-V 1975 accepts 25 more horses than the Impact 2025 XS. Regardless, when both boats are similarly underpowered with a 150 HP motor, the Pro-V still has a slight edge (44 mph vs. 43 mph). Accordingly, if speed is important to you, the Pro-V is slightly better across the board (though, if 4 mph better is really something to worry about, I leave entirely to you).
Fishability
As with the 1875, the Pro-V 1975 is better from a fishability standpoint in that it can accommodate a kicker, shallow water anchor, and boarding ladder at the same time given the gunnel-stored rescue ladder. While I suppose it’s unfair to say the Impact 2025 XS “can’t” do this, you’d have to move the talon way off to the side, right along with the gunnel. I know I’ve seen a fellow do this with the Pro-V so he could get two talons instead of one. Even if this is possible, this strikes me as a great way to make fishing from the back of your boat a giant pain in the butt. The bottom line is the Pro-V line up allows you to put the anchor and kicker where they belong while still being safe and legal.
Storage
Again, the Pro-V is going to best the Impact on storage. To me, this is almost inexcusable at this stage as the Impact 2025 XS is longer by a few inches, yet Lund has once again gone with the questionable storage layout on the front deck. I dislike it and would love to see it change for the Impact lineup in the future.
The Pro-V 1975 storage layout is much the same as the 1875 as the additional foot of space goes in the cockpit area. Everything I liked about the smaller model applies to this one as well.
Rod Storage
Once more, the Impact can accommodate longer rods in the the port rod locker, but, again, it can only accept 10 rods in the center storage compared to the 15 of the Pro-V. This is balanced, of course, against the fact that you can lay rods down along the recessed gunnel in an Impact, which isn’t an option with the Pro-V.
Family Friendly
I’m not as quick to judge the Impact a better family boat once you get to this tier, though it probably still has the edge. While it does have the same recessed gunnels that I think are so important, it takes a step back on the aft casting platform. My Impact 1875 Sport has a flip up seat. This does two important things for my family:
It doubles the size of the aft casting deck.
It allows my wife a “tanning platform” which, really, just makes everyone happier, don’t you think?
The Pro-V’s retain this option, and actually improve it, as the casting deck is broken into 3 parts and you can flip them up or down individually to access your livewell. The Impact 2025 XS, on the other hand, goes to the “jump seat” model. While this does save floor space, it also reduces this casting deck/tanning platform. I don’t like it!
This tanning bed is a very important part of any conversation convincing a spouse to allow you to purchase a boat. The Pro-V has an upgraded version. The Impact 2025 XS takes a step backwards.
Passenger Capacity and Where to Put Them
Setting aside my rant about casting platforms and tanning decks, we still have the gunnel storage situation to deal with. You will find that, as a family boat, your kids will have more places to sit, fish, eat, and play in the Impact 2025 XS than the do in the Pro-V 1975.
This is important, because the Impact 2025 XS can carry two more people than the Pro-V. Much of the reason for this is the “XS” designation in the first place, as this is technically a “fish and ski” model for Lund rather than a pure fishing model. The Impact 2025 XS was designed to be a family-friendly fishing boat where you could take the spouse, kids, and their friends or grandparents safely. The Pro-V is neither rated for this nor is there a place to put this many folks given the gunnel storage.
Cost of Ownership
Again, all the same arguments I went over with the 1875 models are going to apply here, except that both of these boats are large and should be using a 36-volt system for their trolling motors.
Another factor is your tow vehicle. The towing weight of the Pro-V 1975 is listed as 3546 lbs, and this is before you add any gear (and I believe before you add in for fuel). With a 51 gallon tank, you’re easily looking at 4,000 lbs when you factor in gear as well. That’s right at the 80% mark that many recommend you not exceed when it comes to vehicle towing capacity of many popular family SUVs, which is an important consideration. You’ll really want a vehicle that can tow more than 5,000lbs to get into either of these boats, but definitely the Pro-V 1975. You’d better like the looks of the Nissan Pathfinder.
The Verdict: Lund Pro-V 1975 or Lund Impact 2025 XS?
Not to sound like a broken record, but again it all depends on what you want. The Lund Pro-V started as a better boat from a “fishability” standpoint with the 1875, and doubles down on that in the 1975 length. Likewise, the Impact 2025 XS takes “family friendly” to a new level with the allowance of an 8th passenger, even if they can’t tan as easily from the back deck.
It all boils down to what you need and want in life. Are you a hardcore fisherman who brings hardcore fisherman buddies with you? Or, do you have little fishing buddies that just want to have fun? The Impact will be less expensive and better for children in general. The Pro-V will give you more options and ways to catch fish, but it’ll cost you.
Will My Next Boat be a Lund Impact or a Pro-V?
Bear in mind that I’m looking at these matchups from the perspective of “what should MY next boat be.” Given I have a Lund Impact 1875 Sport, in my mind it’s not until the 1975 class that the Pro-V starts to make more sense than the Impact. While I struggle to appreciate the added value when looking at two 1875s, the 1975 gives you a full foot of extra space to work with and compensate for the loss of seating space on the gunnels.
The Timing of Things…
Much of this will come down to when I pull the trigger. My son will by 6 this summer, and my daughter will be 3. In all honesty, I don’t need a different boat right now, and if I bought it, I’d be very concerned it would mostly be a garage queen. At the very least, it would spend the overwhelming majority of its time on teeny tiny lakes where a bigger boat really isn’t needed. Thus, if worst came to worst and I had to buy a new boat with an insurance check, I’d probably try and source a used Lund Impact 1875 Sport for the time being.
On the other hand, if things go to plan, and I buy a boat in the next five years, when my son is turning 11 and daughter is turning 8, the Pro-V would really start to come into its own. By then, the two of them shouldn’t need that recessed gunnel as much, and the extra length and durability of the Pro-V, coupled with the ability to put on a kicker and Talon, would become all the more appealing.
Later in life, when they both are in college and I’m “on my own” with my wife, I might take up guiding, which would require an entirely new approach (perhaps then you’ll see me start contemplating a 2075, or even a tiller).
It all depends on where you are. For now, I’ll stick with my rule of thumb:
If you have small children, buy a Lund Impact.
If your children are grown, by a Pro-V.
Thanks for Reading
I hope you enjoyed this article and found it insightful. I know that the question of “Should my next boat be an Impact or a Pro-V” has kept me up at night, scouring the internet! Please feel free to post a comment or to send me an email with any questions you might have.
Lund vs. Alumacraft might as well be the Pepsi vs. Coke of the multispecies boat world. Just about everyone who has ever thought of buying one of these vessels has researched these two brands, and probably wavered over which one to buy. That’s why you’re here reading this, right? In this article, I’m going to dance with the devil and answer a question that might just split my readership in two: Lund vs. Alumacraft: Who Makes the Better Boat?
Well, to cut to the chase, if you’re in the market for an entry-level family boat, Alumacraft makes much more sense. If you want a top-of-the-line tournament fishing boat, Lund is best. Finally, if you’re trying to buy a mid-tier boat, you’re going to spend many nights tossing and turning trying to figure out if you made the right call, because it’s very close! Want to know why? Read on!
I need to be completely up front that I own a Lund Impact. I have never owned the other Lund boats that I’m going to discuss. Likewise, I have also never owned an Alumacraft. I’m just a guy who, much like you, has spent a lot of time sifting through the internet and visiting boat dealerships researching both brands. I am going to analyze this research through the lens of someone who has been fishing from an Impact for close to a decade, but at the end of the day, this article is just one more piece of research for you to consider.
I’ll try and stay objective (not being sponsored by either brand or working for a dealership should help). This article is meant to put all of my research into one easy-to-find place to help others (and myself, when it’s time to buy a new boat). With that said, after reading this article, you should also go to walleyecentral.com and visit their boating forums for firsthand accounts from actual owners.
Because I do not own all of the boats I will discuss, this article is a little text-heavy. If anyone reading this owns one of these boats and would grant me permission to use their photos in this article, please send them to johnpaxton@fishingfather.com and I will include them to make the article easier on the eyes. Until then, buckle up and get ready for a Big Walleye Boat of Text (and who wouldn’t after that Dad Joke)?
Why Just These Two Brands?
I suppose a fair question is why I would focus on these two brands. After all, there are dozens of high-quality boat manufacturers out there, and it would be brazen of me to declare these two “the best” without so much as acknowledging the others, right? Well, yes. But… If you’re researching your next boat and have it narrowed down to Lund vs. Alumacraft, you’ve probably landed on those two brands because they’re both riveted aluminum boats with high name recognition and a tradition of value. That, and I suspect I’ll catch enough flak in the comments as is without annoying all other brand guys.
Rivets vs. Welds
One of the first things that people argue about when discussing best aluminum boats is their construction. Some people prefer welds, with a popular phrase being that the U.S. Navy does too (I have no idea how accurate that is, but it is a saying for sure). On the other hand, some people prefer rivets, noting that this is what those giant chunks of metal hurtling through the skies at hundreds of miles of hours known as “airplanes” use.
This article isn’t really meant to delve into this debate. I prefer rivets because I figure if one fails, I can either fix it myself the right way, or, if I’m being lazy, slop some J-B Weld on it and call it a day. I don’t have the tools or skillset to fix a busted weld on the fly. If you’re landing on either a Lund or Alumacraft, you’ve probably decided you want a riveted boat too, as both of these brands use them.
Name Recognition & Tradition of Value
People know all about Lund. They know that it is a vaunted brand, much like Harley-Davidson is to motorcycles. They hold their resale value extremely well and when you see a used one put up for a fair price, it is snatched almost instantly. Much like a house in a highly-desired neighborhood, you’d better show up cash in hand and close the deal that day or else it is good as gone.
Alumacraft isn’t quite there on name recognition or resale value, but it’s close. It’s certainly a well-recognized brand and pops up in almost all the same discussions as Lund. There have to be a few dozen different boat manufacturers, yet these two are almost always in the same sentence. If Lund is the traditional “gold standard,” then Alumacraft being the boat that’s constantly pitted up against it says something.
All the same, there must be a winner, and Lund gets the title when it comes to name recognition.
Other Considerations in the Lund vs. Alumacraft Debate
There are a few other things you need to consider before landing on a Lund or Alumacraft boat, such as their respective customizability, dealership networks and also what outboard motors they each offer. Let’s review both in some detail as this will help you narrow your focus between the brands.
Customizability
If this was a contest about which brand can be customized with more options, Alumacraft wins hands down, or at least when it comes to the important choices of motors, and aft flip-up seating options.
Motor Options
Look, if you want to buy a Lund, you are buying one with a Mercury or Honda outboard. Any guy who buys one with anything else bought the boat and motor separate and had the dealer rig it. While possible, that’s a real pain.
Alumacraft, on the other hand, lets you use darn near any motor you’d like. Just looking at their boat builder, they offer Mercury, Evinrude, Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha. It’s no contest. If choice of motor is important to you, Alumacraft wins.
Aft Seating
At first glance, it would appear that some of the Alumacraft boats discussed below don’t doesn’t offer any kind of aft-seating option, however when you go into the boat builder, there is an option for a flip-up bench seat in the back on all of the models I discuss. I assume this is like the one on my Impact, which probably doubles the size of the rear casting deck, and allows for bench seating when necessary. This is a great option.
As you can see, its just a matter of installing some hinges and having a bench seat that fits, but Lund doesn’t offer this on some of their entry level boats, and other ones have individual flip-up seats that don’t extend the all important rear casting/”wife & girlfriend tanning” deck. Since you can get this on all the Alumacraft boats I’ll discuss here, they get the nod for this category.
Note that this is on a Lund Impact, but it’s a great feature all the same, and appears to be an option for the Classic. I wouldn’t buy one without it.
Fiberglass Option
The only place Lund pulls ahead in customizability is the choice between fiberglass and aluminum hulls. Alumacraft stays true to their name and lacks any fiberglass hulls while Lund offers a few models with a fiberglass option. Perhaps some day I’ll write an article researching the comparative value of Lund Fiberglass vs. some fiberglass competitors like Ranger.
Dealership Network
Not every boat brand has a dealer near you. I know some of you reading this from out west are saying, “Story of my life” and you’re used to long drives for anything, but it’s something to consider. While I’ve read about plenty of folks driving 20 hours for a boat or even having them shipped, I wouldn’t be comfortable doing that.
Warranty and Repair Concerns
The main reason I’d be more than a bit uncomfortable buying from a dealer more than about 4-6 hours away is I’d be concerned what would happen if something went wrong with my boat.
Think of it this way: there are four main ways something can go wrong with a boat:
You messed something up;
Your dealer messed something up;
The factory messed something up;
A gremlin messed something up.
Now, if you messed something up, I suppose any old boat repair shop near you would do. There’d be no need to repeat that 20-hour hike to bring it back to the dealer you bought it from.
On the other hand, if the dealer made a mistake, they’d be the right entity to fix it, no? Certainly they’d be the one most likely to fix it free of charge.
Likewise, if the factory had an off day, you’d want to partner with their dealer – not some closer, other brand’s – to resolve the issue. With modern technology (especially after this crash course in virtual everything given COVID-19), this might be possible from home with a smart phone, but then again, it might not.
Gremlins are the worst, because they tend to only manifest for you and magically are fine when you bring it to the shop. While this “could” be one of those situations where any mechanic will do, you also might be better off with the folks who service oodles of these boats and may have met this gremlin before to, you know?
Lack of Leverage
I know you might have your heart set on that Lund, but if you have three Alumacraft dealers near you and only one Lund dealer, which brand do you think you can get the better deal with, honestly? Forget the sticker price. Which dealer is going to work with you more? The one who has fierce competition, or the only game in town?
I own a Gheenoe LT-10. It’s an awesome little flats boat/canoe that is a dime a dozen in Florida where it is manufactured. My options were to drive 4 hours to one dealer, or 10 hours to the next. My dealer was well aware I had these options. I paid sticker price.
Granted, a Gheenoe is far more unique than an aluminum fishing boat so you could always tell the dealer you’re considering different brands, but you get my point.
Other Thoughts – Or, “Please Don’t Hate Me for Copping Out”
I have to tell you, I had these grandiose plans for what I was going to do here. I even got going with about an hour worth of research to help you out as to what states had how many boat dealers and what not, but what I found was that neither Lund, Alumacraft, or even Google do that great of a job of telling you all your options. Lund’s website, for example, only gives you the 4 closest dealers to the city you input. Alumacraft provides the closest 3 to a zip code. Google, on the other hand, seems to crawl for any type of “Lund” or “Alumacraft” reference, or maybe even just uses boats for sale even if they’re used – it’s hard to tell exactly what is going on, but I found a ton of false signals.
What I will tell you is that Lund and Alumacraft are, primarily, known for multi-species boats. Given this, it should come as no surprise to you that regions where walleye, lake trout, and northern pike are popular and prevalent also tend to have more of these dealers. Once you move to more “bassy” areas, the numbers plummet.
For example, I was able to locate 7 Lund dealers in New York (which features Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Lake Champlain, Lake George, and other popular “trolling” lakes). In contrast, despite the immense popularity of fishing in Texas, I could locate only 2 Lund dealers in that entire state.
Likewise, just the greater Minneapolis metropolitan area has at least 4 Lund Dealerships while the entire state of Florida has only 2. Again, Florida is not exactly bereft of fishermen.
So, if you’re concerned about the maintenance and warranty issues I described earlier, you might want to pick the brand that has a dealership somewhat near you.
Grandiose plans dashed, I hope at least the knowledge that you need to dig a little deeper with these searches will help you avoid missing your next great dealer. If anyone from Lund or Alumacraft should ever read this, it’d be great if you allowed one to search within certain miles, and listed more than 4 and 3 dealers respectively.
Anyway, with that aside, let’s dive into some of the boats.
How to Compare a Lund vs. Alumacraft Boat?
I’ve wanted to write this article for awhile now given how great these boats are for families, but I’ve struggled with how to approach it. This isn’t as simple as comparing a family sedan. An apples to oranges comparison is very challenging to find in many categories. For example, Lund really doesn’t have a “Better than midrange, but not quite top-of-the-line Pro-V” type boat, such as the Alumacraft Tournament Pro. On the other hand, Alumacraft doesn’t have a high-end aluminum bass boat, such as the Pro-V Bass, or an aircraft carrier…er “very large trolling boat” like the Lund Baron. Likewise, Lund’s midrange boat, the Impact, doesn’t have half as many layout or size options as Alumacraft’s Competitor.
Because of this, it’s extremely hard to just take two boats of “Class A” and stack them up next to each other, list their stats, and make a decision based on that. It wouldn’t do justice to the brands, or help you much. Instead, what I am going to do is to break this article into three categories:
Entry level boats (for those who just want to get started).
All Around Value boats (for the families that fish a lot, but not competitively).
Tournament Series boats (for the competitive angler).
Note that both brands build other types of boats, but this is a family website and these are the most family-friendly types of fishing vessels.
A Note on Pricing
Note that (when available) I will give the MSRP price directly from the manufacturer website. The ONLY thing I will add is the cost of the MOTOR when necessary, and I will let you know what motor I chose. I will not select any other options from the brands’ various “boat builders.”
Even though Alumacraft offers more outboard options than Lund, I’m going to use Mercury Outboards, when possible, as an apples to apples comparison. Pricing may change significantly depending on what outboard you had in mind.
Again (I’m stressing this!), these prices are with absolutely no options other than a basic trailer and motor. They areall subject to change at any time, and are all based on MSRP sourced directly from the manufacturer websites in March of 2021. The manufacturers could decide to change these (probably higher, at the rate things are going) at any moment!!! Use these as a “GUIDELINE.” I cannot be held liable for what happens if you use these prices to sell your wife on the idea of buying one of these, and then she finds out what they really cost fully rigged! I can’t help you, fellas! You are on your own – I can’t stress it enough!
Unfortunately, Alumacraft does not show as many prices as Lund, so I have to do a little detective work in some cases. I’ll note when this happens. I’ll let you be the judge as to how good a sleuth I am.
Perhaps we can all look back on this post ten years from now, when at the rate it’s going, boats are probably a few hundred grand, and have a little group hug over “the good ol’ days.” This disclaimer goes for the entirety of this article!
Having said all that, let’s get to the fun part and start talking about boats!
Entry Level Boats for Families
Both Lund and Alumacraft offer very basic boats that come with no frills and are basically meant for fishing camps. This is not what I’m talking about when I say “entry level boat.” Instead, we’re going to discuss the entry level offerings of each brand that get you the following specifications:
An outboard motor of at least 50 horsepower.
A walkthrough windshield option.
A passenger capacity of at least 5 people.
A rod locker of some sort.
These four options are what I would consider the bare-minimum for a fun day fishing with your family. Granted, not everyone wants a walkthrough windshield, but you ought to have the option. I grew up fishing on a boat that didn’t have one, and it could be miserable!
Lund Angler & Rebel XL
Lund offers two boat models that I’d consider “entry level” and which check all the boxes above: the Angler and the Rebel XL.
The Angler is less expensive but also smaller than the Rebel XL. While both are about the same length (16’5″ for the Angler vs. 16’7″ for the Rebel XL), the Rebel XL has a 5″ wider beam. The Rebel can take a 90-hp motor as opposed to a 60-hp for the Angler. Finally, the Rebel has a 19-gallon fuel tank as opposed to the piddly 6.5-gallon tank on the Angler.
While the layout is fairly similar between the two, the Rebel XL comes with some very handy features. First and foremost being the flip up seating option in the back. This turns the rear casting deck into extra seating for your kids, which is handy because it means you only need to use two of the four seat bases behind the windshield. With the Angler, if you want your kids to have a backrest, they’re either sitting on the floor, or you need to use all the seat bases. This is NOT something you want to do on a 16′ boat where space is limited to begin with.
Both are lightweight to tow, with the entire packing coming in at less than a ton. Assuming you don’t drive like a maniac, you should be able to tow these safely with vehicles that have around 2,500 – 3,000lb towing capacities, though given the weight of gear I’d be more comfortable on the higher end of that with a Rebel XL. In any event, there is no need to buy a truck or giant SUV to haul these boats around.
The Lund Angler can safely carry 5 passengers while the Rebel XL carries 6. This is an important consideration considering the size of your family and if you want to bring any friends along.
Potential Pricing (Rough Estimate)
To rig an Angler up with a maxed-out 60-hp motor, you’d be set back $24,196 according to the MSRP sourced in March of 2021 (and this is before you rig it). In contrast, a Rebel XL with a 90-hp Mecury has an MSRP of $29,116 (also before rigging). Note that this is more than I paid for my fully-rigged 2012 Lund Impact 1875 Sport with a 115-hp motor in 2012. Yes, these prices are getting ridiculous.
Alumacraft Classic & Voyageur
Our friends at Alumacraft also offer two “entry level” boats that have an option for a walkthrough windshield, can have at least a 50-hp motor, can carry at least 5 people, and have a rod locker of some sort: the Classic and the Voyager.
Alumacraft Classic
While Alumacraft offers several less expensive boats that could be called “entry level,” the Classic series is the first one with the walkthrough windshield. As stated above in the customizability section, it also allows an aft flip-up seat. When you go down a bit and see what their likely price is, this is a fantastic combo of options that many families can afford. You get a heck of a lot of boat for your money with these.
Look at all these things you get for the price:
A 16’4″ boat with a windshield
Two lockable 7′ rod lockers
A 17 gallon fuel tank
A max hull thickness of 0.145”
A max horsepower of 90
These are all better than the Lund Angler (their most entry level boat with a windshield). Additionally, the Alumacraft Classic has a winder beam by an inch and a half. Remember those old Pontiac commercials “Wider is better?” Well, in boating it often is.
Potential Pricing
Unfortunately, the boat builder on Alumacraft is not giving me pricing for the Classic 165 Sport with a 90-hp motor. I’m not sure if that is just a bug or what as they let you see the MSRP pricing on other models. What I can tell you is that they’re advertising it as “starting at $18,799 MSRP.” This almost certainly means with a 50-hp motor, which is the smallest option. Going on Lund’s website (I know, I know, “Lund, Lund, Lund…” But their website is better with showing prices – what do you want from me?), the 90-hp Mercury goes for about $2,500 more than the 50-hp. So, we’re probably looking at around $21,299. Again, don’t quote me on this and ask your dealer. I’m doing the best I can and making a reasonable guess with the information at hand.
Regardless, I think it’s at least safe to say that even if I’m off a bit, an Alumacraft Classic is going to cost significantly less than a Lund Rebel XL.
Alumacraft Voyageur
The Voyageur on the other hand is the first boat we’ve looked at so far that goes up to the 17′ class. I’d still put it in this entry level class however given its pricing, which I’ll explain further down.
The Voyageur is the first boat we’ve discussed that has a center rod box. This is handy because it’s more out of the way than the port or starboard rod boxes on the other models (kids tend to like to sit on these). Like the Classic, it too apparently can be fitted with a flip-up bench seat. Thus, the Voyageur is the first boat that basically looks like its bigger rivals. Indeed, its motto is “It’ll make bigger boats out there jealous!” Yeah – that pretty much sums it up!
From what I can tell, the Alumacraft Voyageur weighs in at 1,070 which is only 105lb heavier than the Rebel XL. While the larger motor will also have some increased weight, you should–for the most part–be able to tow a Voyageur with most vehicles that could also tow the Rebel XL.
Potential Pricing
As with the Classic, it’s hard to tell exactly what a Voyageur is going to go for without asking a dealer for a quote. It’s nationally advertised price is $23,899, but that is probably with the bare-bones 70-hp motor. As it goes to 125-hp, you can expect to pay several thousand more if you were to go that route. I can’t even find a Merc 70 or 125 for sale on Lund’s site, so the best comparison I can use is a 115. The price difference between the 75-hp and 115-hp is about $1,800. Given this, I’d expect that you could get into a Voyageur with a 115-hp Mercury motor at an MSRP of under $26,000. Note that this is several less thousand dollars than a Lund Rebel XL despite being a longer boat.
The Verdict: Alumacraft
Look, I’m a Lund guy through and through, but I have to give Alumacraft the nod here. They offer a better value for an entry level boat. Remember, much of the reason you’re buying a Lund is because of the name, for better or worse. You need to ask yourself, if you’re just in this for an entry level boat, what does that name really mean? At some point, is an entry level Lexus really better than a top of the line Toyota?
It seems that you can save a lot of money getting a bigger boat (Voyageur) from Alumacraft. It will come with a bigger motor, aft flip-up seating, and center rod box. You’ll likely get all this for less price than a Lund Rebel XL, and can even pick which motor you want (and your mechanic services).
If you went with the most base of base models, the Classic vs. the Angler, it’s really not much of a comparison. It’s almost not fair, and the Angler’s just here because of the windshield. All the same, that’s the guidelines I set out, and sticking to them, if you want an entry level boat, Alumacraft is going to be your better option.
All Around Value Boat
Who makes the best “all around value” multispecies boat between Alumucraft and Lund is, perhaps, the greatest can of worms in this thread. If you weren’t furiously typing an email or comment just yet, I trust you will shortly. I will say one thing right up front: Alumacraft has way more options here than Lund. Indeed, as we’ll see in the top-tier boat segment, Alumacraft seems to have a much different business model. Whereas Lund basically has “a mid-level boat” class, Alumacraft has “type of boat that has everything from entry level to high level.”
What do I mean by that? It’s clunky, I know… Well, look at the Alumacraft Competitor. This is ostensibly the main competition to the Lund Impact (which is Lund’s “best value” brand), yet it has boats strong enough to be included in the premium discussion (and indeed is probably one of the better premium boats Alumacraft offers). There’s a world of difference between an Alumacraft Competitor 205 and 165, for example. That’s a range that you just don’t really see with the Impact, unless you go up to the Impact 2025 XS, which has some pretty distinct variations that make it, in my mind, an Impact in name only.
Let’s take a closer look at what each manufacturer offers.
Lund Impact
This is the boat I own, the boat I love, and the boat I potty trained my son on. It has taken me on many great adventures across New England, and opened up Lake Champlain in ways my old man’s boat, “Sinky,” never could. I’m completely enamored by it, as you can tell from my full-length review.
The Lund Impact, in my mind, is probably the best value boat that Lund offers. I have never felt like my boat was “too small” on Lake Champlain. Indeed, it has even gotten me through a microburst once, which sucked, but I made it. I’ve had no issues taking my whole family out for a spin as well as bringing some friends with the 7 person rating.
The Impact has nice options like aft flip up seating, sliding drawers under each console, and recessed gunnel storage that acts as another place to fish (I love this).
Sizing Them Up
The Impact comes in three sizes:
1675 – 16’10” long with a 90″ beam, max hp of 90, and max speed of 42 mph.
1775 – 17’11” long with a 96″ beam, max hp of 125, and max speed of 45mph.
1875 – 18’11” long with a 96″ beam, max hp of 150, and max speed of 52 mph.
I’ve noticed that most guys go with the 1775. This does seem to be a good choice given that you get the wider beam. From what I’ve seen, not many have gone with a 125 hp motor and instead seem content with a 115. This seems to be the “sweet spot” for this combo, as far as I can tell.
Potential Pricing
As of writing, Lund is listing the Impacts with a starting price range of $27,087 – $32,649. You’ll get the 1675 with its recommended 90hp motor for this, but the others have smaller motors. Even so, my 1875 has the 115 you’ll get for that $32,649, and I’ll tell you – I don’t miss the 150.
Alumacraft Competitor
Again, it’s hard to judge what a comparable Alumacraft is because they simply offer their boats in a much wider range of options than Lund. The Competitor series is a great example of that. Competitors come in a variety of lengths and options, but their higher-end ones are really starting to look like Pro-V competition, so I discuss those a bit further. For the purposes of this mid-range boat discussion, I’m going to do the best I can to compare apples to apples by focusing on three models: the 165, 175, and 185. First, some stats (Alumacraft doesn’t list top speeds). Note that these are for Sport models that have a dual windshield.
165 – 16’7″ long with a 87″ beam, max hp of 90
175 – 17’8″ long with a 95″ beam, max hp of 150
185 – 18’8″ long, 95″ beam, max hp of 175
So, compared to the Impacts, you will get a shorter, narrower boat, but you’re also going to get 25 more horses on both the 175 and 185. Alumacraft doesn’t list top speeds, but one would expect that they would edge out the Impact slightly.
Note that most if not all of the features you’re going to see on an Impact you’ll also see in the Competitor (albeit in their own licensed version). The Competitor has the same recessed gunnel storage as the Impact that I think is so valuable, for example.
The storage in general looks pretty similar between the two boats with Alumacraft having a slightly different layout up front.
Customizability
As with all Alumacraft boats, where they really pull ahead over Lund is their customizability. Not only can you get far more types engines on an Alumacraft straight from the dealer, but every level of their competitor series comes in three trims: sport with a walk through windshield, a CS model that has one windscreen for the driver, and–excitingly–a tiller option. This is something Lund simply doesn’t allow for on their Impact line, and is huge in my opinion.
Potential Pricing
As of March 2021, and with the usual disclaimers, Alumacraft has an MSRP on their site of anywhere from $21,899 (165 Sport) to $44,460 (185 Sport, presumably with a maxed hp engine, given there is a range). I’d mentioned above that Lund offers the 1875 Impact at $32,649 but this was with the 115. If you play around with their boat builder, the MSRP jumps to $42,988 with a 150 hp. Given the Alumacraft’s top price reflects a 175hp, it’s probably fair to say that the price of a 150 is comparable or perhaps slightly less expensive than the Impact.
The Verdict: Very Slight Edge to Alumacraft
This is much closer than the entry level section, but in my completely subjective analysis from researching both boats, I think I have to give the Competitor the slight edge, at least for value wise. I love my Lund Impact, and frankly probably would go with another one over the Competitor again, but I have to face facts. All of the following edges belong to Alumacraft:
I could get any motor I want, and a larger one (at least in the 175 and 185).
The features I love on the Impact, such as recessed gunnel storage, are also available on the Competitor.
I could have a tiller layout if I wanted (and I’m seriously considering this).
I could probably save money on the boat and use that to upgrade my electronics.
Lund does have a few things going for it:
The Impact is longer and wider.
A Lund most likely is going to have better resale value.
I honestly don’t think you could go wrong with either and perhaps the resale value associated with the brand will make up for the slightly higher cost
Tournament Series Boat
While the mid-tier section was challenging because of how convoluted it is between Lund and Alumacraft boats, once you move up to true top-of-the-line, premium, tournament series boats, the challenge becomes how to discuss something that is so unfair. Lund simply has horses in its stable that Alumacraft lacks.
Top-Tier Alumacraft Boats
This time we’ll start with Alumacraft. If you go to their website, it’s hard to even tell what they think their best boat is (a running theme of this article is, after all, that Alumacraft’s website is inferior to Lund’s — that’s a hill I’ll die on). It seems that the options boil down to three: the Tournament Pro, the Trophy, or the Competitor 205.
The Tournament Pro
The Tournament Pro comes in two lengths:
The 185 is 18’3″ long with a 97″ beam, max hp of 175, and no listed top speed.
The 195 is 19’3″ long with a 97″ beam, max hp of 200, and no listed top speed.
I mean, these are better than the Lund Impact offerings but they aren’t really “top-tier” numbers either. Honestly, the only reason it’s written here is because of its name and position on Alumacraft’s website, but this is basically just a nicer Impact, or an Impact 2025 competitor, in my opinion.
The Alumacraft Trophy
The Trophy comes in four lengths:
Though we’ll ignore it given its tiny size, the Trophy 175.
The Trophy 185 is 18’8″ long with a 98″ beam, max hp of 175, and no listed top speed.
Trophy 195 is 19’8″ long with a 98″ beam, max hp of 200, and no listed top speed
Trophy 205 is 20’8″ long with a 98″ beam, max hp of 300 and no listed top speed.
Clearly the 195 approaches “top tier” and the 205 is in it, though I will note as you look below you’ll find it is shorter and has a narrower beam than the Pro-V. Does this, in turn, mean that it is also faster? Perhaps, but on these boats I’m looking for maximum stability and would trade 1-2 mph for 3-4″ of width, personally.
There’s nothing “wrong” with the Trophy. It comes iwth
Well What about the Competitor?
The Competitor Series that we examined in the mid-range section is back, this time with the 205. It really seems like Alumacraft’s business model is to offer multiple types of boats that have different tiers associated with them, rather than building multiple tiers of boats like Lund. So here we are with the Competitor 205.
The Competitor 205 is 20’6″ long with a 96″ beam, max hp of 250, and no listed top speed.
Of these three options, frankly, the Competitor is probably the one I’d go with because it’s the only one of the three that offers something clearly “better” in some way than the Lund Pro-V: an enormous front casting deck. Seriously, go take a peek at the way this boat is laid out. If you fish alone frequently and like to fish from the front of the boat, you might legitimately like the layout of the Competitor better than the other boats. It certainly gives me pause.
Another great option with the Competitor is that the 205 comes in a tiller, which isn’t an option with any of the Lund’s we’ve discussed (though it is with the Pro Guide).
A Note on (Potential) Pricing
No offense to Alumacraft, but their other models don’t have the same size as Lund’s, nor the options that I’ll get into further down. There price is absolutely better, however, as the Tournament Pro 195 has an MSRP of $52,500, Competitor 205 has an MSRP of $55,840, and the Trophy 205 has an MSRP of $61,400. The Lund Pro-V 2075, on the other hand, has an MSRP of $71,539 – and that’s with a motor that’s 2/3 as powerful as the boat is rated for.
That in and of itself says something, but again, a theme of this article has been “You can get a lot of boat from Alumacraft for less price than a Lund.”
However, now let’s flip the script a bit and look at why I claim Lund makes the better top-of-the-line boat.
The Lund Pro-V Bass
First off, let’s just get this straight right off the bat: Lund makes a viable bass boat for professional bass tournament fishermen. Alumacraft doesn’t. It’s really that simple. Alumacraft makes “bass style” boats, like the Pro Series, Prowler Series, and Crappie Deluxe Series, sure, but these are all for the weekend angler. Lund’s 2075 Pro V Bass Boat is a legitimate contender on the professional bass tournament trail, and they have an Elite Series win to prove it.
The Pro-V Bass Series comes in two lengths (18’9″ and 20’10”) and four models (each has a standard bench seat bass boat style option, and then an “XS” line which stands for ‘Extra Seating’ and has some flip seats, making it the better family craft).
While 60mph is pretty slow for a bass boat, that’s balanced by the IPS2 hull design that is shared with its deep-v cousin, the “true” Pro-V. By researching some fishing forums of guys who have used these, the consensus seems to be that the Lund is typically going to do better in heavy water given the IPS2, though the “true” bass boats of course have better top-end speed. That didn’t seem to matter much to Jeff Gustafson when he took home that Elite Series win.
Anyway, if you’re looking for an aluminum bass boat that can clearly hang with the best the world has to offer, you’re options between these two brands are limited to one.
The Lund Pro-V
The Lund Pro-V is one of the most beautiful inventions anyone has ever thought of or built. There is nothing not to like about this boat (except for its extreme price). It comes in four sizes:
The 1875 is 18’10” long with a 97″ beam, max hp of 200, and a top speed of 56 mph.
The 1975 is 19’10” long with a 100″ beam, max hp of 225, and a top speed of 56 mph.
The 2075 is 20’10” long with a 102″ beam, max hp of 300, and a top speed of 61 mph.
The 2175 is 21’10” long with a 102″ beam, max hp of 400, and a top speed of 61 mph.
Frankly, I don’t see much point in getting the 1875. I don’t think it’s that much better of a boat than the Lund Impact, all things considered, and I greatly prefer the extra interior space that the Impact provides. Space is at a premium on any boat but becomes all the more important as overall length decreases. If you’re going to buy a Pro-V, I’d start your research at the 1975 where you get a wider beam, you get an extra foot of length, and you really start getting the value of the true premium line.
The Best Feature of Any Boat Known to Man
There’s plenty of websites with exact specifications of these boats and every little detail (including photos), but for the purposes of this article (a.k.a. why you should buy the Lund Pro-V instead of an Alumacraft boat), here’s what I love — and I mean love — about this boat is the fact that you can easily have a kicker motor, shallow water anchor, and a rescue ladder, all in one. This is because of what I think is one of the most ingenious parts of this boat – on their port side, in the gunnel, there is a recessed rescue ladder. Now, is it perfect? No. Will you probably swear a bit while you’re climbing up it? Sure. Does it allow you to safely and legally have all of these cool toys on the back of your boat, allowing you to handle literally any condition? You bet your butt it does!
If I’m buying a premium boat, I don’t want to compromise, and without this option, I’d have to. This option allows you to put a Talon where it’s designed to go, put a kicker where it’s designed to go, put your electronic transducers where they’re designed to go, and still have a boarding ladder if something goes wrong. This little option is so incredible and game changing that I can’t believe other manufacturers haven’t all adopted the idea, yet they haven’t.
Other Options
In addition to this one little feature that I’m raving about, you get literally the best of everything that Lund has to offer, thrown into this boat. There’s an IPS2 hull, composite transom (in recent model years), thick aluminum, their best livewell system, and more storage than some apartments. Additionally, it has a multi-part aft flip-up seating option that allows you to just flip the part you need to, when you need to (so you can access your livewell, for example. There is literally no compromise whatsoever with this boat.
For an in-depth video tour of this amazing boat, check out Waconda Boat’s YouTube video. You should subscribe to their channel too, as they come out with new ones each year. I know I hit like and subscribe so I could keep in touch with their videos, as they’re informative and really give you a great idea of what the boat can offer. Not all of us live near a Lund dealer, period, much less one that carries so many different brands, so definitely check their website out.
The Verdict: Lund
Remember at the beginning of this article where I said I was a Lund guy, and how if you are too, you were all expecting this to be a Lund parade the whole way through? Well, sorry to disappoint on the earlier boats, but when it comes to a true tournament series, top-of-the-line offering, Lund wins, hands down.
Look, I’m not saying that there aren’t plenty of professional walleye guys out there fishing from Alumacrafts. There certainly are, and they’re holding their own just like the Lund guys are. I’m just saying two things: (1) Alumacraft doesn’t even have a legitimate top-end bass boat to fish a tournament with (yet), and (2) the Lund Pro-V is probably the single sweetest aluminum multispecies boat that ever graced the water.
If you all start buying my book (which I really hope you will, since this website doesn’t pay for itself!) and I suddenly find myself with the cash to part with my dear, sweet Lund Impact (affectionately known as, “Penelope”) then I am buying a Lund Pro-V, and the only question is if I go with the more affordable 1975, or the true world-class 2075. There is nothing in Alumacraft’s lineup that excites me as much as these two boats, and while I’m sure that the Alumacraft’s boats are fine boats, in this case, the Premium brand pulls far ahead on the Premium, tournament series boat category.
Conclusions
Look, if you already own one of these boats, there’s no need for buyer’s remorse. Frankly, any boat that you already own is a steal at this point with the way boat prices are running through the roof. So, no need for tears if I was “mean” to your favorite boat or brand. If you’re sitting in it already, you got a good deal. Also, what the heck do I know, anyway? Again, this is a research project – me looking at different boats on the internet. Don’t be afraid to ask actual owners what they like and don’t like.
If, however, you’re trying to figure out what brand of boat you want to buy, you need to be discerning. As I’ve said right from the start, I’m a Lund guy. That could wind up costing me a lot of money if I’m not careful. Alumacraft offers high-quality boats, that are much more customizable, at a better price point than Lund. However, Lund offers better top-end models with features Alumacraft’s best can’t compete with. Which one you purchase is going to depend on your circumstances.
If you’re a family guy who likes to take his kids fishing, then, all things being equal, Alumacraft is probably the better value. You’ll get a boat that will do everything you need it to do without an expensive surcharge for a name.
If you’re a professional fisherman, Lund seems to be the best choice. On the other hand, how many tournaments do you have to win, or clients do you have to take, before you make up the price difference?
If you have a really specific need such
Wrapping Up
Well, folks, that’s it for this time. I hope you enjoyed this article and found it insightful. I know I tried to provide some value here to help you determine the best boat for you and your famil.y
Thanks and have a great day for fishing,
John Paxton
Want to learn how to take your kids out fishing? Do you have a friend who might need a hand? Click the pictures below to purchase my helpful books!
I’m starting to find a new appreciation for a minimalist approach to fishing. You see, I fear I may have spent a little bit too much on fishing tackle over the years. My wife has suspected the same for some time and hasn’t been shy of telling me, and now as I sit here staring at a bunch of lures I’ve never tied on, nor have any intention of tying on, I think she may be on to something.
I must have thousands of lures at this point. I have crankbaits in several dozen beautifully rendered colors. Spinnerbaits with every type of blade imaginable and jerkbaits for every type of action. I have a box filled with terminal tackle with hundreds of hooks of every shape and size.
When I was younger and didn’t have children I was caught up in it all and chased every “lead” or new fangled lure I could dream of. It should be no shock that once, a cashier at a sporting goods store looked at me and said, “Sir, are you ready for your total?”
I guess I got a little carried away… But what would life look like if I really tried to keep fishing simple?
A Minimalist Approach to Fishing Lure Colors
My tackle boxes feature a ridiculous variety of colors, most of which I have never used and will likely never use. Every single time I go fishing, I find that I’m drawn to four main colors:
I use chartreuse or clown (read: basically yellow) when I’m fishing in murky water, like south of the Crown Point Bridge in Lake Champlain.
I use white or yellow perch (read: natural) when I am fishing in clear water, like in Bulwagga Bay or north of the bridge in general. The idea being that white and yellow perch look much more like baitfish than a gaudy yellow. It has been my experience that the clearer the water becomes, the more productive white becomes. I fish in northern waters were yellow perch are prevalent, but you could substitute this for whatever prey is in your lake.
I use black when I am fishing during very overcast skies, or at night. This is because black stands out much better as it has a more distinct silhouette than the colors above.
So… Given that I know I’m only going to tie on these four colors, why is my tackle box filled with reds, greens, purples, silvers, golds, and everything in-between? Well, as dad always says, “They got me again.”
Of all these crankbaits, I only ever really use the one in my hand.
How Many Lures Do You Really Need?
Forget the colors. What about types? I believe I just may have every type of lure known to man, and I don’t even do this professionally. If you look at the tackle collections of some pros, they have more lures than some Wal-Marts. But how many do any of us really use? You hear about how so many people have their favorite few lures and techniques that they keep going back to, yet they buy everything under the sun. It doesn’t make sense.
I’d argue that you could get away with a select few rigs. I once wrote an entire article where I argued the only rig you needed to know was a drop shot. I ought to learn to take my own advice! Although I suppose that’s only good advice to those who fish near open water. If you’re surrounded by weedbeds, a drop shot’s usefulness tends to plummet.
Even so, one wouldn’t need every type of lure known to man. A drop shot, spinnerbait, and plastic worm combo could handle pretty much every situation you might encounter. The fish are deep and on rocks? Throw out the drop shot. Are they hanging along a weed line? Toss that spinnerbait. What about when they’re in heavy cover? Precisely place your plastic worm of choice right on target. Problem solved!
How Many Rods Should You Have?
I fail hard at minimalist fishing when it comes to how many fishing rods I own. The main rod box of my boat carries 10 rods. It is always completely full. The funny thing is, it often stays mostly full for much of the fishing trip. Indeed, if I have more than 2-3 rods out at any one time, it means I’m scrambling and haven’t found a pattern yet.
When I’m fishing with my kids, I bring multiple copies of their rods. I wouldn’t recommend doing anything less. I don’t bring multiple rods so I can try multiple techniques, but so my kids can keep on fishing while I fix their tangles all day! You can read all about what rods I think are best for kids in this article. You can also check out my in-depth review on the Ugly Stik Elite.
When I’m fishing by myself I try to bring as few rods as possible. On foot, anything more than one means that I have to move slower, because I have to find a place to set the second rod every time I want to cast. I can cover much more bank if I’m fishing with one rod, and I find I do better with less clutter on my casting deck as well if I’m on a boat.
What is the One Rod I Bring Along?
If you’re only going to use one fishing rod I suggest that you make it a Medium-Heavy power, fast action graphite one. This is a good all-around choice that can throw pretty much any set up you want. If I could only bring one rod, it would be a spinning rod. I find these more versatile than casting rods because they can throw a larger range of lure weights. If I want to use a drop shot, I can cast it easily. If I want to toss a spinnerbait, I can do that too. Casting rods, in contrast, often struggle with light presentations.
If you’re a fishing minimalist, chances are at least part of the reason for the decision is price. I do think you should invest a little money into a solid brand like St. Croix, likely their premier line up.
What About Tenkara?
If you really want to go all out with the minimalist fishing approach, you could learn about Tenkara fishing and pick up a kit. This Japanese approach is very simplistic and relies on a fishing pole instead of a rod. There’s no reel to speak of and the lures are usually light flies. If you really wanted to keep things as simple as possible, it would be hard to miss with this truly minimalist approach to fishing.
A Minimalist Approach to Fishing Boats
Honestly, if you’re trying to downsize your approach to fishing, you probably aren’t planning on buying a boat as it would kind of defeat the point. However, there are some ways that you can save some money even with boating.
The main opportunity is in the motor. Let’s be very clear: if you go on any fishing forum on earth and ask if you should max out the motor, you’re going to have no shortage of people telling you to do this. They’re going to talk about resale, top speed, and a host of other reasons. Well, I’ve been fishing with my boat for over eight years now. It’s rated for a 150 hp motor and has a 115. I have never missed the extra 35.
If you are not fishing in a tournament, planning on pulling very heavy water skiers, or intent on flipping your boat for a new one each year, there is little sense in insisting on maximum horsepower. Indeed, all the folks who are “hurting” from the “lack of resale value” are the perfect match for you when it’s time for you to buy a boat and them to sell one.
You also should consider what type of boat you need. Do you really need that fancy bassboat or deep v, or does the next model down work? My boat’s top end is 40mph. It can take my entire family safely. It goes for tens of thousands less than the top end models of its brand. When I think of why and how I use my boat it doesn’t make sense to go for broke. It might not for you either.
But Doesn’t Minimalist Fishing Miss Opportunities for Tricking Fish with New Lures?
I suppose the question above is the main reason the bait monkey exists, isn’t it? It’s certainly the reason you’ve read this entire article with a cautious eye! We’re all afraid that if we don’t grab the new hot lure, we’re going to lose a chance at the fishing trip of a lifetime.
Well, I can’t exactly offer reassurance here. I do think there’s something to be said for throwing something the fish have never seen, at least if it’s something that isn’t ridiculous (I’m looking at you, helicopter lure).
I remember back in the late 80’s when Berkley first came out PowerBait. That first summer dad bought a few was fantastic fishing with fish seemingly jumping in the boat. Likewise, the first spring the Shadow Rap was available, it fueled the most productive fishing trip of my life. Coincidence? Placebo? Maybe. But these did work.
I suppose this question above is always going to tug at me a bit. I’ll never quite shake the bait monkey because of it, but at the very least, I can use the approach I’ve described here to minimize the impact to my wallet.
I hope you found this article helpful. If you like this philosophy, consider picking up a copy of my book on Amazon as there are other tips in keeping with the, “Keep it simple” approach to help your family learn to fish.
I sit here with about 90 minutes left in the year, completed worn out and exhausted, but I suppose I’d be remis if I didn’t write some sort of fishing year in review. 2020 was a tough one for everyone in the house. So many things that my kids and I loved doing just weren’t in the cards for most of this year due to the pandemic.
I think my son summed things up best yesterday when he looked at me and asked, “Daddy? If I grow up and you’re still alive, can you remind me about Denny’s?” This sentence floored me and forced me to think about everything that happened this year. That “if.” What a word for a father to hear from his five-year-old…
I’ll always remember this as the year of no Crown Point. I went to Champlain exactly twice this year and spent all of 2 hours on the lake. My children didn’t go at all for the first summer of their lives. I barely caught anything on my trip, and did manage to ram a submerged rubber cable of some sort. Such was 2020!
The year started with such promise and I was excited to see it come. I was born in the 80s, grew up in the 90s, faltered in the 00s, and rallied in the 10s. I had high hopes the 20s would be my prime.
Well, the jury is still out on that one. I made the best of this year as we all did and came out of it a little stronger and with a new found appreciation for family and toilet paper. Here’s a few highlights:
I Published My First Book
2020 started off great as I published my first book in January, and even managed to sell a few copies to people who don’t know me (thanks you two)! It was a rewarding experience simply because of how long it took to write. Many, many mornings saw me wake up a few hours before work to plug away for several months. Let’s hope it’s helped a few people discover the sport and do better with it.
I Ramped Up the Blog
I was able to bring the blog up to 50 articles (51 counting this). My hope was for much more but I simply didn’t have the energy or focus. Hopefully in 2021 that can change a bit. The focus this year was on writing help articles mostly that would assist people in learning the sport. Now that many are written, I’m thinking I may take a more philosophical approach in 2021 as I share thoughts with my audience. We’ll see.
We Fished New Locations
What good is an article about the fishing year in review without some fish stories? Since Champlain was not happening I had to make due trying out new locations around town, many of which I featured in this post. The boy and I spent a lot of time on Bantam Lake learning it a bit. He had a good sized pike that shook the hook in the north bay, but at least we got to see it. We also found a good spot for rock bass, which is one of his favorites for reasons unknown.
On foot, we explored the Farmington River and some ponds in Meriden. We caught many panfish — most of good size — at these places and added a few new spots to our cycle.
Mansfield Hollow didn’t quite pan out this time but we never hit it at the right time, either. We went early in the year and then never quite made it back.
Batterson, however, gave us some great action. We found a little laydown where my son caught his first walleye and we teamed up for some decent Connecticut bass.
A few nice Batterson bass.
I once again failed to try out the Connecticut River all year. Maybe next time. I was a little shook by striking the cable earlier in the year and wasn’t crazy about going into an uncharted water known to be full of hazards.
We went to Spring Pond many times as well including a few times with the Gheenoe. It wasn’t as good as it has been in the past. That place is normally good for at least a few five pounders each year but they just weren’t around this year. 2020 again!
I Saw My Daughter Grow Up
The greatest silver lining to the year was, by far, getting to watch my daughter grow up. I always felt like I watched my son grow up through videos taken by his grandparents–I was always at work for most of his life. While I was fortunate to keep my job through 2020, I’ve been working from home the entire time. At a moment’s notice, I could pop down for a hug or high five, to have a nerf sword fight (which, by the way, is the greatest thing you can ever buy your kids), or just to say hi. I’ve seen her dance, heard her sing, and watched as she took an interest in different toys and hobbies, like drawing. It’s been a true rush!
2020: A Fishing Year In Review Final Thoughts
Many people had a far worse year than me and I’m feeling for them. It’s been tough for everyone to make ends meet, and I’m sure every parent spent at least one night wondering what the world has come to. We’ve gotten through it though. While it’s not like things will magically change in an hour or so, maybe my attitude will. There’s a lot of good that a fresh sheet of paper can do. Let’s all channel a little bit of our inner Watterson 25 years later and go exploring in 2021. After a year like this, we can get through anything. I know this isn’t exactly the most inspiring thing I’ve ever written — it could be far more grand I’m sure — but after spending most of this week and especially in a funk, at least I managed a few words.
I hope all of you reading this have long and happy lives spent making memories with your children on the water.
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a kid who loves fishing, look no further. Here are some great gift ideas that they’ll appreciate and which will help accelerate their love for the sport and the outdoors. Whether you’re buying for your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or just a friend, you can rest assured that these recommendations are going to be a hit.
This is a bit of a long post so here are some helpful links to take you were you want on the page:
Younger children love stuffed animals, and a plush northern pike like the one below makes for a much more unique toy than your standard teddy bear!
A variety of fish species are available. Here are some of my kids favorites (click any picture for more information on the product).
In addition to the realistic stuffed animals above, here are a few that might make you smile. Anyone reading their kids “The Pout Pout Fish” or “The Rainbow Fish” lately? Well here they are in all their fuzzy glory:
Toys
Little kids will always love toys, and if they’re into fishing, a toy bass boat is hard to beat. Here are a few options out there that they are likely to enjoy.
Fishing Action Figures
I never had one of these growing up, but wish I did. I bought one for my son when he was younger and I think I’m going to have to buy this one below for him again now that we have a pool to play in.
Playmobil is a consistent winner in my house and this toy fisherman would make the perfect stocking stuffer.
A Quintessential Fishing Game
This game has been around for awhile and was a hit at my house. It’s a fun game you can play with your kids, but there are many small pieces, so wait until they’re a little older. You can pick up your copy at Amazon.
A Cool Fishing Bath Toy
Something like this could keep the kids engaged throughout their bath and even convince ones who aren’t so crazy about the tub to hop on in for some fun.
This one does run the risk of getting mom or dad soaked, but your kids will certainly enjoy it.
Books
One of the greatest thing about fishing is that it’s such a thinking person’s sport that one can’t help but want to read more about it. Some of the earliest books I ever read had to do with fishing, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to claim that the sport helped engender a love of reading within me.
You can find a detailed review for most of these books in an article I wrote about the best fishing books for kids, but suffice it to say, these are winners that I read my kids often. You can’t go wrong with any of them. Note that you can also read about more advanced fishing books in my article about the best fishing books I’ve ever read. Here are some of my favorites:
The American Boys Handy Book by Daniel Carter Beard
This book right here sparked more adventures in my mind than perhaps any other I read as a child. In it, you’ll find instructions on how to build everything from aquariums to rafts. It’s basically a field guide to the great outdoors. Click here to read more about it at Amazon.
Gone Fishing by Earlene Long
Of all the books I reviewed in this post, this one has stood the test of time with my son. He still routinely picks this one out and asks me to read it to him now and then. It’s not a bad read either. Sometimes when a kid gets stuck on a book it can be a little rough on the parent, but this is a quick one with fun pictures and you won’t stress about reading it 100 times. This makes it a great gift for any kid who likes fishing. You can purchase it at Amazon.
Outdoor IQ Ultimate Fishing Guide by Dave and Steve Shellhaas
This book is targeted towards children, though from the reviews it appears the type set is pretty small, so don’t necessarily expect it to be the best for younger kids. Even so, how many dinosaur books have you read with them that were a little beyond their scope? The key is in the pictures, and this book has plenty. You can find it at Amazon.
Freshwater Fishing for Kids by Melanie A. Howard
A book filled with great tips and directed at kids. I don’t own this one either, but judging from the reviews, it looks like this is a book more appropriate for kids who already know the basics, as some of the feedback is that not all terms are defined. Pick it up at Amazon.
The Three Little Bass and the Big Bad Gar by James Miller
I remain impressed by this book. Not so much for the story, which is basically just a spin off on the three little pigs, but the story behind how it was created. An eight-year-old and his mother teamed up to create this book and offer it for sale and enjoyment to the world. I think that’s a great story and one that perhaps you and your little one can draw some inspiration from. If you’re interested in showing your kids what is possible with a little imagination and dedication, pick this book up today.
Animals, Birds & Fish of North America, the Illustrated Encyclopedia of: A Natural History and Identification Guide to the Captivating Indigenous Wildlife of the United States of America and Canada by Tom Jackson
I loved these kinds of books when I was a kid. Each of the more than 420 creatures featured comes with a map showing where in the country one might find them, and a little excerpt describing the species in some detail. This is sure to provide hours of entertainment and would be a great book to give your kids before a long road trip. You can buy it at Amazon.
Northern Pike Secrets (An In-Fishermen Handbook of Strategies) by Al Lindner, et al
OK, so this book is definitely NOT marketed towards kids. So why would I include it? Because it has a special place in my heart. It is the first fishing book that I wore out cover to cover. Even though it’s extremely more technically oriented than most kids can stand, its first chapter discussing the history of northern pike is sure to put your children in wonder.
You might have some difficulty finding this book. As of writing, Amazon has a listing for several used copies, but you may need to go to e-Bay. On occasion, I’ve seen reprints of this series of books at various tackle shops, or for sale on the In-Fishermen website itself.
Fishing with Kids: A Parent’s Guide by John Paxton
I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention my book. While it’s targeted towards parents, it could be a good companion gift (buy the kid the fishing rod, buy the parents this book, and watch things fall in place). You can purchase it at Amazon.
Clothes
While few of us look back at our time as kids and remember loving to unwrap boxes full of clothes, at least these are for their interest. You’ll probably get more mileage out of these than you would for some dress clothes for picture day.
Lucky Fishing Shirt
No one can leave home home without a lucky fishing shirt! I found when getting my kid used to dressing himself, having a supply of clothes he thought looked cool really helped. Anything with fish or dinosaurs passes the sniff test at the Paxton house.
This Kid Loves to Fish
Here’s another good one that your kids might like to wear. It’ll also show less worm gut stains as it is mostly black. Always a plus!
UPF 50+ Kids Fishing Clothes
If you’re looking for something practical, UPF 50+ rated kids fishing clothes would make a great gift. The sun is a real enemy out there, especially when you’re distracted doing something fun. These shirts will minimize the amount of fuss you get over sunscreen and will protect your little ones from its harmful rays.
UPF 50+ Kids Fishing Shirts
This one above follows my concept of “buy kids shirts they think looks cool.” Given the jumping bass, it’s a winner on that front. Check it out in further detail here.
Safety yellow is a great color that gives a bit of piece of mind out there on the water should something happen. You can purchase this one at this link.
UPF 50+ Kids Fishing Hats
My kids wear fishing hats similar to these. I appreciate the 360-degrees of protection that they afford from the sun, as we’re constantly moving while on the boat and can be hit from any angle. As a plus, the tykes look adorable in them.
This kind of model offers even more protection for the back of the neck. Let’s face it: where do you usually get sunburned? Bearing that in mind, it would be a great idea to pick this up at Amazon today.
Fishing Gloves for Kids
The first time my son saw “bass thumb,” it scared him. Even though adults know it is a mark of honor, to see your thumb so scuffed up can be a little traumatic for the little ones. Some gloves like these will prevent that and afford them some protection. As these have an anti-skid design, it’s also less likely your kid will be dropping as many rods in the lake – always a plus!!!
Fishing Video Games
Ideally, you’re trying to get your kids into fishing so they can spend time away from screens, but on the other hand, not all of us live someplace where we can fish year round, at least in comfort. Video games can help scratch that itch during the off season. Further, not for nothing, but let’s be candid here: wouldn’t you rather your children be playing a fishing video game than some first person shooter? At least they’ll learn a thing or two about the sport.
Here are some fishing video games available on the major platforms. Any of these would make a great gift for a kid who likes fishing and gaming. I’m not sure I’m sold that many adults would like these, as most fishing games tend to be designed more for younger folks (I personally haven’t cared much for a fishing video games since the awesome Bassin’s Black Bass with Hank Parker).
Nintendo Switch
We don’t own a Nintendo Switch, so I’m going to have to go based on some reviews out there, but I will say that Nintendo has a reputation to catering their video games more towards children than the other platforms, so these games will likely be well-received by little ones. Here’s a few that caught my eye.
Fishing Star World Tour
This seems to have different fish species than “The Strike” as well as some salt water ones. It’s quite cartoony with big flashing letters when fish are on. Go check out a few of the photos of it at Amazon and see if it’s something your kid might enjoy.
Bass Pro Shops The Strike: Championship Edition
People indicate that their kids enjoy the game. Given that its a Bass Pro Shops game, one would think it would have a bit more thought into it than most. Check the best price at Amazon.
Note that some of these titles may also be available on other game systems. After following the links, consider poking about if you’re interested in buying one of these for a different system.
The Fisherman: Fishing Planet
This game boasts of having artificial intelligence that follows the behaviors of real fish. It also has claims to being the most realistic game, though I’m not sure how good that is in a fishing simulator. Follow this link for more information.
Legendary Fishing
Legendary fishing’s “hook” is that it’s a multiplayer game where each player competes for certain challenges, such as catching 2 fish with a certain lure in a certain time. Being able to play with friends will make for a more interactive gaming experience. More information on Legendary Fishing can be found here.
X-Box 1
As above, please note that many of these games may also be available on PS4, though a few are likely X-Box exclusives. After following the links, consider searching a little deeper to see what you can find if you’d really prefer this for a different system.
Rapala Fishing: Pro Series
A video game designed by one of the most iconic lure company’s on planet earth, this one boasts hundreds of different lures to choose from and unlock, giving kids goals to work towards. You can find it available for purchase at Amazon.
This game features over 75 fish species and hundreds of real life lures to catch them with, as well as some decent graphics. It could be fun for your kids to try out lures that they have in their own tackle box to see how they work. You can find more photos and user reviews on Amazon.
Gear
It goes without saying that any kid who is into fishing is going to be into getting fishing gear as a present. With that said, a lot of the stuff marketed towards children out there really isn’t best for them. Indeed, you’re basically buying the daydream effect of their having something fun to look at and play with and call their own, but if you wanted to buy them stuff that lasts, you’re better off parting it out. Here’s a few things to get you started.
Kids Fishing Rods
You might be tempted to go out and buy the first youth combo that you see. I wrote an article to help you wade through the options that you can read here.
Ugly Stik Elite
I wrote an entire article about why I think it’s a great fishing pole for kids that you can read here. In that post, you’ll learn why I think it’s one of the best fishing rods for kids.
If you don’t have time to read an entire article, suffice it to say that it’s an inexpensive brand that has legendary durability which makes it great for little anglers who might not be the most careful yet with their gear.
I have many of these in my rod box and recommend it to all parents. You purchase this great fishing rod as a gift for your kid at at Amazon.
St. Croix Panfish Series
Anyone who has followed this blog for any length of time knows that I love St. Croix rods. While their panfish series is more expensive than the Ugly Stik, it would make any outstanding gift for any kid who is old enough to appreciate (and maintain) fine fishing gear.
Frankly, I think these make great gifts for adults too. Many parents spend the first few years of their children’s fishing career exclusively targeting panfish. A dedicated panfish rod makes this significantly more fun than reeling them in on bass tackle or the like. Consider purchasing one for the parent too!
Kids Fishing Reels
I’m not one for buying the usual “kids” reels with the superheroes on them. Instead, I buy stuff that I think will last so I don’t have to buy it twice. With children, that can be a bit challenging, but here’s a link to an article I wrote that talks about different spinning reels out there that you can purchase. Of them, I’d consider your best bets to be the Pflueger Trion or Pflueger President. Smaller kids will do well with a size 20, while older ones would be better off with a 30.
Tackle
When it comes to taking kids fishing, not all tackle is created equal. I wrote a lengthy article discussing what fishing lures work well with kids that you can read here, but if you’re pinched for time, here are some solid recommendations that are safe for kids to use, and effective.
Strike King Bleeding Bait Spinnerbait
I really enjoyed throwing spinnerbaits with my dad when I was as young as six-years-old. They help kids learn how to cast for distance and accuracy, and catch fish to boot. It’s much more interesting to walk around casting something at likely targets than to sit around waiting for something to eat your worm. These spinnerbaits are durable and effective and make a good choice for children.
It’s also worth mentioning that these lures have a single large hook which is safer for children than smaller treble hooks, as it takes much more force to pierce the skin. Pick some up today!
Yamamoto Senko Kit
Yamamoto Senkos are some of the best baits for kids to use. All they need to do is “wacky rig” these lures, toss them out, let them sink, and usually before they hit the ground, a bass will smash them. If they don’t get a bite, they can retrieve them slowly with some “pops” allowing the bait to fall again on the retrieve repeatedly.
It’s a super effective and easy technique for kids to learn that will put them on fish. While you could buy the packs separately, this handy kit comes with several great colors and a tackle box to store them. It would also wrap much better as a present. I highly recommend purchasing one today.
Frog Nets
While not technically a “fishing” item, one thing I’ve learned this year is that kids absolutely love catching frogs, crayfish, minnows, and anything else that a throw net will capture. I’ve found that my son almost prefers this to actual fishing! Here are a few good options that will make for fun afternoons at your local pond.
I like the frog net below because it is squared at the top as opposed to rounded. This makes a difference because when reaching for a frog or crayfish, it will allow you to pin the net against the ground, reducing the chances your quarry escapes. You can find it, or something similar, at Amazon.
When my nephew was born I ran out searching for some good baby gifts for him. Here’s a link to an article filled with some ideas for what you could purchase if you’re in that same boat.
If you’re not interested in the full length article, this makes a pretty cute toy. It’s by VTech, so you know you can trust it around littles.
Here’s another one that would make any newborn smile:
Boats: the Ultimate Gift for Kids Who Love Fishing
OK, so it would be a bit crazy to get a child a boat, but here are some inexpensive rafts that you could buy for them that would spark a true sense of adventure. These would go great with a reading of Huckleberry Finn, in case anyone has some summer reading to get through. If you have a local pond, these can provide a neat little adventure for the two of you, especially if shore access is limited on one side (because “that’s where the good frogs are,” naturally).
Seahawk 3 by Intex
The Seahawk 3 by Intex is an inexpensive raft choice that would do fine for getting your kids across a small pond. I’m a little leery of fishing out of it or partaking in other activities that involve sharp objects, but it would be great for frogging. You can purchase it at Amazon.
Excursion 5 by Intex
The Excursion 5 is a step up from the Seahawk 3, as it’s rated for five people. While I wouldn’t recommend bringing five people out on it and expecting to do anything other than sit still, a larger raft can help if you have a few kids to bring along with you to that pond. More details are available at Amazon.
Gheenoe
Chances are if you’re not from Florida, it’s unlikely you’ve ever heard of a Gheenoe, but they’re amongst the best light water craft options for taking little kids out on the water. As such, they’d make a great gift for any family with kids who love fishing. I have an LT10 and love it, though I would caution you that it’s not much of a cartopper and you’ll really want a trailer unless you’re bringing two adults along.
You can find a local dealer by visiting their website here.
The Gheenoe LT10 makes for a great small watercraft to take little kids on, however don’t expect to cartop it by yourself! You’ll want to stick to areas near ramps when possible.
Conclusions
One of the best things about fishing with your kids is that it sparks a love of learning. Once hooked, kids will want to learn everything they can about fishing. It also can become a source of pride for them as they develop their skillset. These toys, games, books, and other gifts are great to keep a kid’s love of fishing going strong. If you know a little tyke who is enamored by the sport, you can’t go wrong with any of them.
I hope this post helped ease any stress you might have had about getting the perfect gift for your little angler. I’ll update it from time to time as I find other cool fishing gifts for kids.
Snap swivels are an extremely convenient tool, especially if you are new to fishing and not yet comfortable with various knots. They allow you to try a variety of lures quickly and also minimize line twist. On the other hand, they are one more thing that can fail, and their bulkiness can potentially scare fish or kill your lure’s action. Read on to see why I’d suggest having some in your tackle box, but probably not tied on every rod.
What is a snap swivel?
A snap swivel is a piece of terminal tackled used to connect your fishing line and a lure. It serves two purposes:
It allows one to change lures swiftly, without needing to tie a second knot; and
It prevents your line from twisting, as is common when using spinning reels.
It does this by combining two pieces of terminal tackle. The snap is a clasp that attaches to the lure. It can be opened and shut, which makes trying a new lure a very easy affair. The swivel preven ts line from twisting, as it rotates 360-degrees around a fixed point, which is an eye you tie your line to.
Seeing as these do combine two types of terminal tackle, you might wonder if you should just pick one over the other. Usually I’d agree that’s true. I use a snap on several of my rods, but only have snap swivels tied on my children’s rigs.
Why Use a Snap vs. a Snap Swivel
As mentioned above, I use snaps on several rods but only use the bulkier snap swivel on my kids’ rods. This is because the former gives me almost all of the benefits of the latter with much less weight. The only additional benefit the latter provides is that it minimizes line twist, but this can also be accomplished by properly maintaining your gear. With kids, however, all bets are off.
I use a snap for my crankbaits and even jerkbaits. I think that having a little bit of wiggle room up front actually gives it an action that I prefer, as the bait sits very loose against the snap as opposed to tight against the line. Not for nothing, but Kevin VanDam agrees. In fact, he’s the person who convinced me to try it after some forum folk tried to swear me off of snaps.
In the case of a jerkbait, consider this for a moment. These are lures that are twitched as they are retrieved, but are meant to pause frequently. Some jerkbaits float, sink, or stay neutrally buoyant. During that pause, if your jerkbait is loosely attached to a snap, it’s going to have a more natural action than sitting perfectly still.
A snap (left) is considerably less obtrusive than the bulky snap swivel (right).
The Benefits of Snap Swivels
If you followed that link, Kevin VanDam mentioned that he only uses snaps, not snap swivels. I won’t take as hard of a line as him. Snap swivels have their place.
You have to remember, whenever you’re reading up on fishing, most of the people that are going to give you advice are professionals. “Well, isn’t that exactly what you want,” you ask? Not exactly… You see, the good thing about asking professionals is they’ll give you the best advice for a fishing tournament. If money is on the line, and every little thing could mean the difference between cashing a check or going home broke, then it’s worth listening to them, as their advice will give you an edge. However, if you’re just out there with your kids, it’s a totally different story. Here are several benefits to using snap swivels while fishing.
They Allow You to Change Lures Quickly
Not sure what the fish are going to bite on? If you’re using some sort of snap, you can quickly change lures until you find the one the fish are after. Although you could simply retie over and over again, using a snap will save you money on fishing line (which is convenient when fishing with expensive line like braid).
Given that not all of us have 40 rods that they bring along, the versatility snaps and snap swivels provide in changing lures quickly is well worth it.
They’re One Less Thing That Can Go Wrong (Kind Of).
I say that these are “kind of” one less thing to go wrong, because they come with their own problems, but at least they solve one: line twist. Many problems come up while fishing, especially if you bring the youngsters along. Line twist is a real thing and it exacerbates the many tangles your children are likely to get into. A snap swivel helps cut down on that a bit as the swivel makes line twist a bit less likely.
They Offer a Bit of Protection from Teeth
Another benefit of snap swivels is that they add just a bit more protection from the teeth of fish like pike. While they are not replacement for a proper leader, the length of the snap swivel is essentially tooth-proof and might help you save a few more lures over the course of a season.
It’s Convenient When Leaders Come With Them
Many leaders out there, such as these fluorocarbon leaders, already come with a snaps attached. This is very convenient, as it makes tying your leader a quick affair, and allows you to quickly change lures. If you don’t use a snap with a leader, you’re going to go through a lot of leader quickly retying, which is a shame considering how expensive they are.
They’re Great for Fishing With Kids
If your kids are anything like mine, they love rooting through tackle boxes and checking out all the lures you have. They want to try a bunch of them, and don’t necessarily have the patience to stick with one for any length of time. Using a snap or snap swivel will save you a ton of time retying lures in this situation. It’s 1000 times easier to teach a kid to unclasp a snap than it is to retie a lure. It’s just one more thing that can help make fishing with kids stress free.
Drawbacks of Snap Swivels
As with all things in life and fishing, there is a balance. We’ve talked about the benefits of snap swivels. Now, let’s spend a little time talking about some concerns people have when using them.
It’s Just One More Thing To Fail
It might seem a bit odd to say this given I just talked about how they’re one less thing that can go wrong in the “benefits” section above, but remember Murphy’s Law: “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” A snap swivel has several points of potential failure. The snap, especially on lighter models, can be very thin and prone to opening or breaking. Each eye on the swivel could also break off. That’s three more things that ol’ Murphy can be right about. It might not be worth it.
It’s One More Thing That Will Catch Weeds
Another downside is that snap swivels are another place that can collect weeds. They have nooks and crannies that vegetation loves to get into, and it can be difficult to get some of the sloppiest stuff out. So in that respect, you could find that the snap swivel has some affect on the lure’s success ratio, if too many weeds get on it.
A Snap Swivel Can Affect a Lure’s Action
Many concerned people ask, “will a snap swivel kill a lure’s action?”
The short answer is it depends on the lure, and what its action is in the first place. Generally, a lure that you’re simply retrieving (such as a spinnerbait or crankbait) should see no perceptible decline in action. This is because the extra weight isn’t going to make any difference to a lure that is being reeled back in rapidly.
On the other hand, certain lures, like poppers and other topwater lures, are carefully balanced for a specific action. Adding the weight of a snap swivel to the front of them can affect their balance. The question then becomes, “does it affect it in a bad way?” Always remember that so many of the fishing lures on the market are specifically advertised as having slightly different action than their competitors, so who is to say that your modification made things worse? .
It Might Scare the Fish
Some people claim that snap swivels scare fish. I’m not so certain about this. There’s an awful lot of gear on different fishing rigs that is bulkier and more obtrusive than a small snap swivel, and they still catch fish. Just look at all the stuff folks fishing for lake trout drag behind their boat – their lack of stealth isn’t hurting anything. Likewise, a Carolina rig and drop shots have plenty of accessories hanging about, but they still work great for fishing.
Also, as with so many questions in this post, it’s going to come down to what type of lure you’re attaching to that snap swivel in the first place. Some lures are moving so fast that you’re seeking a reaction strike where the fish doesn’t have time to consider its options. A snap swivel isn’t going to matter when you’re fishing those techniques. Others, however, “soak” in the water for a long time hoping a fish finally decides to eat it after staring at it for awhile. I could see snap swivels being a problem with those.
What Size Snap Swivel Should I Use?
Use the smallest snap swivel that you can get away with, based on the type of fish you’re targeting. All of the drawbacks of snap swivels increase with size, and the only real advantage you get is additional strength. See the photo below. Which one do you think is going to kill a lure’s action and scare more fish? The answer is obvious.
The snap swivel on the right is nearly twice the size of the one on the left. Unless you are targeting large species, go with the smallest snap you can.
In addition to the risk of killing a lure’s action or scaring fish, having a larger snap swivel also increases the risk that it will hang up on your lure. For example, in the above photo, there’s a chance that the one on the right is large enough to swing down and catch the front treble hook on a crankbait. That would be an annoying situation to deal with, to say the least.
Only use a larger snap swivel in situations where you truly need it, such as when targeting larger saltwater fish. Most freshwater fish (with a few exceptions, like carp or gar) are going to be catchable with smaller gear.
What Lures Work Well With Snap Swivels?
I mentioned above that some lures are going to be affected more than others while using snaps or snap swivels. Let’s spend a little time going over what lures do and don’t work well with snap swivels.
Essentially, I’d recommend snaps or snap swivels for lures you’ll fish horizontally and fast rather than vertically and slow, but let’s look at few specific options.
Anything You’ll Fish Fast, Below the Water
Spinnerbaits and crankbaits both work great with a snap or snap swivel. You minimize any of the drawbacks of this terminal tackle, because you’re usually throwing these in open water and reeling them in fast enough that fish strike instinctively before they can get a good look. Given that, it’s unlikely a snap swivel will scare any fish while attached to a crankbait or spinnerbait.
An exception in my mind would be swim jigs. On the one hand, using a snap swivel on a swim jig would provide at least some protection from pike and pickerel, however, when I’m tossing these, it’s usually because I’m looking to glide through some vegetation better than my spinnerbaits can, and a snap swivel is going to remove that advantage.
Can You Put a Hook on a Snap Swivel?
I would not recommend using a snap swivel with a bare hook. Generally speaking, bare hooks are used with worms or soft plastics that resemble worms or other creatures. They’re a slow presentation, and one where fish often size up their meal before they strike. If there’s any credence to the thought that a snap swivel will scare away a fish, it’ll bear out with a slow presentation such as this.
Also, if you’re fishing soft plastics, your hookset needs to be very hard. I wouldn’t trust a snap swivel to hold up to that kind of stress over time, especially if you’re using a smaller one that is less obtrusive.
Can You Use a Snap Swivel on a Topwater Lure?
I wouldn’t recommend using a snap swivel on a topwater lure. This is because they sit on top of the water just so, and if you were to add in any additional weight you would drag the front of the lure down. This could greatly impact its action. For example, walkers like a Zara Spook might plow into the water instead of gliding past it. Likewise, a popper like the Rebel Pop-R could find their nose brought into the water, limiting its “popping” action.
Conclusion: When Should You Use a Snap Swivel?
As with many of the recommendations that I make on this site, I tend to go a little against the grain. Most folks out there would tell you to steer clear of snap swivels, and with good reason. With that said, this website aims at teaching parents how to go fishing with their children. I would be remiss if I didn’t recommend having some snap swivels in your tacklebox. The benefits they provide make the drawbacks manageable.
While I wouldn’t recommend using one if money was on the line in a tournament, or if you were fishing a heavily pressured lake with discerning fish, you shouldn’t hesitate to tie on one if you’re out at the local pond with your kids, or even if you’re just fishing for fun.
If you decide to go with a snap swivel, get the smallest ones you can that still have decent strength. Then, tie them on your little ones’ rods and let your kids have fun mixing and matching lures until they find one they like.
Hopefully you found this article helpful. If you did, consider joining my Facebook page so you’ll know when this blog is updated. I’ve been trying to find a good way to keep in touch with my audience and feel that Facebook is less intrusive than an email list (we all get enough emails)! I hope to meet you there soon!
Thanks,
John Paxton
Want to learn how to take your kids out fishing? Do you have a friend who might need a hand? Click the pictures below to purchase my helpful books!
Those familiar with my blog know that I love St. Croix rods, so much so that I’m now investing some time to go through and review the entire lineup (or, at least the models I own). If you’ve been thinking about buying a St. Croix Premier Spinning or Casting rod, keep on reading. I’ll tell you why I think they’re one of the most versatile tools in your rod box.
Is the St. Croix Premier a Good Fishing Rod?
The St. Croix Premier lineup is what I’d consider their “entry level American-made” offering. There are certainly rods (such as the Triumph and Mojo series) that are more “entry level” but these are manufactured elsewhere. These rods feature SCII graphite, which is solid but comparable to what the lower-end St. Croix’s have, and then feature some additions such as upgraded reel seats and line guides.
I probably should have been up front by saying that no St. Croix is truly an “entry level” rod. It’s basically like calling the base model Cadillac an “entry level” vehicle. So, any St. Croix you purchase is going to be a good one.
The Premier lineup have cork handles and dark rod blanks which I find aesthetically pleasing as I’m not really one for flashy rods. They hold up well and as we’ll see have a decent warranty.
All in all, the St. Croix Premier rods are keepers. The main reason being its versatility. Let’s take a moment to discuss that in detail:
Versatility
I am convinced that there is no rod model more versatile than the St. Croix Premier. Its versatility comes primarily from its wide ranger of models. The St. Croix Premier has more available models than any other in St. Croix’s lineup. As of writing, their website claims 38 spinning models and 30 casting models.
It would create a needless wall of text to list every type offered, but I did want to touch on a few specific models to showcase just how versatile this rod lineup truly is.
St. Croix Premier Spinning Rods of Note
The following four rods give you a pretty good idea of just what you can accomplish with the St. Croix Premier spinning rod lineup.
Perfect Panfish Rods
The smallest spinning rod offered by St. Croix in their Premier line is a 4’6″ Ultra Light Power, Moderate Action noodle that would make an exceptional panfish rod as well as a great Christmas gift for any young anglers in your life. Personally, I’d go with the 5′ model as you’ll get a few more years out of it.
In all fairness, however, if you’re buying a fishing rod for a small child and they haven’t yet shown an aptitude for and love of fishing, don’t pony up the cash for one of the St. Croix’s. Read my article on the much more affordable Ugly Stik Elite and buy one of those instead. Alternately, you could read my article on the best fishing rods for kids where I discuss a few other St. Croix models I personally prefer for children over the Premier.
My Son’s First Spinnerbait Rod
Shortly before the pandemic hit I had a little money burning a hole in my pocket and took my son off to the local tackle shop to see what we might find. He was four years old at the time, but as those of you who follow this blog have seen, he’s a good angler.
We picked up a 6′ Medium Power, Fast Action St. Croix Premier spinning rod. This is small enough for him to handle well, but long and stout enough to toss spinnerbaits. While most will tell you that you really want a Medium-Heavy power for a spinnerbait rod, St. Croix rods run a little on the heavy side with their power, and a medium does just fine for throwing 3/8 ounce spinnerbaits and other lures.
My son loves this rod and we’d certainly recommend it. It is lightweight but high quality and the perfect size for those children who are still small. He’s managed to catch some decent bass on it so far, and I can’t wait to get him up to Lake Champlain for a pickerel or pike. You can pick up your own right at this link with confidence. Go ahead and pick one up and then leave a comment about how much you love it!
The All-Arounder
If you want to treat yourself to an American-made fishing rod that is of high-quality, but not ridiculously expensive, it would be hard to beat the St. Croix Premier Medium-Heavy Power, Fast Action rod in either spinning or casting models.
This is a good all-around option that will allow you to throw most lures successfully. It’s great for (really, designed for) spinnerbaits and plastic worms and could be used with jigs well enough. While a little too powerful for my liking, it can handle crankbaits and top water lures fairly well too.
A Spinning Rod that Can Handle Frogs
The reason I bought my first St. Croix Premier spinning rod was because I wanted a spinning rod that could be used effectively for throwing frogs. As any frog fisherman will tell you, this technique requires specialized equipment that isn’t that easy to find in a spinning rod setup (at least not with bass tackle).
The 7′ St. Croix Premier Heavy Power, Fast Action rod is what I purchased for my wife and other guests to use when I take them frog fishing. If they aren’t comfortable with baitcasters and prefer a spinning rod, this gives them enough power to drag largemouth bass out of a pile of slop. You will need to pair it with a reel that can handle heavy braid, but the rod itself will not let you down.
It’s very challenging to find a non-Musky, freshwater spinning rod that can handle these lures, and the fact that St. Croix offers one is a testament to the versatility of the St. Croix Premier lineup.
As an aside, this same rod does a great job as a catfish rod or for tossing out any type of heavy lure or sinker. You can pick one up here though this link is for a two-piece rod. This is an added plus if you’re just starting out and fishing from the back of your car, and if you’re throwing frogs, any slight reduction in sensitivity a two-piece offers will be negligible.
I purchased this rod primarily as a spinning rod option for frogs, but it also handles large swimbaits very well.
Where are St. Croix Premier Rods Made?
As mentioned above, you will be happy to note that the St. Croix Premier lineup is designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, Wisconsin. Thus, purchasing one of these rods means supporting an American business and American workers which is all the more important during these trying times. Consider heading over to Amazon and buying one now.
Do St. Croix Premier Rods Come With A Warranty?
The St. Croix Premier lineup comes with a five year warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service. You can read all about the company’s great warranty at their website.
I would like to share a little personal experience regarding the warranty that St. Croix Rods offers. While I’ve generally found their products to be free of defects, years ago I did purchase a road that had a significant chip in one of the line guides, which was fraying my line and causing me to lose some lures.
I was worried because it’s the kind of issue that a company could easily say I created, however I got absolutely no pushback from the company. I followed their warranty program and had my rod repaired and returned to me quickly.
In all honesty, it was probably the sort of issue I could have fixed myself with some epoxy, but it was early on to my buying days with the company, and I wanted give them a chance to fix things and make things right. I was so impressed by the quick turnaround and lack of any pushback that it made me a lifelong customer and advocate.
What Reels Pair Well With a St. Croix Premier?
I’m a huge fan of pairing Pflueger reels with my St. Croix rods and have written a large article all about why here. I match my St. Croix Premiers with a Pflueger President spinning reel in various sizes and recommend that you do as well. They pair up and balance well and can handle most anything you throw at them.
Conclusions
The St. Croix Premier lineup is an American-made, versatile rod lineup that has a model for anything and everything you’d ever dream of. It is less expensive than some of the company’s flagship offerings, but at a higher price point than their true entry level models, which sets it up as somewhat “middle of the road” and therefore a good balance between performance and price.
I’d recommend this line to anyone who wants to start building a high-quality rod box with classic, subdued colors and looks.
Remember, if the price of a new model is too much for you, I have an entire article about how to buy used rods with confidence that can help you pick a few of these up on eBay with piece of mind.
I hope this article was helpful. If it was, you might consider purchasing my book, Fishing with Kids: A Parent’s Guide, as it is filled with other tips to help you enjoy this great sport.
I don’t normally like to make posts full of product after product, but I have a very good reason for doing so now: my sister just had a baby! Naturally, I needed to scour the internet for great gift ideas of what I could get her, her husband, and their little bundle of joy! Here’s the best of the best fishing baby gifts that I could find!
I’m not going to focus too much on actual fishing gear here so much as cute little presents for newborns. If you’re interested in learning more about fishing with babies and infants (including what gear to grab) check out my article on the topic here.
Fishing Onesies and Other Clothing
It goes without any doubt that you’re going to want to get the new baby some fishing onesies. Take it from me: act fast as they grow out of them soon. You can simply run a search for “Fishing Onesies” and find more than you can count. Here are a few I thought were pretty cute and clever. Click their respective photos for their purchase links.
Fishing Onesies
At some point I may be tempted to write an entire article on all the different onesies out there, but here are a few I’d consider purchasing for starters:
These are quintessential for any new parent and come in a variety of styles (such as grandpa’s new fishing buddy, etc.)
True story!
I’m not sure about the order. You can start fishing with your kids long before they can crawl!
This is not exactly PG but it made me laugh! If the parents have a saltier sense of humor, this could make a great fishing gift for their new baby (well, let’s face it, it’s mostly for the parent)!
Fishing / Sun Hats for Kids
While the onesies are cute, you also want to pick up some practical items. Small children (really, all children) ought to have a good sun hat that is UPF protective so they can actually hang out on the boat for more than 10 minutes. Stay away from baseball caps in favor of something that offers 360 degrees of protection like this:
You can also find ones that offer maximum neck protection:
Fishing Toys for Babies
While it can be tempting to find the loudest toy out there for any child that isn’t your own, here are a few that the parents will actually appreciate and the kid should love.
My First Tackle Box by Baby Gund
I think this “My First Tackle Box” set by Baby Gund is an AWESOME little fishing gift for a brand new baby. It’s certainly making the short list of what I’m considering for my sister. Indeed, I’ll bet my two-year-old would still love it. It comes with a fabric tackle box, fishing rod, oddly-happy-looking worm, and two fish. I could see this one being a real winner.
Munchkin Fishin Bath Toy
This isn’t too far off from one of the first “fishing rods” I bought my son. He enjoyed it quite a bit. We had a little stuffed largemouth bass that we fixed up with some velcro to connect to the lures, but this one comes with magnets.
Little Tikes Fish ‘n Splash Water Table
Every parent will tell you: KIDS LOVE WATER. While this might be a bit much for an infant (let’s face it–darn near all toys are), you are guaranteed that this will be a huge hit the instant that kid is old enough to stand next to it. Water tables provide hours upon hours of entertainment anywhere that is warm.
Fishing Books for Kids
It’s never too early to start kids reading. I wrote an entire article with detailed reviews on fishing books I love for kids. I suggest checking it out to find the perfect fishing gift for your new baby.
And of course I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention that the perfect fishing gift for any new baby is my book, Fishing with Kids: A Parent’s Guide. In it, the new parents will find everything they need to know about fishing with their newborn and engendering a lifelong passion for the sport!
I hope this gives you some ideas of what types of fishing gifts you can get for the new baby in your life! May God bless them with a long, happy life with many tight lines!
Stuffed Animals
Every parent will tell you: KIDS LOVE WATER. While this might be a bit much for an infant (let’s face it–darn near all toys are), you are guaranteed that this will be a huge hit the instant that kid is old enough to stand next to it. Water tables provide hours upon hours of entertainment anywhere that is warm.
