Thread: Freshwater vs Saltwater with boats

All,
Hoping you can help me out. We are coming down again this summer. Late July..so it's not the ideal time of year for fishing but we are working around a farmer's schedule this year. First time the whole family is coming and my dad is thinking about bringing our fishing boat down. Bass Tracker 195 with 115 hp Mercury. First..are there any major concerns with saltwater? I've read mixed reviews. Mostly that there aren't many issues with the boat and motor as long as you rinse it off well. Trailer could have some corrosion issues.
Second..any places other than the lagoon you would recommend? Is it worth the effort to tow it 11 hours?

Thanks..looking forward to getting down again..hope you all enjoyed the picnic this weekend.

Definitely rinse the trailer and boat (motor) well and flush your motor well, then rinse the trailer again -you'll be ok.

In July the speck fishing can be good at night in the canal and Old River under dock lights. If you go out to the three mile reefs or Dixey Bar on a calm day you wouldn't be the first bass boat to do it, but understand there are risks, especially from big wakes and those especially around the Pass. Does your boat have enough flotation that it won't go down? Absolutely stay out of storms.

I've done it with mine a few years ago and rinsed without trouble. The only issue I had was not rinsing trolling motor well enough.
All of Wolf Bsy area can produce fish and the islands are great beach areas to visit with the family. Use common sense and you'll have a bladt.

Issues aren't quick to come, I feel sorry who gets a boat after dunking in salt water....it gets places you would never image,
11hr tow to and from for a short window (weather) let alone problems on the road (the sun & heat on tires alone) .... not me., .for one storage, then fresh water rinse access....camp grounds might be ok, but most condo's won't

No way would I put a small bass boat in the Gulf. I've seen the Gulf calm at 7am on a 20% chance of showers day and a storm blow in and the Gulf get nasty by 9am. IMHO not worth the risk or the extra expense and trouble of towing 11 hours. One of the condo rental companies has a deal where you get a 6hr fishing trip for EVERY day of your stay. Pretty good chance of catching reef fish.

Thanks for the responses. I would not venture out to the gulf. Even if the boat could handle it there are too many variables that I am just not familiar enough with to attempt it. I was thinking the lagoon or canal or bay. I was strongly leaning against it for this trip. But wanted to get some thoughts. I'm thinking even with a dock we would still need to rinse frequently which is more effort than it is worth. Hope to see you all on the pier!

Why not just fish in Lake Shelby,,,, I caught a 23 lb red fish and two four pound bass in there some years ago...

I personally wouldn't tow a bass boat 11 hours to come down here unless I was staying a longer period and had time to learn the local waters. Given how good the pier, beach, Perdido Pass and Little Lagoon Pass can be on any given day, time would be better spent in those spots from shore.