Cons of running a jet pump in the salt?

[curado]

ya. they do get pushed around easier. watched a 20ft+ sleds getting blown off lake wenatchee last year

[saltyseadog]

drift socks are for fishing the flats in Florida

[G-Man]

They are also good when fishing Banks for walleye and the wind is howling. Matt, I use them when I fish Lake Washington as well, be sure to get two!

[rseas]

When I ran my sports fishing boat in Southern California and Baja coastal waters, 30-140 miles out I would use a large drift sock or drogue for overnight. I would set it off the bow anchor roller and davit on about 100’ of line. The boat would drift bow into the seas all night and often the tuna, yellowtail and occasional marlin would be hiding under the cover of the boat in the morning. Sashimi for breakfast!

[sickbayer]

I need to get some drift socks too...Matt you wont regret buying a pump IMO

[Matt]

The deal is pretty much sealed on the Xtra plus, so I will have to make due :safe: Haha, can't wait for the rivers this season and bonking tons of winter steel. I have been looking into the steering issue a bit and found that many people ad a large sized rudder in front of the prop on their auxiliary motor and this seems to help with controlling and maintaining course while at low speeds. Also, many people weld or bolt "paddles" or fins to either side of their pump shoe for the same purpose. I think 3rivers carry/can fabricate such fins if anyone is interested in looking into them.

Here is a photo of the sled:

[G-Man]

Whoa, your going full-on flat bottom river hull design. Any kind of chop is going to rattle your teeth.

[TomD]

A good friend of mine has an Almar with a jet. The jet is hard to steer at slow speeds. I always go shrimping with him, and it causes us a headache or two trying to manuever while setting the pots, backing down a line as we pull a pot, etc... He does have a TR-1 for the kicker and that seems to do okay for trolling. With the big swim platform on the back, you couldn't use an Easy-Steer. I'm not sure where Almar has gone in all the buying and selling of boat companies, but it has been a solid boat for him.

[Bodofish]

Jets are no problem to drive anywhere. If you practice a bit it's no problem, put it spot on everytime. The problem is people expect them to drive the same as an outboard or an inboard, they're not the same and they drive different. Extra fins and all that crap, not necessary, learn to drive the boat backward and forward, it's that simple. Practice, practice, practice.

[Matt]

Whoa, your going full-on flat bottom river hull design. Any kind of chop is going to rattle your teeth.

The bottom is at 10* and converts to 15* up front its not all the way flat if you have ever seen an Xtra Plus in person. Definitely not a V though, that's for sure, but I have heard they handle decently well in all conditions. Wooldridge advertises it as a "go anywhere do all boat".

[Bodofish]

Hey Matt, looks like a fun one, skinny, skinny, skinny! Gonna run her up the Sak?

[guitarfisher]

Sweet ride, Matt! I'd say you fulfilled your objective of upgrading. Tomorrow morning I'll come and help you clear some space for parking her in the yard

[Matt]

Bodo, I actually live in the Everett area now otherwise the Nookie would still be my home river. I am considering making a few runs up there though.... there are 20+lb native runs up there that are only accessible by boat....

Probly mostly focusing on the Skag, Snoho, and Cowlitz systems this fall and winter.

Guitar, got everything ready for you tomorrow. Gimme a call before you head out so I will know when to expect you

[Bodofish]

When you want to run up the Skagit, give a shout, I've run up to almost Marlblemount. Snoq...... frog water. =)

[Matt]

Haha, Bodo, sounds like we will be in touch. Im gunna avoid the frog water, but maybe we should run up and see aboot a couple natives....

[curado]

let me know to matt i got some areas that u would like for steelhead on the sky