Northwest Fishing Reports

here is some pictures of my new boat. Its a river hawk super pro v. powered by 115/80 jet with a t9.9. main is hooked up to the Garmin 93sv chirp.
I like the boat but couple things have to be taken care of like moving of the downrigger bases more forward for a start.

couple more pictures.

It rides really well doesn't free drift as good as a sled but back trolls really well the reverse chines keep it solid in a turn and goes about 32mph also gets on plane in a boat length or two. River Hawk came up with a gunnel track system that runs along the top of the gunnels. they finally got me brackets that I can now mount some rod holders.

Great looking boat! Bet it fishes well too.

thanks for the complement... Unfortunately it doesn't yet Phil. The way they mounted the DR bases the kicker handle has to be 90 degrees not only is it really tough to fish but quite frankly dangerous as you are almost leaning over the transom.

Congrats on the new boat, looks like the design of the boat for kicker handle having to be at 90 degrees but the DR is in the way. Not really sure how far forward you can move them? You going to have mounts made and move them a foot or so forward would be a good thing. Hope you get it figured out the way you want it. When I mounted mine I spent hours in the drive way holding them in different spots to find the sweet spot.

When are you having to lean over the transom?

Thanks.. The problem is to turn boat to port the kicker handle as to be passed 90degree means you have to leaning over the transom. Its actually past being straight up. They will mount plates screwed to gunnels' and tray beneath. I plan on 12" to 14" moving forward.

I think you will be very happy with that spot. Take and hold them in place and sit at your motor and turn it like you would fishing and play with the spots to find your sweet spot. Be sure to post some pictures of the finished locations. Still great boat and will bring you tons of fish!!

sickbayer wrote:thanks for the complement... Unfortunately it doesn't yet Phil. The way they mounted the DR bases the kicker handle has to be 90 degrees not only is it really tough to fish but quite frankly dangerous as you are almost leaning over the transom.

You ever try those "ball retrievers" that allow you to pull the downrigger ball and release clip to the side of the boat? Either that or one of the 5 foot release clips. I use those and bring it closer by using the eyes on the rod to catch on the line.

zen leecher aka Bill W wrote:

sickbayer wrote:thanks for the complement... Unfortunately it doesn't yet Phil. The way they mounted the DR bases the kicker handle has to be 90 degrees not only is it really tough to fish but quite frankly dangerous as you are almost leaning over the transom.

You ever try those "ball retrievers" that allow you to pull the downrigger ball and release clip to the side of the boat? Either that or one of the 5 foot release clips. I use those and bring it closer by using the eyes on the rod to catch on the line.

Already have them. In fact when you pull them in it is impossible to steer when hooking up the line to release clip.

sickbayer wrote:

zen leecher aka Bill W wrote:

sickbayer wrote:thanks for the complement... Unfortunately it doesn't yet Phil. The way they mounted the DR bases the kicker handle has to be 90 degrees not only is it really tough to fish but quite frankly dangerous as you are almost leaning over the transom.

You ever try those "ball retrievers" that allow you to pull the downrigger ball and release clip to the side of the boat? Either that or one of the 5 foot release clips. I use those and bring it closer by using the eyes on the rod to catch on the line.

Already have them. In fact when you pull them in it is impossible to steer when hooking up the line to release clip.

Good point! If I have my boat out I just about all the time fish with a partner. I have them grab the wheel. I imagine if I fished alone I'd been aware of this sooner.

Whoops, I cut and pasted over my congratulations...

That said congratulations on your new boat, looks to be a great rig. You may want to concider an EzSteer, website link provided below.

http://www.ezsteer.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Congrats on the new ride!!

Nice! Congratulations!

sickbayer wrote:

zen leecher aka Bill W wrote:

sickbayer wrote:thanks for the complement... Unfortunately it doesn't yet Phil. The way they mounted the DR bases the kicker handle has to be 90 degrees not only is it really tough to fish but quite frankly dangerous as you are almost leaning over the transom.

You ever try those "ball retrievers" that allow you to pull the downrigger ball and release clip to the side of the boat? Either that or one of the 5 foot release clips. I use those and bring it closer by using the eyes on the rod to catch on the line.

Already have them. In fact when you pull them in it is impossible to steer when hooking up the line to release clip.

Yeah, that's one of those things that takes tree hands. better start plotting for the TR1.........

I too thought about an easy steer. But I'm already saving for the TR1.

sickbayer wrote:I too thought about an easy steer. But I'm already saving for the TR1.

EZ-Steer doesn't do anything for tiller steered boats. No point, you'd just be swinging the big motor and the kicker......

Some food for thought, try swinging your DR forward toward the bow when resetting your gear. This will get you out of the way of the kicker. Lengthen the boom some this will get you farther away as well. Now if your boat is turning on its own when setting your gear tighten the small bolt on the kicker to turn harder. I had mine to loose and when guys would go to one side the boat would turn sharp to that side if no one was holding the tiller handle.

I think you will be happy when they get moved forward but for now try the spin trick and see if that helps.

I've done that and it helps. A week or two till I get the brackets to move them forward.

Hope the new brackets help. Looks tight between the tiller handle and welded box too, especially when you move the handle to port.