Boat Question - MS River

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Deltamud77
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Boat Question - MS River

Postby Deltamud77 » Fri Jul 27, 2018 4:01 pm

Question for you boys that duck hunt and fish on the MS River...

What size boat and HP engine are you running? Is a 20foot boat like a War Eagle 2072 too be to effectively duck hunt out of when set up on the river?

Thanks
LODI QUACKER
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Re: Boat Question - MS River

Postby LODI QUACKER » Fri Jul 27, 2018 5:19 pm

Boat size will not keep you safe on the river. Don't travel when dark, get out there in the summer and learn the dike locations. Always carry extra clothes and supplies and get a good Life jacket that you will wear. Float coat works well. Extra kicker to at least get you to the rivers edge. Be smart and do not take chances.
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stang67
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Re: Boat Question - MS River

Postby stang67 » Fri Jul 27, 2018 6:03 pm

I can’t contribute to the question at hand, but the very subject matter is a breath of fresh air.
Deltamud77
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Re: Boat Question - MS River

Postby Deltamud77 » Fri Jul 27, 2018 6:50 pm

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missed mallards
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Re: Boat Question - MS River

Postby missed mallards » Fri Jul 27, 2018 9:27 pm

If I don't do it, I ain't gettin nun.......So i'm doing it
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teul2
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Re: Boat Question - MS River

Postby teul2 » Sat Jul 28, 2018 5:55 pm

Looking for 2 duck calls from Dominic Serio of Greenwood (ones for Novacaine)
"Most Chesapeakes, unless in agreement that it is his idea, will continually question the validity of what he is being asked to do" - Butch Goodwin
YoBenny

Re: Boat Question - MS River

Postby YoBenny » Sat Jul 28, 2018 6:09 pm

Old friend and long time river rat, duck hunting by himself out there one day.
( I do not suggest anyone doing that)
Well rigged boat, plenty knowledge, he's good.
Headed back to the ramp he spots something against one of the buoys.
Closer it's a man, holding onto the buoy for dear life.
So his plan was to come in on the up river side of the buoy and lay into it,
so he can then grab the man and pull him into the boat.
He eases up and lays the side of the boat against the buoy.
The second the boat touched it, the water grabbed the other side of his boat,
and presto, in two seconds it flipped it right out from under him.
And in two seconds it was him and an exhausted guy holding onto the buoy for dear life.
Luckily a tow was just upstream and spotted them and came got them.
Or else dead from ole man river and knowing less than you think you do.
YoBenny

Re: Boat Question - MS River

Postby YoBenny » Sat Jul 28, 2018 6:10 pm

Oh and the guy who was hanging onto the buoy fell of the tow going downstream just ahead of the one that picked them up and nobody saw him.
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mshunter77
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Re: Boat Question - MS River

Postby mshunter77 » Sun Jul 29, 2018 8:09 am

That boat is plenty if you know what you are doing and give the river the respect it commands. Obviously there are things that can happen even if you are careful. Lots of good advice above. Also remember not to overload your boat. You may can get away with that in some places but not on the big river.
khound22
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Re: Boat Question - MS River

Postby khound22 » Mon Jul 30, 2018 9:46 am

I have a 18ft center console LakeSport heavy aluminum boat w 90hp. Handles the river great. I have a custom built blind on it too. Its not to big to hide.

NOW, if you are going to hunt the river you will need to be familiar with your river stages. I have been keeping a journal for 15 years of my river adventures. Every time you go out, take note of the river stage, where the dykes are, what duck holes/oxbows are accessible, etc. Main thing is respect that river. I'm not scared of it, I RESPECT it. Nothing on this earth is stronger than the MS River. It can take your life in 2 seconds, however, to me, the beauty and mystic of it is worth the risk. Driving a car on any interstate in the country is dangerous too but we still do it every day.... Know where the dykes are, and at what river level they will be a hazard. Know that just because you see wide open water outside the buoys, that it could be 2 feet deep or less and tear your lower unit up. Stay away from whirlpools, especially near dykes. When one almost pulls the back of your boat under, you will never forget it, trust me. Don't get in a hurry. If you can find a hole where the ducks are coming in to rest after feeding somewhere else in the morning, you dont have to drive in the dark. Take advantage of that. Your number one rule has to be life jackets, no exceptions. If you happen to forget one for your buddy, you and he dont hunt that day.
Deltamud77
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Re: Boat Question - MS River

Postby Deltamud77 » Mon Jul 30, 2018 3:47 pm

All great information guys. I really appreciate it. This place has still got it!
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rebelduckaholic
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Re: Boat Question - MS River

Postby rebelduckaholic » Mon Jul 30, 2018 6:27 pm

I run a 1648 with a 50 and I’m not scared to run it. Like the other guys have said I have my own guidelines I use when I run the river.

Never run the river on a moderate south wind.
Never run the river in the dark.
Always let people know where I’m running in case of a break down and get stranded on a sand bar.
Always have plenty of dry clothes and dry lighters.
Spare prop
Spare prop nut
Kicker motor
Spare Battery

I keep a log every time I go out there and keep up really close with river levels
Work is for a man who can't fish
JLT
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Re: Boat Question - MS River

Postby JLT » Tue Jul 31, 2018 7:24 am

I run it in a 1650 F&F with a 50hp Yamaha tiller steer. Use common sense and don't take unnecessary chances.
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teul2
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Re: Boat Question - MS River

Postby teul2 » Tue Jul 31, 2018 12:15 pm

Looking for 2 duck calls from Dominic Serio of Greenwood (ones for Novacaine)
"Most Chesapeakes, unless in agreement that it is his idea, will continually question the validity of what he is being asked to do" - Butch Goodwin
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Wildfowler
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Re: Boat Question - MS River

Postby Wildfowler » Tue Jul 31, 2018 4:00 pm

driven every kind of rig that's ever been made, driven the backroads so I wouldn't get weighed. - Lowell George

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