From SC....

[carolinacatjack]

What's up guys and girls? I just wanted to throw up a quick post to introduce myself. My name's Matt and I live in SC. Originally from TN, now live on Lake Greenwood, SC. I drive a truck, professionally, on dedicated routes in the Upstate for the Goodrich Corporation.

I'm married, two boys (one of which LIVES to fish...), and have two loves in my life (besides the wife), catfishing and my '76 Monte Carlo.

As of right now, I don't own a Carolina Skiff, but I am VERY seriously looking at a 238DLV. It's the right size for what I do. Since I'm a catfisherman, I need a boat that'll handle me and my big ol' fishin' partners.....and if the Good Lord smiles upon us that day, I'll have a boat to hold all those big cats. *thumbsup*

The guys at Lincolnton Marine in GA have been really helpful to me in my decision. Here's what I've got spec'd on the boat so far: 2009 238DLV with a Suzuki DF150 four-stroke on a RoadKing RKAWV tandem-axle trailer, Humminbird 787C depth/fish finder w/ external antenna GPS, a MinnKota 70AP/PD trolling motor, and Driftmaster rodholders (made in SC USA....Only the best for me LOL).

Brother Cheez (who is a fellow Brotherhood of Catfishermen member) showed me the way over here and told me that you guys know all about the Skiffs. So, have I made a good choice? I mean, I'm not going to deviate away from the Skiff; I think it's an awesome boat, but what do y'all think of the options? Let me know. Thanks all!

[OBX Hokie]

Sounds like a great rig! You will be pleased. good luck with your purchase.

If you buy the boat, we would like to see pictures of your new boat.

[carolinacatjack]

Believe me, when (not if....when) I get the boat, I'll be showin' pics to EVERYBODY. I'll be like a kid at Christmas-time. They'll be posted here and on the BOC for everybody to gawk at.....a proud papa showin' off his new baby. *Woot*

[Gunnar]

Welcome aboard carolinacatjack, *Cheers*

Sounds like a sweet set-up. Good luck with the purchase.

Gregg

[sportskiff]

HELLO Carolinacatjack!!!!!
ya might might wanna get a 62" 80# thurster MK as a side wind'll blow ya round. Better to have a bit much as not enuff. I run a riptide 80 co-pilot on a 218 dlx, 60" shaft and it hasn't been too short.....yet.
NICE ta have more SC folks on here!!!!
Reggie

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Welcome aboard my friend(we all friends in here) and pretty, pretty sure you gonna looooooooooooove the 238, i know i do. *thumbsup**thumbsup* *Cheers*

Great choice.

[Redfish]

Welcome aboard, Catjack. I've done a bit of catfishing in SC myself. Used to go up the Santee every summer and catch big ole blues and butttercats (flatheads). Not sure how they do it in Lake Greenwood, but I think the Skiff would be an excellent choice for this kind of fishing. It's a wide open boat, lots of room to move around, and when you put one of them big old slimy jokers on the floor, you ain't gotta worry about messin anything up.

BTW, tell us how you guys catch 'em up on Greenwood. We used to fish at night on Santee with live bait and would often catch some big ones (20-50 lbs).

[cheez]

Good to see you on here Matt. You are going to love this place. I have only been around for a few months and these guys make me feel like I have been around since the start. Really good folks and way better than average forum.
BTW you definitely need the 60" tm shaft on the DLV. I have the 54" on mine and wish it were longer quite often.

[workinprogress]

Welcome aboard.*thumbsup* That sounds like a great setup. Let me give you my list of qualifications for making my reccomendations. I don't fish for catfish. (Saltwater stuff for me) I have a 16ft boat, so any thing I know firsthand about adequate TM propulsion requirements does not apply to your much larger boat. Last, but certainly not least, the only TM I have ever owned in my life is the one on my boat right now. Now that we have established what an expert *laughing**laughing* I am on exactly what type of TM should be used on a 238 DLV, let me tell you what you need.rotflmaorotflmao

All jokes aside, and based strictly on what I see other people mounting on boats similar to yours and the reviews they give, I agree with Sportskiff and Cheez. Go with more power and a long shaft. You know what they say, "Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it".

Good luck, and I can't wait to see how it turns out.

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

wish it were longer quite often.

:eek::eek::eek::eek: *laughing**laughing**laughing**laughing*

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Sorry, but couldn't resist ;D

Any way, 218elite has the 60" on his 218 elite, and he's changint to 62" shaft. Maybe he knows something we don't know, i hope he chimes in.

[218Elite08]

Sorry, but couldn't resist ;D

Any way, 218elite has the 60" on his 218 elite, and he's changint to 62" shaft. Maybe he knows something we don't know, i hope he chimes in.

Be careful what you ask for.......:cool:

First off, welcome to CSO, Matt. You will find this board to be full of very useful information. There is always an occasional *clonk* The nice thing about that is they seem to leave as quick as they come.

It sounds like your skiff is rigged great.

As far as the trolling motor...always get the longest shaft (for waves) and the most pounds of thrust (for current/tide and waves). You can always raise the motor and lower the speed you are going...you can't add to it when you wish you could. On my Ranger Z20 I have a Minn Kota Maxxum Pro 101 lbs of thrust, 36 volts, and a 42" shaft. On the Elite I currently have a Motorguide 75SW. It has 75 lbs of thrust, 24 volts and a 60" shaft. It a wireless/remote control unit. I'm not 100% comfortable with it so I'm changing to a new model Minn Kota came out with for 2009. It's called a Riptide SF. It has 80lbs of trust, 24 volts and a 62" shaft. I have had my motor come out of the water a few times too many when fishing near the bridges.

I always push my stuff to see what the limits are for my equipment and make changes to improve it's performance. With that said, I don't abuse my gear. I want to know it's limit for my safety. I added Lenco trim tabs today. I want to be able to run in the waves better and keep the bow down. I hope it improves the rough water ride. I had them on my 2180 Ranger Bay and it made a huge difference.

Feel feel to email or PM me if I can help you when anything. Again, welcome and enjoy the site. *thumbsup*

Brian

[redneckredfishr]

HELLO Carolinacatjack!!!!!
ya might might wanna get a 62" 80# thurster MK as a side wind'll blow ya round. Better to have a bit much as not enuff. I run a riptide 80 co-pilot on a 218 dlx, 60" shaft and it hasn't been too short.....yet.
NICE ta have more SC folks on here!!!!
Reggie

Carolinacatjack,

I agree with Sportshiff on this one. I would go at least 80# thrust on the 238DLV. I have an 80# thrust Minn Kota on my 218DLV, and it's just what the Dr. ordered! You may consider the 101# thrust. At a minimum, I'd have an agreement with the dealer for a 30 day trial and upgrade period...

Remember, these DLV's have high sides, so you really can't go by the Minn Kota recommendations for boat length because they haven't tested for the DLV's. - It's the wind that gets ya! :eek:

Also, I recommend you send o2bfishn a PM and ask him what he's running. His 238 is tricked-out quite a bit!

Welcome to the site,
Redneckredfishr

[carolinacatjack]

Welcome aboard, Catjack. I've done a bit of catfishing in SC myself. Used to go up the Santee every summer and catch big ole blues and butttercats (flatheads). Not sure how they do it in Lake Greenwood, but I think the Skiff would be an excellent choice for this kind of fishing. It's a wide open boat, lots of room to move around, and when you put one of them big old slimy jokers on the floor, you ain't gotta worry about messin anything up.

BTW, tell us how you guys catch 'em up on Greenwood. We used to fish at night on Santee with live bait and would often catch some big ones (20-50 lbs).

The main reason I'm going with the 238, like I said, is the room. I'm not a little guy, and neither are any of my buddies. We gotta have some room for our big ol' bellies.

As for the cats, channels are best caught when drifting shrimp or cut bait along the flats or on the edges of the creek/river channels. Flatheads stay holed up in brush and bank holes all year long, so we anchor for them with live bream/gizzard shad/blue herring. There aren't enough blues in Greenwood to speak of, so I won't go there.

One more question about the boat though......I've seen several pictures of rails mounted on the stern of the boat, and they seem to match the rails that are on the bow. Are these custom jobs, or does CS offer them?

OK, maybe two more questions.....I keep some of the smaller fish I catch for frys and for the freezer, but the boat doesn't have any substantial livewell space for catfish. That livewell is just big enough for my bait! So, here's what I was thinking about: http://www.fishmatepro.com/Livewells/BigCatMuskiePro65.aspx Y'all check this out and let me know. I was thinking of mounting it right behind the cooler seat on the boat. That means I'd have my (beer) cooler, livewell, and baitwell all right there together. What do y'all think? Also, some of you have mentioned the trolling motor. Right now, the TM I've got spec'd is a MinnKota 70# thrust with a 60" shaft. From what I've heard and been told, the 70# will be enough to push the 23ft boat, but none of these guys even own skiffs. They're all bass-turds (What I call 'em). I don't drift any faster than 1/2 to 3/4mph. I doubt I would need any more than this, but would love to have all the input I could get. Thanks! Now all I've got to worry about is what size/how many drift socks to use.....

Oh, BTW, I do plan on taking this boat down to the SC lowcountry for some redfishing.....Can't wait for that.

[Harry]

CS offer bow & stern rails

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Carolinacatjack, that live well looks very good but i don't think it would fit between the cooler seat and the deck, or if it does fit, not much room to go around *006*. I have the same boat and i don't remember having 20" behind the cooler seat.

[carolinacatjack]

Carolinacatjack, that live well looks very good but i don't think it would fit between the cooler seat and the deck, or if it does fit, not much room to go around *006*. I have the same boat and i don't remember having 20" behind the cooler seat.

Well, that's not the definite location. I might hafta run back down to GA to take some measurements on the boat. I'm gonna play around with it and see what I can do. I know it's some work, but here's my other plan of action: I could take out the existing "livewell" and the wells on either side of it and drop the new livewell in there. That would require some cutting, but I think it could be done. If someone who has a 238 would check the measurements for me, that would be great. The other side of it is, I could make a bait tank to fit under the seat at the front of the console. That's not a bad location for it, but like I said, I'm gonna hafta do some playin' and figurin'.....I also need to decide if I want the bimini top or the t-top.

Just wait'll I get the boat and me and the guys go out in it. *003* is what I'm gonna be lookin' for. ;D

[218Elite08]

WOW...100 gal capacity. I hope you are not adding water in there. At around 8lbs per gal...you do the math! You could always go with one of these (still expensive) *006*
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_98741____SearchResults

I'd seriously think about a 36V 101lb Minn Kota Riptide. The price of the motor is very little for the next size up. The biggest thing is the room and weight a third battery takes. Oh, and please do think you can run it off your starting battery. It sounds like there is going to be a lot of weight in that boat. I'm changing my trolling motor less than a year later (9 months) on my boat because I'm not happy with it. The wind will really catch the side of the boat when you are trying to drift. It's always better to have too much power and turn it down rather than running it wide open and wishing you had more power! On second thought, I'm one of those part time "bass-turds" rotflmao I can tell you I don't act or drive like some of those idiots either!

That was pretty funny though!! *thumbsup*

Brian

[carolinacatjack]

WOW...100 gal capacity. I hope you are not adding water in there. At around 8lbs per gal...you do the math! You could always go with one of these (still expensive) *006*
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_98741____SearchResults

I'd seriously think about a 36V 101lb Minn Kota Riptide. The price of the motor is very little for the next size up. The biggest thing is the room and weight a third battery takes. Oh, and please do think you can run it off your starting battery. It sounds like there is going to be a lot of weight in that boat. I'm changing my trolling motor less than a year later (9 months) on my boat because I'm not happy with it. The wind will really catch the side of the boat when you are trying to drift. It's always better to have too much power and turn it down rather than running it wide open and wishing you had more power! On second thought, I'm one of those part time "bass-turds" rotflmao I can tell you I don't act or drive like some of those idiots either!

That was pretty funny though!! *thumbsup*

Brian

Well, Brian, when it comes to drifting, I drift out of the back of the boat. The wind picks up very quickly on SC waterways, and anybody who drifts sideways in SC is a fool. That's why I asked about the stern rails for the 238. That's so I don't have to mount rod holders directly to the gunwhales and the stern. I can get the clamp-style from Driftmaster and run six holders directly out of the back of the boat, angled, of course. Hey, when I get the boat, who wants to come to SC to drift for cats with me? Always looking for a new fishing buddy.....

And no, I wouldn't be filling the livewell up with water. See, I'm part of the BOC (Cheez knows where I'm going). We've got an unwritten rule that pretty much says anything 10lbs and over goes back in the water so they can keep on reproducing, unless you absolutely need the meat. I only keep eaters, and even then, I don't keep many more than 10-15. I don't feel like cleaning that many catfish. Knowwhutimeanvern?

And as for the Riptide.....Can you add auto-pilot/co-pilot to it? That way, I don't have to keep messing with the TM all the time.

[redneckredfishr]

Hey, when I get the boat, who wants to come to SC to drift for cats with me? Always looking for a new fishing buddy.....


I'll take you up on the fishing trip... I grew up in SC. They don't call be Redneckredfishr for nothing!*014*

Redneckredfishr
Grew up - Hartsville, SC
Currently - Newport, NC, thanks to the Corps

[carolinacatjack]

I'll take you up on the fishing trip... I grew up in SC. They don't call be Redneckredfishr for nothing!*014*

Redneckredfishr
Grew up - Hartsville, SC
Currently - Newport, NC, thanks to the Corps

Hey brother, Semper Fi! I stayed in SC. Weird thing though....Born in TN, raised in SC, was in the Corps and split time between DC and CA, now back in SC. Let's go git some cats.....

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

On another thought, if you ordering the boat new, order it without the rear deck and fabricate something to fit the livewell you want. That livewell fits in the back where the deck is now.

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Also, one more thing, there is a well on the starboard side which is bid enough(i don't know how big are the fish you keep)but drains on the deck, what i did was i added another drain(closed the original)and routed that out to the back of the boat for overboard discharge.

[carolinacatjack]

On another thought, if you ordering the boat new, order it without the rear deck and fabricate something to fit the livewell you want. That livewell fits in the back where the deck is now.

I appreciate the thought, but I'm probably gonna get one of the 238s they've got on the lot. When I go to get it, I'm not going to want to wait. The day I get it, it's going in the water....

[redneckredfishr]

Hey brother, Semper Fi! I stayed in SC. Weird thing though....Born in TN, raised in SC, was in the Corps and split time between DC and CA, now back in SC. Let's go git some cats.....

Semper Fi Leatherneck! We'll hit it - We will definitely hit it!

Redneckredfishr

[218Elite08]

And as for the Riptide.....Can you add auto-pilot/co-pilot to it? That way, I don't have to keep messing with the TM all the time.

I believe you need the Power Drive series Minn Kota to add the co-pilot system.

Brian

[cheez]

Matt I only use my livewell for bait. We keep a lot of fish so we put them into a 150 quart cooler. I have my cooler strapped down to the floor up against the front deck. Still have lots of room to move around and mine is a 218.
I will be coming to Pickens for a machine installation in the early spring so you can take me to your drifting hole in your new rig then.;D

[carolinacatjack]

Matt I only use my livewell for bait. We keep a lot of fish so we put them into a 150 quart cooler. I have my cooler strapped down to the floor up against the front deck. Still have lots of room to move around and mine is a 218.
I will be coming to Pickens for a machine installation in the early spring so you can take me to your drifting hole in your new rig then.;D

Cool! I went to school in Pickens County. But if you'll be in Pickens, be prepared to drive another hour and a half SW to get to Greenwood. And don't forget we've got the GA BOC gathering in early spring too....

[cheez]

We can do them both can't we?*Cheers*
I drive an hour and a half nearly every time I fish. No problemo!*014*

[carolinacatjack]

We can do them both can't we?*Cheers*
I drive an hour and a half nearly every time I fish. No problemo!*014*

I don't see why not..... I'm fishin' with you one of those days just in case I don't have a Skiff by then. That way, I can get a feel for it. Alright with you?

[carolinacatjack]

Alrighty guys, quick update....

The wife and I talked today. She asked when I wanted the boat. I told her, "Duh! YESTERDAY!" So her response to that was that we need to get some stuff paid off first and I could probably have it by April. I've been talking to the guys down at the Grass Shack outside of Atlanta and they've given me the best price so far. On that note, Cheez, I'm swingin' by your neck of the woods when I go down to pick her up. There's a Brotherhood of Catfishermen gathering on West Point Lake in Georgia the first weekend of April and I'd like to have it by then.

I know most of you are saltwater guys, but if you feel like it, after I get mine, I'd like to extend an invitation for you guys to come on down here to SC to fish Lake Greenwood with me. We'll get a big ol' CS convoy out on the water and go catch some catfish. How does that sound? I'm gettin' itchy now. I NEED MY BOAT!!!!!!*004*

[nopq398]

Thanks for sharing this press release. This is great!