What makes a walleye boat? As early as 10 years ago, a boat designed specifically for walleye fishing was a rare sight. Most anglers after walleye fished from small aluminum boats powered by outboards in the 25-50 horsepower range.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s fishing tournaments targeted at walleye created a demand for longer, wider, faster, and more seaworthy boats. The boats that emerged during this period changed the scope of walleye fishing and have left a lasting impact on fishing boat sales and consumer demands.

As early as 1988, fiberglass models began tugging at a northern market that was primarily dominated by aluminum boats. Today serious tournament fishermen are flocking to the various models of fiberglass boats stating speed, performance, hull design, and durability as the major advantages of fiberglass. Meanwhile, many consumers continue to prefer the lightweight, easy trailering, and overall modest cost of aluminum boats.

A by-product of tournament fishing, walleye boats have enjoyed some exciting innovations including expanded fiberglass models, welded aluminum hulls, improved livewells, increased storage, and greater durability and value.

During the last few years a melting pot of design improvements and creature comforts spearheaded by a dozen different manufacturers has taken place. Either by design or accident "walleye" boats have evolved into multi-species crafts suitable for fishing walleye, smallmouth bass, musky, northern pike, and many other species.

Features

The boats that fall into this multi-species category share many similarities. Characterized as mid-sized rigs (normally 16-20 feet long), walleye boats feature a wide beam, deep side walls, square transom suitable for mounting gasoline kickers and electric motors, and a deep splash well to keep water in the lake where it belongs.

Although no two walleye boats are exactly alike, certain features are a must for convenience and fishability. A walleye boat should include an elevated front deck that's large enough for two anglers to fish comfortably.

Serious walleye anglers spend a lot of time fishing from the front of the boat. Casting jigs, vertical jigging in rivers, slip sinker rigging, and dragging bottom bouncer/spinner rigs are just some of the common fishing presentations that require the boat to be controlled from the bow.

The back of the boat should feature an open floor plan that's spacious and provides comfortable seating while operating a gasoline kicker or transom-mounted electric motor. In rough water walleye anglers are often forced to fish sitting down at the back of the boat. Important items including the kicker or electric motor, livewell, and baitwell should be within easy reach for safety and convenience. The back of a boat should also offer handy places for mounting rod holders, downriggers, and other accessories required while trolling crankbaits, spoons, and spinners.

Some of the newer walleye boats also feature "drop-in" style rear decks that make these boats more suitable for casting presentations or when fishing musky, pike, and smallmouth. Available as accessories or after-market items, these portable decks are becoming very popular.

The hull of a walleye boat should be deep enough to be seaworthy, but not so deep it drifts like a hot air balloon. A deep hull helps soften the bumps and reduce the showers associated with rough-water running.

The space inside a walleye boat should be divided between rod lockers, dry storage, coolers, electronics storage, livewells, baitwells, and other creature comforts. Livewells and baitwells should be mounted near the back of the boat to give fish and live bait a smooth ride. Both a freshwater pump and recirculating system are needed to keep fish and bait lively during the warm-weather season.

On console models the top surface of the console should be large enough for easy mounting of a fishing graph and GPS unit. A shelf under the console is also handy for mounting marine and/or FM radios out of the weather.

The choice between fiberglass and aluminum models boils down to personal choice. Aluminum boats have dominated the fishing scene "up north" for decades, but fiberglass boats are making a strong showing in recent years. Especially popular among tournament anglers, fiberglass boats have the edge on speed, performance, dryness of ride, and rough-water running ability. Aluminum boats by comparison are lighter, easier to trailer, and a little less expensive on the average.

The Package Option

Fully rigged boat packages are the norm with boat companies owned by giants in the marine business like Brunswick Marine (Mercury/Mariner) and Outboard Motor Company (Johnson/Evinrude). Most independent boat companies have also gone the route of pre-rigging their boats. Selling boats that come pre-rigged with electronics, electric motors, and trailers streamlines the selling process and helps manufacturers and dealers cut costs and keep prices as low as possible.

Some pre-rigged boats come with modest horsepower and entry-level electronics. Anglers may up-grade their choice of outboard, electronics. and other accessories as they feel necessary.

Tomorrow we'll look at the various models available from the major manufacturers.