Brian D Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 Hi guys! I'm a retired angler (67), new to the forum & considering purchase of first flats boat -2000 Hewes 16 Redfisher. Absolute newby to flats fishing & poling, so I'm wondering how much physical fitness needed to pole this boat all day. Would appreciate hearing from some older guys on this subject. (Reasonable physical condition, office worker 15-20lbs heavy, but never been a jock.) Brian D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddyBottomBluz Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 If you are officially retired then exercise would be good for you, and you'll get it poling that boat :content: . It can be done if you follow a few pointers that will be given from the forum memebers. For instance - distribute wieght properly in the boat, keep the wind at your back, eat your Wheaties! Welcome, best of luck and enjoy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osprey0112 Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 TROLLING MOTOR! :susel: Then just pole when you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linesider 159 Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 Id get both, and my bet is you will use the trolling motor mostly. If its hot, you can get heated by poling a canoe. Also, depending on back, knee, etc (arthritis, etc) getting up on the platform of a redfisher may be difficult. The redfisher platforms arent super easy to get on so you may want one modified so its easier. Just something to think about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eshoberg Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 I don't have a trolling motor on my boat and it doesn't bother me most of the time. The only problem I have is having an angler on the front that can see fish, follow directions and hit the spot with a bait. I fish live bait and getting a rod baited, putting the pole down while on the platform is something I haven't mastered yet. If you fish by your self I would invest in a trolling motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonV Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 "distribute wieght properly in the boat, keep the wind at your back" Ditto with the wind if possible. Plus when not standing on it a poling platform is great for sitting your beer with koozie and when nature calls to lean on so you don't fall off the boat while taking a pee!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donh Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 I'm 77. Find a friend to pole you.It's a long way to the water. dh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 I'm 67, could not poll if I wanted to. depends on your health and phy. ability. trolling mtr. a must. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B2TB Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 I'll be 67 next month and bought my first flats boat, a Maverick 18 HPX, 2 yrs ago at age 65. I'm in reasonably good shape,I run 2 miles a day. It takes awhile to get the poling technique down. In the beginning you may get frustrated and over exert yourself. There is a tendency to push/pole too hard and too often,when you first start. Once you get it, you will find it's not too strenuous especially if you use the wind correctly. However no matter what shape you are in I wouldn't count on being able to pole all day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdemott Posted February 14, 2016 Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 At 70 I have no intention of standing on a platform and poling. I thought that's one of the reasons that they invented trolling motors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplec Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 In my 50s and in shape to pole but ummm I would rather be on the pointy end...so as others have said...get someone else up there... :content: which usually doesn't work for me tho... so hands free trolling it is! Ulterra is my new best fishing partner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishtaco Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 TROLLING MOTOR! :susel: Then just pole when you want. This for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted February 16, 2016 Report Share Posted February 16, 2016 Hi guys!I'm a retired angler (67), new to the forum & considering purchase of first flats boat -2000 Hewes 16 Redfisher. Absolute newby to flats fishing & poling, so I'm wondering how much physical fitness needed to pole this boat all day. Would appreciate hearing from some older guys on this subject. (Reasonable physical condition, office worker 15-20lbs heavy, but never been a jock.) Brian D If you have never been on a tower...IMHO @ 67, it's not the time to start..no matter the fitness... It's not the poling...it's the falling off the tower, nearly hitting your head on the skeg, landing face up in mud, then having that "WTF" look on your face.... Ask me how I know this I'm 59..... Go Ulterra trolling motor....don't look back DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted February 16, 2016 Report Share Posted February 16, 2016 In my 50s and in shape to pole but ummm I would rather be on the pointy end...so as others have said...get someone else up there... :content: which usually doesn't work for me tho... so hands free trolling it is! Ulterra is my new best fishing partner Ulterra :thumbup: dc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polliwog Posted February 22, 2016 Report Share Posted February 22, 2016 I'm an old timer,have a hpx 15fter with trolling motor and pole some of the time, but I had a cheater post made for the boat that lets me lean the small of my back against it for security and safety. You feel really comfortable knowing it is there. Takes some time to get use to ,but worthwhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MA18Colorado Posted March 16, 2016 Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 Here is an idea I like that I saw on Rob Fordyce's boat. Note placement of the cooler, right at the base of the platform. Acts as a step. I am only 42 and I am going to use that idea this season! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HewesYourDaddy Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 I didn't like getting on the platform when I got the boat at age 36 and there are too few places to use the pole here in south GA, so it stays at home. Trolling motor and PowerPole are your friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polliwog Posted March 19, 2016 Report Share Posted March 19, 2016 To really fish the shallow areas of the 10K you need to go motor up and pole the 1 ft areas. Makes fishing pretty challenging,but if you want the snook ,that is where they hang out in the winter. I don't pole that much now at 73,but I do it when I want to get to certain spots. Trolling motor is much easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GatorJ Posted March 19, 2016 Report Share Posted March 19, 2016 Brian D.....As others have said, go with a trolling motor and pole when you want to / have to. I would recommend one step further: get a trolling motor with a wireless remote. I like to be up on the poling platform and using the trolling motor remotely, giving me much better visibility for spotting the fish. I have a 2002 RF-16 and do pole it fairly often, but it takes a good bit of balance, coordination and power / strength to pole. It is especially tiring if you are poling in a soft sticky bottom where not only are you exerting energy pushing the boat, but also pulling the pole out of the bottom every stroke. It can be difficult to climb on and off the poling platform. Here are some pics from a forum post years ago. One of these days I am going to put it on my boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drummer Posted March 20, 2016 Report Share Posted March 20, 2016 Two words for ya: trolling motor! I pole when necessary but use the TM most of the time. And still manage to catch a few fish. The platform is a great spot from which to cast and control the TM, though. Once you get used to being up there, that is. I am mid 50s and fit. Haven't fallen off... yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdemott Posted March 22, 2016 Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Like that step idea. I put a fold down platform on a Bayfisher that was attached to the poling platform. Great for getting higher and also good place to sit to refit, eat lunch etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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