I have very little experience with my new little 8 foot Jon boat with electric trolling motor. I have taken it out to several different lakes and it has done great, but that is it.
My question is will I have any trouble on the Snake River with it? I would like to just use it to fish for bass by the shores, but not really knowing much about boating or currents I'm worried about getting out there on it and being swept down stream and not having enough power to get back upstream. I would like to go out from Centennial Park in Twin Falls, but don't want to get stranded a few miles downstream with no way to get my boat back to the dock. Anyone have any experience with a similar type boat and trolling motor on the snake?
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I had a 12ft Jon and I took it out on the south fork of the snake on one of the side channels.mi had 3 people in it and a 8HP motor and we could barely get back upstream to the boat ramp...I would t venture too far without some power, or at least stay close to shore.
Don't know much about the currents below twin but up higher they are too strong for a trolling motor, in my opinion.
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I saw your rig. Your set up will be fine at certain water flows. If the river is below 4800 cfs you should be able to get to pillar falls. If the water is above that you won't make it. I would not go below the pipeline bridge if the flows are above 3000. I am basing this on my 10 foot pontoon. When water is like it is now you can go about anywhere you want. Just remember that as your use the battery the motor will have less poop to get you back. If you go past the waste treatment plant you might not make it back. It gets shallow and fast there even with low water. Ron
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Because I care about your safety I ask you dont even try it.
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have 2 fresh battery's and at least a 55lb thrust motor and you should be fine most of the month of july and august when the river is low, but as stated before watch the water flows,
Matt
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Try to get a hold of a second trolling motor,have it ready to go incase you need.. oars would be good incase your barely making it you can row as well,
some 5 1/2 foot oars would be good.
I was in the ocean on a 10 footer and had some major current,barely made it back rowwing while the 54 thrust was at full..good luck if you go..I'd join you with my boat if I lived there..[
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Guys, I go where he is talking about with my pontoons. I know he is ok to go up stream. He is talking about under the bridge in Twin Falls. There is very little current there until the flows get to about 4800 cfs. Even at that rate he can make it up stream but not to Pillar falls.
This section has no dangers. Now if he goes down below the pipe line he might not make it back. And with that I would not recommend going down river from the boat launch unless it is very low flow. He will be ok. Ron
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