We just bought a boat.

I grew up in Minnesota, and spent the last 5 plus years living elsewhere. And I really missed the fishing MN had. Arizona was nice in some ways, but there wasn't alot to do outside because it was so darn hot outside most of the year. I'm one of those people that leaves sweat puddles if I am active and the temperature is over 80 degrees and no thats no exageration. But now we live in NE and we decided to buy a boat, since we live a short distance from the second largest lake in the state, and from a few smaller lakes.

Heres a pic of it:



Now, its not the fishing boat we were originally looking for, and its not pretty - its actually pretty beat up. And it has alot more motor than we were looking for. The boat is a 1994 Starcraft 1709 fish and ski, with a 1994 Merc 115. It came with functional: livewell, motor guide bowmount trolling motor, older silver striker 600 plus sonar, bilge pump, and about 5 pounds of sinkers rolling around on the floor. It came with 2 brand new marine batteries too. Only thing it needed was a tilt/trim motor. Like I say, it wasn't initially what we were looking for, but a few things sold us on this boat. First was the price tag. 995$. Thats not a typo. Nine hundred and ninety five dollars. Second was that this particular outboard runs on only 2 of the 4 cylinders untill 1700 rpm as I understand it which makes it dandy for trolling, or so I have read anyhow. I personally don't get into the skiing/tubing thing though our daughter insisted on a boat that was at least capable of it so I really wish we could afford a smaller 4 stroke outboard for it, but honestly we are lucky to have found an affordable boat at all. The hull needs a small amount of fiberglass and gelcoat work, but nothing that would keep it out of the water. Anyone have any advise on doing that stuff? I can turn a wrench /disassemble/rebuild/assemble with the best of them, but never could get paint/bodywork right. We took it out a few days after we got it just to see how it was out on the water, and check the bilge pump, trolling motor, how the motor ran, etc. Everything seemed A-ok (other than having to get in the water and lift the motor manually when it came time to go home - MAN am I glad thats fixed.)

Also, anyone have any advise on fishing NE lakes like Harlan county lake, Johnson lake or Hugh butler lake, or even Lake McConaughy?
Having fished MN most of my life, I could go there and fish without much trouble, but NE fishing with the exception of maybe Northern Pike is something I am not sure I have the knowledge for. Any advise would be appreciated.

Anyway, it appears that fishing will be a part of the future again, I am looking forward to going with the family on a fishing trip as soon as we can manage it.

I'm partial to sailboats myself, but I've never been tubing, so I might change my mind given the chance!