I went riding in the pines again this weekend and went up a fire cut-out for about a 1/2 mile and found a lake that is completely surrounded by heavy growth with one small opening. I would love to get a boat in there as it looks like virgin fishing. My question is, has anyone tried any back road trailering? I have a 4x8 trailer with springs and the standard 12" skinny tires and a small alluminum john boat. what modifications can be made to get it back there? The roof is not an option as the tree tops and brush are already rubbing the roof. I would have to travel approximately 2 miles total through some rough terrain. Any ideas?
Thanks Conner

Most of the "shore landing trailers" have the trailer axel within 18" of the rear trailer crossmember. This would give you alot of tougue weight but with a little boat like that wouldn't be a problem. It keeps the truck as far from the bank as possible too. Lucky dog <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Of course the bottom of the trailer would see some high centering but with the axel way back it keeps the departure angle high so the motor or tern of the boat doesn't take too many licks. Oh yea, and strap that thing down to the trailer.

How 'bout an inflatable boat you can pack inside?

Bag Boats

For many years I dreamed of ferrying east coast fishermen (mostly myself) to the Gulf Stream via helicopter - drop them and a large inflatable for a day's fishing - pick them up at day's end - it would save much of the 3-4 hour run each way, but would present other inconveniences and risks. To the best of my knowlege, nobody has ever caught a Blue Marlin from an inflatable boat and I thought it might be interesting to take a Nantucket sleigh ride behind a nice marlin.

Frank

Frank: I would like to see a video of someone with an inflatable boat hooked up to a blue marlin. He would definally lose that battle.
I had an inflatable boat about 25 years ago and snagged a sumerged tree while fishing. Well the air came out in a big hurry and i was left to trying to retreive my gear and swim ashore. Not to mention driving home soaked. Have not wanted one since.
Conner

You would need to go slow until you found out if there were any submerged sticks and such, but if it's a clean lake it should be ok.

As for the sleigh ride, a small boat is a disadvantage in catching large fish. The reel drag takes care of the strain and the boat becomes a towed weight for the fish, but the worst part with a Blue Marlin would be the end game when the fish is close to the boat and you have the bill to contend with - particularly if the fish is aggressive and/or jumping. It would certainly be a Chinese fire drill with anything other than a dead fish. I've found an ice pick to the brain works well, but sometimes you can miss that pea size brain and all Hell breaks loose.... wouldn't be any fun on an inflatable with gaff hooks flying around.... still, I'd like to try it.

Frank

Most of the true off-road trailers that I've seen try to match the towing vehicles tire/rim size. This generally means a different axle on them, or at least a hub modification to the trailer. The trailer also wasn't carrying a boat <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />, so take pictures for us if you decide to try this out, sounds like an interesting day.

That makes sense as i have to go through a small area of soft white sand to get there. I wonder how ATV type tires would work?
Frank:
I would take a shotgun and shoot that monster before he got within 20 yards of that boat.
Conner

I have a friend who fishes from a kayak on the ocean...he said he's talked to some guys in the Carolina's that have caught marlin in their kayayks...according to their GPS, they get pulled up to 5 miles during the fight...sounds insane to me...I KNOW a shark would get me. lol

We've had quite a few pop up trailers come with us on our 4x4 trips. They are good for fairly level ground with decent traction. Any sand, deep mud, moderately rough terrain and your trailer instantly converts into a hard core anchor and will require special care & highway building to take it further... but we've done it. Just ask Greg or Paul who have gone off road with theirs. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

What I've also seen prebuilt for off road are definitely $$$$. I've gotten to the point that rather than buy a trailer, I'd rather build one like this...

Now what happens if that Marlin happens to take you into the path of a ship during that ride?