07-17-2017, 11:25 PM
I have a 14' Lund with a 15 HP outboard, and draft just over 18" from bottom of hull to water line. My sonar skimmer is exactly 16" above the bottom of my motor skeg when the motor is straight up and down. Anytime I'm on Benson, I run with my motor locked up in the shallow drive position, with the water intake just under enough to draw water into the impeller.
I've found a few areas that were 4 to 5 feet deep, and one big hole on the north side of the highway bridge thats about 15 to 17 feet deep. All I've ever caught out of that hole are small mudders.
Towards the north east edge of the marina there seems to be a bit deeper channel, but I still have not found one deep enough that I feel comfortable to run at full speed from the marina docks up to the river mouth and on up toward Cutler Dam like I've seen several bass boats and a few ski boats even.
I think if you keep your motor trimmed up, keep one eye on the sonar, and move around the area slow, you should be OK. If you see brush or limbs up out of the water anywhere, just assume there is a hump or sand bar under them.
Photo is my trails from last 2 trips to Benson back in May, but the water was flowing pretty fast and was a bit deeper.
Good luck if you go, be careful.
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I've found a few areas that were 4 to 5 feet deep, and one big hole on the north side of the highway bridge thats about 15 to 17 feet deep. All I've ever caught out of that hole are small mudders.
Towards the north east edge of the marina there seems to be a bit deeper channel, but I still have not found one deep enough that I feel comfortable to run at full speed from the marina docks up to the river mouth and on up toward Cutler Dam like I've seen several bass boats and a few ski boats even.
I think if you keep your motor trimmed up, keep one eye on the sonar, and move around the area slow, you should be OK. If you see brush or limbs up out of the water anywhere, just assume there is a hump or sand bar under them.
Photo is my trails from last 2 trips to Benson back in May, but the water was flowing pretty fast and was a bit deeper.
Good luck if you go, be careful.
[signature]
"OCD = Obsessive Catfish Disorder "
Or so it says on my license plate holder
Or so it says on my license plate holder