Boats for fishing on big rivers

[lilmule]

The ohio river gets rougher near dams I assume all the rest do as well,current norm is about 1 mph to 3.The lower number summer the higher spring,those are norms not flood stage.It can take out whole trees and smash them against barges in flood stage-10mph or more.
They do tend to have their own sets of rules regarding actual flow,wing dams,coffin dams,mooring cells,partial sumberged old dams (old 27 proctorville ohio)not totally removed create small whirlpools and or eddies.
So have their own unique hazards,but with caution and common sence can be navigated by the smallest of vessels. Your 17 fter will do ok.
The roughest day I ever had out on it was with 45 mph winds in a 15 ft skeeter the worst overall was fishing a T with my wife for Muscular dys during a flood,looking back wasnt a bright idea even if for a charity,I fish behind barges or did( I moved west),darn near got sucked in.
Ps I won 879 dollars for a 4 lb 8 oz smallie in a md T at huntington w.va,big fish and fouth place,out of a boat no larger than yours,and did it prior in one smaller,a 14 ft thundercraft made in Pikeville,Ky,then a 15 ft skeeter.