Don't know if you decided on a platform yet, but given the flow levels this year--the last month the levels have been so low (coast) a raft might have been the better option since there has been a lot of getting out to drag over gravel bars. But since the fish are waiting off the mouth, maybe a small offshore boat would be the best.
Well after doing some reading, posting on these forums, talking to a few kind knowledgeable people, and drawing on past knowledge I decided to hold off on any sort of new boat for the next few years. For steelhead, I'll just stick to walking & wading for now to get to know rivers more intimately like when I first started out on the Great Lakes tribs some 15-20 years ago. I'll keep my 1756 CC G3 jon boat with the prop drive configuration at the moment, and maybe use it occasionally for steelhead on the rivers that it is appropriate for. In 3 years, after I've figured out what I want to hunt & fish for regularly in this state, then I'll re-visit this idea. For now, there is just way too many opportunities to take advantage of, new things to try, new places to visit, etc.
