The 45″ will do until the wind gets up or you are on big water. I guess it all depends on whether you want to fish big water on windy days when the boat is rocking up and down and how much fishing you really do in theses conditions. I like fishing windy days down in Texas which means for me a 52″ is needed most all the time. I will always have a 52″. just my.02I would suggest you get the 52″.