What is the best Flats fishing boat for the west coast of Florida? 17 foot to 18 foot.?

Question

What is the best Flats fishing boat for the west coast of Florida? 17 foot to 18 foot.?

Answer 1

What kinda MONEY do you want to spend?

Maverick, Ranger, Pathfinder, Action Craft, Dolphin, Renegade, Coastal Bay Boats are ALL EXCEPTIONAL , EXPENSIVE, boats. If you have $20 thousand +, any of these boats are fantastic to own & fish from.

HOWEVER, some people, (like me) ,don't want to have a $400-500 a month payment on a "fishing" boat that I MIGHT get to take out 4 times a month.

So, in my mind, a used "19FT Semi-V Carolina  Skiff" would be my first choice. Or buy the hull and "marry" it with a 50 Horse Suzuki Tiller. Unless, you are gonna be a "guide" or a "proffesional fisherman" ,in my opinion, buying a fishing boat that goes OVER 35 MPH is OVERKILL!!!

Remember, as you add horsepower, you add weight. A 20FT "Ranger" with a 90-150 on the transom will NOT be able to fish certain places that a 14-18FT "Skiff" will. They are very well made , but, very HEAVY. I know places in Steinhatchee, FLA a "Ranger" or similiar boat would just "crunch bottom" if they tried to enter! They are just TOOOOO heavy!

In my mind, if you want a great boat that can handle "skinny, rocky, bottom" I would buy either a Carolina Skiff, a HEAVY gauge aluminum Skiff, or a "Airboat".

Otter Marine in Jax. Fla makes a good Aluminum flats skiff, ( and you can "get out the door" for under $10,000).

Also, if your budget is WELL below $10,000 , try a Bass Pro Shops 18FT Jon Boat. Put a Honda, or Suzuki 35-40HP Tiller on the transom and you've got a great flats rig.

If you are REALLY hurting for cash & still want to fish from a boat , try a Flat-back canoe with a "saltwater" trolling motor. I have caught BIGGER fish from a canoe than any other boat i've owned. It's because you are "low" to the water, and VERY "stealthy". It also makes you "slow down" and fish the water you CAN get to.

Anyway, I hope this helps.

Answer 2

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