Don't listen to the Naysayers. I'm 42 and I've had boats since before I had a truck. Just use common sense and listen to advice from people with experience and you'll be fine.

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Posted by mack the knife

EBR

Member since Oct 2012

4183 posts

Posted on 8/23/14 at 3:43 pm to hansongrad

if you are really serious about getting out in the gulf let me know. me and my buddies "learned the hard way" and are happy to have lived through the learning curve.
no kidding: we started with a sack phone and one compass as the only equip.

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Posted by Cadello

Eunice

Member since Dec 2007

47791 posts

Posted on 8/23/14 at 3:51 pm to hansongrad

I got a 22' Xpress. First time boat owner. Fish mostly BL, sometimes the jetties are across on the beach side.
Easy to operate, maintain, pull, etc...

Worked out well for me...

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Posted by bearhc

Member since Sep 2009

4926 posts

Posted on 8/23/14 at 10:36 pm to hansongrad

Boats are an expensive hobby . Like most other posters, I would start with bay boat that is around 20ft and see if you enjoy the sport. True offshore boats suck huge amounts of fuel, and unless money is no object you are probably better off chartering a boat to go offshore with some friends. During the fall your bay boat can get you to the fish without using much fuel at all.

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Posted by Shexter

Prairieville

Member since Feb 2014

13837 posts

Posted on 8/23/14 at 11:31 pm to bearhc

I'd start with a 18' aluminum john boat with a 40 tiller handle on the back.
You could pick one of those up new with a trailer for less than $10K.
If you find that you love fishing, just sell it and upgrade in a few years.
Easy to tow, easy to launch, durable hull, low maintenance, and good resale value.
That boat would cover all freshwater fishing, and most of the inshore saltwater fishing in the state.
Sure, I wouldn't take it offshore, but you'd be able to cover a large majority of fishing spots and fish species in the state.

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