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So I want a boat...

Posted on 5/7/12 at 1:23 pm
Posted by VanRIch
Wherever
Member since Sep 2007
11534 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 1:23 pm
I want something to take in the rivers to do some bass fishing, in the lake, in the marsh to hit the reds and trout. Basically I want to catch bass, reds, trout, etc. I want a center console bay boat, and I think you'd all agree that would be the best choice. What's the minimum length that I should look at? How do you choose the V of the hull...deep, shallow, etc.

Suppose I want to go out for some snapper or do the tarpon rodeo for fun one year, have no idea about doing this, but is there a boat that can do the above as well as go a few miles offshore for the snapper, or wherever they are? Does this mean deep V and would that take me out of shallow marsh fishing? Is there just not a boat that can do it all?
Posted by Coon
La 56 Southbound
Member since Feb 2005
18578 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 1:27 pm to
I woulnd take an inshore boat "a few miles out" and I woundn't take a coastal boat into the marsh.

Get a shallow v center console to do the fishing you described in the first paragraph and take a charter out once a year if you get the envie.
Posted by Gaston
Dirty Coast
Member since Aug 2008
41694 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 1:27 pm to
Break out your wallet.



ETA: Andros Bonefish 22'. Modified panga hull.
This post was edited on 5/7/12 at 1:28 pm
Posted by meauxjeaux2
watson
Member since Oct 2007
60283 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 1:30 pm to
you were doing great when you said this
quote:

Basically I want to catch bass, reds, trout, etc. I want a center console bay boat,


then you had to go here and say what a bunch of other people who want their cake and eat it too say
quote:

Suppose I want to go out for some snapper or do the tarpon rodeo for fun one year


quote:

have no idea about doing this
yep,you're right.

Make up your mind what you want to do.
Ask yourself how comfortable you want to be fishing vs. gas consumption in your truck and boat getting to these fishing spots.
Find the good medium ground.
I went with an 18' center console. Wish I had one about 2-4' longer at times but the added fuel consumption and the draft the boat pulls in shallow waters have me really appreciating my little rig.
Posted by meauxjeaux2
watson
Member since Oct 2007
60283 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 1:30 pm to
quote:

Gaston



quote:

Andros Bonefish

STOP IT!!!!
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
28270 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 1:31 pm to
If you are wanting to go "a few miles offshore" you would want to look at starting around 21 ft IMO. A bay boat can do it but it just isn't very comfortable if the waves kick up.

Deep V means the boat will cut through the waves better giving a smoother ride. They also draft more making them harder to use in the marsh.
Posted by VanRIch
Wherever
Member since Sep 2007
11534 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 1:33 pm to
You could have just said "there really isn't a boat that can do both" but thanks anyway.
Posted by meauxjeaux2
watson
Member since Oct 2007
60283 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 1:33 pm to
quote:

there really isn't a boat that can do both
Posted by Gaston
Dirty Coast
Member since Aug 2008
41694 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 1:34 pm to
quote:

STOP IT!!!!


Dude, that IS the boat for the conditions he described. Don't fricking hate on me. I want one for the rivers and marshes, but I also live on coast and would want something to hit the islands and rigs.

Show me a better boat for that combination...

Oh, and a paddleboard rack on the T-top...living the dream...if I had more money.
Posted by VanRIch
Wherever
Member since Sep 2007
11534 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 1:34 pm to
too late
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86624 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 1:37 pm to
18/19' Mako or NauticStar.
Posted by meauxjeaux2
watson
Member since Oct 2007
60283 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 1:39 pm to
quote:

too late
Pow Pow seys it never 2 late
Posted by avid lurker
houma
Member since May 2008
925 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 1:39 pm to
I have a blazer bay 2400.I have been able to do all of the above. Only thing is i added a hydraulic jack plate, to help with the shallow water running
Posted by The Last Coco
On the water
Member since Mar 2009
6922 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 1:44 pm to
I have fished out of a 21' Blazer Bay. We fish trout in the surf in the mornings, if conditions are good, we run to some close in rigs for Mangrove Snapper when the morning bite slows. If conditions aren't good, we go on the backside of the island for reds.

I've never bass fished out of it, but I don't see why it would be a problem. It drafts more water than aluminum boat, and you can't fish places a surface drive can, but it wouldn't have a problem in a river or on Toledo Bend.
Posted by VanRIch
Wherever
Member since Sep 2007
11534 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 1:48 pm to
I have a feeling I'd completely forget about bass fishing if I was able to do more trout, reds, etc
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86624 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 1:49 pm to
My new Bay Boat has been a pleasant surprise fishing fresh water. Only real problem so far is it doesn't turn worth a damn. May need a 4 blade or a lot more time behind the wheel.
Posted by Motorboat
At the camp
Member since Oct 2007
23959 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 2:01 pm to
quote:

19' Mako


I do all the things you describe in mine. Granted, I don't snapper fish unless the conditions are right and I don't redfish in shallow water.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86624 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 2:04 pm to
That's what I would have now if it had rear jump seats. I really liked the boat.
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
71282 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 2:30 pm to
I'll sell ya one
Posted by dpd901
South Louisiana
Member since Apr 2011
7889 posts
Posted on 5/7/12 at 2:33 pm to
Bay Boat is the correct answer. 20ft plus if you are going to venture offshore. Since you want to bass fish and sight fish for reds, the most important things are large, raised casting platforms front and rear. Fishing from the bottom of a boat while trolling for bass or reds sucks arse.

I would say your best choices are Pathfinder, Triton, Sheerwater, Cobia (which is made by Maverick/Hewes/Pathfinder now), Kenner Vision, Blazer Bay, BlueWave Pure Bay, Skeeter Bay. Just depends on your budget.
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