re: Poling skiffs in Louisiana

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Here you dont need ultra shallow draft to get to fish, just moderate draft and a trolling motor. Since you dont need ultra shallow draft you can add higher sides and transom and be able to fish/cross bays with chop.

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Don't know if I completely agree. There are plenty of duck ponds that a lot of boats can't get into. There are a lot of boats fishing the opening of a pond system in the deep canal, but only a few going into the ponds. A lot of ponds I fished were less than 1' deep in the middle. How many places do people go in yaks that a boat really can't get. Most of these technical poling skiffs can get there too. I do think Florida flats are easier to fish with a flats boat, since you aren't trying to maneuver a bank the entire time, but instead a vast open flat. But, it's still beneficial here.

In regards to the higher sides/cross bays stuff, you have to realize that in the keys, they run some open water too. You'd be surprised what some of those boats could handle. Like I've said, it's easily comparable to 18' aluminum hulls that are very prevalent. I think a BIG factor is just the lack of experience in the area. It's easy to see when you go to different regions even in LA that certain boat types are more prevalent. Slowly over the last 10 years, I've seen more and more flats boats. Not saying they'll take over, but as people try them out, they'll feel more comfortable with them. I remember people questioning the boat, but after the first trip, I had two friends convinced that it was perfect for marsh fishing.