Flats Boats/limitations/advice needed

Champion Back Country Flats 169

I had a 14x36 flat that i just sold. Only bc it was too narrow. Got a 16x48 flat now. I plan on going everywhere besides big lake and toledo bend in it. That includes bayous, marsh, lakes, etc. If its choppy, it will be rough, but if i managed all those places in a 14x36 flat, then ill be fine in a 16x48. Besides, its only rough when youre running, and in the bodies of water i fish, theres always less than a 30min boat ride. I considered getting a semi v to help with the chop, but the cost increases significantly going from a flat bottom to a semi v. At least brand new there is. But where i typically fish, chop isnt a huge issue, and i like being able to fish shallow water.

We've fished lake decade in our camp boat before and verret many many times.

For what you're looking to do as long as you're not a dumbass with it you'll be good

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Who all here has flats boats and what do you like/not like about them?

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I have an East Cape Fury. I'd draw a distinction between a skiff and a flats boat, but kind of irrelevant to your question.

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What’s their limitations? Anybody freshwater fish out of them?

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Make no mistake about it. Skiffs are limited boats. Builders like to advertise their boats as capable of handling big water, capable of floating shallow, capable of running fast, etc. Lots of that is bullshite. Everything is a tradeoff with a skiff. Ability to handle big water offsets its ability to float shallow. Ability to float shallow and pole well is offset by hanging a big motor so you can go faster. I'd recommend buying a skiff or a flats boat if you find yourself fishing shallow or small water the large majority of the time, and don't need a boat to cross open water. I cross big water in my Fury pretty frequently (~12mi with 11' depth), but you have to pick your days and it can get sketchy in a hurry. I've also had a couple close calls following long period ground swell in my skiff. Even when my boat is in chop that it can handle safely, it's uncomfortable and often wet. That's the case with most skiffs.

On the other hand, there is probably no better style of boat for fishing inside the marsh. I still can't believe a capable glass skiff builder hasn't surfaced in Louisiana. The small footprint and shallow draft abilities of skiffs are perfect for fishing the marsh here. I have an F90 on my Fury. With two guys and fly gear it tops out right under 40mph and drafts about 7.5-8". With three guys and conventional gear + ice chests it probably drafts around 9.5" and tops out around 36-37.

If you want a big water boat that runs 60mph then buy a bay boat. Bigger boats like the Vantage and the Marquesa will get you up around there, but they're not fun to pole and they draft >10" loaded down, so any benefit of a skiff as opposed to a bay boat is kinda gone at that point.

I also freshwater fish with mine often, and the huge deck space is great. I can sacalait fish with three guys on my bow deck with no issues.

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I’m looking around at boats and found a bang up deal on one, but worried about the versatility. I know their great for redfishing the inner marshes and can handle a little chop but I’m worried about bringing it to the spillway and bass/sacaulait fishing from it.

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You will not regret it in the way of freshwater fishing. You will regret it if you buy one and expect to cross big water any day you choose, or if you buy one expecting it to cover long distances in a hurry. Skiffs are perfectly capable freshwater boats. The only mild annoyance is the poling platform makes it tough to get under tight spaces and low overhangs.

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Anybody have one that they regret buying?

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No, but I was completely aware of my boat's limitations prior to buying it.

I call mine a skiff

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Do you ever go out and try to pole/sight fish alone with your Fury?

I’ve been look at skiffs a lot lately to go out along the Texas coast, but I’d want to be able to fish the skinny marsh alone some days.

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Very often. I don't pole much on my own, but I have before. The boat poles much better with weight on the bow, so I try to make sure my fuel tank is full if that's my plan. I have an iPilot on my boat though, and it makes fishing alone easy. I can't get into the same water I could if I were poling, but it works.

The Fury poles fairly well for its size, but it doesn't spin well on the pole because of the sponsons.

Pros: floats in spit
Cons: wet

I was in the same predicament. I think I was actually looking at the same boat you are referring to. I ended up buying a Key West Stealth because it was a little bigger and wider. So far no complaints. I've used it to bass fish, cut through the chop in Four Horse like a champ, and has been fine in Delacroix and Hopedale this past month.

I think the things it really can't do is hit the big open bays on rougher water. Most boats under 22ft typically have a hard time with that anyway.

I currently have a Key West 1760 Stealth, out of all the boats I’ve owned it’s been my favorite so far. Perfect for whatever I want to do inside and if you don’t mind a little spray on choppy days you can fish bigger bays & outside points of interest with little worry (provided you pay attention to the forecast).