re: Flats Boats/limitations/advice needed

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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.