TyTy Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 What would be the potential drawbacks of buying a flats boat with a large front and rear casting deck to use as a bass boat? I was looking at bass boats when my boss suggested a flats boat. His point is that it runs shallow, white color = cool, no carpet to wear out, casting decks available, decent price, more versatile, built for saltwater = tougher. His point is well taken and really got me thinking...maybe a good idea. I dont see many drawbacks. Ideas? Quote
Super User Catt Posted March 12, 2008 Super User Posted March 12, 2008 I've considered the same and the only draw back I see is less storage 1 Quote
surfer Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 I am toying with the ideal also. Anybody tried it? Quote
Super User Catt Posted March 12, 2008 Super User Posted March 12, 2008 I have a friend who has a Ranger Z21 Intracoastal; basically a bass boat with out carpet 1 Quote
TyTy Posted March 12, 2008 Author Posted March 12, 2008 I was thinking of something more like this. Seems like a heck of a deal. The only difference is ideally I would like one that has a little bit of a set in front casting platform or something with a lip on it so that you can set gear on there and not kick it overboard easily or have it slide off and into the water. Another thing I like the idea of is the vertical rod holders on the center consul, seems like a great place to keep them. Would be convenient but out of the way. As far as storage, I have imagined everything I currently bring on a trip in my 14' john boat and I cant think of anything I might not have room to store except tackle box and that you need out anyway. Quote
surfer Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 What about hull design? V vs. Flat. V rides better, flat floats shallower. I think a lot of the flats boats are designed to go shallower than bass boats. Would this also mean as a trend they ride rougher in choppy water? Quote
TyTy Posted March 12, 2008 Author Posted March 12, 2008 What about hull design? V vs. Flat. V rides better, flat floats shallower. I think a lot of the flats boats are designed to go shallower than bass boats. Would this also mean as a trend they ride rougher in choppy water? I would rather have a flat hull because I am a bass fisherman wanting a boat that coule occasionally go in the ocean. Even though the flats boat may be made for shallower water than needed to get into for bass fishing...sometimes the weeds make the water effectively shallower than it is, especially hydrilla. I think the shallow ones that are made to get into 6 inches of water would be awesome at staying out of the weeds. Since I will definatly bass fish more I would tend towards that direction. Now if I was a inshore/bay fisherman that wanted a boat that I could bass fish...a v-hull would probably be the ticket. Quote
Super User Catt Posted March 12, 2008 Super User Posted March 12, 2008 Most flats boats are designed for rough water since shallow water can get rougher faster than deeper water. Ranger makes flats models from 16' 8/40 hp to 18' 3/150hp but there are many manufactures other there. Quote
TyTy Posted March 12, 2008 Author Posted March 12, 2008 Most flats boats are designed for rough water since shallow water can get rougher faster than deeper water. Ranger makes flats models from 16' 8/40 hp to 18' 3/150hp but there are many manufactures other there. Thats something I thought about too. I think a shallow water flats boat would be equiped to handle as much or more waves than a bass boat because a bass boat manufacturer assumes lakes only. Quote
Super User Catt Posted March 13, 2008 Super User Posted March 13, 2008 Well I wouldn't go quite that far but the term Flats Boat doesn't necessarily mean it has a flat bottom. Quote
IneedAnewScreenName9886691 Posted March 13, 2008 Posted March 13, 2008 if you are not planning on using the poling platform you can get them without it or remove it and someone could fish from the back also. I am sure they could with the platform on as well. Just a little more difficult to fish and could be in the way if you have a fish on and need to swing around to the other side. Also, you could buy the lg white coolers and they make a 4 corner removable system that you could turn it into storage and a seat. I think it's a great idea! Quote
George Welcome Posted March 13, 2008 Posted March 13, 2008 The term "flats boat" means it was designed to fish "salt water flats". I have yet had a customer that didn't love the fishability of my 20' Hewes Light Tackle. They do have a deficit in the storage areas, but not terribly so. The poling platform does not get in the way. Quote
George Welcome Posted March 13, 2008 Posted March 13, 2008 The term "flats boat" means it was designed to fish "salt water flats". I have yet had a customer that didn't love the fishability of my 20' Hewes Light Tackle. They do have a deficit in the storage areas, but not terribly so. The poling platform does not get in the way. Add a poling platform and this is what we fish out of every day. Quote
TyTy Posted March 13, 2008 Author Posted March 13, 2008 Well I wouldn't go quite that far but the term Flats Boat doesn't necessarily mean it has a flat bottom. I just meant more flat versus more of a v. I am going to go after the more flat ones, the ones that can run in less than 12" of water. Quote
TyTy Posted March 13, 2008 Author Posted March 13, 2008 The term "flats boat" means it was designed to fish "salt water flats". I have yet had a customer that didn't love the fishability of my 20' Hewes Light Tackle. They do have a deficit in the storage areas, but not terribly so. The poling platform does not get in the way. Add a poling platform and this is what we fish out of every day. Im curious, do you ever use the polling platform to get up high and see better? I figured that would be an advantage. Its illegal in tournaments so it must be worth something BTW, you must be the one they were talking about, I read something on another guides website that said something to the effect of 'dont go out with some guy with a saltwater flats boat that claims to be a bass fisherman'. I guess that was directed at you. Apparently you arent much of a bass fisherman Quote
TyTy Posted March 13, 2008 Author Posted March 13, 2008 One more question...do you find you are able to set gear/rods/stuff on the bow casting platform and not have it slide off? One difference I have a little concern over is that most bass boats have carpet and somewhat of a lip on the front casting deck...and fisherman seem to put their rods, gear on there. Most of the flats boats have that completly flat front like on your Hewes with no lip and plastic which I would think tends to be more slipery than carpet. ??? Quote
bocabasser Posted March 13, 2008 Posted March 13, 2008 i have a 17' pathfinder flats boat. it isa tunnel hull made by hewes. i fish bass tournaments out of it every weekend. my boat has a flat bottom, which means i can get into some skinny water (aka the flats in the everglades). i also do a lot of snook and tarpon fishing as well. the only thing i don't like, is my livewell. i have to use my portable livewell when bass fishing because the livewell on my boat is very small and could never hold 5 decent size bass. storage isn't the best, but i love my boat. my next boat will be the one that mr. welcome has. until i save up some cash, i will be using the one i have. when i fish tourny's, i will lay a couple of rods on the deck, but i am very aware of where they are because i don't want to kick them into the drink. Quote
bocabasser Posted March 13, 2008 Posted March 13, 2008 also about the slippery part. i believe it is called a textured deck which basically means that it has traction. i never have slipped and i fish barefoot 99% of the time including when it rains. Quote
G3 Fan Posted March 13, 2008 Posted March 13, 2008 I have spent some time considering the same idea. I think the benefits are flats boats don't require as much motor due to their size and weight. I think one of the drawbacks is the ride comfort, most hulls are designed for skinny water and poling. I have read some articles that say the ride in open water is wet and rough. So that may be the price for straight tracking and no hull slap while poling. I think for the money a bass rig provides a little more "bang for the buck" If I was going to buy a skiff I would get the Beavertail. http://www.beavertailskiffs.com/ Quote
altamahajon Posted March 14, 2008 Posted March 14, 2008 Living on the coast along with the variety of rivers and lakes we have in this location, I see alot of flats boats being used for all the variety types of fishing. The prices are great on them too compared to the coast of a bass boat....... New Carolina Skiff DLV 19.8 run about 16,000 with a 90 hp on it compared to a new bass boat at 22 thousand. The new design of the semi V keeps you drier and rides alot better than the older version DLX flat bottom. Alot of additions or options for these boats are available and can pack alot of stuff on one of these boats..... With the higher gunnell walls deep water is no problem and you can literally cut this boat in half and it will not sink. Great for the whole family and feel really safe out on the waters. Quote
PelicanRaider Posted March 14, 2008 Posted March 14, 2008 My friend has a Carolina skiff and uses it as a bass boat when he's not taking it down to a bay. He said he'd never get a bass boat again. That's one opinion... I also want a skiff...his is AWESOME! Quote
TyTy Posted March 14, 2008 Author Posted March 14, 2008 Anyone have any thoughts on weight and getting blown around? I guess a skiff is lighter. Quote
MemphisFisherman Posted March 15, 2008 Posted March 15, 2008 okay....I don't really see much of a problem with just a big deck, other than maybe some rough rides. But are you talking about a big casting deck? Like the kind where you stand up 4 or so feet above the normal boat deck? Because that would just be annoying for me...First of all it would be in my line of sight when I was cruising down the lake, I couldn't reach my trolling motor, and I can't imagine what angle your rod would be at while fishing. Seems like a pain to me. Quote
George Welcome Posted March 15, 2008 Posted March 15, 2008 First let me say that there is no advantage to the platform where I fish. The water is black so unless conditions are extreme you are not seeing the bottom. As for your end comment: "BTW, you must be the one they were talking about, I read something on another guides website that said something to the effect of 'dont go out with some guy with a saltwater flats boat that claims to be a bass fisherman'. I guess that was directed at you. Apparently you arent much of a bass fisherman" Apparently not!!!!! Bear that in mind if you are ever in the market for a guide. Go with that other guy! Quote
TyTy Posted March 15, 2008 Author Posted March 15, 2008 First let me say that there is no advantage to the platform where I fish. The water is black so unless conditions are extreme you are not seeing the bottom.As for your end comment: "BTW, you must be the one they were talking about, I read something on another guides website that said something to the effect of 'dont go out with some guy with a saltwater flats boat that claims to be a bass fisherman'. I guess that was directed at you. Apparently you arent much of a bass fisherman" Apparently not!!!!! Bear that in mind if you are ever in the market for a guide. Go with that other guy! Absolutly, the choice is obvious...you choose a guide by the style boat they use ;D (BTW, my name is Tyler, I have contacted you twice about going out, both times my fishing partners have canceled on me. One of these days though, I may just have to say forget those guys and go myself!) Quote
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