Lowkee Posted March 25, 2017 Report Share Posted March 25, 2017 Gents, New to the forum! I current fish the Biscayne bay & Flamingo area. Looking for a Flats boat that will allow me to get somewhat skinny and also be able to cross biscayne bay and also hit the near shore reefs. I currently own a 17' bay boat and got the itch to get a flats boat. What would you guys recommend? thanks for your time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nag Juice Posted March 25, 2017 Report Share Posted March 25, 2017 New or used? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted March 25, 2017 Report Share Posted March 25, 2017 Both are great boats....I guess it boils down to what you plan to do....fish / pole in skinny water or maybe use a trolling motor sometimes. My buddy has a Redfisher18 and it's a great boat and runs really nice with his SHO 150 on it, but it is no fun to pole. Too much boat to really do a lot of poling with. I'm sure some of the skinny water guys reading this will comment on their boats as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nag Juice Posted March 25, 2017 Report Share Posted March 25, 2017 That's a really pretty Redfisher. The layout is awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowkee Posted March 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2017 I will start off used my first time around. I will primarily use the TM but will also want to try the poling around for reds in flamingo. I might be asking for too much lol I actually have my eye on a 1995 Hewes Bayfisher 16'. Is that a good start? Thanks for the responses!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hurricane Posted March 25, 2017 Report Share Posted March 25, 2017 Thats an awesome start. Thats the starting place for many people, including myself. Great boat for getting across Biscayne Bay on a wind day, the hulls of that year are called Lappys and have a nice sharp bow entry. The sharp entry gives a good ride, specially into that east wind across Biscayne. Has a good livewell, floats shallow, and can be poled without to much trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowkee Posted March 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2017 Awesome! I'm just a little worried about not having a bench! But I can deal with it to start. Will it be ok to pole around Flamingo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPFit Posted March 26, 2017 Report Share Posted March 26, 2017 I've always felt that in your area, a technical skiff is the best boat. I have a Redfisher 18 and live in Tampa: which is the perfect boat as there isn't many areas that need the pole to get to. In flamingo and that area I've always seen the shallower skiffs have a huge advantage; as do the boats with better poling ability. Bay fishers are awesome but I've only ever seen them never ridden one. I think the maverick lines should be great for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowkee Posted March 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2017 Thanks MPFIt! And yes majority of the skiffs in Flamingo are Mavericks or HellsBay..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason p Posted March 26, 2017 Report Share Posted March 26, 2017 If you want to pole regularly and have the budget for it, a HPX V is the only way to go (in the MBG family) as far as I'm concerned. Admittedly I'm a little biased but for the flexibility these boats offer and to still be able to push them around all day it's a no-brainier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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