Corpusfishing.com

Lost Cajun

Hi folks,

I have a buddy that just bought a weekend place in AP and is now looking for a boat to fish both flats and offshore. He asked for my opinion, but I know ya'll can give him much better info.

I also want to send him some good safety and navigation links. I've copied several off this forum to email to him. If any of you have some wisdom you want to share with a newbie please do so. I'll email him this thread.

Thanks.

Tyler · Site Admin Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 12865

A tough beast to find. A boat good for the flats will not have a deeper vee type hull which is better for heading offshore and a good offshore boat won't go very shallow.

I'd concentrate on getting a boat based on the type of fishing I would be doing most.

Bayslammer · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:08 am Post subject:

Kenner, Sea Pro, Pathfinder, Haynie ect. 22' plus with a big gastank.
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skunked · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:15 am Post subject:

2200 Bay Ranger. Floats in a foot. Needs 2 foot to take off. Has lots of room and can handle rough water.

landlocked beachbum · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:18 am Post subject:

I agree with Tyler, that's a tough order to fill. Those two fishing styles are at opposite ends of the boating spectrum. One thing to remember though, a nice 22' size range of some of those mentioned can do reasonably well at both [depending on how shallow and/or how big the seas] but if you buy used be careful of just price shopping. With today's fuel prices a "cheap" boat /motor combo might really eat into your wallet as compared to a more expensive combo with a newer/lighter building method [Pathfinder] and I newer technology motor.
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HighTide · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:30 am Post subject:

I agree with what has been commented about a dual purpose boat. I think your friend needs to decide which kind of fishing he is going to do most often. I you are going offshore only ocassionally, don't bother to accomodate that ability. A Pathfinder is one of the smoothest and dryest boats I have ever ridden in rough waters. I would highly recommend it for offshore.

On the other hand, I own a 21' - 5" Shallow Sport. It may beat you to death in rough waters, but I can take off in 8" of water and run in 4" for a short distance. But, that works for me and the type of fishing I do. If the wind kicks up and the water gets rough, I just hug the shore line and can run at a much faster clip than most boats trying to traverse the rough waters.

You can get a boat that's a compromise, but that's exactly what it will be: a compromise. Your friend will just have to choose or buy 2 boats.

Carlos

HighTide · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:32 am Post subject:

The 3rd sentence should start "If you are going offshore....."

Sorry,

Carlos

bk005 · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:37 am Post subject:

Well if you like to wade, and dont need to run skinny, I wouldnt mind having one of these.

http://www.androsboats.com/23.cfm

MJW · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:25 pm Post subject:

Well you actually got quite a few reponses to Your boat questions.
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Lost Cajun · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:21 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the responses.

I checked in with him and he said what he's probably looking for is a bay boat that does well off shore. He'll fish the bays 90% of the time and head off shore less than 20 miles when its nice.

Sounds like the Kenner, Pathfinder, Sea Pro etc., something with a Deep V, 21' foot and over is where he wants to start looking.

ccbobber · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:23 pm Post subject: boats

easiest answer is buy two boats, one for each purpose.
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crhfish · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:36 pm Post subject:

Thats what I did, I have a Hewes tailfisher for the flats and a Kenner for the longer bay runs and close offshore.

If you are just fishing the bays and not real concerned about running skinny, a Kenner, Pathfinder, Bluewave, etc, will work just fine.

Capt. Billy L. Sandifer · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject: boat for offshore or flats

My panga gets up clean in 2' of water runs in 1.' and is capable of handling large swells offshore. Sounds like it to me. But then I already knew that and that is why I have it. Capt. Billy
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Tyler · Site Admin Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 12865

wannafish · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:26 pm Post subject: My .02

Pathfinder 22'

floats in 1' and gets up in 1.5'(not as easy) 2' EZ!

Very Happy