Im a crappie and pan fisherman guy from ky that brought the family down to Everglades city twice in the winter and we fell in LOVE with the place. I came with my wife and 2 kids under 9, a aluminum bass boat, and a hot spot map and to say it was a adventure is a understatement. There is no way to look cool while your thigh deep in water pushing your family off a sand bar!:wink We mainly fished around Russell pass and Indian key and made memories that will last a lifetime. Now im getting rid of the bass boat and need something i can use down there in the winter and up here in the summer. I want a flats boat but might be better suited with a skiff since there will nearly always be 4 people on board. Also i think i need at least a 19 ft. Ive looked at a 218 dlv Carolina skiff and a 19 ft spyder sundance and a ton of used boats that were similar priced( hewes, action craft, triton etc) PLEASE give me your input because we have out grown the Tracker anyway. Now i know that running skinny is a must down there but i also want to try the wrecks sometime. Cant wait to get back and hope yall can stand another snowbird, Id move the farm if i could!!:cool:
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With that said, there are limitations to a bay boat and definite advantages. Just realize what they are fishing the 10K in the winter.
I have had my eye on this boat, but it has since sold.
http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?103257-Century-2202-Loaded-Hot-Rod
If I had my choice and money was not an object, I would probably go with a 24' Yellowfin Bay. You did not mention a price range.
Now I think if I were interested in upgrading my 1981 20' Mako (semi V' floats in about 11/12") and holding onto the tunnel hull I think I would be looking at the 22' Lake and Bay. I have been on both the 20's and think they are a good boat.
http://www.lakeandbayboats.com/model-bw22.html
If you finally say the heck with it, here is another option:
http://bluemoonexpeditions.com/mother-ship/
Most fishing was south, Cape Romano and further. Shallow, yup. Deep, enough to run and be safe.
All in a 19 foot Polar bay boat. Yes, there have been days I've gotten out and pushed off the sand/mud.
4 people in a boat, look towards a bay boat. They may not be as sexy as a Hewes, etc, but they'll
float a family. Plus, they have enough floor space as well as deck space for casting, etc.
If nothing else, whatever boat you do get, enjoy the 10K Islands. They are wonderful in all 4 seasons!
Granted that having a shallow running boat will allow you to get away with a lot more navigation errors, but you will be sacrificing a lot of comfort and coin to give yourself that insurance. And at the end of the day we all run aground somewhere once - comes with the territory.
In a former life I was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialist for the army, whenever anything was missing the answer was always the same " blew it up sir", after 12 years as a commercial explosive engineer and still holding all my license and permits today, so I can do blasting when I get slow in fishing the answer still seems to fit.
Trailering is tough, I run all over with both my boats all the time so I feel ya. Low 20s is a pretty good budget to find a darn nice boat. I'll keep my eyes out for you.