Ocean worthy flats boat

joemustazep · December 2012

Hi, I had a general question about flats boats. I was wondering everyones input on a make/size flats boat that would also be ocean worthy on calmer days to chase tarpon on the beaches etc.? I appreciate the responses.

fldiver1 · December 2012

I see all kinds of flats boats out off the beaches DURING THE FLAT CALM days in mid summer. Just about any make/model will do for those days, just make sure you have enough motor to make a hard run back in if it got sloppy on ya. I've had a 15 1/2 cobia skinny hull center console out there on a calm day but I wouldn't even consider taking our current flats boat out there no matter what the weather. It's a '97 Fin & Feather microskiff. If you want a "do all" boat go for a shallower hulled type bay boat. They float skinny enough for the flats and still take some chop pretty well. I've been out to Pelican in a Triton LTS240, fairly shallow running boat but handled the flats and nice days offshore equally well. Plenty of room to breath in that boat too.

saltybum · December 2012

Had my 16 foot Hewes out many times past bouy 2 and all over hunting cobia. Watch the weather and don't take chances.

FLDXT · December 2012

I run my 17 Maverick MA 8-10 miles off Stuart in the summer all the time. No biggie, just pick your days and watch the weather.

hodgie2411 · December 2012

Sea Pro SV 19 or SV 21

SEARUNNER · December 2012

I take my Action Craft 1720 up to 13 miles offshore Ponce on perfect weather days. Prior to my AC, I had a bay boat. Although I generally liked the boat, it never really did one thing good. It drafted too much to fish the Lagoon properly and wasn't big enough to go farther offshore. Now I can pole the flats, fish the inlets and beaches, and fish some of the closer reefs <13 miles out and I'm extremely happy with it. There's a fella that's selling a sweet Action Craft 1890 in the classifieds that would be perfect for multiple applications. http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?89701-Actioncraft-1890-Flatsmaster

Alleni · December 2012

I've been about two miles off Patrick in my 12 ft aluminum V hull a coupe of times. It's all about being smart and watching the wind and weather.

Caribbean Soul · December 2012

Alleni wrote: »

I've been about two miles off Patrick in my 12 ft aluminum V hull a coupe of times. It's all about being smart and watching the wind and weather.

my dad fished a 13' whaler in the 1970's off Mayport for tarpon. I have seen flats boats at the weather buoy and a pontoon boat at 8A, I guess as the saying goes whatever floats your boat.

Mako_One · December 2012

I've had my 97 Mako 171 out 10 miles offshore. Definately have to pick your days though and make sure you have anough power to get through some of these inlets.

Tripleclean · December 2012

IMHO flats boats and offshore hulls are mutualy exclusive.

Reel Aggressive · December 2012

I take my Key West Stealth out of the bay all the time for Fly charters chasing Tarpon, Bull Reds, Little Tunny, Mackerel, triple tail, and Cobia.
Weather is always key.

reelgrimm · December 2012

Egret for sure. I had mine in 3 to 5's off the beach the other day tarpon fishing.. not ideal, but she can handle it. I go offshore all the time with it...

dwyermw · December 2012

I have the Action Craft 1890 - without question, the best flats boat with off shore (pick your days) capability.

duckmanJR · December 2012

20 Hewes " light tackle".... enough size and fuel capacity to go off a good ways.

Excavator · December 2012

A friend of mine had a bay shore. We have fished the 27 north in that thing. It is a bad a-- ride. Made by jarret bay i believe.

PONCE · January 2013

I run a Sea Ark over here in the Big Bend,My friend has a Action craft and that is one nice sled.

beachsideandy · January 2013

Although it's more of a "bay" boat, I have seen a pathfinder 2200 30 miles out of PC during the summer. They draft about 11".

Spinfisher · January 2013

reelgrimm wrote: »

Egret for sure. I had mine in 3 to 5's off the beach the other day tarpon fishing.. not ideal, but she can handle it. I go offshore all the time with it...

I take my Gheenoe out to the weather bouy all the time, she does great in 3-5 feet swells.

FishyGirl · January 2013

Have you ever considered a Bay boat? We love ours - it is the best of both worlds.

Eggsuckindog · January 2013

18 and 20 SeaCrafts would be best for that, you don't have to wait for flat days

cpr · January 2013

Caribbean Soul wrote: »

my dad fished a 13' whaler in the 1970's off Mayport for tarpon. I have seen flats boats at the weather buoy and a pontoon boat at 8A, I guess as the saying goes whatever floats your boat.

I might have been on that pontoon boat. It gave me a new appreciation of those Cuban rafters.

Fishdflats · January 2013

+1 on this one.

I have a 2005 SV1900 CC and is one hell of a boat. I do like the extra room of the 21 though.

QuiksilverIHB · January 2013

I take my 12ft aluminum offshore all the time. I've been 9mi out in the summer....
You just have to ask yourself one question...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0-oinyjsk0

Wayoflife · January 2013

The Mako 18LTS is a great multi purpose boat..i've taken mine offshore several times and i can still float in 10-12" easy. The wide beam and flared edges make it really easy to handle in rough seas.

jakson · January 2013

Can we relate it with surfboard because that is also flate. what do you say?

Ocean worthy flats boat

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