AS SEEN IN THE SPRING 2004 ISSUE

A lightweight battle with no losers.

The azure blue world of shallow water angling continues to show tremendous growth, not only with record setting catches but also in the sheer number of avid anglers.   Whether the angler is young or old, male or female, a seasoned pro or just a beginner, the flats and bays seem to offer something that catches the eye of everyone.

Most feel the reason for this tight line trend can be attributed to a variety of factors, such as the great increase in the number of fish that can be found on the flats and in the bays.  The one thing everyone can agree on is that commandeering the shallows requires the right equipment.  Very few, if any, conventional center consoles can access the flats and at times most conventional center consoles are too cumbersome to fish the bays and inlets.  What’s the solution to this nautical dilemma?  The answer is to determine which style of boat best suites you particular lifestyle, a flats skiff or a bay boat?  There are several important factors to consider when choosing between the two appealing styles.

Flats skiffs have been around for many years yet continue to evolve.  By utilizing new space-age composite materials coupled with the input and knowledge of world-class anglers, builders such as American Marine Sports, makers of Sterling Flats Boats, are able to accomplish what most skinny water anglers and guides are in search of…extreme shallow water. A quality flats skiff should accomplish multiple tasks.  First and foremost, the boat should float in extremely shallow water, without sacrificing comfort and stability. A wide beam somewhere in the neighborhood of 88” will help accomplish both comfort and stability.  Any boat with too deep of a vee-hull, and you sacrifice the boats ability to get in shallow water.  Most will find a modified vee-pad hull that drafts 9” or less will work in the favor of even the most seasoned flats angler.  Buyers should look for a boat weighing somewhere around 850 pounds to 950 pounds.  This will allow for easy poling on all-day flats trips as well as the peace of mind knowing there is enough weight to provide a safe and comfortable ride home. 

A key factor in getting close enough for a cast is to find a boat with zero or very little hull slap.  Hull slap is when water can be heard slapping the front of the boat.  This ever so slight splashing noise can spook fish out of casting range.  To avoid this very common problem, have someone stand on the front casting platform and the boat should level.  Imagine water flowing around the front of the waterline and realize that any interruption or sharp edge, such as a stroke or exposed chine, will cause hull slap. Strokes are the lines that run long-way on the hull. Chine is where the hull and the sides of the boat meet. A quality flats skiff should have clear casting decks and recessed hardware which will help to prevent any line hang-ups.  This is very important to fly fishermen who tend to strip yards of line across the casting deck.  The hardware should be stainless steel and through-bolted whenever possible.  The hatches themselves should have a snug fit and a gasket to prevent any noise or rattle that might spook wary fish. 

As a result of these attributes, most if not all flats boats have low gunnels giving them that trademark low-profile stealth look.  The majority of flats fishermen use a push pole to maneuver around on the flats.  To effectively do so requires a solid elevated platform known as a push-poling platform.  The ideal poling platform will be wide enough for you to stand comfortably and tall enough for you to get a better vantage on approaching targets.  Having a platform that is too tall will expose the angler to leery fish and take away the effectiveness of the average length push pole.  Flats boats tend to have small consoles, usually fitted with basic essentials designed to be operated from the seated position.     

With the increased visibility of tournaments such as the Red Fish Cup, which promotes the release of weighed in fish, anglers have found even more arenas in which to hone their skills.  Hard core tournament anglers and novices alike should insist on a release-well in addition to a live-bait well.  Some manufacturers take release-wells to the next level. As an example, Sterling uses a 30 gallon rounded edge release-well with high output/quick-release pumps.  The rounded interior of the wells prevents any injury to the fish and allows for a consistent current of fresh oxygenated water to insure captured fish remain healthy throughout the day.  Quick-release pumps are an added back-up in the unlikely event that debris makes it way threw the sea-strainer and fouls the pump.  With the plug and play hoses and wiring, anyone can change a live-well pump without using a single tool. 

Roughly 99% of experienced shallow water anglers use trim tabs.  Trim tabs allow quicker hole shots by preventing the natural bow lift that occurs when getting on plane. Some boat companies mount the tabs on the transom, while others take the time to recess the trim tabs into the construction of the hull.  Either method will work but tabs are a must for peak performance on the flats. 

It’s important to understand some of these basics when choosing flats skiffs. It’s critical to remember that these boats were designed with very shallow water in mind.  However, if fishing shallow bays and inlets with an occasional trip to the reef and even offshore on calm days is preferred, a bay boat may be your best bet. 

The argument exists that bay boats are the fastest growing market-share in the boating industry.  Rightfully so, as bay boats are the S.U.V. of the boating community.  Lets face it, today’s bay boats are designed as a highbred by combining the spaciousness of a conventional center console with the clean, low gunnels of a flats skiff.  Generally speaking, bay boats are larger than flats skiffs, with more deadrise and deeper vees.  As a result, bay boats won’t be able to go in as shallow of water as their little brother but more than make up for the deficiencies when out in a rough bay or even offshore on a reef. 

The general difference in hull design allows bay boats to reach average lengths of 18 to 24 feet.  The added length allows the ability to carry more passengers, more fuel and more horsepower.  With the overall added size also comes added storage.  At one time or another every angler can use just a bit more storage space, whether it’s for that inflatable raft the kids insist on bringing along or to accommodate your fishing buddies towering tackle box.  Storage seems to be plentiful in almost every bay boat on the market today. 

When exploring a bay boat for the first time, the elevated casting decks inevitably capture the most attention.  Some compare this deck style to that found on freshwater bass boats.  The deck height should be high enough to achieve a better vantage point when spotting fish but not too high when trying to land that prized catch.  Some bay boat owners enjoy the added option of using a pedestal seat.  Being able to settle in comfortably above the deck with a fishing pole in one hand and a trolling motor at your fingertips, brings a new definition to relaxation.  After scanning the casting decks, it’s critical to review the lay out of the console.  A well designed console will generally have six to eight side rod holders. 

Once again, some manufacturers take extra time to incorporate rod holders into the console, while others just fasten stock holders to each side.  While both are in place to work and be functional, most would agree the integrated rod holders not only look better but are less likely to crack or break off.  A well-designed console should have enough room to mount the basic electronic package, including V.H.F. radio, G.P.S. and fish finder.  The console shouldn’t be as tall as traditional consoles commonly found on offshore center consoles because having too tall of a console will inevitably impede your vision.  Keep in mind the lower gunnels should match the console height.  Another argument is that too short of a console won’t allow you to drive from a leaning or standing position.  The vast majority of tournament and recreational fishermen prefer to use leaning posts while operating their boat.  The higher the location on any bay boat the better the visibility, allowing the angler or captain not only to spot bait fish but debris and even sand bar cuts that lead the boater back home. 

When considering a potential bay boat, look for one with multiple live-wells.  Frequently, you’ll be fishing with a couple different types of baits, and keeping the bait separate will not only ensure less confusion when retrieving them but also assist with their survival rate.  In addition to two or more bait-wells, insist on a release well with rounded corners, large enough to hold a few sizeable fish. Similar to flats skiffs, this release well should be approximately 30 gallons and should have plenty of pump power, insuring a lively fish at weigh in.  For the most part, builders of quality bay boats will put at least two live wells on the back deck.  The added weight is best suited for the aft deck allowing the boat to float level when not moving and also helps to create a softer ride in rough water. 

Finally, when looking for a bay boat, try to find one with safety at the fore front of construction.  Safety options should include deck scuppers and multiple bilge pumps to help in clear excessive water. Taking it to the extreme, would be a ShearWater.  They inject foam throughout the construction process creating a vessel that will float upright even when filled with water.

After reviewing both flats skiffs and bay boats, you should envision yourself polling through pristine Florida Keys waters while in search of that elusive bonefish. Or, imagine rounding up a huge school of reds in Mosquito Lagoon.  You can even be so bold to dream of trolling around the little docks of the Skyway Bridge while waiting for that huge snook to devour your bait. You may have to pinch yourself as you realize your fantasizing about the excitement of rolling tarpon in Boca Grande against the backdrop of a crystal clear blue sky.  Whatever your choice for a shallow water boat might be, you can be sure of one inescapable result…wonderful times and memorable adventures will be found.

Tight Lines, 

David Smallback

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