Flats boat for bass fishing

[leckbass]

I've been thinking about getting a "flats" boat to do inshore fishing as well as bass tournaments. I have a Stratos 21SS Extreme right now and I want something that has comparable setup. It needs to be able to handle the salt as well as the fresh. There are more brands out there than I expected.
I'm looking for suggestions. What do you like?

[marshman]

They don’t have storage like a bass boat…

[mattmann7]

One of the older guys in our clubs had one for a bunch of years. A Ranger I believe. After he had hip replacement surgery he switched back to an Aluminum Ranger. I fished with him once in the flats boat. Matter of fact the club is fishing the lake we fished in tomorrow. It took a little getting used to hard plastic decking and open seating platform. I want to say that also influenced him after his hip replacement. He never really got along good after the surgery and the decking was slippery in some circumstances.

[friogatto]

Ranger made a Cayman 223 flats boat in early 2000's. It has a full flat deck 18inch gunnels you can easily walk all the way around, 2 full rod lockers, center bow storage is smaller due to a forward livewell (bait well). Has a 2nd aft livewell and 2 large aft storage compartments.
Over all the layout is a pretty good compromise for both fresh and salt. Draft is 10-12"

Runs in the typical Ranger bass boat speeds (high 60's with a tournament load), handles chop well and is fairly dry ride.

They also made a Cayman 191 and there is always the illusive Ranger Intercoastal (bass boats/hull with non-skid cap)

[leckbass]

Ranger made a Cayman 223 flats boat in early 2000's. It has a full flat deck 18inch gunnels you can easily walk all the way around, 2 full rod lockers, center bow storage is smaller due to a forward livewell (bait well). Has a 2nd aft livewell and 2 large aft storage compartments.
Over all the layout is a pretty good compromise for both fresh and salt. Draft is 10-12"

Runs in the typical Ranger bass boat speeds (high 60's with a tournament load), handles chop well and is fairly dry ride.

They also made a Cayman 191 and there is always the illusive Ranger Intercoastal (bass boats/hull with non-skid cap)

Cool, I'll check it out

[PT180]

I am in the same learning process now. After many months of study I am thinking about getting a Hewes Redfisher 18. Very nice flats boat with plenty of capability to also do near shore, as I am most interested in getting into Tarpon fishing. Anyone interested in a almost new Avid 20XB? My love now is saltwater and currently planning my fourth trip of the year to the gulf.

[leckbass]

I am in the same learning process now. After many months of study I am thinking about getting a Hewes Redfisher 18. Very nice flats boat with plenty of capability to also do near shore, as I am most interested in getting into Tarpon fishing. Anyone interested in a almost new Avid 20XB? My love now is saltwater and currently planning my fourth trip of the year to the gulf.

I also like the Hewes Redfisher!

[DaveBrabec]

Always thought they would be a great alternative to a bass boat. No carpet would be nice.

[mattmann7]

https://www.thehulltruth.com/boats-s...l#&gid=1&pid=2

This is the color and style boat I mentioned. Scroll down for pictures

[Transom]

If you got the coin big O makes a great hybrid.

[Gthunter5]

I run a vexus 2180cc that works great for both

look at avid and express as well

[Hydra4me]

These Spyders are pretty slick. The deck was large and there seemed to be a lot of storage.

https://www.atlanticmarinefl.com/boa...orida-8646011/

[BigBassCtchr101]

BIG O for sure. I'd love to have one of them.

[The5thDutton]

Take a look at the Bonefish Hill Tide 22.

[481VSangler]

My goal is to have a dual purpose rig too and there are several I've been lusting over for some time. In no particular order Shearwater X22, Sterling 200XS, Blazer 675, Lake & Bay Backwater 20 or Boca Grande 20 just to name a few. No idea what any of those are going for and I don't really want to know at the moment. Only one I've seen in person is the Shearwater and it's really nice.

Couple of quick pictures I took of the Shearwater.

Shearwater2.jpgShearwater.jpg

[leckbass]

https://www.thehulltruth.com/boats-s...l#&gid=1&pid=2

This is the color and style boat I mentioned. Scroll down for pictures

It's a beautiful boat, I like it, but right now I have a rude and while I have loved it for years, I'm ready to move on.

[Poppin' Frog]

My goal is to have a dual purpose rig too and there are several I've been lusting over for some time. In no particular order Shearwater X22, Sterling 200XS, Blazer 675, Lake & Bay Backwater 20 or Boca Grande 20 just to name a few. No idea what any of those are going for and I don't really want to know at the moment. Only one I've seen in person is the Shearwater and it's really nice.

Couple of quick pictures I took of the Shearwater.

Shearwater2.jpgShearwater.jpg

The Shearwater and Blazer will run you just north of $100k. Don't know anything about the Sterling though they're made by same company as Shearwater. I've seen some of the L&B Boca 20's selling in the neighborhood of mid $70's here in Florida. Out of all of those, if price was no object I would choose the Shearwater hands down.

[leckbass]

The Shearwater and Blazer will run you just north of $100k. Don't know anything about the Sterling though they're made by same company as Shearwater. I've seen some of the L&B Boca 20's selling in the neighborhood of mid $70's here in Florida. Out of all of those, if price was no object I would choose the Shearwater hands down.

I'm definitely not spending $100,000, I'm looking for a used boat.

[basshammerwannabe]

I was in the same boat.. came across a yellowfin 21 hybrid i couldnt pass up for what guy was selliing for ... it has plenty of storage and a huge deck

[leckbass]

These Spyders are pretty slick. The deck was large and there seemed to be a lot of storage.

https://www.atlanticmarinefl.com/boa...orida-8646011/

boat looks beautiful, but really surprised that it only has a 115hp