Boat advice.

[Rippinlips55]

Been lookin for something for a while....I would like something that I could run in the marsh and chase reds but also go out in the lake to catch specks! Something I could pole and me and my buddies could fly fish with but also take a good bit of that Big Lake chop.

Iav been lookin at the hewes redfisher 18 and the mako 18LTS
Advice?

[cmdrost]

Out of the 2 you mention, I'd go with the Mako. Its basically their 18 bay boat with a cap to look like a flats style, so it would prob handle a chop better.

Unfortunately, the style you are looking for doesn't really exist. Talk with anyone who has owned a flats style boat around here. Great for marsh or protected or calm water, but in a chop will beat you silly and get you wet. Reason you don't see alot of Hewes, Sterlings, or Lake & Bay's, etc...around here.

I would look for more of a bay boat that is light and drafts shallow if that is what you are after.

[Tails]

I recently purchased a beavertail and it’s great for the marsh and shallows but alittle wind on the lake and crossing it becomes a different story. Most areas around the lake are deep enough to afford not by a technical poling skiff. There used to be a Hewes Redfisher on LA Sportsman.

[bgizzle]

My best friend has a 18 mako lts. It's a great boat in the marsh but in the lake it's only good up to 10mph winds anything more than that it's a little much but over 10 yoyd be in da marsh anyway. He just put a powerpole on it if I get around to it I'll take pucs

[noodle creek]

21 ft action craft

[Pole_benda]

What's your price range? I have a 2009 Maverick 18 Hpxv that will out run both those boats, float skinnier and zero hull slap! I just got orders to Germany and it will do me no good hanging on to her. But still not in a rush to sale because I don't want to. Let me know if you want pics or to wet test. Boatdriver can attest to the ride and fishability of the boat.

[toodeep]

a friend is selling an 18 foot flycraft with a 115 yamaha fourstroke. the boats rides really well and is dry ride. pm me if you want more info and i can put you touch with him for more pics.

[Dogface]

The 21 ft Action Craft is a great boat, however I don't know of any flats boat that will handle rough water like a bay boat will. Seems like you must compromise something with any boat you purchase. I would love for someone to tell us what boat is the best for shallow water and big water.

[cajun bill]

Mowdy. Brother has one, great "skinny water" boat and nice vee in front to break waves on open water. Downside is that the sides are almost non-existent, kinda like fishing on a very smooth riding sheet of plywood.

[noodle creek]

you'll want a 21ft if you're going to be spending any time on big lake

[Catcher'sMitt]

you don't want to pole anything that is heavy. 21 ft boats are heavy. I have a 21 baypro that is a skiff and gets pretty shallow......never even thought about poling it. 1875 lb dry and no motor. take a look at the weights on those flat boats for poling....sub 1000 lb. and you will want something at least 20' to handle any kind of waves.

[Likeuhboss]

20' xpress CC ?

[Rippinlips55]

Originally Posted by cmdrost

Out of the 2 you mention, I'd go with the Mako. Its basically their 18 bay boat with a cap to look like a flats style, so it would prob handle a chop better.

Unfortunately, the style you are looking for doesn't really exist. Talk with anyone who has owned a flats style boat around here. Great for marsh or protected or calm water, but in a chop will beat you silly and get you wet. Reason you don't see alot of Hewes, Sterlings, or Lake & Bay's, etc...around here.

I would look for more of a bay boat that is light and drafts shallow if that is what you are after.

That's exactly it!

[MLM]

I have the Hewes Redfisher 21. Love this boat! It does great in marsh and lake!

[buoy37]

You need to buy two good used boats to be able to do both (or two new boats if you have deep pockets).

[toolpush]

I purchased the Mako 18 LTS and for my needs I really like it. The 2011 model I have is rated for 90 up which is what I have on it. The 2012 model is rated for115 which would give you better performance. The boat is easy to pole, and has a dry ride compared to the bass boat I had before. Very fishable, use it in fresh and salt water. Thinking about buying a talon for it in the near future.

[meaux fishing]

Originally Posted by toolpush

I purchased the Mako 18 LTS and for my needs I really like it. The 2011 model I have is rated for 90 up which is what I have on it. The 2012 model is rated for115 which would give you better performance. The boat is easy to pole, and has a dry ride compared to the bass boat I had before. Very fishable, use it in fresh and salt water. Thinking about buying a talon for it in the near future.

You should get a powerpole... Have not heard very much good about the talon

[Rippinlips55]

Originally Posted by toolpush

I purchased the Mako 18 LTS and for my needs I really like it. The 2011 model I have is rated for 90 up which is what I have on it. The 2012 model is rated for115 which would give you better performance. The boat is easy to pole, and has a dry ride compared to the bass boat I had before. Very fishable, use it in fresh and salt water. Thinking about buying a talon for it in the near future.

We have been lookin at the mako for a while and I never realy found antthing about them....we also looked at the redfisher 21 thanks for the advice!

[Duck Butter]

Whattabouta Carolina Skiff I have seen those thing run in some skinny water, they have TONS of room, draft shallow, lightweight, and they have some now that are not just flat bottom but a bit of a V in the front. The crabbers love them and they are on them everyday in all types of weather and conditions. Looked at a 21 ft at Blacks in Lafayette while I was looking at chainsaws and its rated for 14 people Thats a lot of weight it can hold and still drafts rather shallow, and man they got some room

[toolpush]

meaux fishin, been researching both can't decide which one I like best, there are good and bad points with both. You live in meaux?