Hybrid and bay boats, What are the best quality brands?

[KHNC]

Yeah panhandle area. I used to do a lot of offshore fishing, but the inshore ecosystem down here is so sick I truly don't feel motivated to get up at 2 and spend 500 bucks on gas to fish pelagics anymore. And the first mate loves it

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Spending 8 days near Anna Maria in a couple weeks. Also, ive fished Port St Joe and Mexico beach 5-6 times too. Love the gulf side.

 

[Undrcoverrednek]

If you decide on a 22 to 25 center console give Carolina Yachts Southern Cross 23 and 25 a look as well as Privateer 24 and Swan Point 22. The Carolina built boats are made for similar conditions.

Probably the funniest but true boat advice I have ever received is that a man needs about 50 ft of boat. Can be one big boat or a little and big boat combo, but it needs to add up to about 50 ft.

 

[Rich M]

You are better off with 2 boats - Gulf fishing is primarily 40+ miles in that area if you are a serious fisherman. Inshore is often 6-12 inches deep.

Kayaks are nice - don't get me wrong - I just wouldn't do the ferry kayaks around thing. Kayaks have a very limited range. You can pick up and run 5-10-20 miles in a boat. Aint doing that in a kayak. We tote layout boats around in duck season...

I'm on the east coast and breaking the rules. Running a Lund SSV-18 w 60 hp. Fish from 6 inches to about 15 miles out. It is my answer to a multi-use boat without going broke. Catch trout, snook, reds and cobia, mahi, kingfish, snapper, grouper all out of the same boat. Furthest round trip so far was about 84 miles. Folks look at me like am nuts at the boat ramp when they ask me where I'm going - say, we're headed there too (in a 25 ft rig) then I say see you in a bit.

 

[bozeman]

TheHullTruth is a great start! I am in the same 'boat' and looking as well. Everglades is high on my list, with Pathfinder is up there as well.

 

[deltadukman]

I have a Blackjack 256 Bay. I fish the marshes of South Louisianna and run 25-40 miles offshore. The hybrids fit me perfect. It won't get skinny like a skiff, but I can fish 1.5' water with ease. As far as offshore as long as it is 2' or less at 5-6s you're good. It will do more, but it's not a lot of fun. You have to pick your days. Doing it over, I would do the Blackjack 256 Coastal for the open decks and removable forward seating. Raised decks are no fun when it's bumpy. Rumors swirling are there is a 28' with twins in the molds right now.

That said a lot of a hybrids capabilities have to do with setup. I can jump up on plane in 1-1.5 fow in a very short length. Jackplates, trim tabs, etc. Go look at as many boats as you can look at. Join brand specific facebook groups, the hull truth is a wealth of information. Figure out realistically what type of fishing you're going to do the majority of the time. A lot of owners of these boats are proud to show them off and they'll take you for a test ride as well.

 

[dogman11]

I've worn the internet out looking at boats and I keep going back to that Pathfinder 2500 Hybrid, our son is going to IMG academy, he boarded his freshman year and we are closing on a house in 10 days that's 8 mins from school. Like I said it has a 10k lift and deep water dock. I run a grading business in TN and plan to spend more time down there this winter when it's cold at home, I see this boat getting used maybe 30-40 days a year, I know having 2 boats would be the best thing but can't justify that in my mind while I'm still working so much.
That boat drafts 13" has large shallow front deck for flats which will be 80 percent of what i will be doing, i like catching snook and reds on lighter tackle. Then on the right days try to go catch a few grouper and snapper for the freezer. Be able to take momma to cruise to the dinner spots and watering holes and not get beat to death like a true flats boat. If I were going to be there all the time I think the Barker quality would be great just can't see paying another 100k for the amount of time we are going to be using this boat.

 

[WoodDuck]

I’m not a salt guy, but fished for a week in southwest Florida out of a buddy’s Ranger 2510 and thought it did great. Fished mostly inshore for tarpon, but ran 40 miles out one day for snapper. No idea what the reputation is on these boats but could be worth a look.

 

[Fitzwho]

Probably the funniest but true boat advice I have ever received is that a man needs about 50 ft of boat. Can be one big boat or a little and big boat combo, but it needs to add up to about 50 ft.

I like that... in that case I'll take this setup for the Texas coast, a little over 50ft, at 56ft total.

Big boat would possibly change a little for different locals in Louisiana or Florida (East Coast/West Coast/Keys), but the skiff would likely stay the same. I want one of these Fly Carbon skiffs real bad.

Valhalla Boatworks V-37 (choosing this for the available Seakeeper over a Freeman 35/37 cat).


Fly Boatworks F2 Carbon

 

[Marshfly]

When I think Hybrid, I think hybrid flats/bay. When I lived in South Louisiana my Yellowfin 21 Hybrid did everything from bass, specks, and redfish, to state water snapper. And did it in comfort, style, and with crazy speed. The Yellowfin 24 would float in the same water but do a little better offshore.