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.

 

[Beendare]

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.

Thats a good option.

It will fish like a bass boat getting into skinny water with big casting decks and the 25' will give you a pretty good dry ride in 3' chop. Big difference between a 20' bay boat and a 25 footer when it comes to the ride in bigger water.

The trade off question will be; is the higher sides and smaller casting decks of an ocean hull better for your use? You really only lose a little bit of draft vs a hybrid with many of those.

 

[Fowl Play]

I'm in the panhandle area and my boat is about perfect for what you are describing. Robalo 246 Cayman. Very similar style to the Pathfinder 2600 TRS. Can fish skinny with the jackplate and I regularly run 20-30 miles offshore in 2ft @ 6 seconds/ 3ft @ 9, under 12 mph wind, etc. My boat was a covid boat and has been a little bit of a problem child, but I'm told my experience is not the norm. But that style of hull is what you want. Larger heavier bay boat with offshore capabilities on the right days. If you go with Pathfinder I would highly recommend stepping up to the 2600 if you want to maximize the number of days you could go offshore. Robalo is heavier so will have a better ride offshore and IMO a better layout , Pathfinder probably a little better fit and finish.

If money was no object, best hybrid boat like this is probably the Costa Custom 264 Hybrid... neighbor has one. It is unbelievable.

I'd hit up a boat show or several different dealers and check out the offerings from SeaVee, Costa Custom, Seahunter, Yellowfin, Everglades, Caymas if you want top tier boats that have this style hull.

 

[cuerro viejo]

How shallow do you need to run in the flats? Here in TX Shallowsport is popular for real skinny stuff, the bigger Haynie Cat sounds like it could fit the bill nicely for you as it's heavy with a smoother ride. People take all sorts of stuff offshore down here on good days. If you don't need to run in 8" of water then that changes things.

I was laughing when I read the title, there is Bay boats and then there is 95 MPH 6” of water Texas bayboats with 36” plus risers. Rokslide not exactly where I’d think to go for info though


Op- 25” Simmons revolution 25 or Shallowsport x3 25, best mix of shallow hole shot and rougher chop

Budget -25’ pathfinder or blazer bay are hard to beat. If you can wait the 25 Haynie Magnum , it’s not a liner boat so you have options to customize build it anyway you want again assuming you want to wait long enough to build one out, and don’t mind picking it up or having it shipped from Texas

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[V35B]

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.

I have one, no complaints and it works well for us. My reason to buy that one was the size, layout, and it had the deadrise I wanted to run in the fresh water lakes around here that get nasty in winter with the wind. It works the deeper Tx bays just fine as well. It won't run with a Shallow Sport or Flats Cat in the back lakes, but suits me fine.

 

[Rich M]

Has anyone asked you what your budget is?

Can spend $50-$100-$250k real easy.

 

[JimIsland]

Full discloser: I'm in the Marine Business and have been for over 20 years. I have a CX-21 Bass so yea, I'm partial to the Caymas HB line. Fortunately for you, there is a lot of quality boats out there for you to chose from. How important is forward seating to you? I'm assuming a trolling motor power poles are a must. Do you want a casting deck a la a Bass Boat front deck? There are a lot of so called Bay/Hybrids that just aren't worth a damn if you spend most of your time on the trolling motor. I like the deck layout of the Caymas 26HB as it allows you to leave the front cushions/backrest in place and simply step over onto a nice casting deck that two guys can fish from. The Key West 250 Bay Reef is a sleeper in this category. Excellent rough water capabilites with a 19 degree deadrise and 8 6 beam. It has a huge cofin box in front of the console that dubs as a huge storage box and a nice cushion pad for a couple of ladies to lounge. It's also very affordable. Again, there's a lot of good Bay Boats out there. Don't get too caught up into the internet rabbit hole. Do your homework, figure out what feature and benefits are most important to you and then do some sea-trials. Also consider who in your area have certified techs and what brand(s) they service. Good Luck

 

[CHGray]

Sea trailed a Caymas 281 while in Islamorada this week. I’ll be putting a deposit on one shortly if that tells you anything. Boat is so stable and predictable it almost boring but will pin you in your seat accelerating from 30-60 mph. Ate up a 2” chop in all directions. Three people onboard could barely get it leaning standing on same side. Planed out on one motor. It was impressive.

 

[dogman11]

budget 175-250 I looked at the 281HB Caymas and really like the layout better that the pathfinder my concern is with the 28 vs 25 pathfinder is how is it going to fish up front in the flats? I am a die hard bass fisherman and in another life i tournament fished all over the country even got lucky enough to win a BASS event and numerous BFL's, actually have won 5 bass boats. The difference of getting a 20' bass boat up a tight creek channel vs a 21 can be alot. But the way a 21 sets in the wind and rough water if your fishing off shore is better. I suspect that trying to ease along the mangroves throwing to snook is going to be a pain in the ass in the 28 vs a 25. I also think the family would fell much better having 2 motors when we do go off shore. Trying to find the perfect boat is like trying to perfect your golf game it's never going to happen. I'm just weighing the alternatives of just having one boat! I appreciate the feedback because i know there is some tough sheep, elk, and deer hunters on here that understand what a man needs in a boat and have the mentality to not accept nothing but quality!

 

[JimIsland]

budget 175-250 I looked at the 281HB Caymas and really like the layout better that the pathfinder my concern is with the 28 vs 25 pathfinder is how is it going to fish up front in the flats? I am a die hard bass fisherman and in another life i tournament fished all over the country even got lucky enough to win a BASS event and numerous BFL's, actually have won 5 bass boats. The difference of getting a 20' bass boat up a tight creek channel vs a 21 can be alot. But the way a 21 sets in the wind and rough water if your fishing off shore is better. I suspect that trying to ease along the mangroves throwing to snook is going to be a pain in the ass in the 28 vs a 25. I also think the family would fell much better having 2 motors when we do go off shore. Trying to find the perfect boat is like trying to perfect your golf game it's never going to happen. I'm just weighing the alternatives of just having one boat! I appreciate the feedback because i know there is some tough sheep, elk, and deer hunters on here that understand what a man needs in a boat and have the mentality to not accept nothing but quality!

What about the 26HB? I had one as a demo with a Merc 400, twin power poles, 36V trolling motor, etc. and it fished really good. As far as the twins vs single, If you're going to spend a good bit of time offshore twins obviously make sense. If you spend the majority of your time inshore, near shore and occasional offshore....I wouldn't have any problem with a single. I know both boats well and if the pond is too rough for me to go out on a 26, I'm not going on the 28 either.

 

[CMF]

Buddy's got a 26 avenger thats pretty nice. Fishes inshore and makes a 55+mile run for snapper..

 

[willtim]

What about the 26HB? I had one as a demo with a Merc 400, twin power poles, 36V trolling motor, etc. and it fished really good. As far as the twins vs single, If you're going to spend a good bit of time offshore twins obviously make sense. If you spend the majority of your time inshore, near shore and occasional offshore....I wouldn't have any problem with a single. I know both boats well and if the pond is too rough for me to go out on a 26, I'm not going on the 28 either.

I have a Hell's Bay Estero. There is no better build quality. It is designed for fishing but it comfortably takes the family to the sandbar.