Best boat for Esva fishing(Seaside)?

[27conch]

Because of the shallows,i've thought about The Texas style boats that are made to float and run skinny plus handle the open water slop to get there....not the scooter type with no sides. Have also thought about Florida style flats skiffs and bayboats and NC type skiffs like the Jones Brothers bateue(sp?),Hancock skiff, Riddick skiff etc....does anybody have any thoughts....I'd like to do some duckin' as well....I've thought about a big aluminum tunnel jon,but would think the decks would heat up in summer....

Any thoughts out there?

[JAL]

Big jon boat (I always glued down a light colored marine carpet on the decks- just hose the mud off), Chincoteague scow, Carolinna skiff, or a low deadrise (12° Deadrise) V-hull like a commercial style Maycraft or SeaHawk (just a bare console). Something in the 18-20 foot range is plenty. The smaller Jones and Parker are real nice, but have gotten pricey.

The Florida style flats boats might be OK, but they remind me of the go-fast glittler bass boats... I do NOT like going fast down there in the ESVA back bays... you will end up on a flat sooner or later. Run a boat at 40+ mph, and that sucker will scoot a long way across a shallow mud flat or oyster bar before coming completely grounded. You'll end up waiting for the tide and do a number on the bottom gel coat.

[edgewater1]

a jones brothers boat is great for that, it would be ok in the summer, but check your account balance they cost $$$$$$$$$$$

[catfishn]

I would suggest you call a cat dealer for some info, the boats handle rough water much better and also draw only 12 to 16 inches of water. Depending on the brand you can have them set up to what kind of fishing or hunting you are trying to do. The ride is unbeleivable. I have a great deal of experience on mono hull and cat boats (about 25 years) and I would say a cat is the way to go, at least it is for me. The cat hulls by their nature are also about 30 % more fuel efficient.

[ko]

Depends on what you are gonna do over there. If you are gonna be in or close to channels to speck and flounder fish you can get away with a larger boat that will handle the open water better. If you are gonna go way inside to explore or walk beaches you need something you don't mind scratching/denting on oyster rocks, and something light enough that you can hop out and push if necessary. If you are really gonna go in the back country I'd go used lower end fiberglass or aluminum. Jones Brothers are great boats but too $$$$ for running on an oyster rock. Get a scow, used Carolina skiff, etc. Going with a smaller lighter engine will reduce your weight and draft. No need for a rocket boat over there.

[Capt.Nick]

IMO The best boat would be a Boston Whaler 17 Montauk.You could rip the bottom off on an Oyster shell bar and still make it home.You could also use it offshore at the Hills on flat days but still make it home if the weather turns.They're built like Iron but can float on a heavy dew.This was the boat that Tred barta used in his youth to fish the Canyons in for Big Eyes,even overnighting in it.Most people wouldn't ,but he claims he did.The Md DNR uses them as patrol & rescue boats as well as other law enforcement agencys.Alluminum boats are hard to sneek up on your quarry in even a light chop.They sound like a floating washboard,if it's riveted It'l eventually leak even from normal bouncing around on a trailer on the highway.The seats & floor do get hot during the summer so you'l have to carpet it...that adds weight.BTW I'm looking for 1 myself.

[Capt.Nick]

A Montauk,that is.

[thecameraguy]

A Montauk is nice but I went with the 19' Outrage. I'll let you know how it works out for me this summer.