| When considering purchasing a boat to use for | | | | propulsion, ranging from 17 - 25 feet in length, and |
| fishing in shallow waters, because of their | | | | can accommodate up to three people. |
| similarities, bay boats and flats boats may come | | | | Popular manufacturers of flats boats are: |
| to mind. There are a few differences to consider | | | | Action Craft |
| when deciding which boat is best for your specific | | | | Century Coastline |
| needs. | | | | Ranger AR |
| Flats | | | | Glasstream |
| These boats are also known as skiffs, and are | | | | Sea Hunter |
| built for shallow coastal waters. Used primarily for | | | | Bays |
| flats fishing, they are great for catching tarpon, | | | | Bay boats are a cross between a center console |
| redfish, snook, and bonefish. They have the ability | | | | and a flats boat. The higher gunwales make this |
| to glide across calm water silently, and be | | | | boat more versatile, allowing for the ability to go |
| maneuvered by a pole. They are usually suitable | | | | off shore on the calm seas. It is also built with a |
| for water that is 12 inches deep. However, there | | | | shallow draft, enabling you to fish in shallow |
| are some flats with a shallow enough draft to be | | | | waters. A bay boat also has the ability to be |
| used in as little as 5 inches of water. These boats | | | | maneuvered by pole. The center console allows |
| can hold two to three people. They are built with | | | | for easy rod maneuverability around the deck. |
| enough casting deck space on the bow and stern | | | | Bay boats are equipped with livewells, rod holders, |
| for fishing. They are also equipped with rod | | | | dry storage, and ice coolers. There is more dry |
| holders, livewells, and tackle storage. This does | | | | storage than on a flats boat, which is important |
| not leave much room for seating. | | | | for keeping your items safe from water damage. |
| When purchasing a flats boat, there are a few | | | | There are also options for attaching bimini canvas |
| qualities that are important to look for. You want | | | | or T-tops. |
| your flats boat to be quiet, not warning all the fish | | | | When it comes to fishing, a bay boat is ideal for |
| of your arrival. It should also be easily | | | | catching multiple types of fish. If you stay close |
| maneuverable with poling. You want to be as dry | | | | to shore you can catch tarpon, sharks, bonefish, |
| as possible when you are fishing on your flats | | | | redfish and many more. When venturing off |
| boat, so making sure that the boat is a smooth | | | | shore you will find grouper, snappers, and even |
| ride is crucial. The bigger the boat, the smoother | | | | kingfish just to name a few. |
| the ride will be. However, a bigger boat will not be | | | | This boat has an outboard engine and stern drive |
| as shallow. It is very important to make certain | | | | propulsion, with 50 - 250 HP. They range from 16 |
| that the boat is safe, because you will be standing | | | | - 22 feet in length, and can usually accommodate |
| most of the time, and throwing the balance off | | | | three people comfortably. The price range of bay |
| while fishing. This boat has an outboard engine | | | | boats is $11,000 - $35,000. |