Boat advice.
 

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?

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.

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

21 ft action craft

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.

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.

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.

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.:rotfl:

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

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.

20' xpress CC ?

That's exactly it!

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

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

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

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!

Whattabouta Carolina Skiff:confused: 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:eek: Thats a lot of weight it can hold and still drafts rather shallow, and man they got some room

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?