Help picking the right boat

[Fox55]

How's it going everybody my family and I are moving down to Corpus Christi Texas from Arizona. Can't wait to get down there and do a little spear fishing and fly fishing for some of those reds that everyone's talking about.
Anyway my question is on boats I don't know a whole lot about them other than lake boats And I don't think many lake boats are gonna do very well down there in the ocean. So what boats are you guys using to go out spear fishing 20 30 miles out and then get in the skinny water to go fly fishing.

[svivian]

Originally Posted by Fox55

How's it going everybody my family and I are moving down to Corpus Christi Texas from Arizona. Can't wait to get down there and do a little spear fishing and fly fishing for some of those reds that everyone's talking about.
Anyway my question is on boats I don't know a whole lot about them other than lake boats And I don't think many lake boats are gonna do very well down there in the ocean. So what boats are you guys using to go out spear fishing 20 30 miles out and then get in the skinny water to go fly fishing.

Done with the Freshwater stuff aren't you! Sounds like you need two boats lol a poling skiff and an offshore boat.

[Fox55]

That's kind of what I'm starting to see. Other than maybe a panga.

[SEATUX]

I'm thinking a pontoon boat!
I've seen a pontoon boat 20 miles off shore ( I know, STUPID!).
And tho it is not the best boat off shore, it was there, AND it can get into the shallows...AGAIN..NOT the BEST choice for shallows either...

Trust me...You need TWO different boats!

[Fox55]

So right now I'm looking at maybe a 22' or 24' Pathfinder or Blue Wave Bayboat. With either one of these I should be able to hit the jetty and go out 10 to 15 miles on a good day in 1 to 3' chop at worst case scenario and still be able to float through 12" of water with a trolling motor and Fly fish for those reds. Just not sure if I should spend the extra and go with the 24' I don't know that an extra 2' is gonna make a difference In the performance of the boat. What do you all think.

[Dbrown]

That Patfinder is a nice boat. I've fished nearshore and dove offshore on it. Solid boat. Also done it on a 24' Sea Hunt. Bay boat also. The 2' does make a difference, especially when offshore and things turn bumpy.

[SEATUX]

Originally Posted by Fox55

I don't know that an extra 2' is gonna make a difference In the performance of the boat. What do you all think.

In boats, 2' is ALLOT.

[Fox55]

So is it wrong that I'm more excited about buying a boat than a house!!

[MeTo]

Check out 24 Sea Way. Either the CC or Hardtop sport. I have thr Hardtop sport and love it.

[Marcus]

In my experience, that pathfinder is too deep of a V hull for inshore. My suggestion for consideration is a used Boston Whaler Outrage around 22'.
I've been to the middlegrounds in a 21' version like this. Put all your dive equipment and coolers up front, strapped down good. They ride very well with the weight up front. Strapping/Mounting the tanks down on the front sides was a challenge but it can be done. As always, you'll need to pick your days, but that Outrage made the cut for us even when it got nasty...and they're designed whereby they're pretty much impossible to sink. That's a very nice feeling when your bilge pump(s) is in question or has failed...or thru hull connections have broken (ALWAYS use brass below the waterline)

[OBLIGATED]

Buddy has a 24ft bay and reef boat with a 300 Yamaha.Pick a decent day offshore and get there and back fast!It did 61 mph with 8 of us on board for a sunset cruise.Remote troller will hold you on wrecks offshore or running backcountry in the Everglades for Snook and Tarpon.If I remember right he got it for around 85k.It has hydraulic jackplate for shallows,hardtop has dual boxes,spray mister,speakers,light and who know what else.I built my first log home in the mountains on over 3 acres and fully furnished for around 85k.