fly fishing boat for the noreast

[swordfish823]

Looking to buy a boat that will be used around NJ waters and some surrounding areas. It will be a light tackle/fly fishing boat. Looking for a trailable size 18-20 ft boat. ... what do you guys use or recommend? I will be fishing more by myself most of the time with an occasional buddy.... would a bay boat with a trolling motor a good set up? or something like a parker/jones bros/maycraft hulls would be preferable? I like the idea of the bay boat with a trolling motor to easily control the boat by myself but dont know if it will be good enough for NJ/NY/CT/CBBT etc. Looking to fish the back bays, near shore, inlet, sods, bridges and maybe 10 miles on good days. What do you guys recommend?

[ShaneY]

whats your price range and boating experience?

[Chuckster]

My HydraSports HydraSkiff 19 has been a wonderful investment for flyrodding in the salt... The HS Bay series is a nice line, and there's a couple of the 22' version for sale here on the Cape. Here's my take on my particular boat:

Pros:
It is wired and decked for a bow-mounted trolling motor, but I've never wanted one. I feel it would just get in the way of the flylines.
It's a very skinny rig - I can get into a foot of water, and I often get out and walk alongside it on skinny bars. It runs and fishes like a flats boat, but the console/windshield gives you a bit more protection.
Super easy to trailer and launch solo.
Nice large casting deck with storage. I've removed the bowrail and the standard cleats and installed Neat Cleats.
Big livewell in front of the console (if you're into that kind of thing). I store my stripping baskets in there.
Very light and good on gas - I rarely burn more than 12-15 gallons a day (6+ hours)

Cons:
It's a rolled-edge skiff, so gunwale height can be a concern on choppy days, especially with the flush casting deck. The gunwale is barely knee-high at the console.
My 19-footer fishes more like an 18-footer because of the tunnel-lift transom they used on these hulls. I wish it had a straight transom.
The main access panel to the fuel cell has a built-in raised platform to raise the swingback seat for a more comfortable ride, however, this eliminates the possibility of installing an off-the-shelf leaning post. A custom leaning post would need to be fabricated to compensate for the ~3" raised deck platform.

As you can see, there aren't too many cons here, so you may want to consider one. I had planned to sell mine this spring and move up to a more family-oriented rig, but I need a new roof on my house, so I'm keeping it for now.

Take a look at HydraSports; I love mine! Hope this helps in some way...

[fmw]

Look at the used Jones Brothers boat that is listed for sale on this site on another thread. That would suit you perfectly, and the boat is even located in Jersey, I believe!

[Doug Jowett]

I've been using a Maritime Skiff for 15 years. Resonabley priced and durable as all get out.

[swordfish823]

My HydraSports HydraSkiff 19 has been a wonderful investment for flyrodding in the salt... The HS Bay series is a nice line, and there's a couple of the 22' version for sale here on the Cape. Here's my take on my particular boat:

Pros:
It is wired and decked for a bow-mounted trolling motor, but I've never wanted one. I feel it would just get in the way of the flylines.
It's a very skinny rig - I can get into a foot of water, and I often get out and walk alongside it on skinny bars. It runs and fishes like a flats boat, but the console/windshield gives you a bit more protection.
Super easy to trailer and launch solo.
Nice large casting deck with storage. I've removed the bowrail and the standard cleats and installed Neat Cleats.
Big livewell in front of the console (if you're into that kind of thing). I store my stripping baskets in there.
Very light and good on gas - I rarely burn more than 12-15 gallons a day (6+ hours)

Cons:
It's a rolled-edge skiff, so gunwale height can be a concern on choppy days, especially with the flush casting deck. The gunwale is barely knee-high at the console.
My 19-footer fishes more like an 18-footer because of the tunnel-lift transom they used on these hulls. I wish it had a straight transom.
The main access panel to the fuel cell has a built-in raised platform to raise the swingback seat for a more comfortable ride, however, this eliminates the possibility of installing an off-the-shelf leaning post. A custom leaning post would need to be fabricated to compensate for the ~3" raised deck platform.

As you can see, there aren't too many cons here, so you may want to consider one. I had planned to sell mine this spring and move up to a more family-oriented rig, but I need a new roof on my house, so I'm keeping it for now.

Take a look at HydraSports; I love mine! Hope this helps in some way...



Thanks for the wonderful info .... actually im torn between a skiff/bay boat type and jones bothers/parker hull.

[swordfish823]

anybody here fly fish alone using a jones/parker boat in sods, near shore, bridge etc???? how do you control the boat etc.?

[Blitz Bound]

Swordfish, I sent you a PM regarding Jones Brothers. Thanks!

[tommat]

You can have my 18' Parker CC.

[TFerrarone]

My 18' Potter-built classic SeaCraft is for sale - on the "for sale" forum. One of the outstanding inshore fishing boats of all time. http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57405. $7,500 obo.