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Questions regarding boat size and Offshore fishing, ~10 - 20 miles #11889000 10/19/16 04:42 PM
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wedamillers Offline OP
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I have a Skeeeter SL210, and I am at a crossroads. I live and work in Oklahoma but would like to begin fishing the bays around Florida and Texas, as well as offshore fishing. My crossroads are this:

1. I add wakeboard tower (higher VHF antenna location) to the above boat and outfit with VHS radio/DeLorme InReach Explorer / anything else needed??

or

2. I simply sell my Skeeter and purchase a boat more appropriate to offshore use. (Recommendations??)

My family and I wakeboard, fish and ski behind the boat in Oklahoma. That is why I purchased a fish and ski, my concern is the draft may be to low for deep water use? I know it may be impossible to find one boat to do everything. I am just trying to avoid potentially unsafe situations.

Thank you for any input everyone might have!!

James

Last edited by wedamillers; 10/19/16 04:55 PM.
Re: Questions regarding boat size and Offshore fishing, ~10 - 20 miles [Re: wedamillers] #11889420 10/19/16 08:22 PM
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Uncle Zeek Online Happy
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Go with option #2.

The boat isn't the problem. But that trailer will probably be a pile of rust after a year or two.

My suggestion would be a 20'-22' deep vee center console. That way you can go offshore in tolerable conditions and still fish lots of bay areas. The drawbacks will be that you won't be able to fish truly shallow bay areas, nor be able to handle moderately bumpy offshore condition.

It would also be a good sandbass/striper & catfish chasing machine.

Last edited by Uncle Zeek; 10/19/16 08:25 PM.

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Re: Questions regarding boat size and Offshore fishing, ~10 - 20 miles [Re: wedamillers] #11889485 10/19/16 08:58 PM
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I've had my Wellcraft CC Deep V type out 35 miles on a almost calm day. 20' I have seen boats that size off shore sir but you have to pay attention to the weather.....that's your worst enemy. I highly advise you to tag along with other boats going out and in.I live near Galveston. I went out one day many years ago on a S.West wind from the South Jetties. Although the wind was "light".....I had to put up with the swells which hendered me getting up on a plane with out having the [censored] beat out of the boat. Especially the front. My vote is #2. Say about a 24' with some sides. Ed

Last edited by V-Bottom; 10/19/16 08:59 PM.

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Re: Questions regarding boat size and Offshore fishing, ~10 - 20 miles [Re: wedamillers] #11889760 10/20/16 12:02 AM
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Pat Goff Online Content
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That skeet has no purpose in saltwater at all. Painted trailer is dead, carpet is dead, too easy to spear a wave and you're whole rig is toast.

There's a ton of 22-24 hulls that will serve you well for everything you plan on doing. Don't buy anything until you actually go out and test for yourself. And make sure you have a saltwater guy rig your saltwater boat, freshwater dealers don't get it


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Re: Questions regarding boat size and Offshore fishing, ~10 - 20 miles [Re: wedamillers] #11896892 10/24/16 03:54 PM
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wedamillers Offline OP
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Thanks for your input everyone, keep in mind that I am in Oklahoma, I am just looking to drive to the Gulf once a summer to fish with buddies and family.

Re: Questions regarding boat size and Offshore fishing, ~10 - 20 miles [Re: wedamillers] #11897591 10/24/16 10:21 PM
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Once is all it would take.


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Re: Questions regarding boat size and Offshore fishing, ~10 - 20 miles [Re: wedamillers] #11897865 10/25/16 12:58 AM
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KQT Offline
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You have some good advise, you need a boat made for salt. Now my opinion. Being a hs coach my wife and I decided to stay the summer in Port A with our then young boys. Even though I had spent a lot of time fishing there when it came time to choose a boat I went for one I could fish offshore in 2-4 foot seas and just use in the bays occasionally. The reason was that bay fishing =less success for most fishermen. I equate it to striper fishing, unless you are there all the time finding fish is difficult. Offshore all kinds of fish are available and success is more common. You can still fish near shore and do great or on flat days go 35 miles out and get almost anything. Have fun!


Common carp 26
Goldfish 9.78lb
Mirror Koi 14lb
Koi 16lb
Channel Catfish 26lbs
Blue Cat 30lb
Bass 9.5lb
Re: Questions regarding boat size and Offshore fishing, ~10 - 20 miles [Re: wedamillers] #11897886 10/25/16 01:04 AM
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KQT Offline
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Should have said; you have a nice boat but it would be toast in salt. I had a 24 foot Key West. Great boat and when the boys got to old to spend the whole summer I sold it for a good price. If you do get a offshore outboard run 15 minutes of fresh water thru the motor after each trip. 15 minutes!!!!


Common carp 26
Goldfish 9.78lb
Mirror Koi 14lb
Koi 16lb
Channel Catfish 26lbs
Blue Cat 30lb
Bass 9.5lb
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