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2016-2017 CC's #11897662 10/24/16 11:04 PM
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birddogcatfish Offline OP
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What is the one to buy? Ability to run shallow and not get wet. 98% sand bass fishing and ability to go to coast.

Re: 2016-2017 CC's [Re: birddogcatfish] #11897731 10/25/16 12:01 AM
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Pat Goff Offline
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Haynie bigfoot, Tran XLR8. Neither are tunnel flats rigs, but run adequate and would be really nice on the lake.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
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Re: 2016-2017 CC's [Re: birddogcatfish] #11897732 10/25/16 12:02 AM
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TCK73 Offline
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That's a good question, there are many good ones to choose from. Look at all of them you can, I would look at at least 6-8 different ones and pick the one with the best layout for your needs, and get max HP for that boat. Pathfinder, Sportsman, Nautic Star, Blue Wave, Skeeter, and Blazer Bay are solid brands to look at. I would look at distance from home to dealer and dealer reputation as well. My current boat is a Nautic Star and I am very happy with it and know other owners that are pleased with theirs. I also have fished with owners of other brands that are pleased with their Sportsman and Blue Waves. When you mean shallow in the salt, if you mean 6"-8" shallow none of these will fit the bill. The ones that do will not be comfortable on a rough lake. There are some great builders near the Gulf that can build a good boat as well, Haynie and a few others come to mind.

Re: 2016-2017 CC's [Re: birddogcatfish] #11899164 10/25/16 07:40 PM
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birddogcatfish Offline OP
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By shallow I mean enough to bass fish a day if so desired. Saltwater use would be slim

A comfortable dry ride is key. I'm just out of the loop on top brands. Had a skeeter cc '03
A sea hunt dealer is just up the road but I don't know squat about them.

Re: 2016-2017 CC's [Re: birddogcatfish] #11899170 10/25/16 07:43 PM
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Re: 2016-2017 CC's [Re: Huckleberry] #11899439 10/25/16 10:30 PM
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TCK73 Offline
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Sea Hunts are good.

Re: 2016-2017 CC's [Re: birddogcatfish] #11900534 10/26/16 01:52 PM
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Pat Goff Offline
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Be very careful here.
Most freshwater dealers don't know how to rig for saltwater use. It's a LOT more effort to seal off every connection behind panels and in the bilge. Thru bolting instead of running screws. And on and on.


Pat Goff
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Re: 2016-2017 CC's [Re: Pat Goff] #11900721 10/26/16 03:00 PM
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birddogcatfish Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: Pat Goff
Haynie bigfoot, Tran XLR8. Neither are tunnel flats rigs, but run adequate and would be really nice on the lake.



These two look very nice

I see you're in saltwater , is there a brand that dominates the coast ?

Re: 2016-2017 CC's [Re: birddogcatfish] #11901226 10/26/16 07:15 PM
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Pat Goff Offline
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Not really. Depends on what part of the coast you're on.
Galveston and east are kenners blue waves and pathfinder. Further south you need more shallow water abilities like shoal waters and Haynes. Go way south and its shallow sport country.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
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Re: 2016-2017 CC's [Re: birddogcatfish] #11903339 10/27/16 06:48 PM
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Drew W. Offline
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I ordered a Sportsman 227 Masters for myself this year. I wanted a boat that could fish the rough lake of Texoma, flats fish, bay fish, and run short runs offshore. I did a lot of research and had some suggestions from my wife (taller gunnels) to decide what I wanted. I got down to a Sea Hunt or Sportsman. I looked both boats over and like the layout, storage, and console better on the Sportsman. I then was debating between the Tournament series or the Master Series. I decided on the Masters as the the gunnels were taller but the boat did not draft much more.

I figured out what I would want on the boat to suit it for all the different styles of fishing that it would be doing. I wanted a T-Top for the shade (it gets hot offshore), Jackplate and low water pickup for flats fishing (went with 200SHO and Seastar jackplate), and a few other small things like Trim tabs, tackle storage, structure scan. I have put 40hrs on my boat since I picked it up on Sept 2nd and have been to Texoma, Ray Roberts, Lewisville, Rockport, and Gulf Shores. I am very pleased with the boat as I fished some spots down at the coast that most other boats were all shallow running flats boats. I can run on plane .9ft of water (made me nervous the first time) and get up in a little over 2ft of water. This was all with 5 guys in the boat and tons of gear.

The boat is extremely dry and very comfortable in rough water. I can get it up to 50mph and it cruises great from 22mph to 40mph. If you are in the North Texas area I would be happy to let you come out in the boat to see how it rides and drives. Here are a few pictures of the boat.




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