Hello TFF, MY name is Nico Crane i fish out of South Padre Island and lakes around Texas. I recently went on a few off shore fishing trips and fell in love with it. We are now looking into getting a used offshore boat. 1998 Hydra sport 22, with a 225 Evinrude. ( good boat?) Im going to get a few off shore rods and reals as well as tackle. I want to know all the basics When to troll, work lures, live baits or cut bait etc. What seasons are better for different fish, just all the information i can get will help me out so much! Thanks, NC.
Nicocrane93@aol.com

If you plan on doing a lot of offshore fishing, then a 22' boat is too small, IMO. I have a skeeter the same size and there are far too many days that the wind and wave height will keep you inshore, unless you don't mind a back jarring boat ride.

This boat has a deep v-hull bigger than a skeeter. Think it would still be a problem

I have fished offshore in bay boats from 18-24'. There are days that any type of boat will do ok, but not very many. Hull design certainly makes a difference. If I were you, I would send a pm to some of the saltwater guides here and ask for their opinion. The worst day I ever had offshore, the seas rose to 8' and we were fishing out of a 45' Bertram. I threw up everything but ny toenails. We should have payed a lot more attention that day. We were the only boat that went out of the Galveston Yacht Basin.

There are some 25 ft boats like a Grady that can do the job but if it were me I would want a 31 ft boat with two motors

Agreed. Twin screws is much more than a double entrende safety wise.

When it comes to the offshore game, bigger is better.

A 25' catamaran will allow you fish in 4-5 footers. Anything smaller and you'll be limited to days with 1-3' seas.

Need a starter kit on tackle? Here ya go.

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...ano#Post8322970

I have a 24' Hydra-Sports Vector. It is quite the rig. If your '98 is a Vector you should be ok. However, look into the motor. If it is a Fitch, run don't walk. If it is a carbed ocean series, you are good to go.

You have some real benefits heading out of SP. You are in DEEP water quicker than the rest of use.

The most important thing to offshore fishing is getting back to port alive. There are many things you need to do to maximize your chances. 2 well maintained engines, 2 radios, bug out bag (minimum epirb, water proof handheld radio, water as a minimum)

I would add to this a small inflatable liferaft with safety lines/clips. In an emergency, even if you & your passengers can't get into the raft or fit in it, everyone can secure a line from the raft to their lifevests so all stay together.

I would x2 on the Hydra-Sports 22'. I have a '96 22' ocean skiff
(predecessor to the Vector) It still rocks the 3-4's like a 25'
the 97-later vector hulls were Kevlar-lined.
it will do you fine in 1-3's out to 35 miles safely, properly equipped. this includes dumping the ficht injected evinrude.
I have one of those boat anchors on the back of mine.

stern-mounted boat anchor .... hehehe ... I gots me a big Johnson, I don't need no Ficht engine!



Oh, btw lite-liner, thank you for steering me away from the Fichts when I first started looking at a bigger boat

yeah, should have listened to my own advice...........

anybody got a nice yamaha f-200 with about 200 hrs they wanna get rid of?????

we have a 30' robalo with twin 225's and sometimes it is too small
we also carry backups for the backups on everything

Hey Nico

We used to have a 22 hydra-sport. Is yours a Bay Bolt? If it is, you'll be fine on decent days to run offshore a ways.

We were always sure we didn't get too far out of Radio range or cell phone range because of one engine. Our etec gave us nothing but problems, but we loved the boat.

Good luck and be careful. cautious and watch the marine forecas and the radar from your phone, if you're in range.

Dana Renee King