Beginner Salt Water Boater here! Not new to boats or big water. What would be a good size boat to Bay fish, go out to rigs (in good Weather) and do some wade fishing out of probably once a month March thru September? I know there is a big difference between a flats boat and one that will get out to the rigs. I'm looking at center consoles with a trolling motor, will need a head but still big enough to get to the rigs even if it is not flat. It will be dual purpose. I will also use it on Texoma chasing Striper. What do I need in the gulf? What length do I need? HP? Single vs. twin engine?

I currently have a 21' Charger with a 200. Will keep for bass fishing etc.

to do all you're talking about, i wouldn't go less than 21-22 ft. V bow.

Deep V hull (Wellcraft) 21-22' 150-200hp

Ok thank you. Do you guy's have a model possibly in mind that I can get an idea of V-Hull, V-Bow size your talking about? Is it something like a Sea Hunt 22 BR ?

something like that. older Kenner, Wellcraft or anything with that style will ride somewhat dry and comfortable. no boat is perfect for all the situations you've mentioned, but a deep v 21 or 22 that's a rolled edge boat will ride pretty good and still be light enough to fish most of the shallow bays around here. good luck. let us know what you end up with.

Yeah big Kenner or whaler. Most of the guides in Galveston fish out of 22 -25 foot whalers. I fish out of a 19'6 and it get's a little dicey sometimes but it's still doable. If you plan on guiding on the bay I'd go with a 24' if possible.

You looking new or used?

Another good boat for the area is a BlackJack. Big SeaFox or triton is good as well. The thing about guiding in Galveston is that it's nice to have a boat that will draft 12" so you can also hit some redfish as well in secondary bays.

No sir, no guiding at all. Thinking about bringing a travel trailer down there and parking in March-September. Hoping to come down there once per month and do some fishing. Can't justify a guide each trip. We have a lake house an hour from Texoma as well. Looking at making this a dual purpose boat and use it on the big water of Texoma as well. We have a 21' bass boat but not to keen about putting it on salt water. Looking at new or used. Kinda thinking a used boat for bay/jetty fishing and buying new for going further out. My wife is not to keen on a used boat and getting broke down 40 miles out. IF I could find a newer use boat I think I could get her to go for it.

Yeah a 21-22 will do it most days if you plan you trip so your boat ride is sorta protected there is always somewhere to fish in east or west. Trinity in the fall and winter when it's not too fresh. a Big 24 - 25 whaler (used) with a new motor would be a great compromise between saving on the boat and having reliability. A big whaler would handle Texoma and any big water just fine. 22-25' outrage. might be hard to find but great boat that will last. Kenner or Triton will do fine as well. It's mostly the legnth and weight of a boat that helps in big wave chop. V helps tons.. I'd stay away from the bay cat hulls.. that's for skinnier water typically. There are only a handful of cat hulls that take the big water like the Desperado 22, the Dargel 24-25, and the Shallow Sport X3. That Desperado 22 rides like a 24 and does shallow as well.. big console, seating and livewell. probably do fine on the lakes as well. Unfortunately I think he quit making them due to cost of his hull builder. I'd still buy one used if you can find one though. I know I would.

I had never thought about that yet. Now more research

I just purchased a Robalo 226 Cayman to do exactly what you are talking about. I fish Tawokoni and Texoma most of the time and also wanted something I can take offfshore. I took it out on Tawokoni with 30 mph winds a few weeks back and it handled it like a champ. The boat has a 12 inch draft so you can fish some pretty skinny water. Just do a YouTube search and check them out there is some good videos on boat test .com

Yep, Robablo would be a good boat for that.

I love the Sea Hunts, fished just like you are talking, bay, offshore, Texoma, about from 17' to 23' in various models. I have an 188 Triton now that does it all, though bigger is always better right! I only go to the short rigs on flat days in a boat that size, but I don't bother with the rough days in anything really, anymore. No head on these Sea Hunts, but the bait bucket with a donut throw works, though no privacy. Robalos, like mentioned, and others have heads in boats this size, the Sailfish and Scouts look like good boats for what you are talking about too.

If you want to look at Sea Hunts in the Dallas area, talk to Gary Carpenter at Whittle Boats, he really helped me with mine. Take care and great luck.