Any one own, or ever own one of these? ClackaCraft When I decide to get a new boat, I think one of these might just be the way to go.

This is what I was trying to think of yesterday.
http://www.rodriftboats.com/skiff.php

There is something about that guided skiff scenario
A man paddling/sitting while I fish standing, him looking at my tookus, it being in center view, maybe laughing at my stupid jokes.

Puts me off my best frame of mind.


I prefer a pal who is slowly irritated, competes for the best first cast, is able to say 'Shut the F up' at some point in the day, and has flies that I can steal.

Plus HE pays for 1/2 gas. & Brings the one liquor I forget, and I glad he didn't .


That's why I sometimes fish with my brother.


That's what those skiffs mean to me..



Of course, a guide who paid to say, 'we're here, get out, go there.... ' He's aces !

Where will you be drifting in Texas?
Do you know how expensive those boats are?

I'd love to have one as well, but they arent popular in the South for a reason.

I agree. There are just few places where it is practical in Texas. Up here in Montana, its awesome. Its the only one we use when fishing with 2-3 people. Its really quite easy to use and just a blast in the rapids. I find the raft a little bit more forgiving for the fast water novice though. Here is me sitting in an old(20+ years) ClackaCraft with a Missouri River rainbow I caught with my BWO emerger. This type of craft can last for many years and can really take a beating. If anyone is looking for one, I recommend buying one used but have somebody who is knowledgeable to go with you. Also make sure to take it for a test drive before buying. Better yet, if you know someone that has one, just go with him or her and be sure to learn to guide or at least learn to row, that'll insure future invitation.

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wow what a great fish!!!!

Derik, I am just waiting for the perfect clacka headhunter skiff to hit the market and I will be driving to get it. I am closer to more water you can use one, but I have wanted one long enough. These RO skiffs are bada** skiffs but you dont find many on the market used.

I got tangled up in the romance of the drift boat after the one trout fishing trip I've ever taken. I looked at them pretty hard, but they just don't make as much sense in Texas as they do in a lot of the other states.

Flysouth is right, they are terribly expensive and the used market just doesn't occur down here. For the same money as you'd give for a drift boat, I think you could find a good used aluminum flat bottom boat that would go into a lot of the same places, but still give you the flexibility to get out on some reservoir water as well to chase sandies, hybrids, and stripers.

I got into my little 14' aluminum with a 35 hp Johnson, a trolling motor, and stick steering last year for under $1,500. As far as I can tell it will float in about 6-8" of water. I've never taken it on a river excursion, but one of these days I plan to do so. I have inadvertendtly had it out in swells that were around 18" to 2ft and it handled it fine. I won't ever do that on purpose, but it's nice to know it will handle a little weather.

If you haven't looked at them before, you should take a gander at the Gheenoe. From all I've read and heard they are awesome boats that would go a lot of the places a drift boat would and more.

A Gheenoe would be perfect for most fishing anybody does 99% of the time, I wouldnt want to be in one in bad weather, but pretty sweeet looking ride especially for smaller water & rivers.. multi purpose too ...

What fly do you think he took that thing on?

Whooooweeee 'dats a big ol' gator 'dere. Do you reckon he caught him with a dry or a wet?

I've never seen a Gheenoe with a go-devil on it. That thing will probably be able to go down the middle of the interstate during a good rain.

derik d-

I guided out west for quite a while and have had a number of different drift boats. In fact, my current boat is sitting behind the garage as we speak. I would be happy to answer any questions you have. PM me if I can help.

JM, please be so kind as to GET OUT OF MY HEAD!

Ive been looking at the Gheenoe's a lot lately.
I live in a neighborhood and I couldnt get a full sized boat into my back yard, but a Gheenoe on a narrow trailer would be the perfect fit. (Im not interested in spending $100 a mo. for storage)

They are also light enough on the trailer to be pushed around by hand.

The 13' model will cruise at 13mph with a 5hp.

Really cool boat. Too bad there are no Texas dealers....

I've seen a couple go through the DFW craigslist site for pretty reasonable prices.