Not sure if this is the right place for this post. Wanting to make the switch to Bay Boat, still want to fish Bass Tournaments, every month or so head to the coast for both in/off shore. Would like to go with 24ft, but if I have to go with 22 that's ok. HELP

Thanks

Have you ever been offshore in a small boat? If not you might want to try it first. I bought a 23' Polar BB for with the same intentions. I'm no wimp (on land) but my first trip out to the closest rigs in that little bitty boat scared the carp out of me. The boat was fine for it, high gunnels and big flared bow and I know a lot of people do it, but just letting you in on my experience. Good luck!

Square Bill what you are considering is what I have been doing for 12 yrs now. I switched to bay Boat back in 2000 for that exact purpose. I love fishing bass tournaments as well as the coast bay/offshore. The first bayboat I owned was a 24 1/2 foot Bay Stealth. It was awsome for offshore as well as local lakes especially if the wind picked up. I have won a lot of tournaments out of it. Another advantage is you have really large Livewells and most have two. Never lost a fish. There are a lot of things you need to consider though. What type of fishing are you going to do the most? If I was planning on going offshore I wouldn't go less than 24'. The extra 2' makes a big difference when the seas pick-up. On that note that extra 2' makes a disadvantage when fishing around tight boat docks. Also if you get a T-top. Its really nice on the bay/offshore but may limit you on lakes that have low bridges and timber you cant get under them. I would reccomend a 109 lb trolling motor because with a 24' boat it catches a lot of wind. With out making this tooo long I'll send ya a PM with my number and can answer any questions you might have. Feel free to contact me if ya want. I've been there done that and I will always have a bayboat.

dbzell, Thanks for being honest

I have not, so I guess my next ? would be, what can be caught between the bay and the rigs and still feel comfortable if anything? So if not comfortable going out that far, would it be safe to say there would be no reason for a 24, just stick with a 22?

If I could go to the coast almost every month I would be setting my sites on the biggest boat I could afford. I wouldn't say a 22' can't do everything a 24' can but you will be a little more comfortable doing it. You get what you pay for all things equal the bigger boat will cost more.

My last trip out of Port A, the first day was a little sporty out there for a smaller boat, tight 2-3's. Surprisingly as we were leaving a large bay boat was just making it to the 15 mile rig. They looked a little wet and were wearing their life vests but hey they were fine and ready for some fishing action.

If I were getting a bay boat to go offshore, I would buy the biggest one I could afford. Unfortunately, this will never happen because I live on a jonboat budget...lol.

There's a world of differences between Texas bays, and just as big a difference what boat works best where.

A 22' kenner type deep v would be great if you're fishing Galveston and north, nearly useless for anything but hugging the intercoastal further south. And whatever you think helps get you offshore will hinder your bay fishing. It's a confusing world.

Sit at the ramp at Port O'connor sometimes, watch the boats going left to the deep blue, and the boats going right to the bay. You'll get the hint. I drag a lot of "bay" boats out of the mud every year, people just have a hard time seeing one boat run into a place, then they think it's "ok" to go.

The problem is that for every different use for a boat there is a tradeoff.

I good bay boat runs shallow and has a pretty flat hull. That's not good for handling open water. A boat designed for open water won't run particularly shallow. A boat big enough to feel somewhat comfortable offshore, then it wont be good in tight spaces

Also keep in mind that open water on many lakes and bays can be very rough at times. My personal choice is a 24', deep vee hull with no tunnel.

I'm looking at doing the same thing you are ... I have decided to look for a 24 foot bay boat myself.

Thanks all for the insight, what a decision. Most of the time it would be bay, maybe 15%, 5 miles offshore and not sure if I would make the trip to the rigs. Here are the boats I have been considering: (not new)

Shearwater 23/25LTZ
Pathfinder 22/24TE
Nortic Star 22/24TE
Ranger Bay 22/24

In my opinion you don't really need anything specialized in a boat to run 5-miles offshore. In other words if this is really your plan that you will stick to it probably isn't a good idea to compromise your shallow water abilities just for that.

Problem is once you get a taste of offshore fishing you may like it. It isn't for everyone I will say that so 5-miles might be realistic for you.

If I lived closer to the coast I would have more of an offshore boat. I have fished offshore and love it, just can't justify it at this time, maybe when I retire.

I'd put these on my list also,

Champion 22/24 bay champ are really well done, IF you can find one.

Bass Cat's bay boat is a piece of art.

Haynie big foots or cats.

El Pescadores are pretty cool for wide ranges of water, or any of the knock offs.

None of these go where I want to run, but I'm not ever going into the gulf either.

I've heard great things about champion, but not many out there. I currently have a Bass Cat and love it, but they only make a 20ft now. Willl check into the others.

I sure like the Parker 23' bay boat.