I currently have a 22ft Sweetwater pontoon boat that has every option I could get for fishing but I am looking for a boat that I can use for bay, jetty, and the occasional trip to the first rigs offshore. Any suggestions on the best boat that will not break me that I can use for those saltwater trips but I can take to the lake too?

Some suggestions I have heard from the boat dealers were Nautic Star 2200 Bay or the 210 Angler.

An old boston whaler or mako. Might take a little elbow grease, but they are the best for what you describe. Many a Texas fishing guide for both inshore and nearshore rigs fish out of whalers.

I agree with the above post.

I agree with the above post also. I would look for a center console, total composite construction so there is no wood to rot, 21-22 foot long with a mild flair up toward the bow. A 24 might be ok but the extra weight might be a problem in certain lakes.etc. (Great for open Gulf water) You need a little more nose in the front end at times in the open gulf. My boat is a 22 foot Triton Seaflight and I can use it in the local lakes in 1 1/2 foot of water and take it to the gulf and it takes the ocean well(for any 21-22 ft cc boat). Yet, it is light enough to trailer down the road. Hard to find a boat that will do it all. But you can come close enough to satisfy your needs. You have to use your head when you go out in the open gulf. The guy I bought my boat from said he was retired from the Navy after a 37 years. Was at the Con on a 876 foot nuclear missle launcher during "The Perfect Storm". Those waves were so big it rolled that ship on its side once and actually rolled it all the way over another time. The ship was designed to turn back upright. He said they estimated the waves 100 to 125 feet. Bottom line is he said, At times, I don't care how big your boat/ship is.......there are times you wish it was bigger. Just use your head and watch what the weather forecast is for the days you are going out in the gulf. Hope you find a boat you like. They are out there!!! Have fun and be safe.

I like pursuit and mako in that size range.

Lots of choices. For a safer and more comfortable ride offshore or in rough bays look for a boat with a higher deadrise. The lower the deadrise the flater the bottom and rougher the ride. Only thing I don�t like about a mako or whaler is they will have a Mercury. I would look for boat you could be happy with that is powered by a Yamaha.

I have been using this one at the jetties and oil rigs. I am selling to go bigger so I can go further out.

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