I have a Ranger 1850 with 150 Yamaha, but not sure this is the best boat to fish inshore, rivers and maybe on a good day 3 to 5 miles out. I am looking at Key West 1720, Nautica Star 1820 and your suggestions. Also a map I should buy for Fripp Island and Beauford area. Also what map card for my Lowrance or garmin. I have not been to the area yet doubt I can get their until Dec. I hope to bring my boat in Mar 2017. Or I would buy bay boat to keep at my daughters at Fripp. Thanks for any suggestions.
I have been looking at charter captains boats for inshore fishing around Fripp Island area. I am confused, when they say inshore where are they fishing. I dont mean their honey holes but how deep of water and how far out is still considered inshore. I fish inshore at Fort Myers Beach Fla, I always see land and depth varies from 1.5 feet to 15 feet max. The reason I say this their boat are all over 20 feet with 275 hp engines. Also what is considered low country or backwater fishing. What type of boat is used for this. I hope to hear from a few individuals who fish this area and type of boat they own, etc. Thanks for any input. Or point me in the right direction to read and learn online.
jp
Inshore = Inside of the inlets, back creeks, ICW, stuff like that.
Nearshore = Outside of the inlets, nearshore reefs, shipping channels
Offshore = Further than that. What is considered OFFSHORE?
As far as fishing charter captains go, they usually use larger boats to carry more gear and people comfortably. You can still fish inshore in one if you know where you’re going and not pushing it too shallow. Smaller flats boats and skiffs and stuff don’t do well in nearshore stuff, but the larger bay boats and stuff do, so most captains around here run those kinds of boats. They can do inshore and nearshore, so no matter the season or the tide, they can put you on a fish…and get there and back fast.
As far as what map, that depends on your unit and what format maps it takes. What model is your Lowrance or Garmin?
Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat
Garmin is 54DV and the Lowrance is HDS 5. Thanks for the information. I have plenty of time to research and visit forums before I take my boat in 2017. I think most of my fishing in Fla by your information is more nearshore not inshore.
jp
quote:
Originally posted by falcon76Garmin is 54DV and the Lowrance is HDS 5. Thanks for the information. I have plenty of time to research and visit forums before I take my boat in 2017. I think most of my fishing in Fla by your information is more nearshore not inshore.
jp
Didnt your Garmin come with the Bluechart maps already loaded? if so, you should be good here I believe. The new ones come with either the Bluechartg2 or LakeVu which is inshore lakes.
NN
“Inshore” could mean back in the tidal creeks in a few inches of water or a couple miles off the beach in 20 feet. And let’s not forget the 50-70 foot holes in the tidal creeks, rivers, and sounds.
But there is a big difference between poling 8" deep flats for reds and anchoring up to still fish. So it really depends on your target and how you intend to approach it. An 18’ ranger is a more than sufficient boat for most “inshore” fishing around us. But no boat is going to be perfect for everything. Getting into super skinny water takes the right boat and that boat is likely not ideal for running on the beach front unless it’s a real nice day. But to answer the original question, that Ranget is probably a pretty capable boat “inshore”. For most fishing on the ocean side, if prefer something larger though.
As far as maps, there are no secret spots in a world of GPS and camera phones. (Still haven’t found the “cloaking” switch on my dash.). It’s more about learning the behavior of fish and where they might be at any given time.
Thanks Phish for your input. when asking about maps, I will just see ones good for your area. I have Lake Vu and can see if that covers any of inland water around Fripp and the same with my lowrance built in maps. I also have a hand held Garmin and will see what area of SC that covers. I really am happy with my Ranger and will see how I do inshore and near shore, dont really want a larger boat.
jp
Navionics makes good charts
Flats Aficiando
When I first moved here I tried doing what you are talking about inshore and nearshore.Coming from Louisiana I was used to tying up at a nice hole or creek crossing and filling the cooler. I had a small single prop 23 ft. It worked well for trout and reds in the creek mouths, nearshore reefs on great weather days and pulling the kids around on the raft. I quickly determined I wanted to venture further deeper for nicer bottom fish and the occasional gulf stream trip. Inshore I found myself wanting to venture further shallower for those sight redfish hunts.When I fish inshore now its from a kayak. The most enjoyable inshore fishing here, for me anyways, is in 6 inches of water sight chasing reds and playing the tides. I think that is what separates the area around here from other places. Just more food for thought and good luck.
My daughter does have a Kayak and that is a good suggestion. Can you give me the model of your Kayak and where to see more pictures and accessories. I am 73 and my one question would be how much work is it to get to spot to spot. Appreciate any tips, thank you
jp
Native Ulitimate angler.
I can stand in it and it comes in a tandem. I have two, one in charleston and one in bluffton. If I were 73, no offense, Id go with a flats boat.will get you in the same shallow water as a kayak. Hells Bay makes a nice rig. Paddling around becomes tiring after a while but I like it.PM me if you get serious about a kayak and you are welcome to try mine out Anytime!
Robert
I am glad you suggested the flats boat, I pride myself in keeping fit, some say i Look 54, but I am going to get total knee replacement end of Aug
jp
I have a Hewes 16’ flats boat and it is excellent in shallow water and big stable platform all the way around the boat and does not tip much when you are standing on one side of the boat. Very good build quality. Hewes, Maverick, and Pathfinder are made by the same company in Florida and all are excellent boats. Not cheap, but excellent.
01 Hewes Redfisher, 90 Yam 2 Strk