I am going to be purchasing a new boat in the next year and figured it’s never too early to start researching. I am wanting a flats style boat to fish the charleston area and also bass fish the lakes around the state a little. I will cross the harbor occasionally to get to other fishing grounds so I was looking at around 18-20ft models. I also live bait fish a good bit so having a good bit of livewell space is necessary too. I will have a budget around 15k and was looking at hewes redfisher 18s and light tackle 20s. I’ve also seen some maverick master anglers around my range as well as an 18 sterling. What would be a good boat to do what I want?
Just as a tip which you might know the bigger a flats boat is the more wind and current affects it, polling a larger flats boat in any condition other than perfect is a pain. But I have seen several Hewe’s on the water and seem to perform very well and heard good things about both though Hewe’s and maverick’s, Hewe’s is a division of Maverick as is Pathfinder, and I think it is supposed to be more flats oriented than the Mavericks and Pathfinders which are more of a bay flats hybrid from what I’ve heard, all are good boats that perform well. Short of finding a better deal on one over the other I would pick the one that you feel best fits the way you will spend majority of your time. All of those boats would be fine for bass fishing but just be cautious because I’ve been on the lakes where 3 footers with white caps kicked up out of no where from a summer pop up storms, at least the harbor you know its rough before hand unless its just wake city from all the weekenders.
I don’t really plan on poling the boat much. Probably have a remote control trolling motor and can get on the platform and drive myself around to see better. It seemed like the hewes redfisher a were the most “flats” oriented with a slightly shallower draft with the light tackle and maverick closely behind. I’ve been out on lake Murray where it kicked up like you’re talking in my Carolina skiff and it was not fun but I got back so I know how quickly it can change. Thanks for the help!
So another question to add to it, I know it would be rough if I had to cross the harbor but how about something like a 17t pathfinder or hewes tailfisher or a Mitzi? Anyone have one or fished off of one around here? I just know I could pick up a newer boat in my price range in these and would like to have a shallower draft sometimes if it’s worth the trade offs. I’m used to my skiff so I’m used to a rough riding boat and picking my areas wisely
From what I’ve heard tail-fishers are the best flats boats that Hewes makes and Mitzis are shallow water flats boats leaning toward a tech skiff and never heard much about the 17 pathfinder but I think the Pathfinders are more bay oriented than the others. A good place to ask these questions and search for more information you would want to know about these boats is the hull truth site.
From what I’ve heard tail-fishers are the best flats boats that Hewes makes and Mitzis are shallow water flats boats leaning toward a tech skiff and never heard much about the 17 pathfinder but I think the Pathfinders are more bay oriented than the others. A good place to ask these questions and search for more information you would want to know about these boats is the hull truth site.
Thanks for the reply. From what I have gathered the 17t is the early version of the tailfisher. Very similar looking boats, both tunnel hulls, etc. I will check out the hull truth. Thanks
If you’re interested in the Maverick/Hewes/Pathfinder family, check out www.mbcforum.com – there’s some good info there.
Generally speaking (aside from the tunnel hulls and the HPX), the Hewes are the skinniest boats, followed by the Maverick and then the Pathfinder. Unsurprisingly, they handle bigger water in the opposite order. If you don’t plan on poling often and you like to have the ability to cross larger water, I would avoid the tunnel hulls (like the 17t or the Tailfisher), as well as the Maverick HPX and Mitzi. They will get nice and shallow, but you will definitely be poling when you’re that shallow, not using the trolling motor.
I really like my Hewes 18 Redfisher. It can handle a decent chop, and even though it isn’t a technical poling skiff like the HPX or Mitzi, I don’t have a problem poling it around. The Maverick 18.5 Master Angler is a very nice boat as well – I’ve never fished one, but they have a slightly higher draft and handle big water a little better. If you do a lot of lake fishing where it tends to blow up quickly, and you like to fish places a little less sheltered like the Grillage or the jetties, then the Pathfinder might be more suited for you. They don’t have the flat deck, but they handle open water well and still get skinnier than most other bay boats. If I had kids, I would probably have looked more at a Pathfinder. My father-in-law has a Pathfinder 2000; they are nice boats as well.
If you’re interested in the Maverick/Hewes/Pathfinder family, check out www.mbcforum.com – there’s some good info there.
Generally speaking (aside from the tunnel hulls and the HPX), the Hewes are the skinniest boats, followed by the Maverick and then the Pathfinder. Unsurprisingly, they handle bigger water in the opposite order. If you don’t plan on poling often and you like to have the ability to cross larger water, I would avoid the tunnel hulls (like the 17t or the Tailfisher), as well as the Maverick HPX and Mitzi. They will get nice and shallow, but you will definitely be poling when you’re that shallow, not using the trolling motor.
I really like my Hewes 18 Redfisher. It can handle a decent chop, and even though it isn’t a technical poling skiff like the HPX or Mitzi, I don’t have a problem poling it around. The Maverick 18.5 Master Angler is a very nice boat as well – I’ve never fished one, but they have a slightly higher draft and handle big water a little better. If you do a lot of lake fishing where it tends to blow up quickly, and you like to fish places a little less sheltered like the Grillage or the jetties, then the Pathfinder might be more suited for you. They don’t have the flat deck, but they handle open water well and still get skinnier than most other bay boats. If I had kids, I would probably have looked more at a Pathfinder. My father-in-law has a Pathfinder 2000; they are nice boats as well.
Thanks for the reply. I have looked at the redfisher 18s and like them a good bit. It seems most in my range will be lappys and some have newer power on them. I don't fish the grillage or jettys and sta
Everyone has an opinion. Some more lol than others.
My opinion is buy the boat that will perform the best in 90% of what you do regularly. Not the one that performs best the other 10% of the time. Ie, if you want to shallow water fish all the time, get a technical poling skiff that floats in spit. Don’t get the one that gobbles up chop going across the harbor, but can’t get into where you want to skinny water fish. Or vice versa?
I agree with hoppy. Choose a boat that will accomplish your style of fishing. Additionally go to as many boat shows as possible and don’t be afraid to travel. I attended the Miami boat show a few years back which offered a great selection of flats boats. The link below will provide a good comparison of hewes, mavericks, and pathfinders. http://www.mbcboats.com/FAQs/FAQ.htm
I picked my boat up in my Miami and haven’t had any issues with the HPX-V
I have been doing a lot of reading on the maverick forum as I feel the master angler or redfisher will fit my style of fishing the best. I still have a while before Ill be ready to purchase so I’m going to keep doing my research. I have already planned on more than likely picking one up in Florida or somewhere else if I cant find one around here I like since there are just so many more of them down there.
I love my 18’ Hewes Bayfisher. It handles a chop very well and is an amazingly dry ride for a flats boat. Its a little heavy to try to pole but the trolling motor works well for the type of fishing I do.
Its already been mentioned by others, but worth mentioning again. I picked mine up on the mbc forum several years ago. There are a good group of guys on that site and are very informative. They should be willing to help in your search as well.
I searched for quite a while before I found the one I wanted. Like you mentioned, I drove to Florida to pick mine up. With a $15k budget, you should be able to find a nice rig. Once you find what you are looking for, make haste and jump on it. A good deal doesn’t last long.
One thing you are going to have to watch. Guy that had the boat before me said you can run the tabs down, trim the motor up and skip across a flat. Works great, BUT, it will run out of water in a heartbeat if you’re not careful. You think its hard to pole a boat try to push it off a sandbar in ankle deep water and I was lucky.
I have the 18-foot hewes bone fisher and absolutely love it. It is wider and not as deep as the redifisher so you sacrifice a little bit in ride but it floats shallower and is slightly more stable. Boat rides great in a chop thanks to the tabs. I rarely have to cross the harbor so it is ideal for me, if I did run the harbor frequently then I would prefer the redfisher I believe. The bone fisher was only produced for a few years so they are really hard to find, but I see redfishers come available locally and in FL quite often. All of them hold their value and are good boats I would not think twice about getting an older lappy style, personally I really like the look of the lappy and they draw a lot of interest. I looked at the 17-Pathfinder before I bought the bonefisher, it was used and at a dealer that carried the full hewes, pathfinder line. The dealer talked me out of it when I told him I wanted something that could handle a moderate chop. As mentioned above if you get into the 18-foot range it does get tough to pole, but it can be done.
A lappy 16 Hewes will serve you well. I have one and love it. Boat handles the chop very well for its size and can float in 8-10 inches of water. Make sure the Hewes has trim tabs so you can keep the front down when it is choppy. Don’t be scared of an older 2 stroke 90 Yamaha because these engines run forever and is the perfect engine for this boat.
Thanks for all of the help. I really like all of the hewes boats and cant decide if the 16 will feel too small to me since I have been fishing out of my 1765 Carolina Skiff. Wont be buying for a little while so I will keep doing my research as much as I can.
I recently bought an Xpress Bay Series H20B (20’ center console) and absolutely love it. Granted the H20B is above your stated budget but Xpress has several packages that may fit your budget. Tons of features for the dollar. The Bay Series handles “rough water” great AND I can float her in 10" of water.
It’s more boat than I originally wanted but I’m glad I decided to go with it.
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.