I’ve been looking at some high tides and mod v Jon boats and trying to figure out which way to go.
I want a flats boat with a little more versatility when it comes down to it. Most of my fishing will be in the Georgetown area and I will fly fish probably 50% of the time. I’d like to be able to get out and go shrimp and fish the rivers when I’m feeling up as well
What are the downsides to each
I’ve owned both. Started out with a 16’ mod. v Duracraft/40hp tiller and now own a 16’ Hightide/90hp remote steer. The pros of the jon boat is that you can run unfamiliar areas with little fear of damaging the boat (the motor is another story). When you run aground, usually you can jump out and push it off if you can’t motor off. The cons are that they do not take rough water as well, they ride wetter, and if you use them a lot in more open areas that tend to be rough the welds will not hold up which eventually ruins the hull. You cannot keep re-welding the ribs because every time you do they get weaker. I had mine re-welded twice in the time I owned it and the second time didn’t hold near as long.
The only cons to the Hightide is that it makes you butt hurt every time you grind across oysters or rub against barnacel encrusted pilings and if you run it aground good enough, you won’t be getting out and pushing it off. It takes rough water much better though can still be wet depending on the wind speed/direction. It’s more comfortable. It holds up much better to continuous beatings. I can’t tell you how many times crossing rough water I’ve said to myself “man I couldn’t imagine doing this at this speed in the old dirtycraft.” I still go all the places I used to in the jon boat so the difference in draft is negligible.
It really depends on how much you plan to use it saltwater fishing. If you’re trying to duck hunt out of it too, then I will admit that the high tide does restrict some of the places you can hunt. If you want to take a test ride, I’d be happy to meet you at the landing one day under the condition that you try a jon boat first.
I wont really ever be duck hunting, just not my thing. It would spend prob 75% of the time in the salt. I have fished jons before but never in salt just lakes. Only thing that attracted me to a jon boat was the weight. My main concern is being able to get through some exposed areas in not so great conditions. I probably would look at a tiller hightide to keep the space more open.
High Tide all day long, you won’t regret it.
“Wow! Your daughter is just as good as your wife!!”
“Lets pull the Venezuelan Bubbler!”
“Queen Anne’s Revenge”
129’ 36 Guns 113 souls
Good post bellyup