I know this is more of a boat topic, but thought I would give it a shot here since some of you have a good bit of experience with poling skiffs.
I am new to the shallow saltwater game and have been looking for a good entry level skiff to get me on the water. I have found myself drooling over the East Cape Caimen, Hells Bay Skiffs and the new Maverick HPX-V&T models. While they are sweet, I am not ready to take that kind of leap just yet, so I have been searching for an older used skiff. I have run across a 1993 Maverick Mirage 1 that from everything I hear drafts 9.5" loaded. Is that too much draft for chasing shallow water reds with a fly in the low country? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
10" is fine. there will be a few spots you cant cross, but you will still be able to fish effectively. a shallower draft means more time on the flat fishin…
Shallower is always better, but 10" will get you there in most situations, just may require better planning. You will always bump bottom chasing redfish no matter how skinny your rig, I bump in my skiff 8"-10" and in my canoe 3"-4".
the maverick is awesome, i fish out of a hells bay most of the time so im spoiled when it comes to gettin low, but we still wear the fish out in my buddy’s big bay boat too. An extra couple of inches will only buy you about twenty minutes on a tide cycle, and most technical skiffs suck on the big water anyway. The maverick will be able to handle the shipping channel on a good day and the flats on all days, go for it man.
Moxley,
Here is how you get a new caimen.
Start getting real grumpy that you can not find a boat. Keep up the pressure all winter, slow and steady. Then about march, go for the kill.
She will be sick of listening to you crying and whining and give you persimission to buy the caimen.
Should I go ahead and book our bonefish trip with the expectations of a new caimen?
Let me know if you need any marital advice.
Chris.
Moxley,
Here is how you get a new caimen.
Start getting real grumpy that you can not find a boat. Keep up the pressure all winter, slow and steady. Then about march, go for the kill.
She will be sick of listening to you crying and whining and give you persimission to buy the caimen.
Should I go ahead and book our bonefish trip with the expectations of a new caimen?
Let me know if you need any marital advice.
Chris.
Great advice! You just took one major step out of my master plan, which was to buy the Mirage, then after about a year start complaining about the extra draft and how it keeps me from fishing all the “good” water, while a Caimen would float in spit and help me catch sooo many more fish. The wife would soon understand that the only thing between me and eternal happiness is a new Caimen built to my specifications.
I like your plan much better. By the way, is your marital advice as good as your boat advice?
The only thing standing in my way is $15,000, which is the approximate price difference between the used Mirage I am after and a new ECC Caimen.
Moxley,
Whats 15k for a lifetime of happiness,or until the next big thing comes out.
You always have a place on the ole jon boat.
You may want to look for an old hewes bonefisher. I think they were the predecessor the the hpx v’s.
I looked at one a couple of years ago that was built in the 2000’s and went for about 12k. You can probably find a lappy bonefisher for well under 10k.
Chris.
when u meet Kev and Marc at ECC, you will know- they are the best in the biz, IMO… first class. you are welcome to a ride in my lostman- it will seal the deal for ya!!
