I have a 16’ carolina skiff and i was wondering if anyone has experience with poling a flat bottom fiberglass boat? Is it even worth me getting a poling platform?
young mitch
Depends on what you’re after.
I have a 17 foot Suncance Flicker flats boat w/ a poling platform. I love being up there and sticking the boat around in skinny water. It’s one of my favorite parts of boating and fishing.
It is work and you can cover more area faster with a trolling motor. So you have to decide what your after to determine if it’s worth it.
Poling a flat bottom boat is not practical … but some other advantages Might make it worth while iMO.
Anything without a true keal is going to be hard to pole. Front of boat will literally just go really hard side to side with no tracking. I have one mounted on a 16 foot all welded Modified V Jon boat. I use mine primarily when anchored to better be able to spot fish and cast. I also use it on windy days when Marsh hen hunting. Instead of poling I use the wind to push me across the grass and the platform gives me a good vantage point to shoot from. Also I like the additional storage. I have rod holders added on and you can hang a teabag underneath for life preserver storage. Finally I have flood LED lights mounted on mine to illuminate the inside of the boat cwhile gigging.
Is it a tiller boat?
My buddy has one with a tiller and the polling platform is really handy for things other than polling. Rod holders mounted on the side keep rods out of the way. It does not poll “amazingly” but you can do it. Also a great place to make a sandwich or put a beverage. Can also strap a generator to the top while gigging keeps it out of the way and some weight in the back of the boat.
I would put one on if I had that boat.
Sabalo 21 150 Yamaha
Key West Stealth 150 V-max (SOLD)
typically those boats have a pronounced chine VEE on both sides that will help with tracking, but its not gonna track like a poling skiff.
www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.bombislandboats.com
IF I RESPOND IN ALL CAPS, ITS NOT ON PURPOSE, AND I AM NOT YELLING
I’ve done it on a J16 I used to own. If you have a remote controlled bow mount trolling motor than I suggest you get the platform.You can stand up there and see a lot more while the TM does the work. Then if you get in real skinny water or are on the fish then you can pole a little bit.
Listen to Localcluster ,he knows what he’s talking about.