BigBendFishing.Net

You'll probably want to broaden your search and craigslist allows you to search different markets(Include nearby areas/check boxes).

I wouldn't bother with a bass boat and prefer a self bailing center console with a trolling motor/power pole over a bass boat unless you really need to run 70mph. The Flats boats will handle the gulf chop much better and the "fixtures" are salt resistant(Stainless/ETC).

I would go a step further and look into smaller center consoles with a Deeper V. They ride nice and you'll only get another 1"-3" of extra draft. It's worth it to me but not everyone feels the same.

Here's a couple to get you started(no affiliation/just bored)

https://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/d/ge ... 71531.html
https://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/d/wi ... 42298.html
https://mobile.craigslist.org/boa/d/mob ... 34245.html
https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/boa/d/ ... 96555.html
https://panamacity.craigslist.org/boa/d ... 65578.html
https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/boa/d/ ... 39439.html
https://brunswick.craigslist.org/boa/d/ ... 40134.html
https://daytona.craigslist.org/boa/d/ed ... 51350.html

Thanks for all the suggestions, I have passed them on.

I use a 17' bass boat for flats fishing and I'm looking to get a bigger more capable boat for inshore. I agree that the bass boat isn't ideal for inshore fishing, but it gets me by now as long as there is no chop. If I find a boat like I want I'll sell your friend my current boat!

Stowaway Marine on Hwy 98 near Shell Point has an older model Hewes 16 Redfisher for sale. That seems the best compromise for dual purpose bass/bay fishing.

crappielimits wrote:

rockyg wrote:There ain't no such thing as a bass/bay boat. I have a bay boat and it would suck at bass fishing. My buddy had a bass boat and it sucked at flats fishing. That and no price range make it hard to help.

I would have to disagree. I have an Intracoastal model triton and have caught limits of trout/redfish, crappie, stripers/hybrids out of it in the same week. Had a guy call it a bass boat the other day leaving Econfina. Few went out that morning due to 12-15mph winds and 1-2 in protected waters. We had a limit of trout, a few flounder and 4 filet size rock bass in livewell. In most flats boats we would have been wet. It's all in what suits or fits you. There isn't a perfect boat for everything but you can find a solution if you like multiple species.

Alot of flats boats aren't self bailing and other than the carpet in bass boats I don't see much difference. I had a couple bass boats and fished as far as the nearshore reefs. The gunnels were too low for my liking but flats boats are just about the same. People get too hung up on appearances.
I would bet that the hardware in bass boats is more prone to rusting but maybe not.

I don't think the marginal gain in draft is worth getting a flats boat over a bay boat. The marginal loss in draft(we're talking like 2") is made up 10x over in a nice dry ride.

procraftwes wrote:
I don't think the marginal gain in draft is worth getting a flats boat over a bay boat. The marginal loss in draft(we're talking like 2") is made up 10x over in a nice dry ride.

You haven't tested many flats and bay boats if you believe draft difference is two inches.

This one was recently posted in the Tallahassee Craigslist. I'd buy it today if I hadn't just bought one a few months ago.
Or I'll sell ya a 2008 Carolina Skiff for $8500 and I'll buy this one.
https://tallahassee.craigslist.org/boa/ ... 32205.html

Juan wrote:This one was recently posted in the Tallahassee Craigslist.

Pending sale as of this morning.

Juan wrote:Or I'll sell ya a 2008 Carolina Skiff for $8500 and I'll buy this one.

Is the skiff still for sale?

ropeman wrote:

Juan wrote:This one was recently posted in the Tallahassee Craigslist.

Pending sale as of this morning.

Juan wrote:Or I'll sell ya a 2008 Carolina Skiff for $8500 and I'll buy this one.

Is the skiff still for sale?

Not if that one's gone. I looked for a Key West like that one for a long time and gave up before I bought the Carolina Skiff. Just my luck.

The demand for boats is drying up the pre-owned market and pushing prices higher. If you find a deal, better jump on it 'cause they won't last long.

I posted one to facebook chuck a 2004 sterling 18ft with a 115 yamaha powerpole trolling motor and simrad gps for 11500