BigBendFishing.Net

I have a 19' Twin Vee. Drafts 10" and is a pretty stable and dry ride to and from nearshore reefs. I like to fish for redfish and trout in the creeks on a high tide and go catch grouper on the falling tide in 20'-25'. This boat will accomodate that routine very nicely. It's a solid enough boat that you can get caught in some rough water and feel pretty safe. I wouldn't take it out 20 miles or anything like that without a buddy boat near by and perfect weather.

Not the best available for really skinny water or for far offshore, but does give you capability to fish both.

You may also want to check out the Panga boats. I almost got the 22'er. There just really wasn't a dealer around here that carried them at the time and I didn't want to go to Sarasota.

No such animal. At best you get a poor compromise. I have been out on "good" days that turned to "oh hell" days in no time flat. I am very leery of any craft that is a good day boat going offshore. Last offshore boat I owned was a 24 whaler. I only go offshore on good days and with that boat, I always felt safe that I could get back to the hill if it became an oh hell day. With modern real time satellite weather, you may have better information. Just call me chicken, but still alive.

just wanted to clarify what I consider "off shore"......I'm talking about running from Keaton out the the steinhatchie reef to do some sheephead fishing.....my friend has a 23' Ranger "off shore" boat....and I have yet to go out on it.......because I dont do "out"......I mainly trout and redfish.....but I want to "extend" my range a little.....Last year there was a guy at the cleaning table at keatons that absolutly slayed the huge sheephead at the Steinhatchie reef....the guy offered to let us follow him back out....my best friend begged me to go....but I backed out due to the fact that I dont think a 20' bass boat should be out that far....the guy said it was only about 13 miles from the pier at keatons , but that didnt sway me.....I think a bay boat can handle 2-3' seas...or at the very least give me a safer more secure feeling.....

95% of my fishing when on the gulf will be between Keaton and the rock garden in 1 to 3 feet of water chasing trout and reds.....just wanted to add a little to what I "COULD" do...if the oppourtunity arose.....

The reefs you're talking about are within sight of the tree tops and close to some pretty good flats. My 22' bay boat does me a pretty good job. My .02 anyway.

get you a bayboat,play it smart and it`ll do what you want to do. My bayboat will fish in less than a foot of water and will give you a safe ride in 2-3 seas, pick your offshore days wisely and you`ll be ok.

I agree with the previous poster. My scout will get in less than 1 foot of water, do offshore pretty good, and is also pretty fast.
I mean I can't go to the K tower or anything but I can go out enough to troll for grouper.