Best style boat for the area?

[RalphKramden2011]

Mud boat!

[mountain man]

I fish out of a 22 Pathfinder it is a pretty good compromise. It is a solid boat I run offshore no problems. I can do most of what I want inshore. Like Harmsway said I would like to have an aluminum boat to chase reds in close around the oyster bars. I would rather not mix alot of oyster shells with gelcoat .Plus its a great family boat for scalloping or heading to the lake. Peter Wright at Ships Chandler in Destin may be of help if the guys at Big Bend don't have what you need.

[Catchin Zees]

Bought my Key West 216 Bay Reef back in August and absolutely love it. Has a tunnel hull and jack plate to help run skinny. Plenty of room for fishing with 2-3 folks or taking the family out to the sandbar. Want to add a trolling motor and power pole eventually but for this area and my needs it is perfect. Key West is a good boat manufacturer in my opinion. From my research i'd say they are a mid-tier. Not top of the line but fit and finish is solid. I bought used and was very patient. Basically took almost 3 months of looking all over and actually walked away from this boat once because they wouldn't come down on price where I needed it to be. They called me back 2 weeks later.

[cotton]

Have you considered a Hobie Outback?

[woopty]

Bird-dog boat if ya want to really go native.

[rocket]

Bird-dog boat if ya want to really go native.

I would LOVE a bird-dog! They are becoming extinct.

[silverking]

Bird-dog boat if ya want to really go native.

I would LOVE a bird-dog! They are becoming extinct.

Thank goodness, except for a few dedicated poachers.

[Gulf Coast]

had to google bird dog boat,man thats a mullet skiff or a tunnel hull !! my inlaws use to have a few of them, sweet rides !! you could get some net on those old boats

[reelbad]

had to google bird dog boat,man thats a mullet skiff or a tunnel hull !! my inlaws use to have a few of them, sweet rides !! you could get some net on those old boats

I bet Jonas or Waviel Porter still have one lying around the back yard. I had the pleasure of being able to fish with Jonas on several ocassions about 35 years back so I know what can be done in a boat like the bird dog with a true professional. Lots of mullet, less reds and trout than you would think.

[filetandrelease]

If you like the contender and yellowfin offshore boats, but want a bay boat check out the blackjack bay boats. I don't personally own one, but I have heard good things.