The Cape Cod Canal is one of the most popular, infamous land-based striped bass fishing spots in the Northeast. In total, the stretch runs seven miles of rocky shoreline, ripping currents, and a world of possibilities. The manmade waterway connects Cape Cod Bay to Buzzards Bay.

It’s popularity is obvious for a host of reasons. Most importantly, it’s accessible to non-boaters. The Atlantic striped bass use the canal as a shortcut during their annual migration. As opposed to going around the outside of Cape Cod — a much longer route — stripers save time and energy utilizing the strong currents to move north and south. With depths of up to 50 feet, not fishing from a boat, and tons of spots to choose from, the legendary canal can be an intimidating landscape. We want to help you tackle it. Here are five things you must have to fish the Cape Cod Canal.

Studded Boots for Fishing the Rocks

Let’s start with something that may not seem like an obvious piece of fishing gear, but is paramount when fishing the Cape Cod Canal — a nice set of studded boots. Many people visiting the canal, or the Northeast in general, don’t realize how large the tidal swings are on a daily basis. We are talking about differences from 6 to 12 feet depending on moon phases, time of year, and plenty of other variables. With such large tidal swings, this means that much of the rocky terrain that anglers use to cast and fish from is exposed to water on a daily basis. This exposure makes the terrain in the canal extremely slippery and surprisingly dangerous. Much of the shoreline is littered with rocks that can be as slick as an icicle.

Studded boots, from makers such as Korkers, give you the traction you need to land those big fish and, most importantly, stay safe. The drop-offs in the canal are huge and the current rips are no joke — it’s not a place you want to take a chance. The jetties are tall and looming, so safety is paramount.

Fish Grippers to Handle Striped Bass

Fish grippers are another tool that may slip many anglers’ minds, especially people who are used to fishing from beaches or boats. With the terrain you’ll be fishing from, to be able to safely land a fish, you want a pair of reliable fish grippers. Although it may not seem important, when you go to land that trophy striped bass, you have to climb down to get it. You’re going to be super happy to have those grippers. The grippers will also help you avoid taking a treble to the hand. Many of the baits people commonly use to fish the canal have large trebles. The grippers are vital to avoiding one of those hooks ending up in your hand.

Here are three lures I always have when targeting striped bass and bluefish in the Cape Cod Canal.

A 9-Inch Topwater Spook Lure

When it comest to lures, I want options to cover all parts of the water column. We want to fish the top,
middle and bottom to be successful. To cover the top, you’re going to need to tie on a 9-inch topwater spook. The color is not as important as the length. The striped bass and blues that come into the canal are feeding on three things: green mackerel, bunker or sand eels. Bass typically focus on the larger profile baits. To properly replicate that, you’re going to want a larger spook. Not only will the larger profile help “match the hatch,” it will also allow you to cover greater casting distances.

The Magic Swimmer Swimbait Lure

The Magic Swimmer could be the most prolific canal bait. This one lure has been responsible for more stripers than arguably any other lure in the Cape Cod Canal. It’s a hard plastic swimbait that is attached together by wire, similar to a glide bait. Berkley makes slow sinking and fast sinking variants. My recommendation is to always use the heavier fast sinking option so that you can cover more water.

If you need to retrieve the lure closer to the top, you can hold your rod in a more elevated position and retrieve faster. If you need to go lower in the water column, you can retrieve it slower. The depths in the canal vary, but they average greater than 20 feet. This bait is not meant to get to the bottom. The benefit of this bait is that you can do a straight retrieve against the ripping current. The action really stands out in the current, so stripers and blues love it.

The Savage Gear Sand Eel Lure

The Savage Gear Sand Eel is another icon of the Cape Cod Canal. Use the green mackerel color. This is a swim bait that incorporates a jig. A heavy jighead paired with a sleek, soft plastic paddle tail allows this bait to get to the bottom. With the currents and depths you’ll experience, bouncing bottom can be very hard to do at times in the canal. This swimbait is 5.33 ounces in weight, but you need that weight to get down to the bottom.

What makes this lure so good? Why so specific on color and size? Let’s start with why it’s so good.

The shape of the jighead on this swimbait cuts through current and sinks faster better than other baits. When it hits bottom, it’s meant to hit with the head down and the tail up. This movement replicates what sand eels do. They dig their nose in the sand and a striper typically eats them from the back. If you’ve ever seen striped bass eating sand eels in shallow water, they use their nose to dig them out of the sand and slurp them up. The color and size are important because, although this is meant to work on the bottom and replicate a sand eel, you are replicating green mackerel — another striper favorite in the canal.

Use these three lures at the Cape Cod Canal to catch trophy striped bass and blues. The best times to go vary year to year but traditionally, my favorite time is June and September. In June, the stripers are typically migrating north. In September, you can catch the fall run as they migrate south.

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Nearly 60 years ago, says the Maverick Boat Group, Bob Hewes crafted the Hewes Bonefisher, a shallow-draft specialist for stalking spooky gamefish in skinny waters, which were until then visited by few anglers or boats.

And Hewes’ flats skiff—a category he virtually created—became a legend, even more so after, with input from a fishing guide, when he invented the poling tower.

Ever since, “more shallow-water records have been caught aboard a Hewes,” writes Maverick, owner of the brand since 1988. “And on any given day, it’s a sure bet that more anglers are poling the flats or casting to a shoreline from a Hewes than any other boat ever made.”

Hewes boats are at home in flats, inlets, passes and bays; of our survey respondents, 77 percent reported fishing inshore species in the past year.

Hewes Redfisher 21

The reborn, legendary Hewes Redfisher 21 “specializes in catching bait in one ZIP code, fishing in another, and then getting back to the dock in time for a tournament weigh-in.”

Biggest of three Redfisher models, the 21 is designed for up to 350 hp, producing speeds into the 60s. Trim tabs and jack plate standard, it draws just 14 inches and has a self-draining cockpit.

Huge casting decks and wide, walkaround gunwales make for a stable, uncluttered platform for multiple anglers. There’s plenty of lockable dry storage, including a huge locker within the bow. The new helm accommodates a 12-inch Garmin screen, and then some.

Three-rod vertical racks flank the console. Undergunwale storage cradles rods up to 9 feet long, including the fly rods 34 percent of flats-skiff anglers say they carry; 25 percent say they carry more than six rods of all types.

Bait rides in a 44-gallon aft center livewell, perfect for the 46 percent of anglers who use live bait more than half of the time. Seventy percent say one livewell is enough.

Options include poling tower, 40-gallon aft release well, two trolling-motor options including one with wireless electrical steering, windshield, single or dual Power Poles in 8- or 10-foot lengths, tilt steering, helm-seat backrest, and bass seat plate.

You can make your Redfisher further your own by selecting from a six-color gelcoat palette or custom colors for deck and console; two-tone treatments are also available.

Survey Says: On Target

• Clear, open casting decks
• Hassle-free rod and gear storage

Observations

• Modern building techniques meet original Hewes DNA
• Inshore-ready for serious anglers

Brand Says

• Solid, bulletproof fishing machine
• Excellent livewells

Reader Response

• “Get skinny”

Specs

LOA: 21′6″

Beam: 8′6″

Fuel Capacity: 50 gal.

Dry Weight: 2,850 lb. with power

Max HP: 350

Certifications: NMMA

More Info

hewes.com

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The further a company gets away from understanding what dedicated anglers want in their boats,” Pathfinder Boats proclaims, “the more underwhelming their products will be.”

That’s why the company works with its angler-driven design team, pro guide staff and loyal customers to launch models—including three brand-new models in 2021—aimed at real-world improvements that solve problems and enhance fishability of their boats.

Pathfinder, with Hewes, Cobia and Maverick, is part of the Maverick Boat Group.

Pathfinder 2700

The new Pathfinder 2700 Open —built to range from open flats to inlets, from beaches to offshore pursuits, all in a single day—combines the forward deck space of a bay boat with the open cockpit of a center-console for the best of bay and blue water on a double-stepped, VARIS vacuum-infused hull.

Instead of the bay boat’s typical rear casting deck, the 2700 has an open cockpit that accommodates a range of fishing styles. Optional aft corner jump seats are available. The bow casting platform is two easy steps up.

The 2700 has the two livewells that leave none of our survey respondents unserved. Serious center-console anglers get a 42-gallon double-pump well in the leaning post, and a handy 22-gallon tank aft well, both with aquariumlike clear side panels.

To the 2700 Open’s 95-gallon standard fuel capacity you can add a range-stretching optional 31-gallon auxiliary fuel cell.

Six gunwale-mounted rod/cup holders in the aft cockpit meet or exceed the expectations of most respondents. Undergunwale storage accommodates up to six 9-foot rods, part of its overall rod-rack capacity for 18 rods of all kinds. Also fishing-friendly are in-deck cast-net lockers.

Three insulated fish boxes total 95 gallons, to which optional pump-out macerators can be added. Any can be used as dry storage too.

Other standard equipment includes a hydraulic jack plate, 36-volt trolling-motor system, trim tabs, deluxe convertible helm seating, and Optimus electric steering.

Options include a fiberglass hardtop or T-top second station, choice of Yamaha 425 XTO or F300, Garmin autopilot and screens, undergunwale faux teak SeaDek panels, Edson steering wheel, console port-a-potty, and JL Marine stereo package.

Survey Says: On Target

• Storage for a variety of tackle for flexibility
• Spacious walkways flanking consoles

Owners Say

• Quality construction; I love a dependable, well-made boat
• Very stable and fishable
• Versatile

Brand Says

• The 2700 Open does so many things so well
• Born to do one thing—put dedicated anglers on fish

Reader Response

• “Does everything well”

Specs

LOA: 27′

Beam: 9′4″

Fuel Capacity: 95 gal.

Dry Weight: 4,934 lb. with power

Max HP: 450

Certifications: NMMA

More Info

pathfinderboats.com

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Ever since the first 13-foot molded-plywood Skeeter bass boat was built in 1948, the company has led the boating industry in innovation. Now a Yamaha brand, it continues to build performance fishing boats.

Skeeter has received 19 consecutive awards for Excellence in Customer Satisfaction for Fiberglass Outboard Boats.

The Skeeter name? That’s from the early days, when the original Skeeter’s nose was long and needle-shaped, like the snout of a mosquito.

Skeeter SX2550 Fish

The Skeeter SX2550, largest of its bay-boat family, is an inshore/offshore boat that carries to the bluewater high-performance features of its smaller sibling. Its wide flare and tall gunwales add a distinctive look and create a smooth, dry ride.

The Skeeter SX2550 comes in Family and Fishing versions. Both versions are powered by a Yamaha F300 four-stroke outboard engine. The console is taller and larger than the other SX boats in its lineup, and a side door opens to a first-for-Skeeter space large enough to house a portable toilet, serve as a changing room, or provide additional storage options.

In the forward deck is a 145-quart fish box with macerator. In the bow, a three-position table converts from a step to a casting deck or for entertaining, and the family version uses pads to make it a sun deck, to match the moment’s need. Horizontal rod tubes and in-gunwale storage hold more than the six rods that satisfy 53 percent of bay-boat anglers. The midship washdown system is handy to both ends of the boat.

Four gunwale-mounted rod/cup holders meet or exceed expectations, and there are nine vertical rod holders. A manual jack plate tunes the ride based on owner’s use, and an optional hydraulic plate makes the SX2550 skinny-water-ready. Aft jump seats flank a generous 43-gallon livewell. The rear-seat backrests fold down to complete the rear casting deck.

The Fish model’s deluxe leaning post has a fixed backrest and bolster seating. Fishing-oriented options include trolling motor, shallow-water anchors, navigation electronics and pedestal fishing seats. The Family package includes a stylish hardtop, front-seat cushions and stereo.

Survey Says: On Target

• Family/fish friendly and tournament-fishable
• Visit website for all standard features

Owners Say

• Quality—very durable and dependable

Brand Says

• Whether you’re after performance fishing or a daily dayboat, this is your boat
• Built by saltwater anglers, for saltwater anglers
• A Skeeter is designed to be as durable in tough conditions as you are

Reader Response

• “Smooth ride, great usable space”

Specs

LOA: 24′6″

Beam: 8′4″

Fuel Capacity: 76 gal.

Dry Weight: 3,360 lb. plus power

Max HP: 300

Certifications: NMMA

More Info

skeeterboats.com

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Yamaha’s jet-propelled boat line—category pioneer since 1995—offers 14 new models, including several on an all-new 25-foot platform.

Two 25-foot FSH center-consoles—the deck plan that makes up 37 percent of our survey’s saltwater-fishing fleet—join 19- and 21-foot FSH models. Yamaha is also introducing new wake boats, and more boats with DRiVE Technology, a system of control paddles on the wheel that sets a new industry standard for easy control when docking or maneuvering in close quarters.

Yamaha jet boats, powered by compact, lightweight, and fuel-efficient jet drives and four-stroke engines, reach plane quickly with minimal bowrise. At slower speeds, Yamaha’s award-winning Articulating Keel provides superb straight-line tracking. With no exposed drivetrain elements, they sneak across shallow water, and set a clean stage for the line’s signature aft lounge and swim platform.

Yamaha’s Connext 3.0 helm control system boasts a 7-inch systems control and entertainment touchscreen with navigation capabilities. It also responds to joystick input. Rocker switches activate Yamaha’s No Wake Mode and Cruise Assist.

Yamaha 255 FSH Sport E

The 255 FSH Sport E has the classic looks and fishability of a center-console atop a new deep-V hull.

A 111-gallon fuel tank puts far-off fish within range. In the 255 FSH Sport E, a pair of supercharged 1.8L Yamaha SVHO engines combine for 500 horsepower, driven by wire. (The 252 FSH Sport has normally aspirated 1.8L High Output engines.)

The bow and its seats—the latter important to 40 percent of CC owners surveyed—contain storage compartments and an insulated fish locker. At the helm, in addition to the Connext 3.0 helm control system, a 12-inch Simrad screen displays navigation and fishing information. The 255 FSH Sport E has a finished, outrigger-ready hardtop with five rocket launchers, and its 19 rod-holder total far exceeds the 12-rod standard that pleases 84 percent of CC respondents.

Two cockpit livewells—one transparent—exceed the threshold of happiness for 96 percent of center-console anglers.

Bench seating at the transom—a deal-maker for 44 percent of respondents—folds down to become a casting platform, and the walk-through transom makes boating big fish a breeze.

Survey Says: On Target

• Fishing and pleasure cruising features meet all mainstream owner’s needs
• Multiple baitwells
• Generous rod storage

Owners Say

• Internal jet drive relieves concerns about striking the running gear or gouging reefs and flats

Brand Says

• Built to take you where the big fish are

Reader response

• “Designed for big adventures”

Specs

LOA: 24′6″

Beam: 8′6″

Fuel Capacity: 111 gal.

Dry Weight: 4,835 lb. with power

Max HP: 500

Seating/Weight Capacity: 12 people/ 2,700 lb.

Certifications: NMMA

More Info

yamahaboats.com

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The LX26 LXT is a brand-new boat from Sea Born. Equipped with dual 250-horsepower Suzuki outboard engines, a Simrad display system at the helm, and plenty of rodholders, live wells and comfortable seating, this boat has great performance as well as fishability and family fun.

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This 27-foot dual console from Sea Chaser comes from the popular company Carolina Skiff, and they’ve brought all of their value and high-quality features to the Sea Chaser line. The dual console design is one of the fastest growing designs right now because of its fishability and comfort. This boat has plenty of seating aboard, tackle storage, tons of rod holders, a live well, a hard top for shade and more.

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The dual console design has grown in popularity, and Sea Chaser stepped in and created this one: the 30 DC. What makes this boat so special are all of the creature comforts onboard, from the unique seating designs and configurations to a roomy head compartment, a freshwater sink and shower, grill, refrigerator––and the list goes on. And if fishing is your game, this boat is well-equipped for that too. It has 6 rod holders on the hard top, another 6 on the transom and gunwale, a large live well and more.

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Perhaps no other style of boat has as many varying demands made on it as does the coastal fisherman under 26 feet.

Forty-two percent of our survey respondents preferred a boat in the 21- to 24-foot range. Among current boat owners, 25-feet was the ideal size, while among first-time buyers, 22.9 feet was the median for consideration.

Overall, respondents were about evenly split as to the type of fishing they enjoyed, with 47 percent most interested in fishing bays, flats, wrecks and reefs, and 51 percent expressing a -preference for offshore fishing.

While this category includes smaller center-consoles—often scaled-down offshore models—and dual-consoles, which excel when buyers are willing to sacrifice dedicated fishing features for a family-focus, clearly the king of the versatile midsize boat, built for inshore fishing, capable of safe offshore ventures, and is family-friendly, is the bay boat.

“If you can get one boat to do it all, that’s where it’s at,” says Capt. Larry L. Jett, manager of saltwater business for Ranger Boats. “We take that into consideration and recognize that you buy a bay boat for a range of fishing and family use.”

To wit, 61 percent of survey respondents said “to fish more” was their primary purpose in buying a boat; 62 percent want a hardcore fishing machine; 36 percent felt that the company of family and friends was an important consideration; and 38 percent were after a multipurpose boat.

The bay boat checks all of those boxes.

Do It Right

By Glenn Law

Boat shows and dealership -showrooms are great places to drool, with one hand on your checkbook, but a wise decision takes some time and thought.

The comments made by our respondents regarding the correct approach to finally making a purchase boiled down to simple and straightforward advice: “Fish the boat”; “Talk to people who own the boat you are considering”; and “Do some in-depth sea trials.” In short, “Do your research” was the overwhelming advice expressed by survey respondents and experienced buyers.

When making the buying decision, quality and durability are important considerations, and well worth paying for initially because the median age of bay boats owned by survey respondents was nine and a half years.

It makes sense to choose a manufacturer with a stellar reputation.

If all you want a boat for is to fish, your choices are simplified: Add nothing that doesn’t contribute to the chosen mission.

If, on the other, that mission is split, or diversified—as is nearly infinitely -possible with bay and inshore boats—then the buying choice requires a fair amount of well-considered choices.

The first step in a boat-buying -decision defaults to determining what kind of -fishing you want to do, and how you will use the boat.

Those decisions clarify the type and model in your sights; next comes zeroing in on the particulars that put those goals within reach. This is where abundant research, sea trials and simply looking at as many boats as possible that fit your desired parameters come into play.

Accommodations

Deciding on interior layout and seating becomes a primary consideration.

“A lot of our customers are not sure what they want,” says Alan Lang, director of sales and marketing for Scout Boats.

“Do you have kids? How many people will you typically carry? Is a head important? How are you going to use the boat?”

If fishing is paramount, look no further than the signature fore and aft casting decks that typify the bay-boat design. If your boat will share its fishing time with entertaining, then comfortable seating for nonanglers becomes more important, perhaps even if compromising fishability.

Our survey revealed that interest in forward seating was mixed: A third of respondents considered forward seating of moderate importance, and another 20 percent of low importance. Only about 20 percent considered it high importance.

Cockpit space was most important to 73 percent of our survey respondents.

A tribute to bay-boat versatility, no single layout eliminates options. “While our 2350 Bay Ranger has a full back seat in it,” Capt. Larry L. Jett says, “you sacrifice the rear of your boat to comfort.”

But that might be of little consequence. “We find that most inshore fishing is done from the front of the boat,” he says.

Storage

Our survey indicated that second behind safety and comfort, onboard storage was the priority for buyers.

“Experienced boaters know what they need in terms of storage,” says Jeff Vaughn, VP Sales, marketing and service for Boston Whaler. But the company configures its storage so even those who haven’t had the time on the water to determine their needs won’t be caught short.

“Everyone needs dry, protected -storage,” Vaughn says. “All of our storage areas are finished in class-A condition and drain overboard. They are foam-insulated so they can be used as a fish box,” which allows for versatility.

Bear in mind: The more dry storage aboard, the more options you have in how it’s utilized. Dry storage may be used for storing wet items, but wet storage will never keep things dry.

Tools of the Trade

Efficient rod storage is extremely -important in this class of boat, and it needs to be carefully designed to keep gear out of the way when playing, yet handy to fire off a cast when fish are sighted.

Because of the day-use nature of bay boats, the majority of respondents found locking storage unimportant. Still, 27 percent carry three or four rigged outfits for a day’s fishing; 65 percent pack along five to 10 outfits; and 7 percent carry 11 or more.

Before you buy, consider how much rod storage is enough for the kind of fishing you plan to do, and make sure you have enough for efficiency and safety of -passengers and tackle alike.

Gunwale rod holders are standard issue on any fishing boat, but supplementing them with additional holders, placed where they suit your fishing style, is -always an option you should consider.

Only a quarter of survey respondents used more than four gunwale-mounted rod holders.

But among bay-boat owners who -routinely fish offshore, over 80 percent felt that they need up to six gunwale-mounted holders.

Rocket launchers—either on a seatback, leaning post or T-top—offer a-dditional safe storage, and is an option worth -considering.

Scout’s Lang says: “Rocket launchers are not always standard, but we see a lot of them added on a new boat. They also help with the aesthetics.”

Aesthetics might seem superfluous, but pride in ownership plays a big part in -buying the right boat and impacts resale.

Styling shouldn’t be underrated when envisioning the boat you see yourself in.

Livewells

Both standard and essential, livewells and inshore boats go hand in hand. The configuration, capacity, number and purpose of those, however, vary as widely as styles of fishing and geography.

Two-thirds (68 percent) of survey respondents routinely carry a few dozen live baits on a typical fishing trip, and only 24 percent usually carried less than a dozen. For that 24 percent, a single small well might suffice, but when live bait is your game and the success of the day depends on keeping baits healthy and frisky, additional wells or additional capacity become essential.

Editor’s Tip: Don’t underestimate the convenience and versatility of the livewells. One fore and one aft should be the minimum. It’s a pain to have to walk the length of the boat for a fresh bait in the heat of the action. The days when you need only one will be far outnumbered by those days when the added convenience of a second well makes life easier.

Forty-eight percent of our respondents felt that a single well serves their needs, with 45 percent preferring to have one well forward and another in the stern.

Many of these decisions are based on where you live and how you fish. Large capacity, strong flow and the option to recirculate water in the well are all important when frisky live baits are the mainstay of a successful day.

If a dozen pinfish and a few dozen live shrimp are all you need, a small well in the stern and a crustacean well in the bow will certainly be adequate. Livewells are a subjective and personal decision.

“We have different options based on different fisheries,” Jeff Vaughn explains. “In southwest Florida, a larger well is more desirable. In the Northeast, we don’t use livewells; a livewell is used for trash. We try to match the livewell configuration in our boats to the market area—the place the buyer will most often be fishing.”

Power Up

Fuel efficiency and range, as well as a comfortable, solid ride, topped the list of important considerations; 63 percent of survey respondents agreed.

A solid, secure ride depends on the hull design as well as -construction. Suffice it to say, top builders leave nothing to chance here, which leaves fuel efficiency and range a variable, both of which are a function of the outboard power and fuel capacity.

All boats are rated with a maximum horsepower allowance for that particular hull. But just because you can doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Powering to the max certainly gives you top speed, but that’s not always the most important consideration. Fewer than 20 percent of those surveyed ranked maximum speed as the most important considering when choosing a boat/motor combination.

Hanging the largest possible engine off the transom will certainly give you speed, and perhaps a shorter time to jump on plane, but the additional weight of a larger engine might not be worth the limited benefits. More power might allow you to cruise at a lower rpm, but that has to be balanced against a possible decrease in range, depending on the fuel-consumption differential between maximum -horsepower and acceptable horsepower.

Jordan DeLong, director of marketing for Contender Boats, explains that while the company’s bay boat is rated for 400 hp, “the most popular motor on our 25 Bay is the 300 Yamaha, due to the weight and reliability. And you don’t lose much speed. That engine runs superbly in the -mid-60 mph range. Most of the time you don’t want to go much faster than that.”

Mechanical Systems

Gone are the days when stainless fittings and sound constructions were considerations. In a competitive market, subpar execution writes its own demise.

However, an additional set of -mechanical considerations has emerged, with once-luxury-but-now-standard -accessories such as shallow-water -anchoring systems and trolling motors.

Within our polled sample, 67 percent of current owners’ boats are equipped with a trolling motor. Forty-two percent are fitted with a shallow-water anchoring system, and 17 percent have a pair of them.

Our survey indicted that 65 percent of buyers want their boat fully equipped with the option of choice at purchase, a growing trend among buyers.

Those who choose to add the gear later would do well to set up the boat properly, with backing plates and wiring in place and accessible.

“One thing we do at Scout is install Deutsch waterproof connectors on our wiring harness,” Lang says. That makes it easier on the dealer’s additions later, and for the owner, it provides a -plug-and-play installation.

Electronics

Right along with livewells, electronics is a personal choice and a highly customizable feature. Sonar leads the list of popular installations, with 83 percent of owners having it or planning to purchase it. A VHF radio/essential safety is second in popularity, with 67 percent of respondents having it on their boats.

The formerly minimalist layout of the bay-boat helm is rapidly expanding, as buyers opt for more and bigger multifunction displays and wider variety of electronics. Traditionally a 9-inch screen was large on a bay boat, but that’s changing.

“We are putting more and more space at the helm for bigger screens,” Vaughn says. “There is a lot of customization at the helm, and we make sure we provide enough space to make that easy to do.”

Overall, the trend in electronics is to replicate what is on larger boats, from side-scan sonar to radar.

“The movement is the bigger the -better,” DeLong says. “Our boats have up to 16-inch MFDs. We get lots of requests for dual sounders—chirp and such.”

Buyers are also trending toward -purchasing electronics with the boat, rather than adding specific items later.

“Over half of our boats go out with -Raymarine electronics,” Vaughn says.

As well as simply getting what you want when you buy the boat, having a factory-installed electronics suite allows servicing or replacement later to be much simpler— and more economical.

“People are increasingly buying all their electronics with the boat,” DeLong says. “Our electronics installations have increased. We see a real trend in factory installations, and we like it that way. It keeps other hands—over which we have no control—off the wiring when there’s one group of people who touch it.”

Editor’s Tip: One the lessons learned by experienced boat buyers, as opposed to first-time buyers, is the importance of getting what you want with the initial purchase. Planning to add desirable features later sounds good, but every week your boat is in the shop, or under renovation, is one less week you have it to enjoy on the water.

Shallow Ventures

By Alex Suescun

If you find sight-fishing in shallow water for fabled inshore game like bonefish, redfish, permit, snook, striped bass or tarpon especially appealing, a flats boat or technical poling skiff is the right choice for you. Not only do they float shallower than other boat types, but they also superbly negotiate tight quarters in coastal creeks, marsh bayous and backcountry lagoons. The fact that they’re a breeze to trailer, can be stored in a garage, and require less horsepower are major bonuses, especially for the budget-minded.

Pole or Troll

Should you plan to focus primarily on stalking species that forage in water a scant few inches deep and are endowed with seemingly supernatural powers of detection, a poling skiff will be hard to beat. Boasting a narrower, -more lightweight hull than a flats boat, a poling skiff is designed to draw less than 8 inches of water and glide stealthily—with no hull slap to alert fish in the vicinity—propelled by a push pole, as the name implies, while the occupant tracks down their target. It can also turn easily with a stroke of the push pole to quickly respond to the quarry’s sudden changes in course.

The Maverick 17 HPX-S, Yellowfin 17 Skiff and Spyder FX17 Flicker are good examples, providing the desired shallow-water performance, and equipped with spacious fore and aft casting decks, poling platforms, and all the necessities for what amounts to skinny-water hunting.

Flats boats still draw less than a foot, but they aren’t meant just for poling. In fact, it’s common to see anglers fishing shorelines, channels, docks and jetties aboard flats boats propelled by a bow-mounted trolling motor, which allows greater water coverage in less time.

The popular Hewes Redfisher 18 or -Carolina Skiff’s JVX CC Series exemplify the flats-boat category, offering more versatility—a desirable trait among inshore boaters surveyed. Along with its bigger footprint comes more storage, fishing room and seating; increased stability; a larger fuel capacity—which translates to greater range—and more amenities, like a bigger or additional livewell, sizable insulated fish box/cooler, and perhaps rod lockers; and integrated spray rails or a pronounced bow flare to mitigate sea spray.

Benefits and Limitations

Venturing way up the flats or deep into the backcountry—far from the Intracoastal Waterway and other high-traffic, high-fishing-pressure areas—is perhaps the greatest benefit flats boats and poling skiffs afford. Some models incorporate a tunnel or transom pocket in their hull design, enabling you to run shallower with the motor—and propeller—trimmed higher. Others accomplish the same with a hydraulic jack plate, which raises the outboard vertically and also helps takeoff in shallower water.

Of course, knowing how much water your flats boat or poling skiff draws is crucial to avoid getting stranded far from the nearest channel when the tide ebbs or a strong wind blows all the water out of the flats or marshes you’re fishing.

Going by a boat’s published specs could prove costly. There’s no regulation -dictating how boatbuilders must measure draft, so some list that of the empty hull; some the draft of the boat with motor, fuel and actual fishing-situation load; and others fall somewhere in between. As you narrow down your boat choices, contact the builders to learn how each measures draft. Then ask boat owners for their real-life -assessment before finalizing your short list.

Editor’s Tip: Shallow-water access was essential for 15.7 percent of surveyed flats- and bay-boat owners, but a lightweight, shallow-drafting boat isn’t always better. If you don’t fish only shallow flats, or must cross open water to reach the fishing grounds, a hull with a bit more heft and somewhat of a “V” at the bow will make the ride more comfortable.

The post Inshore/Coastal: 2020 Boat Buyers Guide appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

That goes from Yellowfin’s smallest boat, a 17-foot skiff, to its largest, a 42-foot offshore center-console. Each is a high-performance fishing platform, custom-built of the highest-grade materials and products, and skillfully assembled.

Although built in Florida, Yellowfin boats clearly show Carolina Outer Banks design influences, with wide flares and high bows. On stepped hulls, they leap onto plane.

For over 20 years, Yellowfin has been a leader in offshore boats; it’s more recently achieved inshore success and prestige as well. Those who know Yellowfins call them solid, fast, spacious and flexible.

Yellowfin 24 Bay

The 24 Bay, in the decade since its launch, has set standards for bay-boat speed, fuel efficiency and ride, with an ergonomic layout suiting both family and tournament-angler boaters.

The center-console 24 Bay has a recessed forward casting deck that is clean and clutter-free, endearing it particularly to fly-fishers. There’s plenty of room for two to fish, maybe more spin- or bait-fishers. (There is space, by the way, for an electric trolling motor.)

From the deck, three hatches access a huge storage area. More storage space is within the seat-fronted console. The aft deck contains three livewells.

Flanking the helm are five vertical rod holders per side (65 percent of bay-boat survey respondents say they carry five to 10 rods aboard), and the transom has a pair of angled flush-mounted rod holders.

Leaning post, livewell and rocket launcher are available, as are a hardtop, Key West soft top and second stations. Select aft seating if you’re among the 45 percent of survey respondents who consider it important. Pick your colors of hull, rub rail, pipework and upholstery.

With a 75-gallon fuel tank, the 24 Bay runs far as well as fast. It comes with a standard jack plate (and Power Pole), and draws just 14 inches.

The 24 Bay offers a variety of custom power options.

Survey Says: On Target

⋅Abundant fish storage—standard and options

⋅Seaworthiness and performance clearly a high priority

⋅Baitwells and rod holders exceed expectations

Owners Say

⋅Expert layout, quality

⋅Perfect boat and setup: fishing, sandbar, cruising—wow!

⋅Reliability

⋅Nothing beats a Yellowfin

Brand Says

⋅Incredible acceleration, fuel economy, and eye-watering top end

⋅Sheer number of tasks it does well

⋅Unmatched attention to detail

More Info: yellowfin.com

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