Flats Boat as a Bass Boat? 2025

TyTy reply :

What would be the potential drawbacks of buying a flats boat with a large front and rear casting deck to use as a bass boat?

I was looking at bass boats when my boss suggested a flats boat. His point is that it runs shallow, white color = cool, no carpet to wear out, casting decks available, decent price, more versatile, built for saltwater = tougher.

His point is well taken and really got me thinking...maybe a good idea. I dont see many drawbacks.

Ideas?

Catt reply :

I've considered the same and the only draw back I see is less storage

surfer reply :

I am toying with the ideal also. Anybody tried it?

Catt reply :

I have a friend who has a Ranger Z21 Intracoastal; basically a bass boat with out carpet

TyTy reply :

I was thinking of something more like this. Seems like a heck of a deal. The only difference is ideally I would like one that has a little bit of a set in front casting platform or something with a lip on it so that you can set gear on there and not kick it overboard easily or have it slide off and into the water.

Another thing I like the idea of is the vertical rod holders on the center consul, seems like a great place to keep them. Would be convenient but out of the way.

As far as storage, I have imagined everything I currently bring on a trip in my 14' john boat and I cant think of anything I might not have room to store except tackle box and that you need out anyway.

surfer reply :

What about hull design? V vs. Flat. V rides better, flat floats shallower. I think a lot of the flats boats are designed to go shallower than bass boats. Would this also mean as a trend they ride rougher in choppy water?

TyTy reply :

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What about hull design? V vs. Flat. V rides better, flat floats shallower. I think a lot of the flats boats are designed to go shallower than bass boats. Would this also mean as a trend they ride rougher in choppy water?

I would rather have a flat hull because I am a bass fisherman wanting a boat that coule occasionally go in the ocean.

Even though the flats boat may be made for shallower water than needed to get into for bass fishing...sometimes the weeds make the water effectively shallower than it is, especially hydrilla. I think the shallow ones that are made to get into 6 inches of water would be awesome at staying out of the weeds.

Since I will definatly bass fish more I would tend towards that direction. Now if I was a inshore/bay fisherman that wanted a boat that I could bass fish...a v-hull would probably be the ticket.

Catt reply :

Most flats boats are designed for rough water since shallow water can get rougher faster than deeper water. Ranger makes flats models from 16' 8/40 hp to 18' 3/150hp but there are many manufactures other there.

TyTy reply :

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Most flats boats are designed for rough water since shallow water can get rougher faster than deeper water. Ranger makes flats models from 16' 8/40 hp to 18' 3/150hp but there are many manufactures other there.

Thats something I thought about too. I think a shallow water flats boat would be equiped to handle as much or more waves than a bass boat because a bass boat manufacturer assumes lakes only.

Catt reply :

Well I wouldn't go quite that far but the term Flats Boat doesn't necessarily mean it has a flat bottom.

-hydrillagorilla- reply :

if you are not planning on using the poling platform you can get them without it or remove it and someone could fish from the back also. I am sure they could with the platform on as well. Just a little more difficult to fish and could be in the way if you have a fish on and need to swing around to the other side. Also, you could buy the lg white coolers and they make a 4 corner removable system that you could turn it into storage and a seat.

I think it's a great idea!

George Welcome reply :

The term "flats boat" means it was designed to fish "salt water flats". I have yet had a customer that didn't love the fishability of my 20' Hewes Light Tackle. They do have a deficit in the storage areas, but not terribly so. The poling platform does not get in the way.

George Welcome reply :

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The term "flats boat" means it was designed to fish "salt water flats". I have yet had a customer that didn't love the fishability of my 20' Hewes Light Tackle. They do have a deficit in the storage areas, but not terribly so. The poling platform does not get in the way.

Add a poling platform and this is what we fish out of every day.

TyTy reply :

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Well I wouldn't go quite that far but the term Flats Boat doesn't necessarily mean it has a flat bottom.

I just meant more flat versus more of a v. I am going to go after the more flat ones, the ones that can run in less than 12" of water.

TyTy reply :

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The term "flats boat" means it was designed to fish "salt water flats". I have yet had a customer that didn't love the fishability of my 20' Hewes Light Tackle. They do have a deficit in the storage areas, but not terribly so. The poling platform does not get in the way.

Add a poling platform and this is what we fish out of every day.

Im curious, do you ever use the polling platform to get up high and see better? I figured that would be an advantage. Its illegal in tournaments so it must be worth something

BTW, you must be the one they were talking about, I read something on another guides website that said something to the effect of 'dont go out with some guy with a saltwater flats boat that claims to be a bass fisherman'. I guess that was directed at you. Apparently you arent much of a bass fisherman

TyTy reply :

One more question...do you find you are able to set gear/rods/stuff on the bow casting platform and not have it slide off? One difference I have a little concern over is that most bass boats have carpet and somewhat of a lip on the front casting deck...and fisherman seem to put their rods, gear on there. Most of the flats boats have that completly flat front like on your Hewes with no lip and plastic which I would think tends to be more slipery than carpet.

???

bocabasser reply :

i have a 17' pathfinder flats boat. it isa tunnel hull made by hewes. i fish bass tournaments out of it every weekend. my boat has a flat bottom, which means i can get into some skinny water (aka the flats in the everglades). i also do a lot of snook and tarpon fishing as well. the only thing i don't like, is my livewell. i have to use my portable livewell when bass fishing because the livewell on my boat is very small and could never hold 5 decent size bass. storage isn't the best, but i love my boat. my next boat will be the one that mr. welcome has. until i save up some cash, i will be using the one i have. when i fish tourny's, i will lay a couple of rods on the deck, but i am very aware of where they are because i don't want to kick them into the drink.

bocabasser reply :

also about the slippery part. i believe it is called a textured deck which basically means that it has traction. i never have slipped and i fish barefoot 99% of the time including when it rains.

G3 Fan reply :

I have spent some time considering the same idea. I think the benefits are flats boats don't require as much motor due to their size and weight. I think one of the drawbacks is the ride comfort, most hulls are designed for skinny water and poling. I have read some articles that say the ride in open water is wet and rough. So that may be the price for straight tracking and no hull slap while poling.

I think for the money a bass rig provides a little more "bang for the buck"

If I was going to buy a skiff I would get the Beavertail.

http://www.beavertailskiffs.com/

altamahajon reply :

Living on the coast along with the variety of rivers and lakes we have in this location, I see alot of flats boats being used for all the variety types of fishing. The prices are great on them too compared to the coast of a bass boat....... New Carolina Skiff DLV 19.8 run about 16,000 with a 90 hp on it compared to a new bass boat at 22 thousand.

The new design of the semi V keeps you drier and rides alot better than the older version DLX flat bottom. Alot of additions or options for these boats are available and can pack alot of stuff on one of these boats.....

With the higher gunnell walls deep water is no problem and you can literally cut this boat in half and it will not sink. Great for the whole family and feel really safe out on the waters.

PelicanRaider reply :

My friend has a Carolina skiff and uses it as a bass boat when he's not taking it down to a bay. He said he'd never get a bass boat again. That's one opinion... I also want a skiff...his is AWESOME!

TyTy reply :

Anyone have any thoughts on weight and getting blown around? I guess a skiff is lighter.

MemphisFisherman reply :

okay....I don't really see much of a problem with just a big deck, other than maybe some rough rides. But are you talking about a big casting deck? Like the kind where you stand up 4 or so feet above the normal boat deck? Because that would just be annoying for me...First of all it would be in my line of sight when I was cruising down the lake, I couldn't reach my trolling motor, and I can't imagine what angle your rod would be at while fishing. Seems like a pain to me.

George Welcome reply :

First let me say that there is no advantage to the platform where I fish. The water is black so unless conditions are extreme you are not seeing the bottom.

As for your end comment:

"BTW, you must be the one they were talking about, I read something on another guides website that said something to the effect of 'dont go out with some guy with a saltwater flats boat that claims to be a bass fisherman'. I guess that was directed at you. Apparently you arent much of a bass fisherman"

Apparently not!!!!! Bear that in mind if you are ever in the market for a guide. Go with that other guy!

TyTy reply :

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First let me say that there is no advantage to the platform where I fish. The water is black so unless conditions are extreme you are not seeing the bottom.
As for your end comment:

"BTW, you must be the one they were talking about, I read something on another guides website that said something to the effect of 'dont go out with some guy with a saltwater flats boat that claims to be a bass fisherman'. I guess that was directed at you. Apparently you arent much of a bass fisherman"

Apparently not!!!!! Bear that in mind if you are ever in the market for a guide. Go with that other guy!

Absolutly, the choice is obvious...you choose a guide by the style boat they use ;D (BTW, my name is Tyler, I have contacted you twice about going out, both times my fishing partners have canceled on me. One of these days though, I may just have to say forget those guys and go myself!)

TyTy reply :

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okay....I don't really see much of a problem with just a big deck, other than maybe some rough rides. But are you talking about a big casting deck? Like the kind where you stand up 4 or so feet above the normal boat deck? Because that would just be annoying for me...First of all it would be in my line of sight when I was cruising down the lake, I couldn't reach my trolling motor, and I can't imagine what angle your rod would be at while fishing. Seems like a pain to me.

No by big deck I just mean the front bow area being large and flat enough to have some room to stand and move around like in a bass boat. Some of 'flats' boats decks are sunk down more like a non-bass boat. However from what I am learning those are probably being misclassified as flats boat. I guess a true flats boat would be like the Hewes George Welcome posted a pic of with a flat bow area, anything else it not a flats boat.

Bear in mind I am doing my shopping on craigslist. Im looking for something $8000 or less.

Chris Brunk reply :

I have been going through this debate also. I really want a flats boat but cant seam to give up the bass fishing. Really don't want two boats that one of gets neglected. Bass boats can be fished in the intracostal, but lets face it, the salt is ruff on them. Flats and bay boats are better suited for this but they lack space and storage. I have priced out some intracoastal bass boats but cant seam to find anything under 40k (and that is for the smaller ones). I see a lot of forums that discuss this but very few companies take it into consideration.

I guess its because most of the U.S.A is land locked and will never see saltwater, whereas most areas with saltwater people tend to go for salt rather than fresh, and the cost to make a bass boat saltwater is a bit higher. Most bass fishermen don't want the extra cost for something they wont ever use. (just my thoughts).

I have seen some companies offer it for short periods of time, but they too stop doing it (maybe the market just isn't there). The only one I know holding strong is Ranger. I wonder if this will ever become a real trend, or is this something only a select few people have to deal with so it will never be a priority for manufactures.

A-Jay reply :

Back from a 10 year hiatus . . . . . .

A-Jay

Further North reply :

On 3/12/2008 at 10:59 PM, Catt said:

I've considered the same and the only draw back I see is less storage

Exactly the same thing I've decided.

I love the look of them, and the center console (though it may stick up too high), but the storage issue is a biggie.

On 3/13/2008 at 12:45 AM, TyTy said:

Another thing I like the idea of is the vertical rod holders on the center consul, seems like a great place to keep them.

For me, vertical rod holders are awful.

It's not a matter of if I'm going to hit one on a back cast, it's when I'll do it. I tried vertical rod holders in a former boat, hit them three times the first weekend...they were out and I was back to horizontal storage by the next weekend.

If you can make them work for you, and you like them, I'd see them as an advantage.

On 3/13/2008 at 12:25 AM, Catt said:

I have a friend who has a Ranger Z21 Intracoastal; basically a bass boat with out carpet

I'd fish that in a heartbeat. I dislike carpet...a lot.

On 3/13/2008 at 10:49 AM, Catt said:

Well I wouldn't go quite that far but the term Flats Boat doesn't necessarily mean it has a flat bottom.

I agree.

When I see "flats" boat", I think of fiberglass, designed to run in really skinny water...and able to get up on plane in that same skinny water.

By "skinny water" I mean a foot or less.

Further North reply :

On 5/25/2018 at 8:52 AM, A-Jay said:

Back from a 10 year hiatus . . . . . .

A-Jay

Well...we encourage people to search before they ask a question

Quote

Search the boards. Often, your question will have been asked by someone else, and they answers they received will help you too. The search field is on the upper right, which performs a general search on everything. Clicking on the options to the left of the search box helps narrow your searches. Clicking "advanced search" will give you many options to fine tune your search.

Search the FAQs. Many commonly asked questions are already answered in the FAQs.

...so we don't "waste" our time answering questions that've already been asked.

We can't have it both ways...

A-Jay reply :

On 5/26/2018 at 8:25 AM, Further North said:

Well...we encourage people to search before they ask a question...so we don't "waste" our time answering questions that've already been asked.

We can't have it both ways...

Wasn't passing judgement.

Simply noting the date.

A-Jay

Further North reply :

On 5/26/2018 at 8:27 AM, A-Jay said:

Wasn't passing judgement.

Simply noting the date.

A-Jay

Of course...I don't think I've ever seen you pass judgement...

Way2slow reply :

There is a 21' Flats Cat and a 20'Javelin R20DC sitting in my yard. The Flats Cat has never been in fresh water and the Javelin has never been in salt water. Both boats are purpose built and not really that practical for much of anything outside the purpose they were built for. The center console of the Flats Cat is on an elevate platform and has a tendency to be in the way when casting. Also, as mentioned before, the Flats Cat has an extremely limited amount of storage room.

Now, can you bass fish from the Flats Cat, most definitely, you can do that from almost anything, is it ideal, NO!.

Further North reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 5:14 AM, Way2slow said:

There is a 21' Flats Cat and a 20'Javelin R20DC sitting in my yard. The Flats Cat has never been in fresh water and the Javelin has never been in salt water. Both boats are purpose built and not really that practical for much of anything outside the purpose they were built for. The center console of the Flats Cat is on an elevate platform and has a tendency to be in the way when casting. Also, as mentioned before, the Flats Cat has an extremely limited amount of storage room.

Now, can you bass fish from the Flats Cat, most definitely, you can do that from almost anything, is it ideal, NO!.

It's always good to get perspective from the man who owns one (or in this case, both). Thanks!

the high center console getting in the way of casting has been a thing I've been concerned about ever since I found how much vertical rod storage got in my way.

...I still wonder about a low (bass boat style) center console with deck and storage all the way around. I seem to recall that someone made one at some point.

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