TyTy

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!)

Boaters World has one called the Dragonfly for $199. Has a rod holder and some other cool features. My brother has one and says he loves it. Looks pretty cool too I think. Has a drink holder, rod holder, tie down, paddle holder all built in to it stock. I am 250 lbs and got on it once, it was not quite bouyant enough for me. I could use it but woud get pretty wet riding so low. http://www.boatersworld.com/product/363480013.htm

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

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. ???

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

I have not seen these things discussed on here, maybe I missed it. I know there is this Tamanac Springs, the public phosphorous pits. Are they as good as they are made out to be? Are they easy to fish? Which ones are the best? Are there private phosphorous pits you can pay to fish on? I see a ton of them on google earth. What about that perfectly rectangular private one with the canal around it? I read an article saying it was private but can be gotten onto? I'm curious, thank you.

I think the programs where the DNR stock your pond for free have to do with the owners of the pond turning it into a public fishing pond. I doubt a neighborhood is going to allow that to happen. As far as legallity of transplanting, if it is not your pond I would say no for all the reasons listed, if it is yours then it should be legal...if its not that is messed up and something I would love to have the money to fight in court.