Anyone ever research or own one of the following ...

[RSiegmann]

I am trying to convince the wife we need a new recreational toy this year to open up our access to the lakes here in Middle TN ... but I don't want to have to negotiate another purchase in the next 3-5 years when I try and move us closer to the salt ... I'm trying to pick a flats skiff that I could realistically use chasing stripers and maybe the occasional bass here in TN ...

I'll admit it, I'm not that experienced of a boat owner ... mostly used to borrowing some very nice friends' or tagging along and paying for gas ... but all his high water is causing me some serious fishing withdrawal ...

Is an 18' flat's boat functional on the lakes and larger rivers around here? ...

[countryflyfisher]

I would say that if your are going to possibly take it to salt you might want to thinik of something a tad longer esp since most of the boats I ve fished out of for bass is 21 ft I think the length would be most benefical in salt if you every think you are going to head south I dont think the length would kill you around here

[RonS]

I've wanted a flats boat for a long time.  I've read tons about them but never have been in one.

From what I've read-I wouldn't want to be in one on a big lake when the wind comes up. They just aren't built for it. Not near the v that a bass boat has. They are a shallow water boat.

I think they would be fine for rivers with enough water in them. Not the Mississippi, but like Cumberland below Cordell Hull, lower Caney. The reason I didn't buy one for the Caney" Too much V.

They are an in between boat. For the low water rivers we need that big flat bottom to help reduce draft and keep you from dragging bottom.  I think it would be difficult to float it through the shallow stretches when they aren't running any water from Center Hill.  If the whole river was at least two feet deep, I think it would be a great boat to have.

Does any of that make any sense.? I'm tired.

One of the guys at FlySouth brought one to the fly only bass tourney on JPP last year.  Made my mouth water. They look like a fine fly fishing craft. Maybe he will chime in here.

[TimM]

I looked at them pretty hard before I bought the first bay boat Ron and have fished out of a couple of them in the NaH20.  I  think you're pretty much right on target with your comments.  I *suspect* that there may be a few of them, perhaps it's even a subset of the general flats boats category...the "technical skiffs" that if paired with a jet ob motor would probably let you cover most of the Caney, most of the time.  However, they tend to get really pricey when you get into that group....or at least they seem that way to me.

[MikeA]

A Hewes Redfisher and a Supreme with a  Jet is all the boat you'll ever need.