Bay Boats and Inshore Fishing Boats

A bay boat usually drafts less and gives you a flatter casting deck, which suits flats and skinny water. A center console has a deeper hull and a smoother ride in a chop, which helps if your trips include open bays or a short run outside. If you fish both, a smaller Ultra or Scout XSF can cover each.

It depends on your tides and your spots. A lower draft opens more water, but shallow hulls often give up some ride quality in a chop. Look up the listed draft for each model, then compare it with the shallowest places you fish at low tide. Tell our team those spots and we'll suggest boats that fit.

On calm days close to the coast, many bay boats can. They are built for protected water, though, and the weather and sea state decide what is safe. For regular trips outside the inlets, a deeper-hull center console is the better fit. Check the forecast every time, and ask us which models suit your inlet.

Neither is required, but many inshore anglers add one. A bow-mount trolling motor holds a quiet line along a shoreline, and a shallow-water anchor keeps you on a spot without spooking fish. Ask our team about rigging options at your store.