Backcountry anglers, light-tackle casters, and flats fisherman need boats that can balance on shallow water, and they need to choose between bay boats and flatboats. The latter kind features a minimal draft, aft, and forward bow-mounted electric trolling motor. Every boat differs in shape and size, and some are stockier than others, and while weight and size offer more rough-water abilities and ranges, they result in tougher pooling and a deeper draft.
The lightest and smallest versions, also called flat skiffs, float in water that’s only ankle-deep. However, they can take a beating and survive high ways of water that you might experience on choppy days. These traits make flatboats a better choice in the skinniest waters.
Let’s look at the top five boats best for shallow waters:
1. 2021 Hewes 21 Redfisher
The 2021 Hewes 21 Redfisher offers you accessibility to shallow water and can ride in open waters. An improvement from its last model, the boat now has a vacuum-assisted VARIS resin infusion system with a power rating of 350-hp. One of the best things about this boat is that it can handle six people, whereas traditional shallow water boats carry a maximum of 3 to 4 people.
2. Beavertail 17 BT Strike
This boat offers ultra-shallow water performance and can handle ample storage. Right now, this is the driest poling skiff in the market. Its best features, such as efficiency and compact structure, allow you to move the boat quickly into your garage or storage. While its horsepower is low, i.e., around 90-hp, it more than makes up with the semi-tunnel for racing on the skinniest flats.
3. 2021 Yellowfin 17 Skiff and 17 CE
This boat is available in 17 skiff forms and the 17 CE versions that can ride on a stepped hull. Built with ester resin infusion in vinyl, made with carbon, and wrapped with Kevlar, the Yellowfin is the lightest flats skiffs at 600 pounds and requires a minimal static draft (6′′ for the standard model and 7′′ for the CE model). What’s so great about this boat is that it can be outfitted with accessories. Such as live wells, poling drafts, electric trolling motors, Power Pole, etc. making it easy for anglers to equip it with tools of their liking.
4. Sterling TR7
This boat is a powerhouse ideal for shallow water boating. Its inner lines and outer hull are bonded together, which forms a single solid piece. The Sterling TRZ is made of carbon fiber and Kevlar entirely. You will be glad to know that poling is extremely easy on the boat. The boat stands still and cruises perfectly on high waves. This is what turns the vessel into a stealthy, dead-quiet fishing platform. The Sterling TRZ has a horsepower of 90-hp.
5. 2021 Dolphin 17 Super Skiff Pro
At 6′9′′ wide and 17′9′′ long, this boat is beefy for technical poling skiff with a Kevlar hull that can be pushed in 8′′ of water. Combined with the 14° transom dead-rise, the 2021 Dolphin 17 Super Skiff Pro can run fast and remain comfortable and dry, unlike other poling skiffs. It has a horsepower of 90-hp and zip along at 40 mph. It has a mist of flat fishing features that anglers demand, such as aft casting decks, huge force, casting, poling transforms, and wide walkaround gunwales.
Apart from flatboats, other boats best for shallow water are bay boats, aluminum fishing boats, jet boats, and bass boats. If you plan to buy one of these boats and are looking for a dock, you can buy one from EZ Dock.
If you are looking for a quality floating dock, visit the website EZ Dock Texas. The company offers a variety of docks as well as docking accessories. To request a quote, email them here. For more information, call (800) 654-8168.
