Month: March 2016

Flats fishing is one of the most interesting, rewarding, and visually-stimulating ways to fish. With species that are as gorgeous as the scenery, fishing the flats allows you to enjoy a highly active form of angling. Many of the people at Scout Boats love fishing the flats, and we’d like to share some of the most important tips and information with you, hopefully making you become a better angler and giving you more opportunities to enjoy your boat!

Techniques for Fishing the Flats

We could write a text book on flats fishing, so for this post, we’ll just stick to the basics. First of all, you need to understand that flats fishing is heavily influenced by the tides. When the tides are down, many of the flats become dry beaches. When the tides are up, however, predator fish move into the area to feed on the flooded beaches that hold shrimp, crab, and grazing baitfish. Make sure you understand the tidal calendar for the best success on the flats.

Many saltwater anglers move from shore fishing or surf casting straight into flats fishing. Unfortunately, the large, heavy equipment that allows you to cast at great distances is practically useless on the flats. You need light tackle like a spinning reel with a seven-foot rod or a light and nimble fly rod.

Bring your weights down, both in line and terminal tackle so you can cast accurately and place the bait exactly where you want it.

To find fish, use your eyes. The flats will be teeming with baitfish, so when you see activity in the water, this is the time to cast. Targeting structure is great for bass fishing, but in clear-water flats, spotting the fish is a smart practice. This means you’ll also want a raised platform so you can spot activity at greater distances. Polarized sunglasses will also help with sight fishing.

Because flat water trophy fish are often skittish, using a cane pole to navigate the flats will help you reduce noise and have more success.

If you’re fairly new to flat water fishing, it’s not a bad idea to hire a guide. You could spend years of trial and error to learn the best techniques and skills for flats fishing, or you could hire an expert for a day or two and take advantage of their experience.

Tops Species for Saltwater Flats Fishing

Permit: Found throughout the tropical Atlantic regions like southern Florida, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas, these fish give a tough fight when hooked, often taking up to ten minutes to land on lighter tackle. They feed off crab and shrimp on sandy bottoms and make great table fare.

Redfish: The redfish, also known as the red drum, is perhaps the most popular and sought-after saltwater fish in America. The species is found from the Texas gulf coast to the Washington D.C. area.

Bonefish: This might be the ultimate challenge for flats fishing. The elusive, wary, and finicky bonefish is a gorgeous species, but catching one requires patience and skill, making it a highly rewarding sport fish for shallow water flats.

Best Boats for Flats Fishing

At Scout, we take pride in creating boats that are made for comfort, performance, and fishing. Our luxury fishing boats are designed to meet the needs of different boaters, and many are uniquely suited to the flats.

• 177 Winyah
• 177 Sportfish
• 195 Sportfish

While there are other models that are certainly capable of fishing the flats, these three will meet the needs for this specific type of fishing thanks to a smaller design, lighter profile, and abundant fishing features. They all come with fishing features like live wells and rod holders, and can be equipped with trolling motor plugs and other accessories.

Find the Perfect Fishing Boat for Flats Fishing

Use our Build Your Scout feature and you’ll be able to create a boat that meets your specific needs. Whether you want to fish the flats or cruise across the bays, we have the right boat for you and your family!

Some boats are great for fishing. They have all the features you need for storing rods, organizing equipment, and keeping your catch. Other boats offer high-quality luxury, giving you comfort and convenience features that make cruising around the water a wonderful experience.

With a Scout, however, you get the best of both. You have a boat that helps you become a successful angler and a vessel that you and your family can enjoy for hours. How do we do it? Keep reading to find out how Scout Boats combines fishing and luxury to create the ultimate boating experience.

HOW WE COMBINE FISHING WITH COMFORT AND LUXURY

Premium Upholstery Materials
The comfort and luxury of a Scout starts with high-quality vinyl upholstery. This material uses nano-block technology that has three protection systems to keep it looking great for years. First, it protects against staining, which is a feature you’ll need when cutting bait or hauling in fish. Next, it protects against fading so the sun doesn’t dampen the color. Finally, it keeps mold from growing on the seats. All this results in seating that looks fantastic, even after years of fishing adventures.

Fishing Rod Holders
Every good angler needs multiple rods and reels. Every Scout, from the smallest model to our largest boat, has plenty of rod holders for all of your equipment. This means you can take everything from light fly rods to heavy deep-water fishing poles, making your trips all the more enjoyable.

Plenty of Storage
With all those rods, you’ll also need plenty of storage. Our boats have storage areas designed into multiple locations, including the front, back, and sides of the boat. You’ll be able to pack away nets, tackle boxes, and other fishing equipment without crowding the boat or creating a tripping hazard.

Aerated and Recirculating Live-wells
From live bait to your catch, anglers knows the importance of a high-quality live-well. Every boat we make has an aerated and recirculating live-well; some even have multiple wells on the front and back for added convenience.

Wired for GPS, Fish Finders, and Other Electronics
Electronics are more important to anglers than ever before. To have an advantage on the water, you need accurate fish finders, GPS markers, and other electronic systems. With a Scout, you’ll have a boat that is wired to handle all of your electronics, with equipment that matches an advanced aircraft. We also have advanced safety features in our wiring, including high-tech relays that allow for multiple systems without draining the battery.

Abundant Optional Features for Fishing
There are plenty of standard fishing and luxury features in a Scout, but perhaps the greatest advantage is all the optional features, allowing you to customize your fishing boat exactly how you like. Depending on the boat you choose, these can include aerated transom bait well, a deluxe cockpit tackle station, and even a stainless steel grill for cooking your catch without leaving the water!

GIVE YOURSELF LUXURY FISHING AT ITS FINEST

If you appreciate fine luxury and world-class fishing, you deserve a Scout. Use our Build Your Scout feature and you’ll be able to create the boat that perfectly meets your needs.

Spring is in the air and boating season is about to begin in full. At Scout Boats, we can’t wait for the warm weather and summer sun!

You can’t just rush to the water though. Before you head out, use these simple steps to prepare yourself, your equipment, and your boat for the entire year.

Have the Engine and Drive System Inspected

While Scout Boats use top-quality engines and components, it never hurts to take your boat in for a preseason inspection. If you’re knowledgeable about boat motors, you may be able to handle this yourself, but if you’re not completely sure, or you simply don’t have the time, take it to a qualified mechanic who can make sure your boat is ready for summer cruising.

Take a Look at the Propellers

This is an easy job for just about anyone. Take the time to look over the propellers on your boat and make sure there are no cracks, dents, or misalignments. A damaged propeller will disrupt performance and efficiency, and you’ll also want to make sure it is secured properly and the bearings are in tip-top shape. You may even want to purchase a couple spare propellers to keep in your boat in case of an emergency.

Check and Recharge the Batteries

Make sure the batteries on your boat are ready for the season. If they have been sitting all winter, especially in the cold, they may have lost power. If that’s the case, you’ll want to get them replaced or recharge them so you’re ready to go on Day 1.

Double Down on Safety

As a boater, you can never take safety too seriously. Start by inspecting all of your safety equipment, including life jackets, fire extinguishers, and the carbon monoxide detectors for enclosed areas. Make sure you have life jackets that will fit all of your passengers, and check the tag on your fire extinguisher to ensure it’s not expired.

You should also consider taking a safety course from the U.S. Coast Guard or another nautical organization. This will make you a safer boater for you and your passengers.

Wax the Hull

Give your pride and joy the royal treatment before boating season. Take the time to wash, polish, and wax your boat so it looks fantastic on the water. Start with a thorough cleaning to remove any salt, dirt, and grime then give it a good polishing to create a smooth, glossy surface. After that, apply a wax to protect your finish and keep your boat looking great all year long.

Prepare Your Fishing Equipment

Getting all those fishing poles and lures ready can take a long time, so get started early. Give all your reels new fishing line and fresh oil, and organize your tackle box so you’re a more efficient angler. If you need nets, hooks, knives, or any other fishing gear, now is the time to go out and purchase them.

Don’t Forget the Trailer

If you tow your boat, you can’t forget to check your trailer. First off, take care of the registration so you are legal to pull on the trailer. Next, check your rollers and pads and inspect the wheel bearings to make sure they roll smoothly. Clean and lubricate the winch, tongue jack, and wheels, and check the tire pressure. Make sure the safety chain and tongue lock are in good shape and you’ll be ready to roll.

Find the Perfect Fishing Boat For The Season

Visit Scout today and find the right fishing boat for you and your family. Whether you want a large boat for a big group, or a small boat for nimble fishing adventures, we have the boat you need.

At Scout, we take pride in creating amazing boats that deliver comfortable rides, luxurious materials, and outstanding performance. No matter which one you choose, our boats set a higher standard for excellence on the water.

Take the Dorado series as an example. This line of stunning dual-console fishing boats uses advanced hull designs, world-class interior vinyl, and some of the most sophisticated features available in the boating industry.

Wondering why our Dorado series is a leader in dual-console boating? Lets look at each model to find out.

275 Dorado

This is the largest and most luxurious of all the Dorado boats. With an excellent interior that is loaded with high-quality features and materials, the 275 Dorado is perfect for a full day or more on the water. You can ski off the back, fish off the side, or simply kick back and enjoy a cruise from the plush front seats. To add supreme luxury and convenience, this boat comes with a cockpit sink, a built-in cooler, and LED courtesy rope lighting. It’s the highest form of excellence in a dual console boat, and it’s one of our proudest achievements.

245 Dorado

Delivering comfort, performance, and outstanding luxury, this 24-foot boat is excellent for anyone who wants enough room for a large group but the convenience of a fully equipped fishing vessel. To keep your passengers happy, this dual-console boat has fully cushioned bow seating, console storage, a Fusion stereo with iPod jack, and even a fresh wash-down shower. To keep anglers happy, the 245 Dorado has a bait well, a fish box with diaphragm pump, and a tackle center.

225 Dorado

Utilizing our NuV3 fuel-efficient technology, the 225 Dorado is a boat that can give you superior cruising in a package that perfectly balances size and convenience. At 22 feet, 5 inches, it sits right in the middle for the Dorado series. It maintains room for 10, allowing you to bring along your large group, and it makes an excellent fishing boat, with features that include an aerated live well, plenty of rod holders, and a port side tackle center.

210 Dorado

With nearly 21 feet of high-quality boating, the 210 Dorado has a wide variety of features to keep you and your group comfortable. It may be on the smaller side for the Dorado series, but this boat still has a wide variety of features, including cockpit storage and fish box, dual swim platforms, Bay Star hydraulic steering, and fully-cushioned bow seating.

177 Dorado

The 177 Dorado is not only part of the Dorado line; it’s also a member of our 177 series, which includes models in the Winyah and Sportfish categories. These boats are excellent for inshore and shallow-water fishing, as they can maneuver into fishing holes that larger vessels just can’t reach. With room for five passengers, this dual-console boat is perfect for small groups that want to enjoy sporty boating in a comfortable, luxurious vessel.

Choose the Right Dorado for Your Needs

Contact Scout and we’ll help you choose the perfect Dorado fishing boat for you and your family. Whether you want the spacious 275 Dorado or the nimble 177 Dorado, you can get all the best features and amenities when you purchase a Scout.