6 of the Best Flats Boats

Flats boats are truly amazing vehicles and in many ways, incredible feats of engineering. They pack loads of features into a compact outline, and one which can negotiate the shallowest waters with ease. We’re not just talking shallow water here, but places so thin that you can’t help wonder how the fish keep their backs wet.

Saltwater tidal flats are famous for  producing huge fish at times, yet even in fresh water there are times and places when the largest fish in the lake pack into skinny water. That’s when flats boats rule supreme, and it’s a big reason why they continue to grow in popularity every single year.

Flats boats, bay boats, reef runabouts, skiffs – whatever we call them, these fantastic shallow water fishing machines boast incredibly innovative engineering allowing them to pack a ton of advanced features in their super-shallow draft hulls. If you’re in the hunt for the ultimate casting platform, here are six great performers you’ll want to consider.

Hewes Redfisher 21

Hewes Redfisher 21

Nearshore fishing takes on a whole new level with Hewes’ new Redfisher 21, thanks to its huge casting decks, walk-around gunnels, lockable dry storage, a big dash with space to flush-mount a 12-inch touchscreen display, standard jack plate and trim tabs, 44-gallon aerated live well, under-gunnel rod tubes, flush-mount cleats and LED lighting – all standard.

• Length: 21’ 6”
• Beam: 8’ 6”
• Draft:14”
• Dry weight: 2,850 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 50 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 6
• Maximum power: 350 hp

Key West 210 BR

Key West 210 BR

Key West’s versatile 210 BR is made for saltwater flats and shallow bays, with a unique hull design intended to absorb a bit of chop when needed. Key features include a single-leg leaning post that houses a 72-quart cooler, a stainless steel steering wheel with hydraulic steering, a raw water wash-down kit, a spacious enough console to accommodate a head, and fold-down transom seats with cushions.

• Length: 21’ 1”
• Beam: 8’
• Draft: 12”
• Dry weight: 1,900 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 50 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 7
• Maximum power: 250 hp

Mako 18 LTS

Mako 18 LTS

Coming in a just 18 feet, 6 inches in length, Mako’s 18 LTS is a serious shallow water fishing boat built for hard-core anglers. Standard features like Mako’s 100% composite, rapid-planing hull design, an 18-gallon aerated bait well in the forward-console seat, loads of storage space for gear, in-console rod storage, hydraulic steering, a hydraulic jack plate and a flip-flop helm seat with an integrated 72-quart cooler help make this one of the best compact flats boats available today.

• Length: 18’ 6”
• Beam: 7’ 7”
• Draft: 11”
• Dry weight: 1,300 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 28 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 5
• Maximum power: 115 hp

NauticStar 215 Bay

NauticStar 215 Bay

Compact, easy to handle yet big enough to handle open water, NauticStar’s 215 Bay comes with three-wide jump seats, twin aerated live wells, gunnel and console rod holders, built-in tackle storage, and twin insulated fish boxes all as standard equipment. A tempting option list allows owners to personalize this ride as they with, with goodies like jack plates, electric motors, various electronics packages and more.

• Length: 21’ 2”
• Beam: 98”
• Draft:12”
• Dry weight: 1,600 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 59 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 8
• Maximum power: 200 hp

Ranger 2360 Bay

Ranger 2360 Bay

Ranger is widely known as the king of freshwater bass boats, but they’re also serious competitors among anglers fishing bays and flats. Features like a hydraulic setback plate, hydraulic steering with a stainless wheel, LED cockpit and underwater lighting, integrated rod storage, a 240-quart fish box with overboard drain, built-in 100 quart cooler and custom leaning post with integrated 40-gallon bait well set the 2360 Bay apart among flats boats.

Length: 23’ 5”
Beam: 102”
Draft:14”
Dry weight: 3,400 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 81 gal.
Passenger capacity: 10
Maximum power: 300 hp

Scout 231 XS

Scout 231 XS

No discussion of top fishing boats can be complete without mentioning Scout, and the company’s 231 XS ranks among the best flats boats (or bay boats) on the market today with its smartly designed helm console and standard Garmin 943XS, huge bow casting deck with cavernous storage spaces below, hydraulic steering, locking rod storage, a Fusion Bluetooth stereo, a 45-quart cooler and six-inch jack plate. Add the available T-top for sun protection and you’re ready to fish anywhere in the world.

• Length: 23’ 1”
• Beam: 8’ 6”
• Draft: 12”
• Dry weight: 2,100 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 60 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 8
• Maximum power: 350 hp