Regional Boating Advice

[winn-dog]

Hoping you "local" guys can offer some advice.

I will probably be moving to the Tampa area this fall from New England and have a question about the sutability of my current boat in your area. I've also been "lusting" at your catches for several weeks now.

It's an older Starcraft 18' center console V hull (aluminum) with 70HP, while it's LOA is 18' it only has a beam of 68" and not a lot of freeboard. It has been totaly gone through from flotation and floors on up, 25 gal. live well, etc. so it is sound. I forsee fishing in the bay and close to shore, north and south but was curious about how far is safe to go running off shore.

I won't go off shore with it around here, thankfully I have friends with better suited rigs for that but the seas "seem" so much different in the gulf down there and I know it takes a LONG run to get any depth.

SO my question.

If you had a rig like this what would you consider to be the the "safe limits" I should expect to follow? Don't want to spend $$ on a new rig as this is paid for and as we all know there is nothing better than having one that is.

Am I nuts to expect to a boat like this to be practical around there?

Thanks, Wally

[TheShortAnswer]

Welcome.

i've seen a few boats around here like yours. there are days with light winds out of the east where you can do nearshore Gulf fishing. you see it all in Tampa Bay on nice days. there is a lot of fetch so it can get a pretty big chop in high winds.

i am sure will meet plenty of other like minded guys with bigger boats that will take you offshore.

good luck on your relocation.

[triumphrick]

Welcome, Wally and I am sure you are going to like the area. I would say love, but for the first time in many many years, more people have left Florida than moved here! Oh well, we can make that another topic for another day!

Depending upon where you launch, you can always find fishable water for that boat. Heck, in the summertime it can get so calm that a trip a few miles offshore is reasonable.

For the most part, you will have no trouble gathering up a boatload of fish in the inshore waters. Just check out a map of the Tampa Bay area and you will see many many areas a smaller boat is an advantage over a bigger one. But just give it a few years and 2 foot-itis will set in and that grouper bite will come calling and my oh my how we change our tactics! Anyway, good luck and let us know when you're down. Many of us fish a lot and can show you the ropes.

[welder]

Back Bays , rivers and be very careful and pick your days for heading out the pass.

I'm from the west coast and nothing of 3 to4's out there BUUUUT I move to Texas and start fishing the GOM and 3 to 4's here will, KICK YOUR BUTT, there usually very tight and can pound your eyeballs out in a small boat.

Not trying to scare ya but just be sure to pick your days on any big water down here.

You will have fun and catch some great fish.

[reels-n-grills]

I have a Wellcraft 238 Center Console I need to get rid of if you want a change. 25ft LOA with 458 hours. Hard top, C120, 1000 transducer/ Call (205)541-0346 if interested. Sorry for the shameless plug

[winn-dog]

THANKS for all the imput guys!

And thanks to Mango for making me check the defination of "fetch".

Was familiar with the term but couldn't remember what it meant. Makes perfect sence given the geography of being on the west coast of FL.

Might have to work on getting a different set up before heading down but for now we are not so paitently waiting for the first stripers to show up.

Wally