Hells Bay Waterman 18
The skiff used for these trips is a Hells Bay Waterman 18, a technical poling skiff built for shallow water fishing around places like Boca Grande, Charlotte Harbor, and the surrounding backcountry.
After spending more than a year fishing from this skiff almost daily, it has honestly exceeded my expectations in the way it handles real fishing conditions. The boat is quiet, efficient, and extremely well suited for the style of fly fishing I enjoy most.
A lot of people picture shallow water skiffs as tiny boats that feel rough or unstable, but the Waterman has a surprisingly smooth and balanced feel on the water. Whether running across open harbor chop early in the morning or poling quietly along mangrove shorelines, the boat feels composed and comfortable.
Quiet and Built for Shallow Water
One of the biggest differences anglers notice immediately is how quiet everything feels compared to larger boats. The skiff moves through shallow water cleanly without excessive hull slap, wake, or noise. In shallow water fly fishing, especially for tarpon, snook, and redfish, that matters more than people realize.
Many of the best shots happen because the boat can quietly slide into position without disturbing the water ahead of the fish.
The layout also works extremely well for sight fishing. The front deck provides excellent visibility for spotting fish movement, wakes, bait activity, and changing water conditions. During good light conditions you can often see fish long before they are within casting range, which creates a much more visual and deliberate style of fishing.
Comfortable and Designed for Long Days
The skiff is approximately 18 feet long and remains surprisingly stable while still being capable of running shallow throughout the harbor and backcountry areas.
One thing clients mention often is how comfortable the ride feels while underway. The boat handles afternoon chop, harbor traffic, and changing conditions better than most people expect from a technical poling skiff.
The YETI passenger chair has also turned out to be one of the best additions on the boat. For a third person or observing angler, it provides a secure and comfortable place to sit during longer runs between fishing areas. On long mornings covering water around Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor, comfort matters more than most people expect.
The overall setup stays simple and clean without feeling cluttered. Everything on the skiff has a purpose, which helps the day feel organized and relaxed instead of chaotic.
A Better Fly Fishing Experience
Most importantly, the skiff fits the style of fishing these trips are built around. Quiet movement, careful positioning, watching conditions, and making quality shots at fish instead of simply rushing spot to spot all day.
That slower and more deliberate pace is a huge part of what makes fly fishing in Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor so enjoyable.
Whether targeting tarpon along the beaches, snook around mangrove edges, or redfish on shallow flats, the skiff allows anglers to stay connected to the water and the conditions around them in a way that larger boats simply cannot replicate.
Hells Bay Waterman 18 Specifications
One thing that stands out after spending real time in the skiff is how refined and solid it feels underway. The hull stays quiet while poling shallow water and still handles open harbor chop surprisingly well for a technical skiff.
- Length: 18′
- Beam: 78″
- Approximate Draft: 6″?8″
- Approximate Hull Weight: 950 lbs Side Console
- Fuel Capacity: 26 gallons
- Maximum Horsepower: 70 HP
- Engine on This Skiff: Yamaha 70
- Hull Style: Technical poling skiff
- Construction: Composite Carbon Innegra
- Primary Use: Shallow water fly fishing and sight fishing
- Target Species: Tarpon, snook, and redfish
- Fishing Areas: Boca Grande, Charlotte Harbor, Gasparilla Sound, shallow flats, mangrove shorelines, and backcountry water
- Passenger Comfort: YETI passenger chair for comfortable runs between fishing areas