My Test Drive Experience
Recently I had the opportunity to jump aboard the brand new Hell’s Bay Biscayne for a quick sea trial with Capt. Todd Fuller (HB General Manager) and well known outdoor writer Rusty Chinnis along the Manatee River and south shore of Tampa Bay. I was thoroughly impressed with the new Biscayne and can honestly say it deserves all of the “buzz” it has created over the past few months since its debut at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. Moreover, it’s “bar none” the best 16 foot technical poling skiff I’ve ever experienced over my long career… yes, including my vintage 16 foot “Silver King” that I used to run and brag about to my clients nearly twenty years ago! The Biscayne handles a good chop and delivers a soft, smooth and remarkably dry ride as if it were a much larger flats boat with a lot more mass. This incredible ride is afforded to the Biscayne due to its knife-like entry and hyper-dry chine design. Yet, when you arrive on a shallow flat the Biscayne floats in 7” or less and doesn’t make a sound to alert wary game fish, in my humble opinion, it’s almost “smoke blowing over the water” quiet. After spending three hours on the new Biscayne, I feel that this new addition to the Hell’s Bay Boatworks line-up will be significant, particularly for anglers with a real need to cross bigger open water areas to reach their favorite shallow flats!
Pro-Input
At Hell’s Bay Boatworks, professional anglers have a key influence in product development! Case in point, Capt. Will Benson who guides out of Key West, FL makes trips with clients to the Marquesas and around the lower Keys which requires him to run over big open water on a regular basis. Will Benson and other noted HB pro staff’s collective input and experience with poling skiffs that have to possess the ability to face demanding seas but also retain a small footprint was critical in the progress of the new Biscayne hull’s development. Also, my friend and fellow HB pro, Capt. Jose Wejebe wrote an inspiring review about the seaworthiness of the new Biscayne after his test drive which you can check out by clicking on this link. He does an extraordinary job discussing the abilities of the Biscayne in challenging sea conditions that would swamp most of the competition. Real contributions from experienced shallow water guides and pro personalities is what truly enhances all of the Hell’s Bay product… only a true custom boat builder can provide the discriminating customer with this unique advantage.
Fish-ability & Lay-out
I’d like to speak for the angling capability and the deck layout of the new Biscayne… after all these are important considerations to assess before buying a new poling skiff. The Biscayne possesses a large forward casting deck that is exceedingly comfortable and stable for two anglers without sacrificing cockpit space. The integrated cooler in the helm saves even more cockpit room, making for ease of movement about the boat and easy access to the under gunnel rod storage. Plus the boat has ample dry storage for tackle, valuables and safety gear both fore and aft. From the poling platform perspective, the boat poles effortlessly and tracks like it’s on rails regardless of wind direction. Moreover, the boat spins on a dime for the push-pole devotee, a big advantage for both fly and light tackle anglers, who depend on textbook presentations for sight fishing opportunities. Earlier in this review, I also mentioned how stealthy the Biscayne behaves on the flat… this is a genetic trait that runs through all the Hell’s Bay models. On this particular sea trial with Todd and Rusty, we poled over several sandy pot holes that held redfish and trout and our presence virtually went unnoticed by these fish. It didn’t take long (about 8 casts) before I was hooked up to a respectable redfish that surely will be one of thousands over the life of this boat!
Analysis & Specifications
In closing, I’d have to say the new Biscayne may be the answer to devoted inshore anglers looking for the ultimate flats skiff that can deliver a comfortable dry ride on those breezy days yet still have a small footprint in the skinny. I believe fishing destinations such as the Keys, the Bahamas, and the Laguna Madre in Texas would be idyllic areas for the Biscayne to prove her salt. But I see many more areas noted for big water surrounded by prime shallow water zones that the Biscayne could manage with ease… venues like Charleston, Wilmington, St. Augustine, Charlotte Harbor, New Orleans, and most of the Florida Panhandle region. I encourage all of you to take advantage of the Hell’s Bay “Test Drive Tour” going on right now and experience the difference for yourself. I think you’ll agree that no shallow water skiff on the market today in the under 17 foot class even comes close to the all-around performance of the new HB Biscayne!
Biscayne Specs:
Length- 16’4”
Weight- 595 lbs.
Beam- 70”
Draft- 7” with engine and fuel
Rec. Power- 60hp to 80hp
Picture above courtesy of Rusty Chinnis
