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Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida
Capt. Mike Locklear
December 19, 2000
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
A New Pro is on the Homosassa
The last 23 days since I filed a report have been a sort of vacation for me, at least in filing
Internet fishing reports. I had been spending a lot of time watching my new Pro-Line
flats skiff being built. Dan Atwood and Mike Collins went back to the drawing board and
dramatically improved the performance and function of the flats skiff.
She is a beauty, a light blue hull with bright white topsides. New features of the 2001
model include dry storage or tackle boxes and lockable rod storage. The boat’s hull has
been redesigned with a lighter and improved stringer configuration allowing the fuel tank
to be amidships instead of the previously forward placement of the tank.
The result is a ride that lets the boat ride a little more bow up. We are talking only a few
inches difference. However, this makes maneuvering much easier while turning down
crooked rivers and creek channels.
Stability, wide gunwales, and a large casting deck forward sells the boat. Literally, all 18
feet, 4 inches of the boat is fishable space. The live wells have been improved to keep
redfish alive for the new state wide redfish tour. The ride is one of the smoothest and
driest of any type of 18 foot boat.
Seating is also much more comfortable with the new bench seat with back rest. While the
boat cuts through the water like a knife in hot butter, you can hardly feel a wave because
the big cushion absorbs the shock. A new padded back rest is provided to complete the
most comfortable ride on the market.
All the hatches have been improved and are watertight with a new gasket system which
also means a quiet closure when someone accidentally drops the hatch. Another new
feature is the poling platform has been improved to provide a comfortable station in
which to sit and fish from. I had a cushion made for mine to sit on and fish from.
The last Pro-Line flats skiff I owned was powered with a 150 h.p.Mercury EFI. I was
able to drop down to a 135 h.p. Mercury Opti-Max which gives me a 44 m.p.h. top end
and an incredible 5 miles to the gallon in fuel consumption. That is fast enough for me,
but if it is not for you, then the boat is rated for a 225 h.p. and a 63 m.p.h. top end.
My new boat is rigged with Lenco Great White Trolling motors. The motors are located
on top of the trim tabs and provide ease in operation. With two speeds of low/high and
forward/reverse turning on a dime or stopping forward momentum will be done with ease
with the small remote control box. Good-bye push pole! Just kidding guys!!
Some options that make life easier is Teleflex Hydraulic Steering and a Bob’s Machine
Shop Hydraulic Jack Plate. Electronics included are a Lowrance GPS depth/position
finder and Raytheon VHF Radio. By the way the boats draft is less than foot underway or
at rest.
What is even better is that the boat is competitively priced. For more information you can
write to Pro-Line Boats, P.O. Box 1348, Crystal River, Florida 34423-1348 or call
Riverhaven Marina, a Pro-Line Dealer and ask for Doug Morse at 352-628-5545.
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