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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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Phone: 352-422-1927
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