Offshore Fishing in a Small Skiff: Can It Be Done?

Written by Tyler Paul in Boating 

Skiffs are not built to handle the same conditions as a large offshore fishing boat, but this doesn't mean they can't be taken offshore. Most skiffs are 18 feet in length or shorter, are lightweight, and have a very shallow bottom. These attributes are great for boats intended to chase tailing redfish, bonefish, and snook in super shallow waters. However, these are the exact opposite design characteristics meant to handle offshore conditions.

Can you take a skiff offshore fishing? A skiff CAN be taken offshore, however it is highly discouraged and should only be attempted in perfect sea conditions with an experienced captain behind the helm.

There is a big difference between what CAN be done with a skiff and what SHOULD be done. While we can take a skiff out offshore, there are some serious risks that are taken by the captain and crew. Skiffs have specific hull designs that are optimized for shallow waters which at the same time comprises their ability to handle rough seas. If you still think you want to make the trip offshore, make sure to have the proper safety equipment on hand and you have plenty of experience behind you.

Continue reading to learn more about design features of a skiff and how this will impact your offshore trip, as well as some safety tips to consider before heading offshore.

Skiff vs Offshore Fishing Boat

Skiffs and offshore fishing boats are optimized to handle two extremely different sets of conditions. The large offshore boats have size and hull designs to travel long distances in rough conditions with ease but are not built to navigate in super skinny waters. Skiffs on the other hand compromise the ability to run though rough seas and chop in order to reduce weight and draft needed to get into really shallow waters.

The typical length of a skiff is 16′ to 18′ with a beam of a 5′ to 7′ and weight of 500 to 1000 lbs. There are some slightly larger skiffs out there but this is getting to the max range of what I would call a true skiff. This smaller overall size of the skiff increases your chances of being tossed around in rougher seas when compared to the larger offshore fishing boat.

Another key difference between the typical skiff and the offshore fishing boat is the hull shape. The deadrise of a boat is the angle between the horizontal waterline and the bottom edge of the boat. Boats with a steeper (higher) deadrise will generally perform better in rough conditions and will ride smoother but may run aground in shallow waters because more of the hull is projecting down into the water.

Offshore fishing boats are typically considered “deep V” hulls which is a hull with a deadrise of 21 deg or more. On the other hand, skiff deadrises are usually somewhere between 0 deg (flat) and 12 deg with the majority of the hulls being closer to 0 at the transom. While you can take a flat bottom boat offshore, you may need to visit a dentist and chiropractor afterwards if there is significant chop.

Must Have Safety Equipment Before Taking Skiff Offshore

Before you ever leave the dock you should always make sure you have the right set of safety equipment on board. Some of this equipment is required by law and others are are highly recommended. The list below provide all the categories of equipment that is on my boat at all times. Any of these items can save your life if you ever get into a dangerous situation on the water. Follow the links below to pick up this equipment for your boat today.

Click here to learn more about recommended safety equipment for your skiff.

Check Your Forecast

If you are taking your skiff offshore it is extremely important that you pick the very best days possible. I would highly discourage taking a skiff offshore if seas are above 1-2 ft, dominant period is under under 10 seconds, or winds over about 12 kts. Taking a skiff offshore is risky to begin with but anything outside these conditions could be very dangerous in a small boat such as a skiff.

Offshore seas are not the only thing you need to worry about when heading out. If you are like me here in Melbourne FL, you may also have to consider the conditions at the inlets. Sometimes here at Sebastian Inlet, we can have relatively calm seas offshore and somehow the inlet can have some seriously dangerous swells. There have been many small and large boats alike that have been stuck offshore for a while until the inlet conditions improve such that they can make it through.

How Far Offshore Should You Go

If you are hell bent on taking you skiff offshore and have found the perfect day, I still would highly discourage you from venturing more than about 15 miles from land. Within this range you typically would be able to spot worsening sea conditions and be able to make it back in before it gets out of hand. Be sure you are always keeping an eye on the weather by tuning in to the local weather frequency on your VHF radio or, if you have cell service, on your phone.

I have seen folks out a bit further than this, at the 25 mile range or so, in larger skiffs such as the Hells Bay Marquesa or the Hewes Redfisher 18. These skiff are on the larger side of the skiff category coming in a little over 18′ in length and has a transom deadrise of about 12 deg which provide a little more comfort in choppy water. However, these boats will not get in quite as shallow of water when compared to the Hells Bay Professional or Chittum Skiffs Islamorada 18.

Another thing to consider is the general range of your skiff. Since skiffs are built pretty minimalistic, they tend to have very small fuel capacities and as a result have relatively low range when compared to an offshore fishing boats with 100+ gal fuel tanks. To lean more about typical ranges for skiffs, take a look at our article here.

Safe Alternatives to Offshore Fishing in a Skiff

Safe Alternative #1: Rental

Instead of taking a large risk by taking a skiff offshore, perhaps a better approach would be renting a larger boat. This is typically a great option for those fishermen who will spend 90% of their time in shallow waters (that's probably why you chose a skiff and not a bay boat) and only occasionally get that wild hair to chase fish offshore.

There are a lot of great options out there for boat rentals that can give you just what you need for the few days you want to go offshore. This option can be relatively inexpensive, safer, and much more comfortable. Furthermore, it safes you from banging up your skiff by potentially taking it offshore in conditions it was not intended to handle.

A very popular national boat rental agency is Boatsetter. This agency allows you to enter into a peer-to-peer rental agreement with a boat owner in locations all around the United States. Just enter in your location, the type of boat you are looking for, and a date to find a boat for your trip. Just be sure to check the rules for the boat to make sure you understand how far offshore they will allow you to go.

I would also highly recommend you take a look at your local boat rental companies to see if they have a boat available to fit your needs. I have noticed however that many of the local boat companies will not stock many fishing boats in their inventory and they may also prohibit taking boats offshore. Again, just be sure to check the rules before you rent.

Click here to visit our post where we walk you through the ins and outs of renting an offshore fishing boat.

Safe Alternative #2: Charter

Chartering is another great option if you want to head offshore for some fish and only have a skiff. Chartering a boat with a reputable captain will almost always result in some fish and also removes all the work and hassle associated with cleaning the fish, boat, and equipment.

Another great national charter agency I highly recommend is FishingBooker. To charter a trip just about anywhere there is water, just navigate over to the FishingBooker website, select a location, time, and even filter on the type of fishing you want to do. From there you can find an endless supply of charter boat captains and trips to fit your desires.

If you ever get the opportunity to fish with Captain John Jackson or Captain Buddy LaPointe on Fishing Booker TAKE IT. I never got to fish with Captain Jackson but he was very kind and accommodating when we had to cancel our trip due to Hurricane Dorian and couldn't make it down to see him. I was fortunate enough to fish with Captain Buddy where I learned a ton about bone fishing and even got to land a nice big tarpon near Marathon in the Florida Keys. Look them up and tell the Tyler sent you.

Click here to visit our post where we provide tips and tricks in selecting an offshore fishing charter as well as proper preparation and charter fishing etiquette.

Read more about Skiffs

To learn more about skiffs take a look at our article on the top skiff brands and manufacturers where we dive deep into some of the leading manufacturers in the industry.

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