2012 2012 Maran 21 Flats Boat

Step aboard and you’ll notice right away how open and fishable this 21-footer feels. The wide casting decks forward and aft give you room to work a school from any angle, and the clean, uncluttered cockpit keeps fly lines and plug rods out of trouble. The console is laid out so you can run, trim, and work the jack plate without taking your eyes off the channel markers. High gunwales for a flats boat add a little extra comfort when the breeze kicks up, and the recessed hardware and tidy wiring show the kind of small-boat craftsmanship that’s getting harder to find. It’s a simple, honest layout built for anglers who actually chase fish, not cupholders.

A 21-foot flats hull like this shines where the water keeps changing character throughout the day. It runs skinny enough to slide up onto hard-bottom edges and grass flats at low tide, yet has the length and deadrise to cross choppy bays and open stretches without beating you up. The responsive hull and jack plate make it easy to jump on plane in tight creeks, then stretch out and cover miles when the bite moves. Long, level casting platforms are ideal for sight-fishing along mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, and channel edges, while the livewell capacity and efficient layout suit everything from quick solo missions to full-day trips with a crew.