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.