190 Bay For Florida fresh/saltwater fishing

[BigG]

Hi, Great site. I have been interested in Triumph 190 for some time. I plan on moving to Homosassa Fla. in the near future and I like to do both fresh and inshore saltwater fishing. I am looking for a boat that will work for both. The area has very shallow water . Will this boat work for me? Any comments?

[greenmiler]

I find it's good for both. Pretty shallow draft. If you go too far offshore and gets choppy, you'll wish you had a deeper V, like the 210 ;but if you like shallow fishing , 210 would be a little much. Just my opinion though

[ILLOGICAL GGC]

I STARTED OUT IN '01 WITH A 186 COOL BAY WHICH IS THE CURRENT 190 CC. IT WAS THE PERFECT RIVER/INSHORE BOAT. HAD A 24VOLT AUTO PILOT MINNKOTA AND IT WAS GREAT. IT WILL GET YOU THRU A SQUALL AND IF TAKING EVERY 4TH WAVE OVER THE BOW AT ANCHOR WHEN IT'S BLOWING 15 TO 20 IS YOUR CUP OF TEA, YOU WILL LOVE THE 190. I HAVE SINCE MOVED UP TO THE 210CC AND MISS THE INSHORE STUFF ,BUT AM HAPPY TO HAVE THE BIGGER BOAAT WHERE I NOW WANDER.
TIGHT LINES
ROBERT

[190steve.s]

I have taken my 190 from 1 foot in the backs of creeks to 30 miles offshore to everything in between...great boat...... IF you are going to be out front all the time the 210 is your ticket...if not the 190 covers a lot of ground and does it well....

[Cincinnati]

I agree with everyone here. I fish the LI Sound but still enjoy going out on fresh water lakes. With the 190, I feel like I'm the biggest boat on the lake and the smallest boat in the Sound. But the 190 really can go into skinny water. I've had her in less than 2ft of water many times.

[BigG]

Thanks for all the info.

[bob_bra]

Hi BigG!!

I am a new resident of Florida and moved to Homosassa to retire. I also am a new owner of a Triumph 17 CC so I am still learning about my boat and the local waters. As you know, Citrus County has first rate flats fishing for Tarpon and Reds, and extensive fresh water fishing for Bass all with in a half hour drive. One can also go off shore to deep water in the Gulf of Mexico.

Citrus and Hernando counties have several free ramps so I trailer my boat. There are also many pay ramps at commercial marinas.

I chose the 17 ft Triumph Center Console with a 60 HP Yamaha two stroke due to its 6 inch draft, minimum weight on the transom, and ease of one person handling while launching and polling.

I can recommend the Triumph 19 for use in the Crystal River and the local lakes. In both of these waters depths are generally 4 ft or more in well marked channels. .

The Homosassa River and the Chas are significantly shallower with extensive shoals at less than 2 ft at low tide. The extra 6 inches in draft the 19 ft hull has may translate directly into lower unit outboard damage due to hitting the limestone bottom of these waters. Here the 19 ft hull can be used safely at times of high tide and carefully at low tide.

Both the 17 and 19 ft hulls will need to be polled in the real skinny water.

I am sure either the 17 or 19 ft. Triumph hulls are a good choice. You may also consider Pontoon Boats or Aluminum hull John Boats to give you easy access to the flats in a low upkeep hull.

Good luck in relocating and please contact me if you have additional questions. Bob

[BigG]

Thanks guys. I have alot to learn about fishing the Homosassa area. I have only been out there once with a guide a was hooked. I do mainly bass fishing up north. I also want to fish Tasla Apopka chain of lakes so thats why I am looking for a boat the is good for both redfish/trout and lakes for bass. For these shallow waters it sounds like the Roplene hull is a better bet then fiberglass. Thanks again.

[Big Bites]

Great Boat! I have a 190 set up with a 150 HP 4 Stroke Yamaha and Minnkota trolling motor. I live on the upper cheasapeke and fish the flats, tidal rivers for rockfish and bass. Handles everything well up to 3' footers and then it gets a little wet at times when windy. But that is the trade off for great handling, speed and versatility.

[MolarBoater]

If you need the 190 to go as shallow as possible, you might consider checking the weight of the outboard you may put on the back. Also, the 190 has a good casting deck (for fly and cast net) and was the main thing I was looking for when I bought one....heck, didn't even know it was plastic!