Capt. Willy Le Native Fly Charters, LLC. 321-303-7805 www.nativeflycharters.com Merritt Island, FL.
Editor’s Note: Updating and improving on a product line is the sign of a healthy boat company. When professional guides who make their living out of these skiffs choose a new rig, it is wise to find out why. One of our favorite Guides’, Willy Le is all about fish and the skiff. Here is what he has to say about his new 2015 Maverick Mirage 17 HPX-V. Congrats, Captain! Enjoy!
I’ve ridden in a few 17HPX-V‘s so I kinda knew what I was getting into. I fish and guide in waters anywhere from Mosquito Lagoon down to Fort Pierce. So I needed a skiff that can handle crossing some bigger waters and fishing oceanside as well as getting skinny in the Lagoons.
This 2015 Maverick Mirage 17 HPX-V is the skiff of choice for me. It rides incredibly soft and dry in big waters, can handle fishing off the beaches and Oceanside and will get skinny enough to chase those tailing fish on the shallow flats. The thing I love most about the 17- HPX-V is its performance on the pushpole. The skiff is dead quiet poling in the wind, tracks very well, and spins quick and effortlessly which are all the traits you need to stalk those spooky fish and position your anglers for that “perfect shot”.
I rigged my skiff as simple as can be. No trolling motor or power poles. I like to keep them as light as possible, which is the reason I opted for the Yamaha F70 instead of the F90. The hull and console is a custom color (Castle Tan) with and all Wheat colored deck and non skid. I got the removable cooler/seat option and added a removable casting platform that I can interchange with a platform with a cage for rough Oceanside waters.
Performance wise, this skiff how it is rigged will run 40mph and drafts shallow enough for me and the waters I fish in the Mosquito Lagoon. I’d say around 8″ give or take with me on the platform and an angler on the bow.
