Hilton Head Fly Fishing : Maverick 18HPX-V

A few months ago I decided that it was time for something new, something that would take my business to the next level, and something that would lead to a new venture in my career as a professional fishing guide. In the last 3 years of guiding more things have happened in that time than I had ever imagined and I found myself living through the passion, and shear excitement I had for being a salt-water fly fishing guide here in Beaufort, SC. My life was changed, my goals were set, and it was all coming together faster than I had ever imagined.

The addiction I have for the joy of watching my customers catch fish was evident, and soon became one of the key ingredients to my business and career. Fishing is about having fun and enjoying your time on the water making memories that will last a life time, and that's what I strive to provide. All of your equipment is a very important piece to the puzzle when making these memories, because without the best equipment, its hard to have the best results. I supply some of the most premier fly and light tackle equipment in the industry, because its reliable and will always be there to make sure we get the fish of a life time to the boat. A reel locking up, rod breaking, old line getting tangled, or rusty hooks failing are all things my customers never have to worry about. All of my great sponsors are what allow me to carry the best equipment for my customers, and keeping those memories alive every day on the water.

One thing that I was missing was a top notch technical poling skiff. My Scout Costa was a great boat, and did everything that I needed to achieve the best results for my customers, not to mention it was also an affordable boat for an 18 year old starting out in the guiding industry. I cared more about that boat than anything, and it was a great boat to start my career being able to carry 3 anglers, pole decently shallow, and still look good for customers first impressions. But a few months ago I realized that my business was moving to the next level and good ole Lucky 7 just wasn't what I needed, it was time to step up in the flats boat industry, and make a move that was always just a dream.

Maverick Boat Company was the dream. As a kid growing up on the water, I also grew up learning the boat industry. If you pointed out a boat I could tell you what make or model it was, almost like a hobby, and all thanks to my dad who loved boats just as much. Going to boat shows, seeing the new models, and watching the flats boat industry grow in Beaufort was all in my life time. There was always that one flats boat that caught your eye, looked like the future, and simply made you wish you were fishing out of it! That one boat for me was Maverick, the dream boat, the one boat that you only wished you had. Growing up we went through quite a few bay boats and flats boats, but never had the joy of owning a Maverick.

The day I walked into Barrier Island Marine was when it all started to come together. Tuck Scott who is a close friend and fellow guide at Bay Street Outfitters was who really turned me onto looking at Maverick for my next boat, and told me to stop by to talk with Barrier Island who is are local Maverick Dealer. Tuck runs the Maverick 17 HPX-V and absolutely loves it for guiding. Whenever I fished with Tuck on his boat, poling was easy! It was as light as a feather, drafted nearly nothing, and absolutely made a difference when shallow water sight casting (which is all we do when fly fishing). I started looking at Mavericks website, reading articles, blogs, and forums researching on the company to get a better idea about the boats and which one I could see myself running.

Its not easy finding a boat that fits your every need, but the Maverick 18 HPX-V exceeded what I wanted out of a flats boat. I memorized the specs, knew every option the boat had, and had feedback from other guides who ran the 18 HPX, but the last thing I had to do was fish one. The first time that I stepped aboard the 18HPX I was a little nervous wondering if I was going to love it like everyone else, and sure enough Maverick had taken over any thought I'd ever had about a flats boat. It got on plane instantly, poled like a feather, got shallower than I imagined, and ran fast and smooth in rough water. I was sold on the 18HPX-V simply after being in one for the 1st time.

If there was one word that could explain the Maverick 18 HPX-V for me, that word would be Perfect. Poling with ease, shallow draft, light weight, carrying 3 anglers, handling rough water great, and being a top notch first class fishing machine. The hull of the boat is constructed with a carbon Kevlar blend making it lighter and stronger than your regular flats boat, which therefore makes it draft shallow and pole with ease. There are only about 60 Mavericks made a year with a staff of 6 employees that are specifically designated to the HPX line, building these boats by hand, and making each boat one of a kind. The build process for a single maverick hpx takes around 14 days start to finish, and I was lucky enough to have photos of my 18 through the whole process.

The Two tone Pastel-Green Deck just out of mold

The hull still in the mold

Just out of the mold

The 18 HPX-V was everything I needed as a guide in Beaufort, SC, and all in one beautiful skiff. I walked into Barrier Island Marine and sat down with a guy named Brad White, who was new to Beaufort and had only been around for about a year. Right away Brad and I clicked, and that's when I realized my future with Barrier Island Marine. Brad saw my energy for what I do just as much as I saw the same in him, which created a trust between the two of us. We ironically shared a lot of the same clients, had a lot of the same ideas, and were both very confident in what we provide for our customers, but in two different industries that are so very close together. A few couple hour meetings later, Brad offered me an official sponsorship from Barrier Island Marine for a new Maverick 18 HPX-V, which then led to the next step in my career.

Representing Barrier Island Marine and Maverick was huge for me, and something that I see going a far way in the near future. Not just going to boat shows, fishing tournaments, and representing them in the guiding industry, but being a able to trust a local boat dealership with my customers needs and knowing they will treat them just like I would. Maverick was also a company that I was more than excited to be with, running one of the most world renowned, respected flats boat in the industry was a dream come true. The next step had been reached, and it was time to put my boat order together. I wanted an 18 HPX-V like no other, something custom, and a boat that most people haven't seen. Maverick exceeded my expectations greatly and built me the Perfect skiff for my waters here in the Low Country of Beaufort, SC.

This is a list of all the Upgrades I chose to make my Maverick a true custom flats boat:

-Pastel-Green Hull

-Two Tone Pastel-Green Deck

-Yamaha F115 for Shallow draft

-Yamaha Pro Series 21 stainless prop

-35 Gallon Fuel Cell

-Hyrdrolic Tilt Steering wheel

-Black Out Powder Coat Package

-Advanced Livewell Bubbler System

-Flush Mount Capable Center Console

-3 Optima Blue top 6 pack batteries

-Gel-Coat Matched Cooler Seat