CONTINUOUSWAVE

Yesterday was spent with our 190 Montauk powered by a 135 HP Verado angling around the Mobile Bay Delta and associated rivers. We were actually fishing for over six exhaustive hours.

I have to report the 190 Montauk is an incredibly good inshore fishing machine. The optional fishing package increased the convenience of the outing. In particular the built-in live bait well feature was a pleasure to use. It kept the live shrimp fresh and jumping in over 90 degrees of air temperature with 80 plus degree water temperature for the entire trip. We donated our left over live shrimp and ice to a couple about to leave on an outing upon our return to the launch ramp.

We caught a lot of fish but returned them to the bay for another day. We had two incredible inshore strikes (both mine) while out. The first was the hardest hitting strongest fighting fish I've ever hooked. After a long fight the fish finally broke the line of my heavy duty fishing rig. It was almost certainly a Jack Crevall of twenty or more pounds. The lack of a bow rail made the fight possible as I had to quickly pass under the anchor rode a couple of times or lose the fish. I was disappointed to ultimately lose the fish but I couldn't have handled the fight for much longer. After losing the fish I needed a long break before resuming fishing. Finally, on the last cast of the day I hooked a four foot shark in about two feet of water depth. He hit hard and finally broke off after a high jump clear of the water. He broke off by breaking a brand new hook. That was quite a thrill but I didn't really want to deal with that shark at the boat.

Launching using the standard equipment Karavan trailer was easy and retrieving also, although I was exhausted, was a pleasure.

We crossed the Bay twice on our outing and the hull and engine got us back and forth comfortably and quickly. Although we were heavily loaded with fuel, ice, etc we saw 42 MPH GPS until I slowed to conserve fuel.

If you are considering an inshore fishing boat have a look at the 190 Montauk.

I, too just purchased a 2016 190 Montauk. Been on freshwater a few times so far and it's a great boat. I wanted a Whaler for years, and decided it was time. I'm getting ready to take it to Lake Cumberland in Kentucky.

I second Butch's comments about the 190's inshore fishing abilities, however I have taken my 190 as far as 22 miles offshore trolling for Mahi-Mahi and Marlin with excellent results. I always try to keep the crew size to no more then 3 people which makes fishing comfortable.

I also choose my offshore days and try not to go over 3 foot waves or less. The 190 is a great all around boat, I love mine it's just the workload after a day of fishing that's kind of a pain!

Thanks Butch for the glowing review. I have always been curious as to how a 190 Montauk would compare to my Dauntless 18 in the bay. You answered my question perfectly. I am always going back and forth on whether to keep my boat, get something smaller or get a 190 Montauk or 190 Nantucket. With the way our family enjoys boating and fishing we may just have to do both.
Thanks!
Michael

The 190 Montauk seems to be a close to perfect boat for the Alabama coast. I guess the guy who touted it in Volume 6.7 of 'Whaler' magazine didn't think so. He traded it in at a local dealership in the spring.

My 190 Montauk is going on the market soon. It's difficult to admit but the 190 is too much boat for me to deal with as I age.

I use my Montauk 190 off the east end of Long Island, both off shore and in the bay. A typical trip is from Greenport to Montauk, sometimes as far as Block Island. I love the range this boat gives me and I typically will cover over 60-miles of bay and ocean each trip. The boat performs very well in the ocean, but you have to keep your speed at or below 20 knots to be comfortable. But like with any boat, there are trade offs. This boat maximizes the amount of fishing space you have and the ease with which you can walk a large fish from bow to stern. The fishing package gives me enough rod holders and the tackle drawers come in handy for quick rigging. The livewell is constantly in use for both bait and sometimes for keeping fish fresh if I am catching smaller fish (seabass, porgies, fluke). Larger fish go in the cooler. The extra storage under the helm seat is a great improvement over the previous Montauk 170 that I owned.

The 190 has been put to the test and can handle very rough water but you need to pick your days to be out in the ocean. 2 - 3 foot seas is enjoyable. Speaking from experience, anything beyond 5 ft waves is a test between the boat and the captain. The boat will take more punishment than most of us are willing to endure. And after a long day on this boat, I don't mind spending a few minutes washing it down. Why not get a larger boat? I fish every week and rarely in the same place. This boat is trailered 100% of the time and is taken to wherever the fish are biting. I needed a boat that I could handle alone without a "crew" with a lot of range. And with the Merc 115 HP, I theoretically can cover 300 miles, a lot more than I will every need.