Some boats are built to really excel at one thing. There are technical flats skiffs that can float in a few inches of water. There are deep V-hulled vessels that are designed for comfort and stability while pushing through wind-driven waters. And there are boats designed for speed, with maximum velocity the top priority.

Problem is, you can’t get a deep V-hull into the shallows without running aground. Speedboats rarely have much storage space or open deck area. And taking a flats skiff even a mile or two offshore is risky; they don’t handle swells very well. A purpose-designed boat is a wonderful tool — but only for the one thing it’s designed to do.

The 2000 Grande Bay from Angler is built to do it all. It can’t get as shallow as many flats skiffs, but it can get you into a foot of water. If you need to go shallower, it’s easy to hop over the side and wade. A wading person has a much smaller profile than a boat anyway — much less likely to spook fish in skinny water.

Although it can get you onto the flats, the 2000 Grande Bay can also take you into the Gulf. It’s big enough to provide a stable platform for offshore angling, according to Mark Burpee, proprieter of Boaters’ Warehouse in Port Charlotte.

“The 20-foot size makes this boat ideal for both inshore and offshore fishing,” says Mark.

And if you’re in a hurry, this hull can support 200 horsepower — enough for serious speed. Mercury Marine tested a 2000 Grande Bay with a 200-hp Optimax outboard and achieved a top speed of 50.2 mph. At that speed, the engine was running at 5800 rpm and burning fuel at a rate of 2.4 miles per gallon. At a more sedate pace of 23 mph (3000 rpm), fule economy was much better — 5.3 mpg.

So this craft is fast, handles shallow water, and can deal with offshore conditions. In short, this is the ideal boat for Southwest Florida fishing.

“It can run shallow, but it can also handle open waters,” says Mark. “The strong deadrise gives Grande Bay models a good ride. There’s also a lot of storage space. And with two livewells, plus forward and aft casting decks, the 2000 Grande Bay is very fishable.”

Boats like this are one reason why Boaters’ Warehouse has been the area’s Angler dealership for the past five years.

“We get a lot of repeat customers on Angler boats,” says Mark. “People will come in and buy the 17-foot model, and then come back later to trade it in for one of the bigger options. Angler’s reputation is very solid as a company that builds boats for fishermen.”

Most of us can’t afford to buy a fleet of special-purpose boats. We have to instead choose one vessel that needs to perform multiple tasks. The 2000 Angler Grande Bay accomplishes this mission with as little compromise as possible, and is a top choice for anyone who wants to be able to fish both inshore and offshore in Southwest Florida.