Earlier, it was uncertain whether or not there would be any offshore fishing at all. Heading out with the shrimp boats at dawn in a treacherously confused four-foot sea past Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, the Scout 235 Sportfish's sea-keeping ability is being tested early. With the engine trim down and using a little deflection of the
12-inch by 12-inch Lenco tabs to help keep the bow down, the sharper entry of the Scout's hull slices through the angry seas. Measuring 20 degrees of deadrise at the stern, the modified deep-V 'Air-Assist' hull on the 22-foot-10-inch center console gives a good blend of rough water performance and lateral stability.

The plan is to run approximately 60 miles offshore to the Gulf Stream, where the fish have been hitting. At the helm is Capt. Ryan Higgins, who can normally be found piloting the Caliente, a 72-foot Mikelson sportfisher with a beam nearly as long as the boat he is slashing through the slop in today. Although only 24 years old, he is one of those rare individuals whose judgment and fish-finding ability far exceed his chronological age. Instead of the brash 'yee-hawism' sometimes seen in younger captains, Higgins calmly considers the situation and says, 'Let's run a little farther and then make a decision if we want to continue, sometimes it lays down when you get clear of the harbor.' And sure enough, a few miles later the seas drop to 3 feet and become less steep.

Since it's going to be a long run, checking out the stern seat seems like a good idea, since it's usually the softest riding place on a boat. Unlike the usual flip-up transom flap with flimsy support legs you see on some fishing boats that seem like an afterthought, the 235's is a cleverly designed, integral feature. When deployed, you have a comfortable bench seat with full backrest that extends the entire width of the boat. When it comes time for serious fishing, the seat bottom can be pulled forward and dropped flat against the transom and out of the way, while the backrest folds forward to create a working fiberglass surface. Or, if you prefer, the seat bottom can be simply lifted out altogether.

After a couple of hours of running, the wind dies down and the low overcast dissipates, transforming it into a beautiful day at sea. Bumping the throttle of the Yamaha up to 4500 rpm, Higgins is 'running and gunning' looking for weedlines, diving birds, or any other sign that reads, 'fish here.' He finally spots small rafts of weeds beginning to form, and decides to wet a line. Dropping down to trolling speed, Higgins delegates the driving and heads to the starboard gunwale, where he flips up a strut-assisted lid that reveals a 20-gallon livewell with a clear cover. Next to it is a bait prep area with a spigot that dis-penses either fresh or raw water. Under-neath is a door ' which could use something to secure it when opened ' that encloses a tackle storage center that has four lure boxes, three large drawers big enough for bulk spools of line, and a shelf for tall items.

In addition to the usual selection of Kona-style trolling lures, Higgins pulls out the 'big daddy' of all deep diving trolling lures, the Mann's Gigantus 50-plus. At more than a foot long, this $80 lure has a lip bigger than Mick Jagger's that allows it to dive to a depth of 50 feet while being dragged at 10 knots. Higgins has brought an impressive collection of rods that all find a home with five holders in the optional T-top, three in the leaning post, and six under the gunwale, for a total of 14 ' not counting the four in-gunwale holders. Swinging out the pair of optional Rupp Top Gun outriggers, soon a five-lure spread is prospecting for fish.

After spending an hour at the helm waiting for the first bite, a couple of things are apparent. First, the ergonomics are well executed. The position of the big stainless-steel wheel, complete with spinner knob, is perfect, as is the throttle's location. It seems odd to have the Yamaha gauges in the center of the console, just above the standard compass, rather that in front of the driver, but they are still easily readable. There's a large flat spot on the console that is the perfect size to mount a large electronics screen where the captain can keep a close eye on the fish situation. The Scout's console has a lockable glove box and a lower shelf to store odds and ends, and inside there's plenty of storage space and room for an optional marine head. Windshield height is largely a matter of personal preference, and for those who want protection from the elements, the tall curved windscreen is great. The only problem for drivers less than six feet tall is that when you get some spray misted on it, it makes it a little difficult to see through ' especially when heading into the sun.

They troll for an hour before the aforementioned big wahoo hits, and after a 40-minute fight Higgins gaffs it and hoists it aboard. After taking some pictures, they drag it to the fishbox, which is uniquely located in the portside gunwale. At first the 60-gallon box seems impossibly small for the 80-pounder, but putting it in headfirst, it bends into an accommodating C-shape and fits very nicely. After trolling in the area, the wahoo appears to have been a loner, so Higgins listens to the radio and finds out where the action is located from his network of fellow charter captains.

After running a few miles, there are about a dozen boats taking turns trolling a weedpatch that is about half the size of a football field. After making a pass at the mat with no results, Higgins decides to troll away from the armada and spots some floating debris where they land a nice 25-pound dolphin, before one even bigger knocks down an outrigger lure. After the initial flurry of jumping, the fluorescent green dolphin falls into the usual pattern of heading in the same direction as the moving boat, but using its flat body as a planing board to angle outward. 'It's like reeling in a sheet of plywood, isn't it?' says Higgins.

After putting three more double-digit mahi-mahi in the gunwale box for an upcoming fish fry, the Scout 235 is listing appreciably to port ' but it's a good problem to have. Heck, 235 owners won't have to fly flags to advertise that they have caught fish, the proud tilt to the left will tell the story. Actually, when running the added ballast isn't a problem, one blip of the starboard tab fixes it. If it really bothers someone, filling the starboard-side livewell will balance things out nicely. If more fish-toting capacity is needed (then you are taking home too many fish), there is another box up front that most owners will use as dry storage. The two-tier bow section is another clever design feature that is highly practical for those who throw a cast net or want to sight cast for fish. Under the top deck is another deep storage compartment with a heavy lid that uses a gas-assisted strut to make opening easier. The anchor locker has a cradle for a Danforth-style hook, and the entire bow area has a recessed stainless-steel rail for handhold security.

After the dolphin flurry, they head to the cooler under the seat in front of the console and grab a couple of ice cold waters. Although it's only 1 o'clock, it feels like they have had a full day of fishing and since the seas have laid down flat, they decide to hightail it back to Charleston. Cruising at 40 mph, it takes less than an hour and a half to reach the harbor. Once inside, Higgins gives it full throttle and the Scout scoots along at nearly 50 mph to cap off the successful sortie with a grand entrance.

The phrase 'cleverly designed' could be used many times to describe this boat. With its raised-forward shearline and hot optional colors, such as sea foam green and fighting lady yellow, the Scout is as beautiful as it is functional. Its many innovations include a deck liner that fits inside the gunwale rather than the usual overlapping shoebox design and the Strata-Mount engine mounting system that is an extension of the stringers for added strength. Although it's a serious fishing machine, the abundance of seating makes it perfect for entertaining a crowd as well. When equipped with Yamaha's F225 4-stroke engine, the Scout 235 is priced at $51,074, which puts you in a trailerable, high-tech, economical offshore boat that is just as at home inshore. So fuel it up and ice it up, the scouting patrol leaves at dawn.