Quick Answer
The Solo Skiff is a one person kayak style micro skiff built for shallow water fishing. It is light enough to launch from a bank, quiet enough to fish skinny flats, and priced far below a traditional flats boat, with new units typically running eight to fourteen thousand dollars fully rigged. It is a strong choice for solo Texas anglers chasing redfish and trout in water too shallow for a full size boat, but it is built for one person only. Big D Marine and Powersports is an authorized Solo Skiff dealer at three Texas locations.
What the Solo Skiff Actually Is
Most boats get bigger as buyers move up in budget. The Solo Skiff goes the other direction on purpose. It is a one person micro skiff, closer in size and weight to a kayak than a bay boat, but built with a proper hull, a small motor mount, and a stable standing platform for sight casting. The whole idea is to strip a fishing boat down to exactly what one angler needs and nothing more, so it draws almost no water, weighs next to nothing on the trailer, and costs a fraction of a traditional flats skiff.
For Texas anglers who fish alone more often than not, that trade off is the entire appeal. A Solo Skiff gets into skinny water no aluminum jon boat or fiberglass flats boat can touch, and it does it without the price tag or towing hassle of a full size rig.
See the current Solo Skiff lineup on our Solo Skiff page.
Solo Skiff Design and Construction
Hull and Weight
The Solo Skiff hull is built to be carried, not just trailered. Most models weigh under 100 pounds hull only, which means one person can load or unload it from a truck bed or a small trailer without help. This is a completely different category from any other boat in the Big D Marine lineup, and that is exactly the point.
Draft and Shallow Water Access
Because the hull is so light, the Solo Skiff draws only a few inches of water even with an angler standing on it. This lets it access skinny flats, marsh edges, and back bay water that would ground out a jon boat or a bay boat long before reaching the fish.
Motor and Power Options
Solo Skiff models are typically rigged with a small outboard in the 3 to 6 horsepower range, or an electric trolling motor for anglers who prefer quiet, low maintenance power. Either option is enough to move the lightweight hull efficiently across flats without the fuel cost or maintenance of a larger outboard.
Standing Platform and Casting Deck
Despite the compact size, the Solo Skiff includes a stable standing platform that lets an angler pole, sight fish, and cast from a raised position, similar in concept to a much larger flats boat, just scaled down to one person and one budget.
Solo Skiff Pricing in Texas
Rough Solo Skiff price bands at Big D Marine:
- Base Solo Skiff with trolling motor package: eight to ten thousand dollars
- Solo Skiff with small gas outboard (3 to 6 horsepower): ten to twelve thousand dollars
- Solo Skiff with full accessory package (rod holders, anchor system, casting platform upgrades): twelve to fourteen thousand dollars
Compared to a traditional flats boat, which commonly starts in the thirty to fifty thousand dollar range, the Solo Skiff opens up dedicated shallow water fishing to a much wider range of Texas anglers.
Who Should Buy a Solo Skiff
Pick a Solo Skiff if any of these describe you:
- You fish alone most of the time and do not need to carry a second angler.
- You want to reach shallow flats, marsh edges, or back bay water that larger boats cannot access.
- You want a boat light enough to launch without a boat ramp, from a bank or a small clearing.
- Your budget is well under what a traditional flats boat costs.
- You already wade fish nearby flats and want a way to cover more ground between spots.
Consider a different boat if:
- You regularly fish with a partner or family member. Look at a small jon boat or two person micro skiff instead.
- You need to carry significant gear, coolers, or overnight equipment.
- You want to run in open bay chop rather than protected flats and marsh.
- You duck hunt as well as fish and want a boat that pulls double duty. See our companion post
Best Duck Boat for Texas Duck Hunters for that use case instead.
Solo Skiff vs a Small Jon Boat
Buyers often cross shop the Solo Skiff against a small aluminum jon boat like a G3 1436. Both are affordable and both draw shallow water, but they serve different anglers. See the G3 Boats page for the jon boat side of the comparison.
- Solo Skiff wins for: minimum weight, minimum draft, easiest one person handling, and standing platform designed for sight fishing.
- Small jon boat wins for: carrying a second person or a dog, hauling more gear, and slightly rougher water capability.
- Both are excellent low cost entry points into shallow water fishing for Texas anglers on a budget.
Where to Fish a Solo Skiff in Texas
The Solo Skiff shines in these Texas fishing environments:
- Galveston Bay area flats and marsh edges, especially areas too shallow or grassy for a bay boat.
- Small ponds, sloughs, and back lakes off Lake Livingston and Lake Conroe.
- Tidal creeks and marsh drains along the upper Texas coast.
- Any water where wade fishing already works well but a small amount of extra mobility would open up more territory.
For a broader look at Texas aluminum and shallow water options, see our companion post Best Aluminum Fishing Boats for Texas Lakes, and for heavier duty shallow water hulls see our Jireh Boats guide.
Where to See a Solo Skiff in Person
Big D Marine and Powersports stocks Solo Skiff models at our Hitchcock location on the Galveston Bay side, the natural fit for coastal flats anglers. Our Huntsville flagship on State Highway 19 and I 45 Huntsville location also carry Solo Skiff inventory for East Texas anglers who fish smaller lakes and ponds. See current stock on our Solo Skiff page or the full inventory page.
Financing, Trade In, and Service
Because of the low price point, many Solo Skiff buyers pay cash, but financing is available for buyers who prefer it through our financing page. If you have a boat to trade toward a Solo Skiff, get a fair estimate on our trade in page. Our certified service department supports motor service and accessory installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Solo Skiff?
A Solo Skiff is a one person kayak style micro skiff built for shallow water fishing. It is small enough to launch from a bank or a small trailer, quiet enough to pole or paddle into skinny water, and rigged to run a small outboard or trolling motor for anglers who fish alone and want to reach water that larger boats cannot.
How much does a Solo Skiff cost?
A new Solo Skiff typically costs between eight thousand and fourteen thousand dollars depending on motor choice, trolling motor, and accessory package. This makes it one of the most affordable ways to get into dedicated shallow water fishing compared to a full size flats boat or bay boat.
Is a Solo Skiff good for Texas coastal fishing?
Yes. The Solo Skiff is well suited to Texas coastal flats fishing for redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in skinny water that a full size boat cannot reach. Its light weight and shallow draft make it a strong choice for solo anglers who wade fish adjacent flats and want a boat to cover more water between spots.
Can two people fit in a Solo Skiff?
The Solo Skiff is designed and rated for one person. It is not built to carry a second angler safely, which is part of what keeps the hull light enough to run in extremely shallow water. Anglers who regularly fish with a partner should look at a two person micro skiff or a small jon boat instead.
Where can I buy a Solo Skiff in Texas?
Big D Marine and Powersports is an authorized Solo Skiff dealer in Texas, with locations in Huntsville, I 45 Huntsville, and Hitchcock on the Galveston Bay side. We stock Solo Skiff models and provide setup, accessories, and support for Texas anglers. Contact us to check current availability.
Ready to Look at a Solo Skiff
Come by any of our three Texas locations for a hands on look at the Solo Skiff. Browse current stock on our inventory page or start at the Big D Marine homepage.
