Small yet effective shade options for your Skiff & Boat

T-Tops and Bimini tops are great, but man, can they get in the way of the Prime Directive "Fishing" (really, it's casting) 🤨

I have even worked with Bimini's top ideas that were made to slide and stow "inside" the hull on the deck, not on the gunnels.

OK, that helps, but it still made it a pain to step over, much less pull out another rod. As such, the only time it was on the boat was when others were aboard for joy rides, and eventually, I just sold it and started reviewing other shade options for your Skiff & Boat.

So, some years back, I observed a slick idea that just about anybody can employ to have some shade for lunch, a quick drink break, or to help get out of the rain. Better yet! It folds back up, stows in a small space, and, if placed correctly, can be just about totally out of the way when secured. That is the Mantis.

What caught my eye was how that BT Skiff owner installed his "behind" the seat backrest attached to the Polling Platform. Though you cannot run the boat faster than a few knots with it deployed, it was slick to have some quick shade but not take up much space when not needed/wanted.

As such, you still have true 360-degree Cast-ability (is that an accurate word?). He had his installed, which I think was a brilliant piece of Engineering and thinking "outside" the box. Here is a shot of how it is mounted behind the backrest and looks when deployed.

The beauty of that configuration is that the backrest on that Skiff (like most) also folds up and out of the way, so you can still have your rear casting deck to use or access the rear hatches. 😎

Unfortunately, the original Pro-Techt Mantis Umbrella Shade is out of business. However, I have found their Facebook page, which has some other mounting pictures you can view. I also see some components for it that are still listed on Ebay. So, what is next or could be used as an option or along these same lines?

We also have another one with a much lower price point (and I suspect it is not as durable), but it looks much more straightforward to mount and use on other items: the Sport-Brella Versa-Brella. And for you Kayak fans, since it is much lighter, it would also work well for that application, as seen below.

Back to your typical Flats Skiff, though, here are some more ideas I have seen and collected over the years that you may be able to use on yours for some temp shade, and several of them appear removable (though onboard storage might be an issue) at the same time.

Then, for the Center Console or larger cooler applications, the typical larger outdoor table umbrella, which often can also be stowed in one of the under-gunnel rod racks, is ideal!

Those are my personal favorites thus far for my needs! 😎

Then, for larger Center Console Bay Boats, one you can run with deployed is the Shade Blade!

My only concern is which can be adjusted somewhat by making them go straight down. Is the placement of the running straps (much like a Bimini Top) that extends at an angle away from the unit, thus (again) blocking your ability to cast much less, run around the boat as that Big Fish is dragging you all around it!

Always an option pending on your needs and best use case, and if interested in the Shade Blade, you can find out more about them by clicking Here and telling them Flats Nation sent you! 😎

More on the way on this subject, but (Big Picture) you can still have "your" fishing boat with all its designed open deck space... But still, take your sweetheart along and have some targeted shade at the same time! And I suspect some near the cost of a Bimini and much less than any T-Top in many applications. And don't get me wrong, those other options are great and work well in an Offshore Application. But on smaller boats and skiffs, you make 500-plus casts daily. This or running around the gunnels while a Tarpon tries to really drag you off the Skiff... So, as we say here in the South, "That Dog just don't Hunt" 😉

In the meantime,

• We invite you to take in a few Flats Nation Podcast Episodes to help "Scratch that Fishing Itch" when working or traveling and you cannot hitch up the Skiff and go, on these links:

• Our newer Flats Nation YouTube Channel can be found by clicking here. Share our videos with family and friends if you find them entertaining and educational! We have some great guests in the works on a wide range of topics and product coverage soon.

• Or our new Media section that we created with our latest website release, where you can hear all of our Podcasts, Sound Bites, and Flats Nation Updates all in one listing found by clicking Here:

Also, The "Flats Nation" Merch and Swag collection, if you like our content, has some new works, from T-shirts to our newer Technical wear (aka wearable shade) just in time for Tarpon Season, which can be found Here:

Flats Nation Performance wear in the blend-in colors we now have.

And as discussed in the Flats Nation News Volume 1

We launched our lineup of Flats Nation stickers which turned out just awesome! 😎

You can see all eight Flats Fish Species we now have (more on the way) and order some of those cool combos and show (them) just how good you are or looking to target by clicking Here 😁

Tight Lines, and God Bless!

Dave and the Team