Facing the Fury: A Day in East Cape's New Sled

(Editor's Note: This is part 1 of a 2-part story reviewing the new Fury poling skiff from East Cape Canoes & Skiffs.)

East Cape Canoes & Skiffs (ECC) is building a reputation as a top-tier manufacturer of feature-filled poling skiffs. Their custom-built creations, once only seen in Florida, are steadily gaining popularity with shallow-water fanatics throughout the Gulf Coast region.

ECC's newest sled, the Fury, is turning lots of heads in the inshore fishing scene. The Fury design is essentially a hybridization of key features from ECC's other skiffs like the Vantage, Caimen and Lostmen. The result is what may be one of the most versatile new shallow-water boats on the market.

I had a chance to spend a half-day aboard the Fury chasing redfish in a shallow backwater area off the beaten path in West Galveston Bay. I live for sight-fishing, and I've had a chance to fish, pole and drive just about every brand of skiff on the market. With all the hype surrounding the Fury I had big expectations for this little rig, and it delivered.

Layout

The Fury I tested belonged to Captain Scott Null, and this boat is truly one-of-a-kind—at least for now. Null's Fury features a raised console, which ECC dubbed a 'flats tower'. Many skiffs, including the one I own, utilize sit-down center or side consoles. Those consoles get the job done, but driving from the raised helm of Null's Fury was a completely different experience. The elevated line-of-sight made for the feeling of a much safer ride. It was easy to identify obstructions like submerged shell pads from a safe distance. And, of course, the flats tower makes it possible to spot distant schools or tailers that an angler operating from a sit-down position would likely never see.

The flats tower on this Fury provides a fantastic line-of-sight for the captain.

The flats tower takes up the majority of the space in the cockpit, but I didn't find it difficult to move around the boat. The Fury's rock-solid stability makes it easy for agile anglers to walk the gunwales. If you're the cautious type, the powder-coated aluminum rigging on the flats tower is perfect for holding on to as you walk around the cockpit. 

The massive deck space on the Fury provides a feel that's closer to a bass boat than a poling skiff. Null and I fished side-by-side on the front deck for hours and never got in each other's way. And there's ample room for another angler to fish effectively from the back deck. Most skiffs start feeling cramped once you add a third angler to the equation, but the Fury can handle three casters using conventional tackle without an issue. 

Here's another shot showing the elevated position the driver enjoys thanks to the flats tower. 

Ride

Finding words to describe the way a boat rides is tough, but one that comes to mind when trying to relate the feel of the Fury is 'beefy'. 

Any skiff will glide along fine in slick conditions, but where you truly test the mettle of one of these boats is in the chop. I've been in skiffs that made you feel like you were constantly at the mercy of the elements. The Fury didn't give off that vibe. 

Notice the four rod holders on the back of the flats tower.

One of the minor details I always pay attention to in any boat is what I call the 'rattle factor'. If you've ever been in a boat with a high rattle factor, you know it. The rattle factor is the term I use to describe the harsh vibrating sound that comes from loose hinges, hatches and other hardware as a boat plows through chop. The Fury didn't display any of that, which is a testament to the craftsmanship of the boat just as much as its seaworthy hull design. 

The Fury performed flawlessly in the backcountry. The boat nimbly navigated hard corners and winding sloughs at high speeds with very little slide. The turning radius at idle isn't the best, but that's a trait I've noticed in virtually every skiff I've ever loaded onto a trailer. 

That's about all I can cram into part 1. In part 2 I'll run down the boat's shallow-water capabilities and highlight the rigging, fit and finish of the ECC Fury. 

If you have any questions or comments about the boat, feel free to post them below. 

Details:

- Thanks to Captain Scott Null for letting me abuse his Fury for a day. If you're ever near Galveston and want to take his Fury for a spin, you can contact him through his website about booking a trip.

- You can see the full specs of the whole ECC lineup at their website by clicking here.

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