Why aren't Barnegat style sneak boxes used in North Carolina?

L

Larry Eckart

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Guys,
Barnegat style sneak boxes have been shown to be not only great at hiding in the marsh but also great at getting the captain home through pretty rough seas.

For all their popularity in New Jersey to New England, I've never seen or heard of someone using a Barnegat in marshes of the various sounds in North Carolina.

20' fiberglass deep V's are the vessel of choice in NC among the guides I have observed. And I have not heard even on this site of guys in NC using traditional sneak boxes.

Are Barnegat's not used in NC because 1) the waters are too big and too rough in NC for a Barnegat or 2) the Barnegat is a localized favorite further north or 3) not as many guys hunt solo on the big bays of NC?

I would think there would be application in some of the NC sounds for the time honored sneak boxes.

Your thoughts?

Larry Eckart, Hilton Head
 
Larry, Your Right in stating a Jersey style BBS Box was designed to take rough water conditions,+ offer easy concealment. From what I have heard All the land that BBS Boxes could be used on very successfully is tied up. From what I have been told a Sneak Box is considered a Blind & there are only so many Blind Permits Issued each yr. & they are all operated by the Wealthy Guide services Family's & are always Family Hand me downs, Which wont let outsiders in.Which Jersey Boys are not welcome to interrupt their set up of Speed & various Stake Out Bay blinds They are so used to using. These are stories I have been told by jersey guys who have moved into their State. Would like to hear other peoples comments to verify if what i have heard is true. I suggest you check with your State Fish & Game Dept. & see what they tell you.
 
Vern Berg used a Barnegat Bay Sneakbox in NC.

The first time I met him was at Oregon Inlet. He was returning from a hunt over his own decoys, in his Sneakbox. I told him I was looking for a good Brant as a study bird. He reached under the deck, and tossed a nice Brant on the front of the boat. "Howz that one?" I still have the mount, but I sure wish I'd have bought one of his Snow Goose Decoys. Far as I know, he enjoyed his Sneakbox over any of his many blinds.

That man was a real character and a mighty fine hunter, decoy carver, story teller, and host. God Rest His Soul. My hunting partner and I gunned with him and his crew for 3 days, that year.


Sorry RL... I was there also. Thank God I lived my dreams.
 
I used one in NC for 8 years, mostly in Piedmont reservoirs. The few times I used mine at the coast I got lots of positive feedback from other hunters. My guess is that they aren't widely used because of a healthy respect for how rough those shallow sounds can get. The lack of tradition also plays a significant role, as you suggested.
 
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Larry, I have a BBSB that I used in Virginia for quite a while and was asked frequently what kind of boat did I have. The popular boat in the south seems to be the Jon boat. I have been lucky enough to get in some really skinny water because of my sneakbox. I have seen a few more show up more recently however I don't think they will ever have the popularity they have in the east. I have used my boat on the eastern shore of Virginia and got the same stares as I get locally. Due to health reasons I have had to go back to the "Jon" style boat, a 15' Havoc duck boat but was able to keep it low profile with the blind by sitting on the floor of the boat. Still draw 6" water so I'm not as stealthy as I want to be.
 
Larry, I am going to guess, it is all local traditions is all. No reason a BBSB would not be just as seaworthy in SC/NC as it is in NJ and I know it is in VA. When I first got my BBSB back in the water, I went out on the Potomac and surfed some plenty big boat wakes. The only thing that would do me in would be a wave breaking over and into the hull.... I suppose if I was without power, or tangled in an anchor line that could happen, but can't see it if I am in control of the boat. With Rufus retiring to NC now, I hope to bring mine down and hunt it along with is SouthBays!

Salt marsh shallows should hunt the same... I know she worked fine in the Great South Bay of LI, NJ, and VA so far.... looking to test her where ever I can.
 
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Same down here, I've never seen one on the Gulf coast but they would work great.

I meant to build one about 11 years ago but then built a family instead......
 
Partly because there is very few manufactured BBSB style boats available without a custom built wood one. The traditional style hull has stayed close to home for lack of knowledge and information to the general public. Much like Layout boats use to be.
 
I purchased an old fiberglass sneakbox made by Custom Fiberglass Corp. of Mays Landing, NJ in Dare County a couple of years ago at a yard sale. It was probably 50 years old and was (and still is) a project boat as all the wood inside needs replacing. It had been used to hunt the Currituck Sound back in the day.
 
Larry,
I just moved to North Carolina around Charlotte 10 weeks ago and once I get settled I plan on bringing my BBSB from Kentucky where a buddy has it stored for me. Its a cedar built by Bud Miles I purchased years ago an unfortunately have not hunted it for 5 years when living in Texas. My confidence of using the BBSB in inland marshes around Pamlico and south into the mouth of the Cape Fear River, if not this season will more than definitely be tested next season. I will heed caution to the new, unknown waters I venture into each situation by understanding the winds, fronts, tides, flats, shell beds, and where other hidden underwater debris are located. Hunted many days out of that boat in conditions that I would not even back down the ramp with other, larger open deck aluminum boats owned and hunted in the past. Many people may not venture out to do it but if you want to in the future I will be game when I have the wife happy and settled in.
Regards,
Kristan
 
JC~

I would love to see a photo of your Sneakbox. I do not know who built mine - but it is a 'glass "factory" boat from about 50 years ago.

Here it is in close-to-original condition:


24%20Bow%20on_zpst85cyxt6.jpg



The shape on the forward end of the cockpit should be a key to ID. She is 13'2" LOA with a 5-foot beam

All the best,

SJS
 
I will take some pics and try to post them when I get back home. That will be in 8 days or so as I am on vacation at the Outer Banks.
 
I owned the only sneak box I've seen in NC. My guess as to why they aren't popular on the sounds is the lack of space for carrying gear. Most people hunt larger decoy spreads on the sound. I'm in the minority but most people don't like to hunt alone on the open water. Everyone I know who hunts the sounds regularly prefer a self bailing fiberglass boat with flotation. Lastly is there can be many miles between boat ramps, which leads to long boat rides to hunting spots
 
My AA Wigeon will head to the NC coast if that's my next duty station. After being there for 5 years (and using a 15ft jon the whole time), I know the sneak will do very well.
Regarding blind laws in NC, there are counties that don't suffer from those games. I've hunted east of 95 in VA as well and theres still room even with their silly laws. the ESVA is another great place where my sneak will do well.


All told, I'd say that if they aren't prevalent in a particular place, fine by me. I'm always trying to find an edge that helps hide me and not look like the other waterfowlers out there. Sometimes its no camo and a fishin pole in the early season and sometimes its a no decoy hunt on the absolute X in late season. Whatever works!
 
I bought my Higbee sneak box several years ago. Some counties do have restrictive laws but not all, actually those that do are in a minority. Some counties, Pamlico and Carteret have a law stating you can not hunt within 600 yards of an existing land blind, but you can always rig out off the beach.

Many shorelines have deep water right up to the bank. I find rigging out for a shoreline set up is more difficult out of the sneak box when I can't wade out and put out the decoys. When I rig out open water, I have less problems as I use long lines.

Duck hunting in NC is more of a group afair, seldom do I meet another lone hunter. I am very select in where I use the sneak box, I also have an 18 foot boat with a blind on it. It is much safer for hunting the bigger waters.
 
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