InTheBite

  • Home
  • News
    • All News
    • Featured Stories
    • General News
    • Captain of the Year
    • Tournament Results
    • First Builds
    • Splash Reports
    • Old Salts Rule
    • Tackle Tips
    • Dock Talk
    • Crew Records
    • Conservation
  • Tournaments
    • Calendar
    • Captain of the Year
    • Champion’s Cup
  • Shop
    • All Products
    • Subscriptions
    • Back Issues
    • Shirts
    • Hats & Visors
    • Miscellaneous
    • Release Rulers
  • Classifieds
  • Job Board
  • Contact
    • Contact InTheBite
    • InTheBite Media Kit
  • Log in

New 72′ Bayliss Old Reliable—Fly Fishing Tools

November 1, 2021 By InTheBite Digital Editor

bayliss old reliable

Step aboard the 72-foot Bayliss Old Reliable with a private tour from Smith as he takes us around his new boat, which splashed in July of 2021. The custom-built craft was specifically designed for chasing billfish on fly and was recently prepped for a multi-year Pacific tour.

And the day before Old Reliable shipped out, Nick Smith and Capt. Chip Shafer provided InTheBite with a guided walk-through to talk about the boat’s personal touches and offshore capabilities. It is rare to see a boat so personally customized for one goal and that is chasing and catching billfish on fly.

Join us for this 13-part video series that takes an in-depth look at what went into building this custom sportfisher. Check back in every Monday and Friday when we’ll be uploading a new video with fresh content from Nick Smith and Capt. Chip Shafer.

This video series is brought to you by MacGregor Yachts, the premier and preferred yacht brokerage of South Florida. The luxury yacht broker provides a full range of services for buyers and sellers of custom sportfishing yachts and luxury motor yachts, as well as new and used boats.

macgregor yachts logo

Bonus Episode: Fly Fishing Tools

Were you wondering what those hooks on the Old Reliable’s ladder were? In our final installment, Nick Smith breaks down the reefing hooks and how they work with fly leader tying. We also look at a tool to help control billfish without hurting them when they’re near the boat and we cover the different fly rods and where they go. Throw in a work station tour, a portable splicing device and an unconventional spot for the fly rods and we’ve got a full fly fishing tour.

Part 13: Capt. Chip Shafer Bridge Layout Cont’d

Captain Chip Shafer tells us how he likes to set up his autopilot. Shafer also looks back on fishing and how he believes there is now more opportunity for fishing teams to win tournaments than ever before. But in the end it’s all about enjoying being out on the water. ​

Part 12: Capt. Chip Shafer Bridge Layout

We switch gears and head to the bridge with Old Reliable’s Captain Chip Shafer who breaks down the sportfisher’s displays, the sonar, and new features such a tank level display and a new tool for night traveling.

Part 11: Salon Continued

Because there are usually going to be at least six people on board, Smith set the seating up with three chairs from Release Marine at the island with room for everyone else to be at the dinette area. He first saw the chairs about 10 years ago at a boat show and knew they would be on his next boat. Additional storage can be found under the sofas, no cushion removal necessary.

Part 10: Pantry & Salon

While Nick Smith’s first choice for cork didn’t work John Bayliss used his design expertise to find the perfect—and durable—cork for Old Reliable. Additional custom touches include an easily accessible sink for Nick to clean up after fishing and a hidden cabinet for when it’s time to wind down.

Part 9: The Galley

From the double sinks to the plumbed coffee maker and custom hinges from the Bayliss machine shop, the Old Reliable galley is all about form and function.

Part 8: Guest, Crew & Master Staterooms

Storage and space is plentiful on the Old Reliable. Bunks are a minimum length of six feet nine inches, guests have access to full-sized hanging lockers and a queen-sized mattress in the stateroom lifts up for additional storage.

Part 7: Captain’s Quarters

We head inside to take a look at Capt. Chip Shafer’s quarters complete with a full monitoring system so he can keep track on what is happening outside at all times. Drawers all the way around the bed also provide storage without sacrificing space.

Part 6: Faux Paint Accents

Because Old Reliable probably won’t see the eastern coast of the US for the next five or seven years while in the Pacific, maintenance is very important. This is why faux teak is used—it’s a lot easier to keep up and provides the ability to do more trim work, according to owner Nick Smith.

Part 5: The Cockpit Continued

Legendary angler and owner Nick Smith continues his tour of the cockpit and shows us the storage capacity of the lazarette and custom fly console, aka Soda Bar. Lazarette access on the Old Reliable reveals electronic steering.

Part 4: Fly Fishing Cockpit Juice Bar

Owner Nick Smith shows us the custom-made rod holders designed to make sure the team is ready for different species of fish, from sailfish to striped marlin. Nick also breaks down the dredge reel with custom cam cleat adapter for dredge leash.

Part 3: The Cockpit

We head to the back of the boat and up the ladder where Nick breaks down all the components, from access to the engine compartment, complete with fireproof door, to the diamond pattern on the mezzanine upholstery and the unofficially christened “juice bar.”

Part 2: 22 Years in the Making

Nick Smith discusses how he fell into the offshore fly fishing world and the kind of boat he wanted to pursue this passion. Plus we break down the boat’s specs.

Part 1: Purpose-Built Like No Other

Owner Nick Smith discusses the why and how of building the new 72-footer Old Reliable as the crew prepares to head to Baja through the Panama canal.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Do you have any comments or questions for us? We’d love to hear from you.

    Filed Under: Boats, Brokerage, Featured Stories, News Tagged With: Bayliss Boatworks, fishing boat, new boat, Offshore Fishing, sportfisher, sportfishing boat

    Recent News

    Boats Sunk for Artificial Reef in Memory of Capt. Patrick Price

    By Zachary Granat Last year, on Sept. 6, 2021, Capt. Patrick Price passed away after a battle with COVID-19. This month, the MCAC Artificial Reef Fund honored him by sinking two artificial reefs off the coast of St. Lucie County. Two boats, the … [Read More...]

    O-Ring Stop

    Captain Dickie Dickinson Jupiter Fishing Charters Skill Level: Easy … [Read More...]

    Strange Creatures Come Out at Night

      By Captain Kevin Deerman It’s always been amazing to me to see what kind of creatures show up in the lights around the boat at night when tuna fishing off the Texas coast. Over the years we’ve encountered many different types of fis … [Read More...]

    Colombia To Ban Recreational Fishing

    On May 2, the Supreme Court of Colombia ruled that recreational fishing was unconstitutional. As a result, Colombians expect a ban on recreational fishing to take effect within one year. The decision comes after the Court’s 2019 ban on r … [Read More...]

    lines

    Superlines

    Modern dredge fishing has evolved tremendously, with multi-tiered teasers complementing intricate pulley systems mounted to towering outriggers. Mono has been a reliable choice for dredge line and outrigger halyards for years and is still popular … [Read More...]

    Leave a Reply

    Connect With InTheBite

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Subscribe to InTheBite Magazine Today!

    InTheBite Magazine Current Cover

    Our latest issue is hitting the docks now! Be sure to subscribe to the hottest bluewater mag on the market. Purchase or Subscribe »

    InTheBite Champion’s Cup

    InTheBite Champions Cup Logo

    New for 2022, the Champion’s Cup is an optional paid entry with a winner-takes-all prize format for teams who want to up the stakes in each division utilizing our longstanding tournament scoring formula.

    Captain of the Year Cup Standings

    COTY / ITB Cup Logo

    News

    • Boats Sunk for Artificial Reef in Memory of Capt. Patrick Price

      Boats Sunk for Artificial Reef in Memory of Capt. Patrick Price

      By Zachary Granat Last year, on Sept. 6, 2021, Capt. Patrick Price passed away after a battle with COVID-19. This month, the MCAC Artificial Reef Fund honored him by sinking two artificial reefs off the coast of St. Lucie County. Two boats, the 65-foot Spirit of Palm Beach—renamed the Daymaker—and the 98-foot Last One—renamed the Capt. Patrick Price Reef—are now... [Read More...]

    • Colombia To Ban Recreational Fishing

      Colombia To Ban Recreational Fishing

      On May 2, the Supreme Court of Colombia ruled that recreational fishing was unconstitutional. As a result, Colombians expect a ban on recreational fishing to take effect within one year. The decision comes after the Court’s 2019 ban on recreational hunting. Then, the Court held that recreational hunting was animal cruelty and a threat to the environment. It has made... [Read More...]

    • Blue Marlin Blast Fishing Tournament

      Blue Marlin Blast Fishing Tournament

      By Toine van Ierland, Tournament Director Cape Verde on fire! In both 2020 and 2021, we were forced to postpone the tournament thanks to COVID-19, but on the night of April 24, 2022, we finally kicked off the 2022 EFSA European Championship Big Game Fishing Tournament, AKA The PENN Challenge. And what a tournament it was. Expectations Two weeks prior... [Read More...]

    • New State Record for Dolphin Fish

      New State Record for Dolphin Fish

      Georgia DNR, Brunswick, Ga., May 5, 2022—A 53-year-old Midway man is the new state record holder for dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippurus), also known as mahi mahi, after the Georgia Department of Natural Resources certified his catch Friday. James Roberts of Midway landed the 68-pound, 1.6-ounce dolphin on April 26. He was fishing over Deli Ledge approximately 80 miles east of... [Read More...]

    • Capt. Patrick Price Memorial

      Capt. Patrick Price Memorial

      By Dave Powell, Captain Patrick Price Reef Project Manager On Sept. 6, 2021, Capt. Patrick Price passed away from COVID-19. Soon thereafter, a group of about 100 boat owners, captains, and fishermen, all friends of Pat’s, got together for afternoon beer in front of Fish Heads Tackle Shop. Their goal was to come up with a memorial to honor their good... [Read More...]

    Search InTheBite

    Copyright © 2022 InTheBite, LLC · All Rights Reserved.

    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.